We dedicated Julia on August 23, 2009 at our church Christ Chapel. The act of dedication a child is not a requirement, but an outgrowth of our absolute reliance upon God to help in the raising of a child. We are so grateful and humbled that God gave us the wonderful gift of Julia. While she is made of pieces of her father and mother, she is her own unique creation. She is already a blessing to her family and will be one to the others she meets in her life.

We surrender her to God. In our own strength we can not be her best parents, we can not protect her from all dangers, we can not teach her heart to love, nor can we order her steps. With God’s strength and wisdom we will nurture, teach, comfort, counsel, direct, discipline, and love Julia. We thank God for making a path for her in the world. For being her companion and never leaving her side, we are eternally grateful.

We commit to remember that Julia is a gift from God and teach her of her Heavenly Father, of the love and salvation of Jesus, and the companionship of the Holy Spirit. We pray that God will give us the strength to do this and that our friends and family will encourage us in our lifelong effort to do so.

We dedicated Emily on May 6th at our church Christ Chapel. Dedications are not required in our faith, but it is an act of surrender that we wanted to make. I’ve been thinking about what that surrender should look like for me. I have always had a sense that Emily was God’s creation as much as she is a mix of Robby and I. In fact, my doctor gave me a compliment about the pretty baby that I had made, and I pointed out that her beauty is God’s gift. God has entrusted her to us, and it our desire is to give her back to Him.

Who can be with Emily every moment of the day? Who knows Emily’s personality before she expresses it? Who knows what will happen before it occurs? Who always hears Emily when she cries? Who knows what each cry really means? I definitely don’t and can’t.

If I want to give good gifts to Emily, what better gifts will her heavenly father give her? What can I give Emily that God has not given to me first?

We prayed and waited for Emily. In God’s timing we received our gift. We’re excited to see the gift grow and enjoy the blessing everyday. We pray that we are as big of a blessing to Emily as she is to us.

I commit to remember that Emily is a gift from God and teach her of her Heavenly Father, of the love and salvation of Jesus, and the companionship of the Holy Spirit. I pray that God will give me the strength to do this and that my friends and family will encourage me in my lifelong effort to do so.