One Year Anniversary...

The Adventures of Gideon: Baptised--Chapter 1

I interrupt the monthly reporting with this important post:  Gideon put on Christ in baptism 22 September, 2013!!!

Gideon started talking about being baptised when he was 5.  We have been having conversations with him for years about how important this decision is.

Our friend, Jared King, worded it beautifully in an e-mail response when we informed some friends and family of Gideon's decision.  Jared wrote to Gideon:

Gideon,

I think of when I first met you at the grad school. You were just a little guy, full of energy and excited for life. You, like many kids at your age, were crazy, funny and often picked fights you knew you couldn't win (like the countless times you basically asked Kevin and I to pin you down, hold you upside down and tickle your feet til you burst!). But there was something about you that I saw from the moment I met you. At an age that most people don't think a child has the ability to understand and love the Lord, you did. It was nothing that you had to tell me. I could see it through the way you interacted with your friends, with adults, and by the things you said and talked about. I was impressed with your heart from day one.

Gideon, the first time your dad and I talked about you being baptized was when you were 5 years old. We talked about how many people didn't think that a 5 year old could understand what baptism was and why a person needs to be baptized. Your dad told me that he believed that you knew. You understood. Your life was showing fruit that many adult believers had never produced. And I believed your dad because I could see it in you myself. You are a man of God. Let that sink in...a man of God. I am so proud of you Gideon. But it doesn't matter as much that I am proud. Your father in Heaven is proud of you! He is filled with joy in the man you have become and will continue to develop into. My heart is bursting with joy Gideon. I am excited for the ways you are and will continue to impact the Kingdom of God. God is using you. And he will continue to use you to bring him Glory and Honor! I wish I could be there to celebrate with you. But know this...we will be celebrating with you in Nashville. Love you kid. 

Friday night as Gideon, Naomi, and I walked home from G's fitba practice, Naomi started talking about how wonderful Heaven will be and how she just wants to "hug Jesus forever and ever".  This prompted Gideon to talk about how sin separates us from God.  He told me that he was really worried about his sin, and that he constantly asks God to forgive him and not reject him.

So I asked Gideon if he knew what he had to do to be washed clean of his sins.  He said that he hoped that praying was enough.  I gave him the prompt for his memorised verse of Romans 6:23:

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He quoted the verse to me.  And I asked him if he knew HOW to be "in Christ".  That's when he said he wanted to be baptised.

I texted JR while he was at Friday Night Club to let him know that we were going to have a conversation with Gideon about this when he got back.  And we sent, back and forth, several excited texts. :)

While Gideon and Naomi and I sat around and cuddled before Play Night, I asked Gideon WHY he wanted to be baptised.  As best as I can remember I will try to relay what he said.

-"Unlike when [he] was 5", he didn't want to be baptised just so he could partake in communion. ;)

-He broke down crying when he tried to talk me through the Gospel and how Jesus died on the cross for HIM.

-He talked about how he has read his Bible cover to cover many times.

-(This really impressed me.)  He said, "Jesus IS my Lord."  (Not, I want Jesus to be my Lord.)  He said that he had made that decision when he was 5.  That's why he lives his life to glorify God.  (And, mom-commentary here:  I think that is why he is able to stand up to the persecution he faces at school for being different and not swearing and getting flack for it.)

Even before JR got home that evening, I was pretty convinced that he was ready.  He was verbalising more at 7 than I did at 14 when I was baptised.

JR got home and we had a big family meeting while cuddling on the couches.  Naomi was so proud of her brother!  Her excitement was a joy to watch as well.

Gideon told us that he wanted to be baptised in the North Sea instead of the church building and he wanted it to take place SOON!

So we e-mailed a few family and friends to let them know that we planned to baptise him on Sunday right after morning worship service.

Saturday, Gideon went about his routine, but every hour or so, he would get this beaming smile on his face and say, "I'm getting baptised tomorrow!"

JR and I spent the day with Stephanie and George Doolan in Aberdeen, and when we got in at 10:30 Saturday evening Gideon was still awake.  When I went in to kiss him, the first thing he said to me was, "I'm so glad I'm getting baptised tomorrow."

I asked him why and he replied, "I've been really worried about my sins.  But now I know God won't reject me!"  His face was beaming!

Indeed, Gideon, God will not reject you.  Your sins have been washed away by the precious blood of Jesus, OUR Saviour!

Sunday morning finally came!!!

Here's the video I pulled together of his confession in front of the congregation and his baptism in the North Sea.  Annie and Tanja told G that in Germany, you pick out a verse from the Bible that really speaks to you, and that is your "Baptismal verse".  Gideon chose Psalm 1.  (He can quote the whole thing too... which I didn't know until he did it yesterday.) ;)

 This is where G is telling JR that the water was "way colder than he thought!" ;)

 Look at the pure joy on JR's face!

