Child of God

Before the world began
I held you in my hand
Knowing every detail of your life

Before you said a word
Before your faith was sure
You were chosen,
And purchased with a price
That can never be repaid

Not because of what you've done
Not because of what you'll do
But because of who I AM
And I have called you -

Isaiah was the first baby to be baptized by Rev. Amber. :)

Child of Mine
Come walk in the waters of forgiveness
Come drink from the fountain of new life
Be sprinkled with the sign of grace and mercy
As a mark and a promise that you are called
A Child of Mine

Written for Zoë's baptism, 2011

We celebrated Isaiah's baptism on Father's Day, surrounded by a crowd of loving relatives and supportive church family at First Presbyterian Church in Portland. Isaiah's baptism was a beautiful reminder to all of us of our gracious and loving Father in Heaven, who calls us out of our brokenness and bestows on us a new identity as His child - based not on our own merit, but on the depth of His love - and, though we are undeserving, washes us clean by His mercy.

Father & son - good looking' boys!

Little Isaiah, like your sister before you, we believe that God has placed a call on your life. We entrust you to our Father and pray that you will soon come to know your Creator, and His Son, Jesus Christ. We pray that the Holy Spirit would already be at work in you, raising you up into a man of integrity, faith, wisdom and love. By the grace of God and the help of the Spirit at work in us, your Daddy and I will do our best to teach you the way of Jesus, showing you by our actions how to love God and love others, and guiding you with our words toward a true and steadfast faith in Christ. What a precious gift it is to love and be loved by our God!

Isaiah being held by his Great Grandfather

We enjoyed spending the rest of Father's Day with family celebrating all the fathers among us, both young and old! Isaiah got lots of loving' and Zoë was thrilled to be able to run around with Cousin Rachel and Lola.

 Corby's first Father's Day!

Zac's first as father of two.

And Judah may not be a father, but he is one amazing Uncle. :)

Snuggling with Oma

With Great Uncle Jim and Opa

Lola loves her little grandson :)

Auntie Heidi

Tree swing with Rachel

Joshua teaching her some chords ;)