Ruth Evelyn Bruffey: Parent/Baby Dedication

The verse we chose to pray for our daughter as a "life" verse (until we know her more as she grows):

“For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

~ Ephesians 3:14-19 ~

My parents attend a wonderful church in Spring, TX. They were having their parent/child dedication service this past weekend and my parents asked if we would consider making our commitment to Christian parenting for Ruth as we did for Jacob at their church. We were going to Houston to celebrate mother's birthday (this past Saturday!) anyway and thought it would be a great time for family to gather for this commitment/dedication. My Granny was in town so that was special for us to have her there. 

The church, Spring Baptist Church, has a family dessert reception prior to the church service. During the reception, there was a video and short devotional and time for each family to pray over their child. Josh and I had written a blessing for Ruth that we prayed over her with my parents, Granny, and brother.

Then, we all attended the evening service where the parents were charged by the pastor in how we will raise our children and the congregation charged to offer prayer and support to each family. We then worshipped as a family and heard a great sermon from Pastor Mark Estep on parenting and child rearing with love and commitment.

It was a special time to be with my husband and both our little Bruffeys as we remember our true focus in parenting is stewarding these lives, created by God for God, in guiding them to the gospel with love and truth. I am glad my parents got to be there along with Granny and the surprise visit from my brother, Chip. Jacob enjoyed some great play time with his "Uncle Tip"!

Ruth dressed and ready in her sweet dress with slip, head band/bow, socks, and shoes from Grandmother. 

Snuggled with her handsome Daddy!

Ready to go and saying good-bye to Uncle Chip (we thought ;-) )

The Family Dessert Reception and Devotional

Our Family Table at the reception

Centerpiece for Ruth Evelyn

Gift from the church - I am so excited about "Shepparding a Child's Heart"! I've been wanting to read it!

Dedication Booklet for families

Family of Four

Ruth Evelyn's headband/bow from Grandmother - that can later be a garter for her wedding day!

I love these shoes and sweet socks!

Waiting at the reception

Uncle Chip came for the reception and dedication and surprised us! We were glad he could join us.

Time for some milk for Ruth!

Snuggle time with my boy! He was tired as it was during his bedtime, so we got out the binkie and let him chillll... 

Talking with Pastor Estep after our time of family prayer

My boys!

This was Jacob looking for the "birfday cake!"

Father and Son - my brother and father

Father and Son - my son and husband

These are 2 of my favorite people - my parents! I love them and how much they show love to me, my husband and our children!

Granny and her Great-Granddaughter

Granny now has 5 great-grandchildren and she just beams with pride!! 

(Lathan Gage Parish (6.4.10), Jacob Parish Bruffey (11.5.10), Elijah Latheal Parish (4.26.12), Ruth Evelyn Bruffey (10.6.12), and Owen Tyler Parish (10.10.12))

My beautiful daughter in her dress from Grandmother.

Smiling and talking to Granny

"Oh Granny! You're so great!"

Big Brother Jacob

I just love this boy!!

Grandmother and Granny loving on Ruth Evelyn!

Of course they got happy coos and smiles!

A hard working Daddy!

Uncle Chip and Jacob

Jacob became a bit "done" and tired... Uncle Chip jumped in and kept him company and laughing!

Talking about the green tree.

Telling Uncle Chip a story

Women in our Family

Parish women are strong women and I'm so blessed to be one and now a Bruffey woman by marriage - also women who are strong and have great faith and commitment to family. I am thankful the Lord put me in this family and sent our precious daughter to be among such women as my Granny and Mother.

Granny, Grandmother, Mother, and Daughter

The Church Service

Some people in the choir raised their hands and Jacob, who dances and raises his hands at home to the "Backyardigans" thought this was great and he kept raising his hands. Mother tried to capture it on film, but he's toooo fast!

