Emma Denise Malheim: Child of God

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart... [Jeremiah 1:5a-b NIV]

"I was there to hear your borning cry,

I'll be there when you are old.

I rejoiced the day you were baptized,

To see your life unfold.

- John Ylvisaker, 1985

Dear Emma,

Today, October 16, 2011, at Grace Lutheran Church, Oakes, North Dakota, you will be received into the kingdom of God's grace through the washing of Holy Baptism. How perfect it will be that you will receive this gift of God at the baptismal font in front of a congregation of His people that celebrates His grace everyday by their very existence as Grace Lutheran Church. One day, when you are a little older, you may ask your mother to recount a simple way to remember the G.R.A.C.E. of God. In confirmation classes and sermons preached by me, grace has been explained as God's Riches At Christ's Expense.

Imagine the grace of God coming to us through simple means - water and the Word. In Baptism, we are not the ones doing. As Martin Luther explained, "Baptism is not just plain water, but it is the water included in God's command and combined with God's Word." We are reminded of Jesus' life-changing, world-changing directive to His disciples: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." [Matthew 28:19 NIV]

"Baptized into Your Name most holy,

O Father, Son and Holy Ghost,

I claim a place, though weak and lowly,

Among Your seed, Your chosen host.

Buried with Christ and dead to sin,

I have Your Spirit now within."

Luther, in his Small Catechism continues: "...the Word of God in and with the water does these things, along with the faith which trusts this Word of God in the water. For without God's Word the water is plain water and no Baptism. But with the Word of God it is a Baptism, that is, a life-giving water, rich in grace, and a washing of the new birth in the Holy Spirit..." Your parents and godparents bring you to receive the new birth in Christ. Your grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and the members of Grace Lutheran Church and the entirety of Christ's Church pray God's constant blessings upon your life as you grow in stature, in faith and in His grace.

Emma Denise Malheim, God has a plan for your life. To the prophet Jeremiah, God said: "I know the plans I have for you, ...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." The truth is, no one but God knows those plans but I am confident that He has great things in store for your life. You hold a special place in His heart as His child. May God pour out His abundant blessings on you today and always!

Love,

Grandpa Turnmire

Letters to Emma - Day 3

"People were bring little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.' And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them." [Mark 10:13-16 NIV]

Dear Emma,

What a blessing you are, especially in the eyes of God! It is my prayer that as you grow through the days and years ahead, that God will always reach out and bless you through His own dear child, Jesus. One day, you will read these letters and gain a greater understanding of my love for you. Even more, it will always be my prayer that you will also come to know the love of Jesus in your life.

Someday I hope to share with you my faith journey and how, even when others thought God was so far away from my life, He was indeed right there beside me all the way. I trust and pray that Jesus will be your friend and that it will never seem that he is not there right beside you.

Today has surely been a big day for you, Emma. You and your mommy and daddy had a day of bonding together - the first of many. I also know that you have another of God's creatures who will be very interested in playing with you and protecting you. The picture of you and Sage together is adorable. In time, you will enjoy watching Sage and the kitties, playing with them and maybe even pulling an ear or tail from time to time.

Tomorrow, we will pray for your family in church and celebrate your arrival into your family. For tonight, I will share one of the first songs your mommy learned to sing.

Jesus love me, this I know

For the Bible tells me so.

Little ones to him belong,

They are weak but he is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me; Yes, Jesus loves me;

Yes, Jesus loves me; The Bible tells me so!

Good night, Emma.

Love, Grandpa David

Letters to Emma - Day 2

"Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children." [Proverbs 17:6]

Dear Emma,

Your mommy and daddy, all of your grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends of your parents are more captivated today than yesterday by the adorable baby girl in Muncie, Indiana. By now, your parents have taken you home from the hospital and all of you are getting settled in as the Malheim family. Don't tell them but your mommy's and daddy's lives have only started to change.

Just between you and me, Emma, I am enjoying being a grandfather. Contrary to common thought, it is actually helping me to feel younger rather than older. Some of my co-workers and friends are having a great time calling me "grandpa" or asking "How's grandpa today?" That's OK because I enjoy showing off pictures of you to friends at work, at church and even where I used to work in Minnesota. And if your daddy and mommy keep taking adorable pictures of you, I will keep showing them off. Since it has been decided that I will be visiting you in Indiana in a few weeks, perhaps we can have our picture taken together. You will become a celebrity here in Dallas, Texas.

The time has grown late dear Emma so I will end this letter with the following night time prayer.

"Now I lay me down to sleep,

I pray the Lord, my soul to keep.

To guide me safely through the night

And wake me with the morning light."

Good night and God bless!

Grandpa David