Gracie's baptism

Last Sunday, April 29th, Gracie was baptized.  She's been asking about it for a while now, and we decided she was ready to go through the classes and get baptized.  
The night before she opened some gifts.
Hannah and Tom knew she would need to be well dressed for the occasion:  head cap, goggles, and a nose plug.

 Amanda set her up with a pretty necklace.

 Mimi and Papa gave her a pretty picture frame with a picture of her and them together in it.

And Nana made her a salvation bracelet- which she wore to school the next day.

The night before at supper she hardly ate anything- she was so nervous to talk in front of the whole church.

I don't have great pictures because I videoed most of it.  
First, Gracie went up and told her testimony in front of everyone.  I loved her testimony, but the rain boots were a definite needed piece of accessory for being in the water!  :)

 and then anyone from the congregation could stand up and say encouraging words to Gracie and give her verses to live by. I had already warned Chad that he was going to have to talk because I would lose it if I tried.  After several people stood up (sunday school teachers, a boy who doesn't even know her, Tessa, and Ashley), Chad stood up and talked about how a teacher at our school called Gracie her hero in a letter to us one time because of how she treats her good friend, Izzy.  It was a tear jerker.
Then, Nana got up and prayed for her.

 And finally, she went to the pool and Pastor Brad baptized her.  It was all very exciting and emotional.

 Gracie accepted Jesus into her heart at age 5.  She knew what she was doing.  She didn't just do it because she was curious.  Gracie has always been someone who thinks deeply and is aware of what she's doing.  
God is doing some special and amazing things in Gracie right now.  It's exciting to see someone so young be such a follower of Christ.