Easter 2014

Since Dayton was born 19 days early, we got to enjoy his first Easter this year! We were both a little hesitant about bring a less than 2 week old to a crowded church service, but it was important for us to be in church on Easter Sunday and we are both so glad that we went. Not only was our baby's birth announcement in the bulletin and I got to dress our little man in his Easter outfit, but the sermon was exactly what this Momma needed to hear.

The sermon was not a typical Easter service. (If you'd like to hear it, click here.) At the beginning of the service, everyone who walked through the door received a set of small keys. To sum the service up, Pastor John encouraged all of us to let it go - whatever we were holding on to - let it go. At the end of the service, Pastor John explained that there were tons of small locks on gates around the church and during a time of prayer and worship, we were encouraged to unlock one of the locks with our keys. He asked us to stop and pray and talk to God about what we were holding on to.

I knew exactly what I was holding on to. I was holding on to our baby. I was worrying, being anxious, and trying to control what happened to our baby. I needed to let my anxiety go and give it to God. I looked at Brad and said, "Our baby." He knew exactly what I was talking about. He'd seen me poke Dayton a few times a million times to make sure he was still breathing etc. I happened to be holding Dayton  to keep him quiet during the service, so we walked to the gate, unlocked our locks, and went to our seats to pray. It was a really powerful service and it made me a little emotional. So, this Momma let go and gave her baby to her Lord. Like I said, I'm really glad that we went!

Hope y'all had a memorable Easter. Although unexpected, we enjoyed our first Easter as a family of 3!

Thank you grandma Bishop for my "First Eater" bunny!

Easter outfit / New Baby bear from PLC / Easter bulletin with Dayton's birth announcement