Baptized

Before I came to San Francisco, I had strongly thought about baptism, but never had the courage to follow through with it. For the past year, every time they would announce Baptism classes, I got that gut feeling, the one where you know you are supposed to do it. I never felt comfortable enough in my church to do it, I wasn't a member and was too scared to go in front of hundreds of people to share my testimony, I know I would have burst into tears right aways, for no reason at all. 


When I was getting ready to come here, I told my parents that I may get baptized here, in San Francisco, if I felt God was telling me to, they were on board with me, but I wasn't sure, until the day one of the 360 members from YWAM was getting baptized, I was in my room and really felt like I needed to do it here. I have never had close friends throughout all of my school years, but the day I got here, I felt loved. All the people that I am here with love me, wants what is best for me & care so incredibly much for me. I know I will never find as incredible friends as I have made here, I am so blessed to have them here & I wanted to share this moment with them, because I know for myself I was ready to be baptized and make that commitment a long time ago.


Baptism to me was publicly declaring my love for God, making a commitment to God that I would be in relationship with him, spend time in the bible and praying, and being another step in my faith journey. 


Jeremiah 18 has been one of my favourite verses, showing that we need to live God's will for us and not our own, I have found that for myself.


This morning I woke up, and just spent time in God's presence I was listening to music and the song "Dive" by Steven Curtis Chapman really hit me, it's about diving in for God, not caring if you sink or swim, just doing what he wants in our lives...


When we got to the beach, Sam & Mikel played a few worship songs, then Steve talked about what baptism is, then the biggest surprise of all, Katya opened up a piece of paper, that my mom had wrote to me, just for this special day, and let me tell you the tears were flowing, that was really special to me, nobody but my mother can make me cry at a time like that! I shared why I was getting baptized, what it meant to me, and a few verses. Then we went into the water, it was so cold, but my body became numb before I was dunked, so it wasn't as cold then. The waves were crashing against us, is what a really beautiful picture. I wasn't sure what I was going to feel as I was going under, but it was just calmness, no God high, but just a feeling of content and love from everyone. They all gathered around me after & prayed for me, it was really neat, I have never felt as loved as I was right at that moment!


I am so excited that I got to get baptized here, in San Francisco, in the ocean. It's been such a blessing to be here, but I do miss home, and cannot wait to see everyone, especially my family & Roberto!


20 days left lovely people, 20 days! 


Tessa