Child of God

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

On August 27, 1978 I was baptized at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Charleston, Illinois. The same church where Leah and Kiersten were later baptized.

I think it’s safe to say that I come from a long line of Lutherans. And in our faith, you have children baptized as infants.  The holy water cleanses them of their sin, names them children of God and they become a member of the church.

I still have my baptismal gown. My mother tells me that her father, my grandfather Leslie Schaumburg bought it for me. It was later worn by my sister Laura, my brother Matt, and all three of my daughters. My Aunts and Uncles have reminded me often that I was Grandpa’s favorite. But I was also the first. I think they tried to make trips down to Charleston pretty regularly to see me. I love that he bought the gown for me…and I sincerely hope that maybe some day my grandchildren will wear it as well.

Lucky for me, I was the first born so my mom put a lot of time into documenting the first year of my life. My baptism was attended by my grandparents Leslie and Evelyn Schaumburg, Loraine Myerscough,  Uncle Barry and Aunt Sandy Schaumburg and my sponsors were Carl Schaumburg and his wife Denise (Sanders now). 

After the church service my mom hosted a dinner at our house, but Dad and Grandma Loraine couldn’t stay. My dad had to serve lunch to the Eastern Illinois University Football team. 

If you would have asked my fifteen year old self if I envisioned attending church with my own children or planning my future grandchildren’s baptisms I would’ve scoffed. Growth is a wonderful thing.