Reborn

Today was such a special day! Alex and Maggie were baptized today and we as parents are so proud of the relationship we see each of them forming with Christ. Someone this morning asked me if I knew what the age limit was for baptism. I said I didn't and she asked me how I decided when they could be baptized. I told her it was when they came to me and asked to be baptized. Both Alex and Maggie asked Jesus into their hearts a few years ago now but it wasn't until now that they have truly understood the meaning of baptism. When the pastor a few weeks ago announced there would be a baptismal service, Alex leaned over and whispered to me that he'd like to get baptized. While talking with him one evening about what that meant and making sure he truly understood Maggie listened too and said she also wanted to be baptized. We've spent the last few weeks reinforcing their desire to be baptized by talking about their decision.

If you read this and are wondering about why we baptize them now instead of as infants, let me explain. We believe baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It is how we declare our Christianity in a physical way after accepting Jesus as our Savior and the Son of God. We believe that baptism represents a death and rebirth - as your body goes under the water it is a burial of the "old self", the part of us that seeks to primarily please ourselves. When you are brought back out of the water it represents our new birth in Christ, the new person who has committed themselves to live for God.

The service today was incredible! I think Pastor John said something like 15 people signed up to be baptized, but at the end of the group that had signed up he said that if anyone who had heard his sermon, which was on baptism, and had accepted Christ as their Savior, desired to be baptized that they could come forward. A couple of people came up to the front. As they were being baptized a few more came up and the line was continuously refilled with more and more people wanting to make that declaration. Some were brand new to the church within the last month and said they had found Jesus just recently. Others had been away for some time and were recommitting their lives to Christ and starting new. When Alex and Maggie went up they were the only children who went up, but several kids their age went up during the service wanting to be baptized.

It was just incredible the response. At least the people who had signed up had come ready in clothes with towels and clothes to change into, but the people who were moved to that decision during service came up in their street clothes. It was an amazing sight as people were recycling towels and pulling blankets out of the nursery and anywhere they could find them to help the people dry off afterwards. My words cannot explain the excitement and awe of God's power in that service today. The only word I can think of to describe the whole morning is powerful! As Wendy, the pastor's wife, said, "This is one of those services we'll be talking about for a long time...and then we'll get to heaven and talk about it some more!"
~Tona

A New Season

Today Alex and Maggie boarded the big yellow twinkies for their first day of school. At this point the first day of school shouldn't be that big of a deal with Alex being in 7th and Maggie in 5th but Alex especially is about to experience a brand new culture! Coming out of a small school with a class of 14 into a huge building with something like 1200 students, well, let's just say he was a little nervous about finding his first class! We did a lot of practice run throughs and highlighted maps to help him find his way. I know, what a mom thing to do to make her kid look like a dork, but truth be told, he appreciated it and we did things in a clandestine way so that no one should know how much effort he put into seeming normal in this giant school!

I've gotten a few emails about not blogging and for that I truly apologize! I felt that my last blog was kind of a bookend and I wasn't sure how to start the next story of our lives. But here I am. Summer is over. The kids had an incredible 13 1/2 week summer vacation - I'm pretty sure the longest in history! So in honor of school starting I thought I'd write a "What I did over summer vacation" blog for you!

Since coming back we had great times with family. We were home in time for Corey's family reunion which is always such a treat. With my mom, stepdad and sister we took a vacation to Florida for a little relaxation after a couple of weeks of readjustment. I won't write the whole story here, but we had a really cool experience this summer. My sister owns a time share and so when you stay in the condo you have to sit through the little spiel about buying a time share. I know everyone dreads this part, but God placed an amazing young man in our path who was seeking a new relationship with God and it turned out to be a really cool match up as we answered questions, talked about raising children in Christian home, etc. It's just a reminder that any situation can be an opportunity for a God connection. Let me say this, too, the Orlando and Tampa area have some great churches that are on fire for God!

Corey and I took a road trip to Springfield, Missouri. We are in an exciting process of transitioning from our position of Missionary Associates - a kind of apprentice position - to Fully Appointed Missionaries. We went to Springfield for medical and personality testing and interview. It was also a great time to meet with our Latin America Childcare leaders and get a feel for our new positions.

Let me explain that a little bit. We will be working fully with Latin America Childcare. Corey will be working with the construction side throughout Latin America. He'll be coordinating teams from churches - maybe yours - to help build schools throughout the many countries of Latin America. I, Tona, will be working with the various Latin America Childcare Choirs as they prepare and visit churches throughout the United States to bring awareness to the many children who still need sponsors. I look forward to expanding on this a bit more once we really get rolling and should have tour pictures coming up soon since the first tour will begin in October!

Besides those main events we have had time as a family to rediscover American candy, reconnect with family and have many adventures in our new surroundings. So the new season begins, our season of fundraising, transitioning in position and sharing with our dear supporters all that we have done. We hope to see you soon!
~Tona