OF BAPTISMS AND BREADMAKING

About a month ago I mentioned that our oldest would be getting baptized in May. Well, last Sunday was the day - May 15th. Over 20 children, ages 1st-5th grade participated in this family baptism service which our church has dubbed "Footsteps". The chapel was completely full with parents, grandparents and friends of the children being baptized. Both sets of grandparents had travelled from out of town to witness our 8yo son testify to his faith in Christ. It was a very special and glorious time standing with our extended family and two other children singing to the Lord and celebrating along with these children. I was amazed at the composure and joy of our son as he spoke of his faith in his video testimony and without fear, went under the waters to give a living portrait of Colossians 2:12, "having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead." You see, our son still doesn't really know how to swim. He hates putting his head under the water. He doesn't want to take swimming lessons. But there was absolutely no fear leading up to his baptism. Not one word of being nervous. Just joyful anticipation at having the chance to tell everyone that he loves Jesus. All praise and thanksgiving go to our God for working in his little heart in this way.

"O Lord Jesus, continue to grow our son in the grace and knowledge of You. May he always treasure the day of his baptism and grow in his love for You. Thank You for the way You have worked in him and will continue to work in Him. Your lovingkindness is indeed everlasting."

Well, I got my Nutrimill. The last two weeks I've been perfecting my breadmaking and the results have been very encouraging and very yummy. I went up to Breadbeckers and purchased a 6 gallon, 45 pound bucket of hard white wheat which I'm hoping will last me at least six weeks. The cost for the bucket was $24. I also finally investigated a local source for raw honey. There is a farm of sorts located right down the road from us which advertises raw honey, goats for sale, fresh eggs and other things. Understand this about our area - every available patch of land seems to be snatched up for development but this little patch of heaven, as I discovered, is still safe. Right off a busy four lane road, their property is still pristine and like something from 50 years ago when the whole area was farm land. The family who owns the property is one of the oldest families in the area. They even have a middle school named after one of their ancestors, I guess because they sold the county some of their land. Anyway, I was very pleased to meet the wife of owner of this property. She said that her sister-in-law lives right next door and sells the fresh eggs. You just come down and do business on the honor system. So I think I'll be purchasing my honey and maybe my eggs from these fine people. OK, back to the breadmaking. I love kneading the dough. Yesterday I began to think about the way the Lord kneads us and shapes us and how we must allow the leaven to work its way through the whole lump. It's been wonderful for me to see how God can "speak" through these simple things and show us the spiritual analogies. Now, if I could only get a green thumb! I'm off to taste my newest baking experiment, cinnamon honey rolls. Here it is, right next to the laptop, I'm getting ready to bite into it.......and.......needs a lot more honey! LOL! I'll have to put a lot of cream cheese icing on these to get my family to eat them. Oh well, second time will be better I expect.

Blessings.