My Baptism

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAK3t6uG58Q

'You're Calling Us To The Cross'

I had one of those happy moments yesterday. The happiest 'happy moment' I've ever had.
 I was sat right in the middle of the front row with the baptism pool infront of me, my mummy and daddy to the left of me, my uncle, my grandparents and brother on the other side. My two God families, my peers from my current school, my close friends, my boyfriend, my leaders, my church. 
All my childhood, school, family, present and future all in one room, for me. What a wonderful, wonderful thing. 
(The only thing that would've made it more complete if I had my sister there with us but being a trainee doctor comes with a price!)
Today was almost like God took the highlights of my life and shoved them into one room. All there supporting me and surrounding me in the statement I was about to make. 
I just thought 'look how far I've come from just a year ago' I stood and I sang on that Easter Sunday with those lyrics printed across my mind and finally I got to 'run to the cross'. I got to run to the cross through being baptised and dedicating my life to Jesus. 

I watch baptisms and fight back tears. I say to myself 'when it's my turn I'll be such an emotional wreck' but I wasn't. I simply just felt at peace, like my whole body was so filled with the Holy Spirit that I couldn't cry, or laugh, or speak...I just felt at peace. It was an insane feeling! I just couldn't quite believe my life has been this blessed. I kind of just want to say 'why me?' Surely I don't deserve this blessing?! 

Before the service started, Graham read me a bible verse that came into his mind when preparing for the baptism;
'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.- Isaiah 55
As he read this to me it felt like God was speaking them to me. It was a life changing verse and a life changing moment. Libby said a similar thing to me in the water, it's something my baptism has taught me; God has amazing plans for me but they may not be what I expect and what I hope for, they may be completely different. But God's thoughts are not my thoughts and I have to trust he will always know best.

So:

From the wonderful cards people got me, to the wonderful cakes people made, to the wonderful leather bible James so kindly bought for me. 

Thank you.

I have a wonderful, shimmering life. With my most precious family and friends. But the most beautiful thing about it all was that it touched some people, it touched their lives. It even just showed people that maybe there is something more to the idea that there is a God. 
Graham said in his sermon 'Alice and Tim know God, they know he is there' and every inch of me, my whole heart and soul, just filled with this absolute certainty. I could NEVER deny that God exists. He is so real to me in everything I see and do. He is my light, he is my everything before anyone and anything, he is Lord. 

I suddenly just feel brand new. Almost like I've just had this hole in my heart completely filled. I feel so complete. 

So here's to a bright and God-filled future. Thank you to everyone that was a part of it!

 I don't think I'll ever stop smiling about my baptism day.