Hampton's Dedication

I am way behind as Hampton's dedication was at the beginning of October.  It was kind of a last minute thing as our church here does it differently and we weren't familiar with the process.  For Hampton to be dedicated we had to attend 3 parenting classes for 3 consecutive Sundays.  They offer these classes 3 times a year and we had talked about doing it in May, but we realized we were gone almost every weekend.  So this one came up in September and we decided to do it since Hampton was almost one!  Little B got dedicated when he was 4 months old.  Part of me had thought about not doing it as I felt we dedicated Hampton's life during the meningitis process. I can remember Big Bradford and I praying in the emergency room hospital when he was 3 weeks old, "He is your child, we trust you with his life, thy will be done."   I am thankful that we did the classes and went through the process as it blessed us in so many ways that we didn't expect.  The only bummer about the timing of the dedication was that the grandparents were all flying in the weekend before for his birthday party and would not be able to come back the following weekend.  We completely understood and encouraged them (as they were saddened they couldn't be there) that we would invite our Tampa family and Hampton would have plenty of prayers and support on his special day.

We found out two days before the dedication that Hampton had the immune deficiency.  It was an emotional day as we prayed for Hampton's health and purpose that God has for him.  Here are the verses that we prayed over him.

Praying for Hampton's Faith: I pray that Hampton would confess with his mouth that Jesus is Lord, and that he would believe in his heart that you have raised Christ from the dead.  Cause Hampton to call on your name, Lord and save him. Romans 10:9,13

Praying for Hampton's Purpose: You know the plans you have for Hampton. Plans to prosper him and not harm him, plans to give him a hope and a future. Cause Hampton to call upon you and come and pray to you and then listen to him, O Lord. Let him seek you with all of his heart and find you when he does seek you. Jeremiah 29:11-13

Praying for Hampton's Health: Let Hampton dwell in the shelter of the Most High and Rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Be his refuge, his fortress, his covering, his shield. Do not let him fear the terror of the night, no any type of plague or sickness. Do not let any harm or disaster come near Hampton.  Command your angels to guard him in all his ways and keep him away from hurting himself. When he calls on you, answer him. Be with him in trouble; deliver him and honor him. Satisfy Hampton with long life and show him your salvation. Psalm 91

Praying for Hampton's Character: This is my prayer: that Hampton's love would abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that he may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ.  Philippians 1:9-11

Praying for Hampton's Gifts: You made some people apostles, some people prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. Show Hampton where he fits into your divine arrangement, and let him use his gifts to prepare your people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up in love. Ephesians 4:11-16

Big Bradford prayed at the end and I will attach it at the bottom as it caught me off guard because I didn't realize he had written one down and it blew me away.  Hampton sure is blessed to have a Man of God as his earthly father.

Looking at pictures of Hampton on the screen

Everyone praying in a circle

Goldfish, sucker and iPad.  What we do to get a two year old to sit still:)

 Amber helping hold down the fort while bf :)

 Lindsey and Abigail.  Big kids were at our house with the babysitter, Miss Jamie

The Church is so gracious and had a cake for each child dedicated.  

 Our "Tampa Family" at the dedication

Hampton's buddy Colt got dedicated too. 

Dear Lord,

I thank you for Hampton and for the blessing he has already been on our lives over the past year.  I thank you for his smile, his laughter, his determination, his energy and his open mouth kisses.  I thank you for the plan you had for Anna, Bradford and myself when you brought him into the world.  Plans to challenge us, teach us patience, teach us endurance, teach us humility and show us the love of others.  Thank you for the friends you have brought into our lives, along with our family, that has been with us side by side as we have raised Hampton to this point.  Thank you for Bailey, whose popularity had been waning in our home, only to come up clutch in her mutual love, infatuation and bond with Hampton.  Thank you for wise counsel that has helped us watch over Hampton's health, no matter the time of day or sickness.  Thank you for providing him with a mother that could be the only mother in the world to provide such love and support in the way that he needed it.

My first and foremost prayer is that you continue to provide us, as parents, with wisdom and guidance on not only how to parent our child to be a loving, respectful, god-fearing man - but in how to give him the health he needs to become that man.  Lord, we don't always know what we are doing. But, that is why we have faith. That is why we seek your counsel through prayer and why we seek the counsel of the confidants that sit with us today who pray.  Only you know the future of this little guy and I pray that you will continue to give us the confidence, patience and wisdom that you have provided over the past year.  We know it will not always be easy, but our prayer is that you help Anna and I work as a team with the goal of proving a loving, safe home for this child.

We pray that you will put your hedge of protection around Hampton's health as he continues to fight germs with a weakened immune system.  Only you can know his future and what lies ahead.  So, wepray Ephesians 3:20-21 over him when we ask that you do more in Hampton's life than all we could ever ask or imagine, according to your power that is at work within him.  Glorify yourself through his life, and for generations to come.

We pray that you will work through Hampton's heart to grow into a respectful, honest, honorable man after your own heart.  We pray that he is a light among the darkness in this world and that you use his "old soul" to greater your kingdom through witness to non-believers.

Finally, we pray that your will be done and we hand Hampton over to you.  He is yours.  Let our friends here be witness to this statement and hold us accountable to the fact that we have no control over some things and we put our faith in you.  Only in you.

We love you and thank you for this wonderful gift.