It's a Good Day to Praise!

Amen? Aaaamen!

So today was one of those days that was a blessing from top to bottom.

adam baptizing carlee! :)

First, we started with church [as always!]. We are home this weekend, a welcome return from visiting my parents' church back in Ohio. Adam had asked Joe to lead Sunday school, since he was tied up with another obligation for the 9:00 hour.

At the start of the service, the projection screen lifted to reveal Adam, dressed in baptistry garb, in the water ready to do his first baptism. We excitedly watched as he baptized their youngest, Carlee, into the church and into Christ's family. It totally melted my heart to be a witness to that moment; how awesome to baptize your own child! :) Welcome, Carlee!!

dan & robin
dan, we'll miss you | robin, we love you!!

On a slightly more somber note, today was Dan Werner's last Sunday with us for at least 1 year. He leaves for a 1-year deployment on Tuesday this week. We surrounded Robin & Dan before the service and prayed over them. I know how tough it was some days when Joe was gone for a year, but we were free to coordinate Sydni and I visiting on average once a month. Not only will Robin be void of that luxury, she'll be with two children here. My heart goes to them, along with all of the military families who face the challenges of deployment. Either way, it was wonderful to see them together at church today and to be a part of Dan's church family send-off. I pray this time will pass quickly!

rebecca & nick | new towerview members!

It's that time of year again for graduations, and today we honored our high school graduates. Congratulations to all of them!! :)

Lastly [but certainly not of any lesser value!], Nick and Rebecca took to the aisle during the invitation and joined the church. They are now official members of Towerview Baptist!! It's been nothing but fun getting to know them through the Sandvens, and seeing them get more and more involved with us - like our small group Friday - made me thrilled to see them join up with the ranks of the rest of us Towerviewers. Welcome!! :) :)

After the service, we gathered downstairs for lunch and a VBS kickoff of sorts. Joe gained a whole new level of appreciation for childcare workers after it was said and done and we'd left him with the kids for nearly an hour. Hah. Back at the house, Joe and Syd settled in for a nap and I took to grocery shopping and some other miscellaneous Sunday things.

Now we're all back here, settling in for the evening, and I can't complain one bit about that. :)

This is the way to start a week!

xo | cmd