Forrest's Baptism

Sunday, August 10th was a special day for our family... the baptism of Forrest Hastings Shirley... at our church, Highlands Pres. We praise God for his covenant promises to bless not just individuals but families (Gen. 17: 7 & Acts 2: 38-39 - see below), and we are thankful to have Forrest come into this blessing. We pray that God will bring Forrest and Andrew to Himself at an early age and that they will grow into Godly young men - leaders among their friends, in their community, and one day even of their own families.

Forrest was baptized by our pastor, Joseph Wheat, but my dad, an elder at First Pres., said the prayer for Forrest following his baptism (Forrest is Dad's namesake). He prayed for Andrew in his baptism, too, and this made the baptisms extra-special! Thank you, Dad, for taking part in their baptisms and for praying for our boys and for Wilson and me as we endeavor to raise our boys "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord". One thing that I love that Joseph does in baptisms is he asks the congregation, as they vow to help the parents raise their child being baptized, to say a prayer for that child sometime that day. How wonderful to think that Forrest was lifted up in prayer by so many members of our church that day!

We felt so blessed and loved to have our families with us for Forrest's baptism. It was special to have them with us at church and then for lunch afterwards at our home.

Forrest and I in the nursery before church - dressed and ready. He wore the same gown that Andrew wore, and we had it monogrammed with an "S" in the center of the top section. Then, we had Andrew and Forrest's full names and dates of baptisms monogrammed on the slip of the gown. How special to think of starting a family gown for our children, and hopefully one day, their children, to wear for baptism - it's kind of a symbol of how God does bless us thru families.

Me and my boys after church.

Andrew was so sweet during the baptism. Wilson went and got him from the nursery just before the baptism so he didn't realize that all of our family was there. When we went to the front, Andrew looked out to see all of his grandparents and aunts and uncles! He went down the row and waved to every single person! He actually did this very quietly because I didn't even know he was doing it... they told me after church!

The Bratley Family - Andrew, Dad, Wilson, Forrest, Me, Rebecca, Bryan, Elizabeth, and Mom

The Shirley Family - Debbie, Andrew, Ricky, us, Tory & Michael with their girls, Elizabeth & Alexa, and David & Kim

Our friends, Scott & Maggie Jones, had their cute Lucy baptized the same day as Forrest. Notice how Forrest is sleeping in this picture!

"I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you." Genesis 17:7

"Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."
Acts 2:38-39