The Dedication

Maren and Yabsera were dedicated the Sunday after Easter. It was beautiful. We had just started going to a new church and we met with the pastors prior to the dedication and in just that short they got the true essence of both boys. I would like to type here what the pastor prayed over them because it was beautiful. I remember he said that Yabsera was a "Son of Ethiopia" and he would return to his country one day. And he said that Maren's joy reaches everyone like his smile that extends from the east to the west.

Here is my verse fro Yabsera, whose name means "The work of God".
Isaiah 43:5-7:
5 Do not be afraid, for I am with you;
I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, 'Give them up!' and to the south, 'Do not hold them back.' Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth-
7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made."

Here is my verse for Maren. His name means "Have Mercy".

Psalm 30:10-1210
Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me; O LORD, be my help."
11 You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever.
Here is Maren's teacher who came- Mrs. Peterson. She is just like Miss Frizzle and Maren has learned so much from her! We are so thankful to her for her patience and cultural sensitivity. We will miss her.
Here is Mark's sister, Sharon and her husband P. These are Maren's Godparents and he just loves them so much! They came all the way from New York to be with us.
This is Mark's side of the family. His mom, his sister and brother -in-law and our niece and nephews and our kids of course!