The Family Shrinks and Grows

We anticipated things changing a bit while we were away. After all, a lot can happen in the span of 12 months. Sure enough, not long after we arrived we received word that our cat, Cona, had to be put down. Her organs were starting to fail. At 14 years+ old, this was reasonable enough, but still hard to know she won't be greeting us with her incessant mewing when we return. Slightly less expected was the death of Bo's pet rat, Whitey. This came as pretty sad news to Bo, which is understandable to be sure (if you can get past the fact that Whitey was, indeed, a rat).

So our little family gets littler on one hand, while in another far more spectacular way it has grown. Nooo, I'm not pregnant. It's better than that. So far we've experienced two baptisms, which make for a new Sister and new Brother in Christ. Hallelujah! We missed being there for one of them, which took place State-side just after we left. But it was that of a dear, dear friend who I sure hope lives on my street in Heaven. The second one we got to witness here in France. I thought I'd share some snippets of it so we can all revel in the Glory. I think it is so totally cool to see how similarly we do things and I just love that God's family is so multicultural.

First we did some singing (listen closely and I think you might recognize the tune):



Then Nathanel shared his testimony, which sadly, I didn't understand enough of to give the Clif's Notes here, but I was impressed with his confidence up there in front of a completely packed house comprised of many relatives and friends along with the normal church family:















Then he took the plunge!



And, of course, just like I do in the States, I cried for joy while the angels in heaven rejoiced.

Welcome to the family, Nathanel!

And a belated welcome to Beverly. For the record, I love you and I love that I get to call you Sister for real and for eternity from now on.