Season Change

In Judaism, immersion (similar to the more familiar "baptism") can be done for a number of reasons, one of them being a season change.  And when Eric and I participated in our community's immersion service a few weeks ago, the change into a season of understanding Jesus as a Jewish man and the centrality of Israel in the redemptive plan of G-d was a large part of our motivation.  (In case you're not a frequent reader of Lauren's blog, here are a couple of pictures.)

This season change has been a long time coming -- several years now, in fact.  With that long of a wait, there are many ways in which the immersion was just an outward sign of the change that had already happened in my heart.  But I think that only deepened the significance of actually going through the steps of the immersion service.  As I was sitting in our worship service last night, I came to the best summary I can think for this season change.  We were singing the line, "I finally found where I belong," which has resonated with me from the first time I heard the song.  But now, after immersion, I think I know why.

In keeping with the theme of season changes, Eliana took her first verifiable steps on the same day as our immersion, December 5, 2010.  I don't have any pictures to share, because she's rather difficult to capture on camera these days.

And just a short note on my African violet.  All of the blooms of the previous post had withered and been removed by the time we left for North Carolina.  So there it sat, the same old green plant it has been for most of our relationship.

But after a full week to itself with no tender care or even water, my African violet greeted our return with these little beauties and two more about to open. 

I'm starting to get the hint.  I think it likes its space. 

Sometimes people do too, the L-rd is telling me.  May He bring beauty out of dormancy, wherever He finds it in my life.

Just a few highlights from our Thanksgiving trip to North and South Carolina to see Aunt Sandy and Uncle Tom:

We went to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte.  It's more of a museum that tells the story of his life, and it was really moving.  Neither of us had a strong connection to Billy Graham before we went, but being on the property and going through the tour touched both of us at a deep, spirit level.

Watching  rafters and kayakers hitting the rapids

Eliana and Opa had a good time smashing their faces on the windows

He looks like he's whispering sweet nothings in her ear, but a few minutes later he was putting lemon wedges in her mouth every time she screamed

On Friday we drove down to Callawassie Island, where Eric and I have been several times since we've been married.  This is just in case you forgot how beautiful it is down there.

Eliana's first trip to the ocean, safe in the arms of her great aunt

Sea kayaking - my first time in a kayak

Normally I wouldn't include a picture of us on very little sleep, but check out Eliana's expression. 
Despite the stern look, she did great on all of our flights.