Rhianna's Soccer Season

During the month of September, Rhianna participated in her first sport, soccer. She played in the 4 year old league...and let me tell ya, it was pure entertainment to watch. The following are some picture of her season and her participation medal.

Rhianna dribbling the ball. The boundaries of the field were quite irrelevant, note the coach trying to get them back on the field which is way over to the right.

Can you say tackle soccer anyone? Note the little pink sock in the middle of the pile is Rhianna...she has a slightly competitive nature.

Rhianna and team again playing outside the bounds of the field.

The team huddled up with the coaches "talking strategy".

Rhianna practicing her skills.

Note Lorenzo in the background, he and his little friend, were just "dying" to help!

Go Cheetahs!

Rhianna gets her participation medal from Coach Erin.

Team Award Ceremony picture.

Rhianna's posing with her very first sports medal.

A little closer look!

Proud big brother poses with Rhianna.

Lorenzo's Baptism

I guess it is fitting that I start my blog with Lorenzo's Baptism. Obviously this was a very important day in his life, and a decision a long time in the making. He first asked about being baptized last spring...and then decided he was not quite ready. When the class came up this summer, he was quite tentative about going, but after reassuring him that just because he took the class did not mean he needed to be baptized, he decided to attend. When the class was over (on the Sunday before he was scheduled to be baptized) they were going through the logistics of the baptism. Pastor Carey was using Lorenzo as an example so he asked "Are you a Christian, have you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior?" Lorenzo said "yes", then he asked "Is it your desire to be baptized today?" ...Lorenzo's response "I'm not sure yet". ...needless to say, we had more days of decision and random questions and finally Tuesday evening, after bedtime prayer, we talked again and I told him he had to make a decision, one way or another. He had lots more questions, and in the end, he said "Mom, I need to sleep on it, I'll tell you in the morning." Well the next morning he came bouncing into my room saying "I'm ready Mom", and he began telling everyone he saw that he was going to be baptized.

So after a long introduction, these are pictures from the day. The baptism was done at the Cronin's house in their backyard pool.

It started with a pre-baptism BBQ. Lorenzo sat with his best friend, Josiah, and Rhianna in her sparkling "party dress" (she always has the "perfect" outfit for any occasion...just ask her!)

Josiah sat near Lorenzo "for support" as he waited his turn...can you see the nervousness in Lorenzo's face? At this point, Mama began praying that he would not have a last minute change of heart...poolside :o)

Rhianna sat with "the girls" listening to Pastor Carey's message.
After some worship music, Pastor Carey gave a short message.

....and then it was time, for Lorenzo to step in.













"Lorenzo, is it your desire to be baptized today?"

This time he said yes!!

And he was "burried with Christ".

...and rose again a "new man."

When Lorenzo got out of the pool, Rhianna jumped up and shouted, "Good job big brother" then ran over and gave him a hug. This is post-hug when she realized he got her sparkling dress wet...major fashion faux pas!

With the "big dip" over, Lorenzo sat poolside with Josiah and his little brother Jesse (on Lorenzo's left side) watching others get baptized too.

It was an incredible day!!! We are so, so, so, so proud of Lorenzo and his decision! Welcome to the "Army of the Lord, Lorenzo"!!