JingJing's Big Day

For months now, JingJing has been asking questions about becoming a Christian. She would go through phases like this..."I'm NEVER going to be a Christian." (She'd say this after she saw someone she knew get baptized). Or, she'd say this, "Whenever I ask God in my heart, it doesn't work!" We talked about this all the time, it seemed. We'd ask her: Who is God? Who is Jesus? What does sin mean? What did Jesus do for us? ...etc. Sometimes she knew the answers and sometimes she'd be 'off' a little. The concept of sin/forgiveness was always hard for her to understand. Finally, in January, she got more and more intent, and wanted to talk about it every night at bedtime, in the car, at dinner, etc. And she was totally set on being baptized!

We told her she would walk down front during one of the 'big church' services and Pastor Todd would ask, "Why are you coming forward, JingJing?" For awhile, she'd say, 'I want to get baptized'..and Matthew would make the 'buzzer noise'. He said, "That's not the right answer." And of course, she wanted to know what was the answer she needed to say. We'd already talked about it a lot, but not in that exact phrasing...about asking Jesus into your heart, to be your Savior, etc.

A few nights later on Feb. 7th, we were eating dinner. JingJing said, "I want to talk about becoming a Christian." So, we started the whole discussion again. Then she said she needed to go to the bathroom. She was gone awhile and Matthew called her back to the table. She halfway shouted something we didn't understand and returned to dinner several minutes later.

 That night at bedtime, she started the whole discussion again. And that is when we discovered she prayed for salvation while going to the bathroom. Yes, and that is the truth....perfectly done in 'JingJing' style!

Later we discussed her Faith Story that Bro. Chris records and asked what her favorite verse is. She found the verse in Matthew that says, "I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink..." We laughed about that a little....for those of you that know her, she is ALWAYS wanting a snack! But seriously, I told Matthew, that actually is very fitting for her. She was in desperate need, as an orphan, and God laid it on our hearts, to meet her needs.

However, she finally settled on Psalm 56:3, "When I am afraid I will trust in You."
On February 16th during the 'greet your neighbor' time in the Generations service, she was shaking everyone's hand, proudly proclaiming her salvation. It was so cute!

She was baptized Feb. 20, 2011. Matthew baptized her and shared with her and the congregation, she has now been adopted TWICE. How cool is that?! We are so proud of her. Also, for those of you that know her, can tell by watching her for 3 seconds, she LOVES to be silly! But that morning, she was exceptionally calm and serious. We knew for sure, without a doubt, that she was a believer and that she had asked Jesus into her heart in the bathroom, " 'cause she needed privacy"...so she tells us!