And the Trumpet shall sound

Sometimes we go into feast days/weeks prepared and ready for all that the Father has for us, and other times, we go into them unprepared and just barely being ready to participate.  This year we didn't feel entirely prepared but open to what He wanted to show us through it.  Our hearts have been preparing but last minute preparations and gathering everyone up sometimes gets me. 

We usually celebrate the Feast of Trumpets with City on a Hill in Sturgis.  They start with a Mikvah (baptism) service, then continue celebrating at the house with food, dance, and games.  We've been going through such an amazing time spiritually right now, we were ready for whatever He wanted.  We went to the Mikvah not feeling the need to participate, but once I got there, I felt this huge urge to go into the water.  I typically prefer doing it with my husband's covering alongside me, but he wasn't planning on doing it, so I thought I'd just let it be.  Then Benaiah nudged him and said he wanted to to start a new chapter.  Then Alegra went to him and asked if he was going to because she felt like she needed to.  Sooo, right away I said, "Yeah, I'm supposed to also".  We often times think of baptism as being a one and done kind of thing, but Peter said, "Repent and be baptized".  We are continuously repenting for sins, sometimes daily, so why would it mean that we would only need baptized once.  We can often times think that it's just for making the decision to walk in faith, believing in Jesus as Saviour, and publicly demonstrating that through being immersed in water.  A mikvah was done for that and also for a renewing, cleansing, starting over, etc of life.  It also wasn't necessarily done with one person dunking another into the water but with a witness to their profession and action.     

 We started the time off with worship, then began taking turns, sharing why we decided to participate, then entered the water.  

 Some entered by themselves...

 Some entered as a family...

 Some entered as a first time profession of wrong in their life and wanting to be made new...

 Some entered, wanting to wash away the old and start over with whatever Yahweh has for them...

For me, I entered to continue my journey forward of walking and living for Him.  My spiritual growth has been so great this past year, but I know that there are things that are holding me back, that I'm not letting go of, that need to be gone in order for me to move forward in my growth and in serving and helping others.  I entered to be washed of those things that are holding me back.  I entered to be made clean, becoming wholly devoted to Him and the work He is calling me to for His kingdom.  

When someone finishes, the shofars blow, while some shout and cheer in joy of the cleansing that takes place in each heart.

The rest of the evening continues with food, fun, games, dance, and lots of fellowship.  It's all a reminder of when He will return, coming for us, His bride.  I want to be ready.  I want to be made new, clean and pure for my groom.  I rejoice that He will be coming one day for me.

Leviticus 23 speaks of the command to observe this feast.
Matt. 24 speaks of His return.
1 Thess 4 speaks of His return.

Feast of Trumpets 2016- Blessed Baptism too

We had a beautiful Feast of Trumpets this year.  The fellowship that we celebrate with usually hosts a Mikvah/Baptism at a lake nearby before all the fun and festivities take place at their house later in the evening.  This year we were blessed to have walked Benaiah through praying and declaring he wanted to follow Yeshua/Jesus.  He did that the day before the feast, so he quickly made the decision without our prompting to be baptized to declare his decision.  It brings joy to our hearts as our children choose to walk in Truth and live by faith.  

 These feet were created to go places and lead him in righteousness.  Praying his heart follows and leads others as well.  

 Worship before the Mikvah.

The Olson Family declaring what areas they want washed of and doing it together.

 The newly married couple, proclaiming their desire for a fresh start, 

walking in this together.

 And then our Benaiah.  Sometimes a mikvah is done as a way to wash clean of past failures, sins, or habits.  Other times it is done as a way of proclaiming for the first time that you want to walk with and follow Jesus in your life.  That was the statement from Benaiah as he approached the water.

 We don't do things traditionally if you haven't noticed by now.  When the older girls decided to get baptized we read up on it and how it was done in Bible times.  We aren't real sure that some person baptizes (or puts them under the water) but that the person making the declaration does it him/herself while a witness stands by to watch.  Jonathon played the part of the witness and simply watched as Benaiah chose to go under the cold waters himself to be washed clean of his sinful past.  Does it mean he won't ever sin again?  No, we all fail at times and continuously need a Saviour, but it's a first step to becoming a new person in Christ and making better decisions daily.

 What a beautiful picture and scene as they both walked out of the water.  We're so proud of Benaiah making that choice on his own.

We usually have pictures of all the other fun activities that we participate in after the mikvah service, but I think we were all just relishing in the moment of Benaiah's choice.  On the way home we asked what everyone's favorite part of the evening was.  Benaiah's answer without hesitation was, "Getting baptized".  YES!  That was mine too!!!

I'm so thankful that when that last trumpet blows, I'll have one more of my children hearing the call.