Our family with Pastor Mark Estep

Sweet moment for our family

Jacob decided to sit with Granny and Granddaddy during the rest of the dedication before going to play in childcare with the other kiddos. He loves his Granny, Granddaddy and Grandmother! Every morning we were in Houston, when he'd wake up and I'd get him, he'd start the day saying, "Grandmother (he says Grand-mauw)! Granddaddy! Granny!" and did so the day we came home... he was SO sad they weren't at our house! We'll have to go to Houston again sooooon!

Praying together as parents for us and our children.

Singing together

After we all sat down, Ruth was ready for some Mama's milk! As soon as she was full, Grandmother was ready for some time to hold her. I love these moments! Mother and I looked at some baby pictures of me and Virginia and we can see several where Ruth Evelyn looks like us. She also favors many of her Annie's (my Aunt Linda) baby pictures! Maybe I'll have a little Bruffey that looks a bit like me after all! Either way - she is beautiful and the Parish and Bruffey women are gorgeous, full of faith, conviction, loyalty and strength - so I'm just glad my daughter is a part of us!

Our Family of Four

So many kids running around, it was hard to keep Jacob's attention. But I learned from my BSIL (big-sister-in-love) (Cheryl) to enjoy whatever pictures you can snap with a toddler! One of my favorite group family shots at our wedding has my nephew, Joshua Parker, upside down - awesome picture! So, we went with what we could get from my 2 year old!

We love you Ruth Evelyn Bruffey and are committed to our God and loving you with HIS love as He enables us to do so. We will not be perfect nor make all the right choices, but we will seek Him and seek to show you unconditional love, guidance, instruction, and sheppard your precious heart so you may see your need for Jesus and turn to Him for forgiveness and life!

Here is our prayer/blessing to you that we read/prayed on this evening of our dedication at Spring Baptist Church:

A BLESSING ON YOUR DEDICATION

To Ruth Evelyn Bruffey from your parents, Rev. and Mrs. Joshua Bruffey

From Daddy

God has demonstrated His mercy and grace a second time through childbirth.  First with our beautiful son, Jacob Parish Bruffey, and now with our beautiful daughter, Ruth Evelyn Bruffey.

Ruth, we are here today to commit ourselves as parents to your growth and well-being, both physically and spiritually, as well as emotionally. 

We pray the blessings of the living God be upon you.  May His hand guide you in life and guard your heart and mind in a world filled with darkness.  As Christians, we are called to be a light in this world.  As your mother and father, we pray that we demonstrate what being a light means in word and deed.

You are His creation, Ruth.  You belong to Him, and your mother and I are merely stewards of your wonderful life and being.  May you seek the face of your Creator.  May you seek and follow Christ Jesus, turning from sin and towards Him.  May you be a light that shines in the darkness and may those therein know and recognize the joy in your heart and life.

From Mama

Our prayer as your parents is that God will draw you to Himself early and you will come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior and spend your days getting to know Him, love Him, and serve Him. We also pray that you and your brother will grow close and be dear friends throughout your lives. Our family is one that is loyal to one another and committed to Christ and we are so glad He sent you to be a part of this family and are honored to be your parents. We look forward to seeing you grow and learn as the days and years unfold!

Your Encouragers

Spring Baptist Church has a unique part of their dedication where families can designate what they call "Encouragers" and define as "a person/people who will pray for your child as he/she grows up. These are those who made that commitment to you, Ruth Evelyn: 

Dr. Virginia Parish Beard (aunt – mother’s twin sister)

Josh Beard (uncle – mother’s brother-in-law)

Beryl Corey (aunt – father’s sister)

Scott Corey (uncle – father’s brother-in-law)

Cheryl Bruffey (aunt – father’s sister)

Maren Hewes (aunt – mother’s sister)

Janet M. Parish (grandmother – mother’s mother)

Latheal Parish (grandfather – mother’s father)

My beloved daughter, second born just as I was, you are loved, you are valued, you are cherished, and above all, you are prayed for! God created you for His plan and His glory with His love. May you come to know Him and always know your family welcomes and adores you! 

~ Mama Bruffey ~

Daughter of God, Wife of One, Mother of Two