Restored!

...if though shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, though shalt be saved.

-Romans 10:9

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Christian and I have been married almost 6 1/2 years now. About 2 years after we were married, we felt like something was missing in our marriage. So, we began going to our local First Christian Church again (the one where we were married). We went there for a while, but didn't feel like it was where we were meant to be. One Sunday toward the beginning of the year, we got an invite to go to Journey Church with our friend, Scott. And we decided to go with him.

At first Christian and I both had a hard time feeling comfortable with the casual attire and the loud band music. We tried the church out several more times, and after every service we found ourselves talking about what we had learned and singing the songs. So, the more and more that we went to Journey, the more and more that we began to absolutely love the way of worship that Journey provides in song and sermon. About 3 years ago, we joined a small group. Our group has changed over the years, but we have made such lifelong, encouraging, and God-centered friendships that we adore. We've now been going to Journey for 4 1/2 years, and am 100% sure that choosing to put God into our marriage was the very best thing we could have done for us as a couple and as individuals.

Two Sundays ago, on July 10th, I chose to get re-baptized. When I was younger, I had gotten baptized, but over the last several years, it's been on my heart to renew that commitment. I feel like now that I am older, I have a whole new outlook on life with being an adult, a wife and a mother. Jesus has always been in my heart, but I wanted to re-dedicate my life to the Lord now that I know more of the real meaning and am wanting to make every conscious effort to live my life for Him.

Every summer our church has a baptism bash at Lake Thunderbird. Last year we were out of town for it, so I told myself that when it came around again this year, I wanted that to be the way that I experienced my renewal... in the serenity of the outdoors.

One of my dearest friends, Lisa, made that same commitment on that same day. I was thrilled to get to share that experience with such an important, close person in my life. One of our great friends, Bryan, is the pastor at our church. I was honored that he wanted to and got to baptize us as well.

So many people were there to support us and the others getting baptized.

It was so special to have my baby boy there to witness my decision. It was extremely too hot (in the 100's) for Morgan to be out there, so she stayed home with a friend.

It felt so good to have my family there to support me.

I have such amazing, caring, loving and supportive parents. I couldn't be more blessed by them.

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Trent is our worship leader at the East Campus that we go to. He played his guitar and sung such beautiful, Christian songs throughout the evening.

Waiting in line....

Watching the others before us...

Right before it was my turn, Mason ran down to me to give me sweet hugs and kisses.

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"Do you, Kristie, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior?"...

"Yes!"

"I now baptize you, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit."

Renewed and Born Again!

Immediately I started crying. I felt every bit of conviction and certainty emerge in me and was overwhelmed with emotion.

I felt refreshed, renewed, joyful, thankful, confident, reassured and just so extremely blessed.

My sweet boy came and gave me high fives and hugs and said, "Good job, Mommy!"

Then, it was Lisa's turn. It was wonderful to witness her make that step that she had been yearning for as well. I was and am so proud of my sweet friend!

Women of Christ!

The entire experience was perfect. Absolutely perfect... It was peaceful. It was rejuvenating. It was invigorating. I felt restored. I felt replenished. I felt forgiven. And, I felt full.

My prayer for myself is that I always remember the feeling that I felt when I came up from the water that day. I pray that I always remember that my help comes from the Lord, and no where else. That I shouldn't fear the storms in life, because God will always come through for me. That I always lean on Him because He is my refuge, my safe haven, my shelter, my health, and my protection. I pray that I am strong enough to resist the temptations of life and wise enough to acknowledge those things beforehand. I pray that I don't let myself become a luke warm Christian, but to always be obedient and always try to be tangled up in righteousness and purity. I pray that I constantly look deep into my heart and recognize who and what in life I am submitting my life to. I pray that I always remember the sacrifice that was made so that I can be forgiven and made whole again and again.

I believe. I surrender. I submit. I confess. I need You. Save me. Use me. Shine through me. Fulfill my life in abundance with Your glory. I realize that I will continue to fall short of living up to Your standards, but help me to continue to live intentionally to please Your name. My life is forever in Your hands. Here I am Lord... I'm all Your's.

In Jesus' precious name. Amen.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths."

- Proverbs 3:5-6