The Final Weekend

The kids had a guitar workshop on Saturday with a group of kids who study under a man finishing his doctoral studies in guitar performance (who was also present and might just come back one of these days). It was great to see them interacting with each other. Totally cross-cultural, but with music being their universal language. Their kids were gifted. Ours were fast-learners. This is really getting beyond exciting. Next week our kids will perform together for the first time at a CCFm concert.

“What a beautiful day! What a beautiful baptism. The sermon was one of John’s best that I’ve heard and just happened to be on Matthew 28:18-20. Planned in March, there was no way of knowing that today’s sermon on making disciples by baptism would just happen to fall on the same day that I would be baptized (which I asked to do just 10 days earlier). Pretty awesome stuff. The joy was overwhelming. The response from others was touching. The rain was coming down outside, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. An epic baptism in the ocean would have been grand (however cold!), but this was more than I could have asked for. Everyone was there that I wanted to be there. It was in a church setting. Humbling. Simple. Meaningful. And the water was warm! I felt I needed to say a few words. I spoke from my heart. I publicly accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior, clasped my hands together and closed my eyes as Alan baptized me in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. The water rushed over my face and engulfed me and I arrose as a new person in Christ. This whole trip has resulted in a new me, a new life, a new faith that has already begun to solidify. I’ll never be the same and I’ll remember this always. Thank you Lord for such conviction, for such love, and for such grace. I am unworthy.” — from my journal

[I was baptized as a baby and confirmed in the Presbyterian church when I hit "maturity." Unfortunately, looking back, that maturity was still rather childish. I needed a renewal, a recommittment, a rededication. Adult baptism is not only biblical, but a conviction I felt necessary to truly follow Christ's example]

“The meeting at Avril and John Thomas’ was incredible. Unforgettable. Absolutely pivotal. Everyone was there who had any real part in this journey of mine and the Academy. CCFm, CCFm Musicmakers, Living Hope, Living Way and Living Grace were all represented. All my close friends were there. It was wonderful conversation and networking. Introductions and overviews. I had the privelege of chatting to John about his meeting with President Bush last week. I told more of my story. Others shared theirs. The longer we talked, the more God was obviously there. I was humbled. Yes, it was a farewell gathering for me, but I hate that kind of attention. I wanted it to be about the Academy, about the future, about the excitement, about God. It was so wonderful to see everyone in one room together. Last year, there were 5 of us at a table with a dream. This year, there were about 25 of us with the Academy underway and with some serious support from head people on the Board of Management and Board of Trustees from both Living Hope and CCFm. We had a corporate prayer at the end. It was something special. To have such incredible leaders, role models and mentors of mine to be praying with such conviction for the Academy and for me was overwhelming. I broke down when they began praying for the kids. I just begged God for them to be with them and I think you’ll understand from my previous entry. I think everyone in that room was filled with the incredible Spirit. I still think this is just the beginning, but what a marvelous, miraculous, God-filled adventure it has been.” — from my journal

Tomorrow is my last day. I will have one final post before heading to Europe to meet my sister for a few days.