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.

Hadassah's 1 year pics.

Aaaahhhh, our littlest Bovee turned 1!  How does the time go so quickly?!  Hadassah is truly turning into a bundle of fun.  Just a little bit about her at this age:

She loves all dogs.  She has wonderful facial expressions.  The rash on her face has cleared, but we're still working on her arm rash.  She loves to eat.  She likes to clap her hands, try to walk (not doing it on a regular basis), sing, take baths, be outside doing anything, lay on the dog, and has the cuttest scrunched up face ever!  She's finally figured out prayer time at meals and voluntarily grabs Jonathon and I's hands to complete our circle.  AND she is a CLIMBER!!!  

Alegra wanted to take her pics at the park where we took my maternity pictures.  It turned out to be a fun place with lots of areas for great backgrounds.  She loved the water!!

 Always good to have a helper on stand by.  Sometimes falls happen.  She's blessed to have a fun papa who doesn't make such a big deal out of it but praises her for the amazing trick she just did.  :)

 Those curls....

Those eyes....

I think Alegra captured a lot of who Hadassah has become.  Now if we just had a picture of her on top of the piano to show how she climbs, that would complete this collection.  Oh, wait!  I might have one that will fit the bill.

I took this picture one evening as the sun was coming down.  One second she was on the floor playing with toys and the next, she was on top of the table reading a book.  Her serious face looking at the book, her shadow with her curls showing, and the lighting just caused me to sit and watch her perched there enjoying her own personal time on top of the world.  

That's our Hadassah!  She's growing and all love her so much!  Josiah loves to put her to sleep.  Diella loves to watch her expressions.  Alegra constantly says how cute she is.  Benaiah doesn't care much really.  Saphira loves playing with her in her make believe land.  And the dog, well, he is patient with her love, knows that she's the only one who won't push him away when he's giving her a kiss, and is quick to check on her if she's crying.  As she grows up, between a watchful dog and bigger siblings, she'll be well watched over.  

Zyahna's 1 year pics.

Our photographer, Alegra, has been getting some good practice in lately.  Our friends have a baby just 2 days older than our Hadassah, so she got her photo shoot in first, and boy did she smile for the camera!  What a cutie full of personality and grins.

 It's important to have helpful siblings on stand by for assistance with props and making baby smile.  :)

A cute and delicious photo shoot.