My Daughter's Baptism

On Sunday, December 16th --- my daughter went through the waters of baptism! It was an unforgettable and memorable day, not only because of her baptism, but also because a huge snow storm came through our area blanketing us with more than 25cm of snow all within a 24-hour period. News reports have pegged it as the biggest snow storm in 60 years occurring in the month of December.

In spite of the massive snow storm, family and friends braved the weather and came out to the church to join us in celebrating this milestone in our daughter's life. As mentioned in my previous post, my heart is overflowing with pure joy as I give thanks to God for His work in my daughter's life.

Many people have congratulated us and credited this milestone to good parenting. Although we truly appreciate those congratulatory words, we truly do not feel that we can take credit for this milestone. Both my hubby and I feel that we are merely doing what God expects of us as parents, and that is to faithfully and consistently teach our children about God and His ways, and to model to our children what it means to live each day as a follower of Jesus Christ. It is purely because of God's grace that our daughter has come to a full understanding of God's great love at such a young age. And for that, we give God all the glory and all the praise! Although, I must say, that as a mom, my heart is beaming and I am extremely proud of my daughter for her willingness to walk in obedience to God. I can not ask for anything better!

Here is the text of her testimony:
Hi. I’m ***** ***** and I’m 10 years old. Ever since I can remember, my mom or dad would read my Bible to me nightly. They would also pray with me and explain what we read. When I was 4 years old, I went to my Aunt R’s church when an evangelistic group called “The Rubber Chicken Company” went there. They played games and told Bible stories. They told us about Jesus’ death and resurrection and presented us with the salvation story. At the end of the service, they asked if anyone wanted to pray and ask Jesus to be their forever friend. I went to the front and the leader led those of us who responded in prayer. I repeated a prayer after him asking Jesus to be my forever friend. After that, a counselor talked to me to make sure I understood what it meant for Jesus to live in my heart. I understood that I’m a sinner and that I needed Jesus in my life to help me live for God each day so that one day I could go to heaven and live with God for eternity. Since then I’ve been growing with God. So many people have helped me grow spiritually. My parents have helped me the most. They explain the Bible to me, help me through hard times and encourage me. My small group and large group leaders at Potter’s House teach me each week about how to grow with God.

In the Fall of last year, 2 of our neighbours, Mrs. K and Mrs. J, my mom’s friends got baptized. As I watched their baptisms, I realized I had to get baptized one day. I asked my mom when I could get baptized. At that time, I thought that baptism was just for adults. She told me that baptism is for anyone who believes in Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. Then I realized that baptism isn’t just for adults. I can be baptized too. So today I am choosing to be baptized because I want to follow Jesus’ example and I want to show publicly that I am a follower of Jesus Christ. Please pray for me as I continue to grow with God and as I share God’s love with my friends, many of whom are not yet Christians.

If anyone here today has never asked Jesus to be their forever friend, I hope what I shared today has touched your heart. Baptism is to show that one is a follower of Jesus Christ, but it can not save you. Salvation comes from acknowledging you are a sinner and asking Jesus to be your personal Lord and Saviour.

In closing, I would like to share some of my favourite Bible verses:
1 Timothy 4:12 --- "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young. Set an example for the believers in what you say and in how you live. Also set an example in how you love and in what you believe. Show the believers how to be pure."

Luke 2:10-11 --- "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy. It is for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord.' "

John 14:6 --- "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.' "

John 4:13-14 --- "Jesus answered, 'All who drink this water will be thirsty again. But anyone who drinks the water I give him will never be thirsty. In fact, the water I give him will become a spring of water in him. It will flow up into eternal life.' "

Isaiah 40:31 --- "But those who trust in the Lord will receive new strength. They will fly as high as eagles. They will run and not get tired. They will walk and not grow weak."

The video of her baptism is posted in the blog entry previous to this one. It is her heart's desire that her testimony continue to touch people's hearts through this blog.

Philippians 1:6, 9-11 (NIV) --- "...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God."