I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

1/4/13

11:25 am

Today has been amazing and it's not even noon. I guess I should start from the beginning. I woke up in my big full size bed and it felt like Christmas morning! I finally saw Carol at breakfast and gave her a big squeeze! Breakfast was amazing! We had fruit, bread, eggs, bacon, and the BEST French roast I have ever tasted in my life. I drank it black with a tiny bit of pure sugar. Incredible. Starbucks ain't got nothin on African coffee! I sat with Taeilorae, Anton, Michael, and the Grubbs. I gave Michael my "how hipster are you?" quiz and he tipped the scale pretty hard. I love Merrill and Michael so much. They are so humble, sweet, and funny. Laughing with them at breakfast calmed me down because I was getting really nervous to share my testimony.

I was the first person to leave the breakfast table, so I went out to the overlook to pray. I prayed for God to give me strength to tell my story in boldness and prayed that I might just affect one person through it. People started walking towards the water, so I went and sat with Katie and Carla on the rocks. I just breathed the scenery in and waited for everyone to show up. We probably waited about 15 minutes, and by that time, I was really nervous. I warned everyone in advance that I was already about to cry, and sure enough, there came the tears.

I began by telling everyone about Sea Island Pres. and the issues our family encountered there. Then I mentioned how hard of a time I'd had in middle school, and my tendency to do ANYTHING as long as long as it meant being popular. Then I talked about Baylor, my reasons for going, and the AKK. I came to Holly and the tears came back. I just still can't believe I am in this place, honoring her by wearing her shirt while I get baptized. I said that her death pushed me away from God because I couldn't fathom a good God taking such an amazing woman away. Then I talked about baseball, suicide watch, M.S.' party, and getting big into partying. I even told them about almost getting kicked out of Baylor senior year. I told them about Josh moving to Africa and the phone call October 13 last year. Then I got to the happy parts! :) I told them about Shandon, the Crawfords, moving home, finding First Pres and Young Life, and ended by saying I can't wait to tell my kids I was baptized in the Nile River. I was crying SO hard at that point, and so were a lot of other people. They came and all prayed over me to be born again and shed all those old layers and give it all to God. It was a really surreal experience.

After we prayed, Carol, Brian, Conrad, and I all got in the water. It was cold but felt so good and fresh. Carol asked if I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and I said I do. She asked if I am going to let Jesus rule my life and be my first priority, and I said I am. She said "by your confession of faith," and then asked Conrad if he wanted to do the rest. He said of course and said "I baptize you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," and dunked me under. It felt wonderful.

I hugged Conrad and almost knocked him over, and then hugged Brian and Carol. I made my way back up to where everyone was standing, and was greeted with lots of hugs and tears. The girls came up to me and both gave me huge hugs, and Katie came up crying. She hugged me for a long time and said "I'm so proud of you" and told me to never let anyone steal my joy. I told her that I hoped Holly was watching and she just smiled and nodded. It's been a couple hours since then, and I feel such peace. It has just consumed me. I took a shower and went to sit on the hammock outside our little house. Sara came outside and told me that when I get home she wants me to be careful not to let the Young Life kids influence me or the way I act. I am so thankful for her and am glad we are close enough for her to tell me concerns about my character. She is absolutely right, and I know that's something I need to work on. As we sat there, God really just told me that I needed to quit drinking. At first I was like umm no way Jose, but I just couldn't get the thought out of my head. I told God that if Sara stopped talking for 30 seconds, I'd tell her that I was going to quit. She stopped talking for five minutes. I was like ughhh dangit and finally said it out loud. She said "PRAISE GOD!" Hahaha! I just think that alcohol is a big stumbling block for me and I don't need it at this point in my life. It doesn't better me in any way, and I'm far more tempted to have 2 glasses after I have the first. God is good... AK