Isn't this just the cutest little/big girl you have ever seen?
What you are looking at are two pictures that have the same meaning only at different ages. The first is a picture of Valleri, that was taken shortly after her baptism as a baby. She is all decked out in her beautiful baptism gown. The second is a picture of her taken after she confirmed her baptism vows at the age of 15. What a joyous occasion on both counts.
Confirmation is the re-confirming of the vows that were taken at her original baptism. Those original vows were taken by her parents and God parents.
Now she is what they consider to be the age of accountability, and she re-took those original vows.
The Bishop of the Diocese administered the ceremony. It was tearful for this Gram. I enjoyed the sermon given by the Bishop. He spoke to the young people, not down to them. He used his fist to demonstrate his point. That being the thumb is God, the little finger represents them. Why does the little finger represent them you ask. Because it is the weakest finger on your hand. The fingers in between; are the church, the parents and their sponsors, or I guess you could say, everyone else. When the fist is clinched, it represents power. Power to grow in the ways of the Lord with the strength of those who love and care supporting you. The power of forgiveness and the opportunity of service to church, family and friends. She is a beautiful young woman now. She has just taken another step towards adulthood. I am so happy to have witnessed this event.
