The "best" is HERE!!: Alex's baby dedication

This morning we had Alex's baby dedication. At our church, we don't do infant baptisms but rather we do these "dedications" where we, as parents, promise to teach our child the truths of the Christian faith, to set an example before him, to bring him up in the instruction and discipline of the Lord and to encourage him to accept Christ as Savior and Lord under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As we present our children to the congregation, they profess to join us in this pursuit.

We chose Proverbs 3: 5-6 for Alex's life verse:

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.

Seek His will in all you do and He will direct your path."

This verse has such special meaning to me as it was one of my go to verses when I was going through infertility. It is probably one of the most picked apart and studied verses in my prayer journal. I'm pretty sure I could do an entire blog post just on this verse....maybe someday;) I thought it was only fitting that as our infertility journey comes to an end and our journey as a family of 4 begins that I would forever remember as I look at Alex and God's special plan for him to really and truly trust in God.

Not only that, but God certainly proved trustworthy in Alex's life from the very start

.....when the power went out when his little embryo was being frozen, we trusted in God that he was still a viable embryo.

....when we had just one embryo left over and the chances were sooo slim that he would survive the thaw, we trusted in God that he would make it.

....when we transferred just one embryo and the chances again weren't so good that he would "take", we trusted in God.

....when we found out we were pregnant but that my thyroid levels were elevated and this could increase my chance of miscarriage, we trusted in God.

....when we thought we lost him in a scary ER visit on Good Friday at 14 weeks, we trusted in God.

So today, baby boy, you see God is trustworthy - He was before you were created, on the day you were formed, the day you were frozen and every second from then until now and forever.

This week I have been reading over Proverbs 3 - it's funny, verse 5-6 have always been near and dear to my heart but I don't know that I've ever ventured through the entire chapter. As I read it this morning, I found it to be a perfect prayer to pray over you today and always:

My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.^[a]

Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.^[b]

Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.
She is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you desire can compare with her.
Long life is in her right hand;
    in her left hand are riches and honor.
Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.
She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.

By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.

My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;
they will be life for you,
    an ornament to grace your neck.
Then you will go on your way in safety,
    and your foot will not stumble.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
Have no fear of sudden disaster
    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the Lord will be at your side
    and will keep your foot from being snared.

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.
Do not say to your neighbor,
    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
    when you already have it with you.
Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
    who lives trustfully near you.
Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
    when they have done you no harm.

Do not envy the violent
or choose any of their ways.

For the Lord detests the perverse
    but takes the upright into his confidence.
The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
    but he blesses the home of the righteous.
He mocks proud mockers
    but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
The wise inherit honor,
    but fools get only shame.

Isn't that perfect?

So today, Alexander Brooks we committed you to the Lord before many of our friends and family and our entire congregation.

As the pastor prayed a prayer over you, you tried to steal the papers out of his hand.

As for your sister, I'm not *quite* sure what she is doing here!

We love you, Bubbers!!!

As always, you had so much fun with Cookie Beek back at our house to celebrate. You sure know how to put a smile on her face!!

You woke up from your nap sooooo sad to see that everyone was gone!!

But after a quick nap in your stroller, you were much better. We sat on the porch and hung out while a quick rain shower passed by and even saw a rainbow!