First NZ baptisms!

O glorious and happy day of blessing!! We had a baptismal service this morning with four candidates obeying the Lord's directive to be baptized following repentance, though none of them is a recent convert. It was a beautiful service - I love baptisms and the public declaration and picture of dying with Christ and being raised to new life. Dannica, Kristi, Danielle and Andreas all shared a brief testimony of God's grace in their lives. We had an extended time of fellowship after the service with cakes and cookies being passed around...it seemed no one was in a hurry to get home! Eventually the hanging around shifted to Centennial Park and take-aways or picnic lunches unwrapped. The afternoon was gorgeous...warm weather, bubbly conversations, singing, coffee, soccer - thank you Lord for the gift of the blue skies today to go with the rest of the blessings You have poured out on us!