Gia's baptism.
Oct. 7th, 2007 03:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
navygreenI've mentioned my friend Ann before in my journal, and I'm pretty sure I even mentioned when she had her new baby back in August. This baby is the very one that I tatted my first pair of baby booties for, and Ann seemed to truly appreciate the gift. I was happy that the booties went to a loving home. :-)
Fast-forward several weeks, and Ann emailed me to let me know the date of Gia's baptism. It was to be at the Saturday night service at our church, and she hoped that we could attend. I was excited to go, and the boys and I planned to attend our first night service (Philip had to work at Runza that night). I forgot to respond back to Ann's email, however, and at 2pm on the day of the service, I had a message on my machine from her, reminding me again of the baptism and hoping we could make it. She also invited us back to their house afterwards for foodstuffs and chatting.
There wasn't time to call her back by the time I got her message, as I needed to hop in the shower and get ready for church. The boys bathed, and I curled my hair, dressed up and put on make-up. I felt that Gia was special enough to deserve my best (not that she'd probably care). We got to church early because I didn't know how quickly the sanctuary filled up on Saturday nights.
We picked seats in the third row, as the first two rows were blocked off 'reserved.' I knew that was for the family. I took a few pictures of Gia's baptismal hanging, feeling especially happy because I had helped to create it (you might remember the times I've mentioned making letters for the baptismal banners). While the boys saved our seats, I decided to walk out into the lobby, hoping I could catch Ann and her family coming in and offer to take a picture or two for them (it was just getting dusky, and I knew it would be dark before the service was over). I didn't see them, but I did happen upon Ann's niece Amber, and she looked a bit lost in the Narthex. She waved happily as soon as she saw me (we've met and chatted several times before at get-togethers and such), and I walked her into the sanctuary to the reserved seats. Slowly, more family started trickling in, as well as more congregation.
True to her crazy self, Ann and family were the last to make it. They scooted in just barely before the 5:30pm service started. Their family had filled three and a half pews in the church, and the boys and I were smack in the middle of them. Her older two children, Rudi and Ty, actually came back to sit with my boys during the service. I only had to remind everyone to keep quiet during prayers a few times. ;-) I was very touched as I looked around, realizing we were the only non-related folks that were there specifically for Gia.
It was a nice baptism at the end of the service. Everyone looked very happy. Gia was beautiful in the special christening gown - a gown that had been passed down through all of the family from Brad's (Ann's husband) great-great-grandfather. The gown is 114 years old! It was dainty and edged in family crochet - just breathtaking. I took pictures from where I sat (and stood, as one part of the baptism involves the congregation standing for a bit). Afterwards, I asked Ann if she would like me to take pictures of ALL of them with their camera - three rows of family is a LOT of people! I took a few more pictures of my own, too. While I was doing so, I noticed a special little ribboned box next to the baby's carseat. I knew that box - it was the one I gave her when I presented her with the booties. Excitedly, I pulled Ann aside and asked giddily, "Oh! I see the box! Is she wearing the booties tonight then?!"
And Ann showed me that she was! Gia wore the little booties I made for her in her baptism, paired along with a gown of such amazing significance. I was so touched!
Of course, then I took some pictures of her feet. ;-)
After church, the boys and I changed clothes. Then we picked Philip up at Runza at the end of his shift, and we all headed out to Brad & Ann's house. Once again, we were surrounded by just family, but they all welcome us so easily and warmly each time - we love it there. :-)
And I have pics to share, of course.
Her baptismal banner, complete with the 'Child of God' words that I made.
Gia in her daddy's arm during the baptism.
Prayer.
The blessing.
Gia with her godparents.
Amber points out a few things on Gia's gifts from the church to her siblings Rudy and Ty.
Gia's family with her godfather.
Snuggled and sleeping in her godfather's arms.
Showing off her booties!
