Faith Chest

Bryce accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior at church camp this summer on July 23, 2012.  I have this date marked in my calendar and plan to celebrate this date each year with him.  This is so exciting!!!

Bryce then watched a baptism in August and in doing so, asked many questions.  I had told him that our next baptism at Emmanuel would be in November and he immediately said that he wanted to be apart of that.  A baptism was indeed planned for November and it was the first one designed specifically for elementary aged children.  It was truly a day of celebration!!!  His testimony was beautiful... he talked about his conversion at camp and that he believed Jesus died on the cross to wash away his sin.  He then stated that he wanted to be baptized to share with everyone that he is a disciple.

We gave Bryce his gift after the baptism.  He unwrapped his "Faith Chest" with a new youth Bible inside.

The Faith Chest will provide a place to keep mementos, photos, and symbols of Bryce's faith journey.   
Items that we have already added to the chest are...

*Baby Dedication Certificate and pictures
*Baby Dedication blanket
*His First Bible
*Letter from his Church Camp Counselor, letters that Bryce received from family members in the mail while at camp, and camp photos
*Devotion Booklet that was created specifically for Bryce for our mission trip to Nicaragua... thank you Becky Cates!!!!

Bryce's devotion booklet is the red one in the center.

*Baptism Certificate

*Baptism Blessing Cards - I created Baptism Bags for each child that was baptized.  They were on the stage and Blessing Cards were passed out to all the guests.  They were encouraged to write a prayer, scripture, or special blessing to each child that he/she knew being baptized that day.  Bryce received several Blessing Cards from family, friends, and Sunday School teachers.  These cards are so meaningful!

I know that there will be days that Bryce's faith will be tested.  There will be storms in his life... it is inevitable.  I pray that during difficult seasons, Bryce will pull out his chest that documents his faith, and be comforted with the evidence of God's unfailing love.