The 4 of us after Abby's dedication. Our picture taker had problems with our camera! So we only got this one.

Abby's Baby Dedication

On January 9th, we had Abby dedicated in church. Actually, Pastor Kevin said it much better during the service. It was not so much a baby dedication as it was a dedicating of ourselves, as parents, to the best of our ability to train and raise up this child to know the Lord. What a task that is! But how great the reward! How do I know this task will be difficult? I have a two year old and I can't imagine how much more difficult it will be when he's a teenager.

It was neat because this week our ladies' bible study is starting 1 Samuel and of course, the book begins with Samuel. Hannah prayed (actually poured out her heart) to the Lord and asked for a child. The Lord remembers her and she gives birth to a son, Samuel. She is so thankful that she brings him to Shiloh and dedicates him to the Lord. What this means is that Samuel, between the ages of 2-4, went to live and serve God at the Tent of Meeting. What a thankful and unselfish heart Hannah had! The amazing thing is that God granted her other children after Samuel.

I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD . For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD ." And he worshiped the LORD there. 1 Samuel 1: 27-28