Dedication

... is what you need. Apparently.

More seriously, it's already nearly a couple of weeks since Naomi's dedication, and a post on it here is long overdue. By way of explanation, a dedication is simply where we dedicate a child to God - we pray for her and give thanks for her, and then everyone else prays for us as a family and makes a promise to help her grow up understanding how God loves her. It's like a baptism (or what is sometimes called a Christening) but without the water - we would like Naomi to make the choice to do that bit herself, and if she does, that she's old enough to remember the experience.

As well as prayers, there was also a slot of parents to share a bit about how much Naomi has impacted on our lives already and how precious she is. We also had a letter from Grandad McIntyre who was sad he couldn't be there.  He told Naomi she was a lucky wee girl because she would get to know about Jesus while she was still little, he also told her to have a lovely life.  Jay had to read it out and she only just managed to hold back the tears for the purposes of letting it be understood by others!

Part of the excitement for the weekend was a number of people visiting. Grandma & Grandad Brownlee, Uncle Ian, Liz and Cat (Naomi's God mother) were here for a few days; we also had Auntie Heather, Uncle Theo and cousins Steven and Holly come for the day, as well as many friends from in and around Loughborough. The house was a bit crowded:

(I also like the classic "baby plays with shiny thing" in the left picture!)

Everyone who came to church that day signed a card, and the children in Lighning Force made some little people to give to Naomi:

We also had the used of the Caves' house to have some room for a party afterwards. Thanks very much! Here's Naomi enjoying having a different house to play in (though it's not like she doesn't play a lot there anyway)

Many of you gave Naomi some beautiful gifts to celebrate the day, thank you so much! There were bracelets, books, a Lomongo Bible that had belonged to (and been translated by) Naomi's namesake, Jay's Auntie Maimie, and a plethora of cards and well wishes.  We really did appreciate them all, it was good to know you were all thinking of us.

We had hoped to share with you a picture of Naomi in her dedication outfit, she was wearing an authentic kilt that her Grandma bought for her.  We were both so busy on the day we forgot to get one but we think that someone in the family will have one, so hopefully it will follow soon!

Finally, we'd really hoped to get a recording of the dedication for those who couldn't be there. As it turns out my memory isn't good enough (every time I learn something new it pushes something else out...) and I forgot to ask for that. We do however have the talk that was given by Mel prior to the dedication, it's on the story of Naomi and Ruth from the Bible so is still relevant. You can get it here.