This was not always the case, as Sunday used to be my favorite day. Soon it will be again when football resumes. But for now, it's Thursdays! It starts with Bible study at Victory, and this evening with Bible Information Class at GS. Tonight we ended on an extremely high note as Amber scheduled her baptism with Pastor after class.
Backing up a bit---during the study, we were looking at Holy Communion and the discussion got around to the proper 'examination' of ourselves before partaking. Amber looked a bit alarmed and wrote on top of her page "Do I have to take a test to be baptized?" I wrote back that she did not, telling her baptism is a free gift to her from God, typically administered by a pastor. I felt badly that she was scared by this because we did cover that in the previous weeks' studies. Did we perhaps go over this too fast?
Judy C., Amber, and I were talking in the parking lot about the baptism and its planning thereof. Judy suggested she be baptized one of the next two Sundays before "Kim leaves for WI". Nice! I was looking for Pastor's cell number in my phone when Judy suggested we just go back in and speak to him in person. We three went back there and the plans were made for May 6th. Yay!
Pastor showed Amber the Order of Service for Holy Baptism in the hymnal and told her that it is not uncommon for adults being baptized to have a witness or two to stand with them at the font. Amber turned to us and said, "It would be these two!" So, I am going to be god-sister for Amber, as is Judy. She is incredibly nervous and I probably didn't help much by crying...
We discussed having a get-together for after the service, at my house, got a tentative head count, including her husband, who used to work for 'us'. ("Dress yourself today, Tim?") Amber moved back home with him and our hope is that she will get him to church, too. She scoffed at that, saying he is a Catholic, but Judy asked her when he had last even been to church.
Amber was thinking and thinking, and I gestured over my shoulder, asking, "Was it here, Amber?". She thinks it might have been---Timmy's funeral. That day, Amber was not able to get herself to come but minded the shop at home while we were gone to church. Good thing it was dark outside so she couldn't see more tears. How sad! He didn't take anything away from that powerful service??? The powerful message of hope and salvation in our Lord??? Oh, my...
When I got home and told Justin about it, he was happy, too. But then he told me he wouldn't be around that weekend to be my helper with getting things ready. He has to house-sit for his father and is having a party at his father's house for Cinco d' Mayo. No one except Justin will even know what they are celebrating but love those margaritas! On Sunday he will have to ready the house for Open House so I won't likely see him much. I will be on my own, like old times!
Already I am planning the menu, what can be served quickly after church and be ready when we get home...I might do Wimpies and Justin said he might have time to make yet another Strawberry Pretzel Torte. Or, I can get trays from Publix and a baptism cake. I do have some time beforehand to plan. Oh, I can get a Honey Baked ham!!!! Brilliant Kim!!!
While I am thinking about food, Amber is thinking about her baptism, what to wear, what she has to say as part of the service (we assured her to be standing one on each side of her!), and all that stuff. This is so incredibly heartwarming! The last adult we had go through this was Tyler, who went through Bible Information Class with us, and was baptized, confirmed, and took the Lord's Supper all in one service. I am glad I was not asked to stand with him (his wife did) because I was a mess there in the back...boo hoo hoo!
Amber already told us her family is coming to the service so this means she is really looking forward to it. Her free gift from God...makes Honey Baked ham pale in comparison!
