John's Confirmation

May 1 John got confirmed into our church, La Croix United Methodist Church.  At the beginning of January, about 50 seventh and eighth graders from our church committed to taking the steps to becoming a member of La Croix.  They, including John (13, 7th grade), have gone to weekly confirmation classes over the past 4 months learning about the Christian faith, Methodist beliefs, memorizing the books of the Bible and various Bible verses, and participating in mission projects.  They also had to attend and take notes from a certain number of church services and youth group meetings.
Last year Sarah went through it, and this year John went through confirmation.  To me, it is a giant step of my babies growing up and serving God for their own.  The confirmation service is a very emotional time as each child gives their testimony at the Confirmation Banquet, and during the actual church service they all stand in front of the congregation and take their vows of becoming members of the church... but the most emotional part is when each parent gives a blessing to their child during the church service.  Going through the confirmation experience just last year with Sarah, I was prepared with John.  I was prepared for the tears and the heart-wrenching blessings.
The weekend was wonderful.  Confirmation is a big deal in our church, and I am so glad I got to witness John take such a giant leap in his relationship with Christ.  It truly is a blessing.

John, Preston, Emily (cousin), Sam, and Parker at the Confirmation Banquet, May 30

John (navy/white stripe Polo) at the Saturday night church service taking his vows

Greg & me giving John his blessing at the service. In the background, some of the other Confirmands 

(plus a beautiful shot of the lady sitting in front of Sarah blocking the camera's view)

John and Pastor Thomas, a great friend of our family's, after the service

And, of course, all the gorgeous faces of adoption (minus Anna Grace) that were playing after church!

We finished the night off with a party at the cousins' house!

(Emily is John's age and got confirmed also)

Kids' Table

Gorgeous dessert table

This was a night to remember, and I wanted to make sure to document it!