This past weekend four of my closest girlfriends and I packed up our things, kissed our kids, wished our husbands good luck, and headed down to Hume Lake Christian Camps for a weekend Women’s Retreat.
Hume Lake. That name alone takes me back. Back thirteen years ago when I attend the high school camp there as a teenager and made significant decisions for Christ. To follow Him as my Lord and savior. To commit each day to living for Him. To know Him and truly love Him.
I was fifteen years old when I gave my life over to the One who created me. Up to that point things in my life had been going great. I came from a good family. I had great friends. I did well in school. But something was missing–I didn’t know quite what is was, but I knew there had to be something more.
One of my very best friends throughout childhood invited me to youth group my sophomore year of high school. Immediately, that void that I just couldn’t quite put my finger on didn’t seem so empty. The more I learned about Jesus–His love for me, that He died for me so I could be with Him one day in heaven–the more I wanted to let everyone know about Him. That year that I committed my life to Him I was also baptized–proclaiming to my friends and family in an outward display the changes that Jesus was making in my life.
A few weeks ago I was blessed by the opportunity to photograph the baptism of my dear friends son. Let me tell you, it is hard to take pictures when your viewfinder keeps fogging up from teary eyes! Three boys, all under the age of nine, were baptized that day and it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever been a part of. To see these boys–their confidence in Christ and their desire to follow Him–is something that I hope and pray for in my own children’s lives.
I always feel honored when my clients ask me to take their pictures, but this day I felt blessed. Thank you Jeff and Julie for letting me share this amazing day with you and your family!
“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”–Romans 6:4