Eli's Baptism

On April 13th we had Eli baptized (the Presbyterian form of "dedication" - not baptized to salvation as Roman Catholics do). It was a beautiful moment. Our pastor (now former - sniff sniff) John Jones IV performed the ceremony and everything he said was really beautiful. I actually have been telling myself that I need to type it out for Eli's scrapbook because it really was the most beautiful baptism I've ever witnessed...and it wasn't just because it was my son! I had several men tell me later that it moved them to tears. So maybe I'll pull out the video camera and type it out for y'all. Here are pictures though...

John's charge to Eric and me as witnesses of Christ in
Eli's daily life and as those who will teach him
to love Jesus:

"Sprinkling" - the Presbyterian way to baptize...

At the end of the baptism John called for the congregation to stand
and make vows to us that they will help Eric and I in any way
they can as we raise Eli. They also vow to pray for him.
Then John led the church in their first prayer (below) for him.

Afterwards we had a gathering at our house to celebrate.
The following pictures are from the celebration.
Below is my friend Melinda (left) and sister Kristine (right)

Susie Tosti - my former choir teacher and friend.

"Uncle Tony" - this is the man who helped diagnose and correct my low progesterone
levels which, in turn, ended my years of infertility.
The payment for his help...he gets to be called "uncle". :)

Friend Dava talking to my brother Ethan.
Behind Dava is Barb Kempe, the wife of our homegroup leader.

Back left: Randy Morris, my dad Bob, Eric Runge (only striped shirt is seen) and Dava.
Bottom left: My mom Rhonda, Melinda Morris and Diane Morris

My mom graciously made Eli the most adorable baptismal outfit. It is really hard to see from these pictures, but it is a white top and seersucker blue and while pin stripe fabric below with a blue satin waist band and blue satin bow tie.
Sweetly, it matches the outfit the she made and had my brothers baptized in.
He is pictured here with Diane Morris (who had always wanted a red headed grandchild but doesn't have one...I told her she can claim Eli if she wants too).

See the adorable bow tie?