A True Princess of the King

Our first daughter, Lily Marie, was born on August 7, 2003.  It was an exciting, yet scary day as she was delivered by Emergency C-Section.  As soon as I laid eyes on her, I immediately fell in love and longed for all of the "firsts" that everyone talked about...smiling, laughing, babbling, crawling, walking, and most of all hearing her say, "I love you."  As Lily grew older I realized that although those things are special, there was one thing that I prayed for that would be the most important event of her life; an event that would impact her eternity.  And on April 16, 2011, I heard the most beautiful words out of my daughter's mouth:  "Mommy, I want to trust Jesus as my Lord and Savior."  What a glorious day that was!  Her Daddy and I prayed with her and asked her lots of questions, all of which she was able to answer with certainty.  Lily met with Mr. Pete, our Children's Pastor, on April 27th.  They talked for over 90 minutes!  He gave her a workbook to complete called "Now That I'm a Christian" that included activities for 4 weeks.  After she completed her book we were able to schedule her Baptism.  Lily wanted to be baptized on June 19th which was Father's Day.  What a wonderful present for her Daddy! 

Here is our precious Lily at church right before she was baptized:

Jonathan and I both started crying tears of joy when the Baptismal curtains opened!

Mr. Pete introduced Lily to the church.  Then he told the congregation who was instrumental in Lily's salvation.  Lily wanted to make sure that her Mommy and Daddy were mentioned, along with her Life Group teachers (Jacquie Bell, Jen Sharits, Debbie Jones, and Melanie McCarty)

She also wanted to write her own testimony: 
I learned about Jesus at home and at church.  I realized that I needed Jesus in my heart and in my life as my Lord and Savior.  I wanted to be a true princess; a daughter of the King.  On April 16th I told my Mommy that I was ready to trust Jesus.

Mr. Pete then asked,  "Lily, have you trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?" And she very confidently said, "Yes!"

Then he baptized Lily in water!  (I did not get pictures of this as I did not want to watch that special moment through my camera lens!) 
Here is our Lily Marie who has been saved by grace and washed white as snow!

We had a Rebirthday party at our home following her Baptism.  Lily's Kindergarten teacher and one of my very dear friends, Patti Bounds, was able to see Lily get baptized and came to help her celebrate!

We had Lily's favorite snack (nachos) and a special cake made for Lily's big day!

Lily's sweet friend, Emma Grace, was there to help celebrate Lily too! 

I put out 2 pictures of Lily for our guests to look at.  The first one is of Lily when she was just 3 months old, and the second one is of her in April of this year.  She has grown so much physically, but also spiritually as well!

We are so excited for Lily and her decision.  Please join us in praying for her and that she will continue to share the love of God that shines in her.  Pray for others to see the change in her heart and that they will want to be more like Him.  To God be the glory for great things He has done and continues to do in our family!

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10