dedication

this past weekend was a special one for our family.  on saturday, steve and i celebrated five years of marriage. and on sunday, isla was dedicated at church.  it was a neat juxtaposition of events -- recalling the vows steve and i took five years ago, in front of a crowd of witnesses, as we pledged our lives to each other.  and then, standing in front of church again, this time with our daughter, asking for God's blessing on her life and pledging to raise her in a way that is honoring to Him.

our wedding vows focused on love and commitment and respect -- for each other and also for God, through whom we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).

isla's dedication focused on grace -- her middle name, which we chose very intentionally.  our pastor, knowing the story behind her name, prayed this verse for her:

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8).

i will continue to pray that verse for isla -- that grace would abound in her life, that she would fall in love with her Savior and accept God's gift of grace, and that she would show grace to those who cross her path.  i also pray that grace will abound in our marriage -- that we would learn more and more what it means to love and forgive and trust and hope and respect, that we would be each other's biggest fans, and that we would always choose to support and encourage and honor.

so thankful today for God's many gifts -- especially my husband, my daughter, and His Grace.