Eliza's dedication...

We celebrated Eliza's dedication service at Harvest Community Fellowship on Sunday, 15th April - almost two years after Riaan's dedication. It was very special to have family and friends at the service, especially my mom who was able to represent our South African family back in Cape Town. Sean, one of the pastors, shared some words and challenged us as parents, and then I shared some thoughts before we prayed over our little daughter. I post below the words that I shared that day.

Just after two years ago, 28 months to the day, little baby Riaan and I were facing an uncertain future. Candace was fighting for her life and we were preparing for the very real possibility of losing her. At best, we were told she would survive but would lose her uterus. She'd need an emergency hysterectomy to stop the bleeding and save her life. Prayers were going up everywhere. God was on the move. As the surgeons were preparing for that surgery, they spotted the problem and were able to clamp the artery and save her uterus. It was a miracle. In the space of a few hours, we'd gone from almost losing Candace to still having a real hope for another child – a sibling to Riaan. Fast forward to this day, and here we have our little miracle baby. Eliza Lucy, you're our miracle. God saved your life by saving your Mom's life that day. You are so special and I know that God has AMAZING things in store for you!

“There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic slendour. [So Eliza,] the eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you.”

(Deuteronomy 33: 26 – 27)

We had originally planned to have a picnic in the park after the service, but the weather was far too cold, and so we had a bring and share lunch in the church's cafeteria. It was a lovely morning!

 Sharing our testimony.

 Family photo after the service.

 Friends and family join us for lunch.

 Asher with Eliza.

 Great-grandma Paulus with Eliza.

Riaan (right) with his friends Asher and Callum. :)