Shelby Grace's Dedication

Today we had the special privilege to dedicate our little Shelby Grace to the Lord. We follow the model of Hannah in the Bible. She prayed for many years to have a child and promises to dedicate the child to God's service if He blessed her with a child. Shelby Grace was prayed for baby. It was this time last year when I was really struggling with why God had not blessed us with another child and watched while so many friends and family were getting pregnant. We had to trust God for his perfect plan and perfect timing. Even though I didn't really deserve this gift of another child he has blessed us in this way and we acknowledge that she is a gift of the Lord. Her name Shelby Grace Makana reflects that she is our "gracious gift." It was hard having this special occasion in another country and not with our home church and close family. But God has blessed us with a home here in Korea. We have a loving church family with a God-fearing pastor to lead us. We may not have a 'blood related' family here but we have a very large spiritual family that we are blessed with.

So today Patrick and I were asked the following:

Patrick and Jennifer, you are bringing Shelby Grace Makana into God’s presence to be dedicated to Him. By this statement of faith do you commit that together you will raise her/him in a way that pleases God by instructing her in God’s Word, by introducing her to Christ’s love and her need for His salvation, by modeling godliness in your home & marriage, by protecting her from evil influences, by teaching her to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit and by regularly fellowshipping with other believers in a Christ-centered church family?

Wow what a vow to keep! The only way this will be possible is if we keep our eyes focused on God and His plan for our family.

Our church congregation was asked to make a vow as well.

Members of Christian International Church, today Patrick and Jennifer are bringing Shelby Grace into God’s presence to be dedicated to Him. Do you as a church family commit to surround them with the Love, Grace and Truth of the Body of Christ Jesus; will you stand with them in prayer, speak the truth in love into their lives, serve them in humility and encourage them in the Word of God; Do you receive Shelby Grace Makana as a blessing from the Lord to be instructed, protected and blessed in this fellowship of believers?

We are so blessed to have a family behind us who has vowed to do these things for our family. We are triple blessed because we know that we have a church family in Honolulu and Raleigh that are doing the same for us.

Pastor Tom Norton and our family

Zachary had to tell us during the dedication that he wanted to go home. :) Gotta love life with a three year old!

Our growing family

One special part of today is that Shelby Grace was wearing the dress that I was dedicated in as a baby. I am so thankful that 30 years ago, my parents made this same vow to guide me to a personal walk with Jesus and instill in me a love for God. I wouldn't be in Korea today if it wasn't for my parents raising me with strong Christian values, in a fellowship of believers who had a love and desire for world missions. Where will Shelby Grace be in 30 years? My prayers is that wherever she is whether the United States or another country, that she is fulfilling the plan God has for her and she is living to serve Him.

The blanket in the pictures also has significance. It was crocheted for my by my grandmother Dawson. My family couldn't physically be here with us today but they were here in spirit.

After church we went out to lunch with our Korea family to TGI Fridays. Our family includes Matt & Amy Evans, Ellen Sligh, Anna Stephenson, Lyndsey Gangel, Kirk & Lisa Hawkins with Hayley and Seth, and Darren & Laura Price with Kacy and Sara.