After we got him in a warm shower to bring back up his core temperature, we ate McDonalds (his choice) and enjoyed the rest of our Sunday.

 JR and I are so blessed to call our first-born, "brother". As I told Annie and Tanja, this is what you pray for for your children even more that you pray for their future spouse.

We are feeling rather blessed. :D

~Daisha

 ***Special thanks to CJ Cowie and Annie Waschke for taking photos and Tanja Raveling for taking the video.***

The First Days {March 21-31}

We took our house sight-unseen.  We knew God was lining something up for us.  Here is yet another example where trusting in God's faithfulness proved to be a big blessing.

The house is spacious and fully furnished.

And check out this view!!!

Naomi and Gideon decided that they did, indeed, want separate bedrooms.  This is Naomi opening up her "toy carry on" in her new room.

Dianne Strachan brought over their un-used Wii for us to use.  (This act alone changed G's view on the move.)

 JR got to school the kids on Mario Kart.

 Lots of people post photos of their feet overlooking the ocean on facebook.  I thought I'd post my cozy toes overlooking our view from our bed, overlooking Peterhead Bay.  (We have since moved our bedroom and this view is now from our living room window.)

 The kids were having fun playing in their rooms...  forts, rolling around, playing under the bed...

Our first Sunday back, we were greeted with banners the Monday Night Club made for us.

We were so blessed by our reception by the congregation.  God re-affirmed His calling us here at this time and to this people.

Look what I found on the bulletin board! 

And, after the pot-luck, this is how I found the children...

I was planning on the kids having a 3 week break from school.  There were only 4 days left in the Peterhead school before Easter Break.  However, my children BEGGED to go to school.

I knew I didn't have all the pieces of their uniform together, but we dressed them as smartly as we could and headed to school about 15 min. early the first Monday we were in town.

Registering them for school was SO EASY compared to VA.  We filled out paperwork and took them to class.

They both LOVED it!  Naomi's first response when I asked her what she thought was, "Everyone wanted to be my friend!"

Another glimpse of our view as we headed to take the kids to school the 2nd day...

This is Meethill School.

 It is an "open-plan" school.  This means that Primary 1,2, and 3 are all in this big room.  They have designated areas.  I like it for the fact that Naomi (P1) and Gideon (P2) can look up and see each other all day.  Plus, they sit side-by-side at lunch in a group of their new friends.

 Our first Fish-n-Chips order!

March 27th was my dad's birthday.  The kids made a video for him:

And the view, again... :)

Elaine Presley introduced the kids to karate at the community centre.  They had a blast!  (We are waiting to see how our schedules work before making a commitment to this, though.)

A morning Bible story to arm them before school...

I am SO glad the kids decided to go to school before the Easter Break.  They are very happy with their new school, classes, and routines.

On Wednesday, since Naomi's class had been learning about castles, they had a medieval feast!

Thursday, Gideon came home from school with a certificate from his teacher commending him for his ability to quickly make friends.  (Well... actually, by the second day he had a girl come up to him and tell him that she was already "in love" with him!)

He is so proud!

The newest obsession is SKYLANDERS!

Back in Virginia, the kids pooled their money and got the starter pack since we knew we were getting a Wii.  The sales clerk assured me that the Wii games were universal.  They. were. not.

After a week of disappointment in not being able to play their new game, we shipped off their Skylanders to Bangkok for the cousins (and "Fun"cle Brent) to enjoy, and we picked up a UK version at Tesco.

This game is a lot of fun for the entire family and the kids can't seem to get enough of it.

 And another breathtaking shot of our view...

While we were here in the summer of 2011, we made friends with Stephanie Doolan and her 3 kids:  Daniel, Liam, and Jessica.

We have been spending a lot of fun time with them in our short time back.  

The kids insisted on inviting them to our traditional "Resurrection Roll" time.  So we did!  After meeting up for McDonalds and making even more friends at the Amazone, we headed back to our house for the tradition.

 While the rolls were baking I read the story of the crucifixion and resurrection from our Jesus Storybook Bible.  You should have seen Daniel's shocked face when I told him that Jesus is our King as I launched into the reading.

This is why we are here, folks.  We are here to share the Good News that Jesus paid the price for our sin.  And that He rose, victorious over death!

The Doolans liked our Easter tradition so much, they invited us to share in their tradition the next day.  And we have plans to make this a yearly Easter tradition!

The kids have been having fun in the "backy".  They have a "fitba" and a goal.

EASTER SUNDAY

 Here are the obligatory Easter photos...

After worshiping with our church family, we joined the Doolans for their Easter tradition:  Rolling eggs!

We walked across the street and rolled the eggs down a huge hill until the (boiled) eggs cracked.  G's lasted the longest, so he won.

 Our time here has already been so full of wonderful moments.

Of course, there are the moving-to-a-new-country-and-figuring-stuff-out-frustrations, but we are well aware that we are blessed.

~Daisha