Dear Anna Alden,

Yesterday was your baby dedication at church.
Daddy and I promised to do our best to raise you in a Godly manner.
Our church family promised to do their best to nurture your sweet spirit.

I sang to you. (And I didn’t even cry.)
We prayed for you.
We celebrated you.
We marveled at the miracle of life.

You wore the dress I wore home from the hospital.

And Lydia wore the dress that I was baptized in.

The boys were handsome, too.

When a child is dedicated at the church, she (or he) gets a bible.
For each of my children, I have picked a verse especially for her (or him).

In your bible it reads:
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth. -1 John 3:18(NIV)

But I love how the Good News Translation reads:
My children, our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action. -1 John 3:18

I do pray, my dear sweet Alden, that you feel loved and that you show love.
Because a life without love is no life at all.

I love you, my happy, smiley girl.
And I will love you forever.
Love, Mommy