Mara's Dedication

We love our church community here in Fayetteville and were really excited to dedicate Mara at the service last week.  It was important to Josh and I to dedicate Mara in the church because we wanted to publicly step out and say, "We will raise this child to know the Lord."

Josh did an amazing job of speaking before the service.  I know he was nervous but he definitely got our thoughts across. He share with the congregation the story of Samuel and his mother Hannah. 

Baby girl ready to head to church

Hannah was barren and prayed for a child.  She promised the Lord that if He let her conceive she would dedicate her son to Him.  Hannah gave birth to Samuel and when he was weaned she took him to the temple so he could study under the priests there. 

Josh speaking

Josh talked about how although Mara is a gift from the Lord, she is ultimately His.  All we can do as parents is dedicate ourselves to raise her in His ways and take care of this precious gift. 

Mara was great through the dedication, sleeping the entire time.  We were thankful to have the support of the congregation as well as Josh's parents who were up visiting.   

Praying over Mara

I was so happy to be able to do this for our daughter and I hope when she looks back at the pictures she is thankful for this small but meaningful ceremony.