20 years ago...

20 Years Ago.

Seems like yesterday doesn't it?

What were you doing?  Were you in High School?  College?  Getting Married?  Married?  Having kids?  Surviving Life?

This is me 20 Years Ago.

and my younger brother... and Klaus Forster, aka Bible Teacher & Global Studies teacher extraordinaire!

20 years ago I gave my life to Jesus publicly.

I have never regretted it.
In fact I celebrate it!

This morning I got up and told the kids I got baptized 20 years ago...
They just looked at me. 

"Mom, she ate the rest of the cereal."
"Can I have a cookie in my lunch?"
"Stop looking at me that way... why does she have to do that?"
"Can I take all my silly bands to show McKinley mom?"

Me:  alrighty then...

An hour later in front of a room of 6,7,8 year olds...
Me:"Today is an important day...  Want to know why?"
Them:  "It's Mrs. Rich's Sisters 50th bday!"
Me:  "Well there is that... but, I was baptized 20 years ago today!"
Them: "How old ARE you?"
Me:  "Do you really want to know?"
Them: "Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!  PLEASE!!!!!"
Me:  "Okay then, I am 38."

Them:  "  "    speechless with mouths wide open.  jaws on floor.
Them: "My mom is in her 20's"
Me:  (in my head of course.... BARF... and then do I even remember my 20's?)
Them:  "My mom is in her 30's too"
Me: (again in my head... I knew I liked this kid... wait, is his mom younger than me?")
Them:  "My mom is in her 40's I think... wait I don't really know."
Me:  "Alright then (since you missed the entire point)  let's get ready for music."


South Umpqua River... FREEZING cold.  I have on a full body wet suit.... AND drumroll please, AQUA Socks... admit it you had a pair!


new life!  PRAISE God!


My Grandmother, probably the single most influential person in praying for me and teaching me about Jesus.  Mr. Forster was pretty important as well.

Looking back on this moment.
I am Thankful for so many things... but here are a few.

1.  Jesus died for me.
2.  Jesus called me... and He loves me no matter what.
3.  My parents cared enough to send me to private school.  I am eternally thankful.
4.  My parents & Grandma drove 3 hours to be at my baptism. 
5.  My life course altered at this moment.  I truly believe without this moment I am not where I am today, I am not married to Josh, I am not the mother of 5, I am lost.

There is just one thing I wonder?
My hair?  Seriously, did I have no friends that they would not tell my how terribly 80's my hair was?

Anyway.  Best Day Ever.
and tonight I got this text from my mom:

"Dad was just telling Oma (grandma) it was 20 yrs ago today that your were baptized is that right?  Dad has such a great memory.  Have better day.  Love you!"

Tears.  I LOVE that he remembered.

I just wish I could find the framed photo of my parents, brother, & I.