Sunday, October 30th we celebrated Degen's Christening at the Episcopal Church in Independence. This was the same church where we celebrated Kyrie's Christening three years before when I was pregnant with Degen. We were joined by loving family & friends, including Rick Garey who stood as Degen's godfather and his Aunt Angela who stood as his godmother (his other godmother, Jessica Knobbe was unable to attend the ceremony and was dearly missed). The service was officiated by Mother Kathi Babcock.
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| Family photo with Aunt Ange and Uncle Rick before the ceremony. |
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| Family photo with Nana Billie and Papa Derrel |
Before the service began, we spoke with Mother Kathi. Degen expressed some shyness as we made the introductions, and I explained to him what would happen during the ceremony, including that Mother Kathi would be holding him for the Christening. I kept reminding him what was coming up, adding "no screaming, no crying."
When it was time, we went up as a family and took our vows before heading back to the baptismal font. When I handed him to Mother Kathi, he started to cry, but when she poured the Holy Water over his head he stopped and just kept his eyes scrunched closed. We completed the ceremony with no more tears from Degen, though there were a few from me. As we made our way back to our pew, he was welcomed by many of the other congregants.
But Degen was getting tired and grew more & more restless as we finished the service. He calmed when I took both kids up for Communion. After the service was over, I wanted to get family photos, but Degen wanted very little to do with that and was pretty uncooperative. You can see his sad, little face in the family photos below.
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| Family photo with Mother Kathi |
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| Family photo with Uncle Rick & Aunt Ange |
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| Family photo with Grandpa Richard and Great-Grandma Cain |
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| Family photo with Aunt Ange, Aunt Suzie, Grandma Ida & Uncle Eldon |
Poor Degen couldn't stand another minute of pictures, and thankfully there was a reception at the church with all sorts of goodies. Degen's tears dried as he enjoyed the food and some lemonade in the relaxed atmosphere at the reception. His shoes & socks came off, he opened a few gifts and played with the other kids. We continued to visit with family and friends until all of the parishioners had gone. Then family & friends headed back to Nana Billie's and Papa Derrel's for luncheon.
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| Me and my grown-up boy! |
We appreciate the love and support of all of those who were unable to attend the ceremony, but kept us in their thoughts and prayers that day. We want to thank all our family and friends who attended Degen's Christening and shared in this special occasion. Thank you to Degen's godparents: Rick Garey, Angela Heape and Jessica Knobbe. And our most heartfelt appreciation goes to Nana Billie and Papa Derrel for all their effort & hard work in organizing and providing for this special day. Thank you! We love you!
“This is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine all that is best to be sincere and good.”
Phillipians 1:9-10
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