Jack turned 8 weeks old this last Sunday, June 29! Not only did he get a treat by meeting his dad’s side of the family and swimming for the first time, but he was dedicated to the Lord during church that morning.
The day was also doubly special because my father – “Big Jack” (Little Jack’s namesake) – was hosting our church’s annual 4th of July Extravaganza! During this special service, my dad gives a patriotic message, and we have volunteers do the “posting of the flags” (Christian, American, and all of the military service flags) up front. Then I coordinate with our singers and / or a song on CD to show a picturegraphic presentation up front. This year, I coordinated a presentation to the songs “The House I Live In” (Frank Sinatra on CD) and “Living in the Promised Land” (sung by our church’s regular guitar player). We continue with the pledges (American Flag, Christian Flag, and Bible), and then we read submitted names of friends and family of the church, living and dead, who have served in the military. And then finally, we play all of the theme songs to the military branches – and when someone in our church audience hears their branch song, they come and stand by their flag! At the end, we all circle around, shaking hands of those who served, finish off with “God Bless the USA” (Lee Greenwood) and a final word from our pastor. 
My father and I have coordinated this special event for numerous years now and I always love being part of such a special service. It was made even more special to my heart this year because my first child was dedicated at the beginning of church, just prior to the main event starting.
Standing up there, last Sunday, was a huge emotional time for me. I have attended this church since I was 5 years old when it first opened. My mom’s eldest brother is the pastor there! In August of 2005, I met Kevin one night during a revival at our church, under another special pastor - my mother’s younger brother, Sam Elijah (one of Jack-Evan’s namesakes). My husband has been to every service at that church since the night we met! He officially joined a few months after we were engaged. We married in that church in June, 2006.
And now, here we were, dedicating our first child in that same sanctuary that held all of our life’s most important memories.
So anyway, before I go and get too sentimental on everyone (probably too late for that), here are some photos of that special (to me!) service.
“Big Jack, Little Jack”
My Kevin (black shirt) and his brother Jason (green) – 2 of our flag bearers.
Family photos after service ended!
My parents (I’m an only child).
My mom’s brother Bubba, Kevin, Me, Jack (crying!), and our pastor (my mom’s eldest brother).
Kevin’s family – his sister-in-law, nephew, mom, neice, and brother…with us sandwhiched in the middle. (Jack was bawling by this photo!)
After the service, we all went out to eat at a local steak buffet house…then back to the hotel to swim! It was such a wonderful weekend that we all hated to see it end. I’m so very thankful that we have cameras that can capture our precious memories!
Related Posts
Tags: photos
