Redemption Sealed

(The girls on my squad during a cultural practice day! Culturally, we all wear skirts!)

(Fun photos in between sessions. I am in the back, attempting to photobomb.)

Now for News!

On September 10th (this past Wednesday), I was re dedicated and baptized by water through the leading of the Holy Spirit.

When I was 12, I was baptized into the life of Christ as a believer. This a was a beautiful step of confirming my identity as one of His children. Yet, I was not then walking in reliance and love of the Holy Spirit. As a result, I slipped away from that new life Christ had bestowed freely on me. But Jesus encountered me as I realized I had fallen away from Him. Once encountered by Him, I was utterly soul struck and fell in love with my Savior. This could be called the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

For some years after my baptism of the Holy Spirit, I have felt a tug to be baptized again with water. I have wanted to seal up the fact that I have been encountered by Christ personally…

This past Wednesday, I was prayer over in the baptismal pool while my squad leader, Baylee, baptized me in the name of “the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

Whoosh, I was in.

Swoosh, I came out.

I was beaming, I could not contain the joy I felt inside. My face should have hurt from the intensity of my smile, but all I felt was Jesus! I felt truly sealed as the new person the Spirit had already baptized me to be and that He has been continually creating me to be.

After that holy “dip” on Wednesday, one very sweet leader came to me and stated that the Lord had given her a word for me as I was being baptized. The word was redemption.

I am continually learning how this word is applying to my new life in Christ in that that my first baptism has been redeemed by my rededication.
(Also, God’s sense of humor here. Redemption has been the topic of conversation likely over 10 times since it was spoken to me by that leader!)

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Now for some other awesome information!

Our green team got 2nd place in Squad wars! But, we got 1st place for the squad wars dance!! What a blast off before heading out to the field soon!

P.S. In the pictures, I do indeed have a green beard and mustache.

Our squad of 31 has been split into teams of 5 or 6! Our teams will be the ones we serve alongside most closely while on the field. Essentially, we will know these 5 people inside and out! My team contains: Marissa Nappier, Abby Isaacs, Holly Davis, Ella Bradley, and Skylar (our team leader.) While our teams may adjust, they are likely to remain the same for some months while on the field.

Also, our whole squad will be leaving for domestic ministry in about 1 week! We will be providing aid and sharing the love of Jesus in North Carolina next Saturday for about 1 week. Shortly afterwards, we will head out to the Adventures in Missions base in Eswatini!

Would you pray for:

• Rest and trust in the Lord knowing that my energies will not accomplish anything without Him.
• Energy to continue seeking to be present in the activities provided for me (I.e. Extra worship sessions, coffee shop outings, board game times, bonfires, prayer times…etc) while maintaining the mental and spiritual energy to allow these activities to be meaningful and focused on the Lord.

I want to say that I am deeply grateful for all of your prayers. The Lord answers prayers!

In respect to that, remaining in true, vulnerable and loving community is a prayer being continually answered! Still, the Lord is chipping way at my heart to be as soft and unselfish as possible and I pray He will continue to do so!

(Luke, Me and Marissa during squad wars!)

With crazy love and prayer, Lia.