To Carson, On Your 8th Birthday

Dear Carson,
                       Today has been so full. Very rarely do I wish that I could just live a day over and over, but I think if I could, I would just rewind today and do it all over again. Not to change it, just to be able to experience it again, and continue to savor it. I know that seems like a strange thing to say, since it isn't *my* birthday, but it was just a really wonderful day, and I am glad that it was such a celebration of you.

     By far the very best part was your baptism. You accepted Christ when you were only five, and baptism was something you had a lot of questions about. It was hard for me to wait, but I am glad that I did. You were truly ready today to proclaim your faith to the world, and it was so very precious. I'm not going to lie: watching your Dad perform your baptism made me cry. He read the verses we picked out for you years ago, before you were even saved and they are still something I pray for you now:

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."Ephesians 3:14-21

   The very best part of these verses? These aren't just future promises, they are taking place right now, too. I am watching you, and hopefully helping you, become rooted and established. I am seeing you begin to grasp the love of the Lord and watching you as you are filled with His fullness.

    And it is taking my breath away. You are so young, but you constantly surprising me with your maturity. Seeing you face your fear about baptism, and conquer it through prayer and seeing your joy...it is blessing I don't take for granted. You are learning so much about the Lord and His Word, and it thrills me.

   Today really was such a great display of who you are. You made a decision about baptism, and you didn't back down. You gave it a lot of thought and examined it beforehand, so you were confident in your choice. Then you wanted to celebrate. You just wanted to be with *all* the family, and the same little guy that offered me his cookie at two, made sure that he ordered a dessert today that he could share with everyone. You made sure everyone at the table had a piece of zeppoli before you even took a bite, and you made sure to send the biggest one home for Grandpa Doc, since you know he loves donuts, and kept the smallest piece for yourself. You dived into the new Bible storybooks we bought you right at the table-you couldn't wait until we got home. Then after we were home, you just wanted to help get things ready for your party, offering to clean the toilet even though it is your birthday! And you were so proud to get to make your own ice cream cake. You carefully decorated every family members' cup with stickers and painstakingly wrote their name-it was so important to you to do it right and not forget anyone.

   Then when everyone arrived, you were in your element. You love to be the host, and you are never happier than when your house is full of the people you love. You wanted to take pictures with everyone. You weren't worried about being served first, you just wanted everyone to have a good time.You made sure you talked to everyone and thanked them for their gifts.

   You even got a "selfie" with me-and I know that I will always have fond memories when I look at that picture. I love you so much. And I hope you know that every day. I am so thankful for all the memories we made today, that I was able to see you proudly profess your faith before our church, but most importantly that I get to see you live that faith every day in your own way, one that honors the Lord.

   I am always praying for you, and I am so glad that you are here. I love you more than you can know.

                                                                                 Love,
                                                                                       Mom