Gretchen's Dedication

This morning was Baby Dedication at Church. I am so thankful to God for showing DJ and I a church family for our family, and that we found a church, where we were comfortable having Gretchen dedicated.

DJ and I come from different religious backgrounds. He was raised Catholic and I was raised Southern Baptist. Talk about different! I know that God prepared me for our marriage. When I was in college, I met a wonderful friend, who was Catholic, and I became very interested in the Catholic religion. I had a chance to visit the Vatican right after college and a month before I met DJ.

When DJ and I started dating and searching for a church, we decided that we would be Methodist. I'm not sure if one can really be a religion, but we decided that it might be the best choice for us- a good compromise, if you will.

We attended Methodist churches while we lived in Arkansas and Louisiana. Once we moved to Indiana, we started out our search for a Methodist church. Well, the Methodist churches that we attended were not what we expected. One was very "Baptist" according to DJ, another had a large elderly population, and one was too relaxed and non-denominational for us. So, we just stopped going. Once was Gretchen was born, I told DJ that I would be willing to attend St. Mary's, a Catholic church in town. We attended St. Mary's for about a year. And while, it wasn't my favorite, I learned a lot, and I wanted to support my husband in his faith.

After attending St. Mary's for a year, we met Mark and Melissa. Mark was a new coach on our staff, and they told us about the church they were attending. We had actually tried the church in our search when we first arrived to Indiana. Remember, it was the one that was too relaxed and non-denominational for us, even though it is a Methodist church. But, Mark and Melissa were attending a different service than the one we originally tried. So, we decided we would give it another go. By this time, Gretchen was almost a year and a half old, and I wanted her to be in a church, where she could go to a class and learn and play.

Our first Sunday, was .... well, I can't choose the perfect word. But, the service wasn't anything I had expected. The music was phenomenal, and the preacher was our age. There were so many people that were in the exact same place in their lives as we were. Soon after, football season started, so I was left taking Gretchen on my own. I grew to love the church, the services, and the casualness. We get to wear jeans and they have a coffee bar... Gretchen did excellent in her classroom, and I couldn't wait for football to be over with so DJ could come back with us.

Two weeks ago, it was announced that they were going to have baby dedications, and I asked DJ if he would be interested in having Gretchen dedicated. When she was an infant, we struggled with what we should do. I disagreed with having her baptized into the Catholic church, but we weren't in a church home that we felt comfortable in. So, we didn't do anything.

I think that it's important, that we, as parents, raise our children to know the Lord, but ultimately it is up to them, to choose to follow him. Although, it's my prayer for her everyday.

I'm so glad that the Lord has led us to where we are; in church, life, love, everything. For the first time, in a long time, I can say that I am 100% content with my life. And, I've finally opened my heart to the thought of having another baby. Which, I'm getting very excited about! We aren't trying yet, but we know that we will in the near future, as we are trying to time it out with my school schedule and maternity leave.... Okay, I'm rambling. I'm just very blessed.

So, here are a few pictures from her dedication today. Be blessed! DJ holding Gretchen while we were on stage, answering that we would raise her to know God.

Gretchen, always the center of attention, was making faces at Ms. Michelle (who happens to be her daycare sitter, and goes to our church).

Gretchen, was a little wiggly!

Our pastor, Matt, saying a dedication prayer for Gretchen.

When the dedication was over, Gretchen received her very 1st Bible, and we received a jumbo parenting book! As we were walking to our seat, our daughter, proudly cheered, "yeah!" What a joyous moment!