Fast-forward several weeks, and Ann emailed me to let me know the date of Gia's baptism. It was to be at the Saturday night service at our church, and she hoped that we could attend. I was excited to go, and the boys and I planned to attend our first night service (Philip had to work at Runza that night). I forgot to respond back to Ann's email, however, and at 2pm on the day of the service, I had a message on my machine from her, reminding me again of the baptism and hoping we could make it. She also invited us back to their house afterwards for foodstuffs and chatting.
There wasn't time to call her back by the time I got her message, as I needed to hop in the shower and get ready for church. The boys bathed, and I curled my hair, dressed up and put on make-up. I felt that Gia was special enough to deserve my best (not that she'd probably care). We got to church early because I didn't know how quickly the sanctuary filled up on Saturday nights.
We picked seats in the third row, as the first two rows were blocked off 'reserved.' I knew that was for the family. I took a few pictures of Gia's baptismal hanging, feeling especially happy because I had helped to create it (you might remember the times I've mentioned making letters for the baptismal banners). While the boys saved our seats, I decided to walk out into the lobby, hoping I could catch Ann and her family coming in and offer to take a picture or two for them (it was just getting dusky, and I knew it would be dark before the service was over). I didn't see them, but I did happen upon Ann's niece Amber, and she looked a bit lost in the Narthex. She waved happily as soon as she saw me (we've met and chatted several times before at get-togethers and such), and I walked her into the sanctuary to the reserved seats. Slowly, more family started trickling in, as well as more congregation.
True to her crazy self, Ann and family were the last to make it. They scooted in just barely before the 5:30pm service started. Their family had filled three and a half pews in the church, and the boys and I were smack in the middle of them. Her older two children, Rudi and Ty, actually came back to sit with my boys during the service. I only had to remind everyone to keep quiet during prayers a few times. ;-) I was very touched as I looked around, realizing we were the only non-related folks that were there specifically for Gia.
It was a nice baptism at the end of the service. Everyone looked very happy. Gia was beautiful in the special christening gown - a gown that had been passed down through all of the family from Brad's (Ann's husband) great-great-grandfather. The gown is 114 years old! It was dainty and edged in family crochet - just breathtaking. I took pictures from where I sat (and stood, as one part of the baptism involves the congregation standing for a bit). Afterwards, I asked Ann if she would like me to take pictures of ALL of them with their camera - three rows of family is a LOT of people! I took a few more pictures of my own, too. While I was doing so, I noticed a special little ribboned box next to the baby's carseat. I knew that box - it was the one I gave her when I presented her with the booties. Excitedly, I pulled Ann aside and asked giddily, "Oh! I see the box! Is she wearing the booties tonight then?!"
And Ann showed me that she was! Gia wore the little booties I made for her in her baptism, paired along with a gown of such amazing significance. I was so touched!
Of course, then I took some pictures of her feet. ;-)
After church, the boys and I changed clothes. Then we picked Philip up at Runza at the end of his shift, and we all headed out to Brad & Ann's house. Once again, we were surrounded by just family, but they all welcome us so easily and warmly each time - we love it there. :-)
And I have pics to share, of course.
Her baptismal banner, complete with the 'Child of God' words that I made.
Gia in her daddy's arm during the baptism.
Prayer.
The blessing.
Gia with her godparents.
Amber points out a few things on Gia's gifts from the church to her siblings Rudy and Ty.
Gia's family with her godfather.
Snuggled and sleeping in her godfather's arms.
Showing off her booties!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-10-07 10:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-07 11:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-07 11:40 pm (UTC)And Gia is a beautiful baby!
no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 12:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-07 11:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 12:01 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 01:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 02:58 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 03:01 am (UTC)I cry at baptisms. Your pictures were so close and vivid and captured the moment so well that I nearly teared up looking at them.
May I ask what the gifts from the church are (besides the banner)?
This icon is Meg in the baptism gown made by her godmothers. Jamie wore it too. I hope that someday it will become a family heirloom like the gown Gia wore and like her booties will be.
no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 03:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 04:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 12:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 07:31 am (UTC)You'd never know the dress is 114 years old - what an heirloom!
no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 12:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 12:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 01:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 01:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 02:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 07:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 06:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-10-08 07:48 pm (UTC)