A Beautiful Day for a Baptism.

Today Eleanor Love Rawlinson was baptized at Effingham Presbyterian Church. Reverend Andrew Putnam returned to Effingham to perform the baptism service. Ella was a beautiful and happy baby. She wore a gorgeous duponi silk christening gown with pearl embellishment on the yoke. The dress was made by Gaga- Donna McLaughlin. She also wore a beautiful enamel and gold cross given to her by her God parents- Jay and Flo Vinson. She wore precious little booties with pearl embellishment and a christening bonnet that Kevin and I purchased for her. She was a very good baby who laughed and cooed through the entire service.

We had lots of special visitors for the service. Mr. Eddie & Mrs. Linda Potts came all the way from Fort Mill to see me. Also attending included: Paw Paw & Grand Ma Lindy, Great Uncle Larry and Aunt Carol Anne McLaughlin, Mr Jack & Mrs. Janet Miller, Aunt Mary Bridges, Larry & Gloria Bridges, Meme (Fran) & Mel Wright, Aunt Pam Marek, Uncle Brian & Aunt Sissy(Celia) Urquhart, Wills Urquhart, Laurie & Cliff Turner, Aunt Myra Epps, Marlyn Moros, Bobby & Miller McElveen, Henry & Nevitte Swink, Norma & Robby Meggs, Jimmy & Jo Anne McLaughlin, Mrs. Harriet Swink, Mrs. Sadie Meggs, Mr. Charles & Mrs. Betty Dennis, David Dennis, Rooster, Mrs. Pat Lambert, Pop Pop (Wade) Rawlinson, Great Aunt Linda & Uncle Ricky Strickland, Cathy, RJ and Margaret Lee, Gaga (Donna) McLaughlin, Virginia & Emily Roberts, The Malson Family, Jay & Flo Vinson, Jay, Christyn & Jayce McLaughlin, Francis Swink, Polly Lester (Gram Polly), The Cottingham Family and Morgan & Helen Coker. I am sure I have left some folks off. Please feel free to list your name if I did.

Ella received some beautiful gifts from her guest and other family members. Pop Pop gave her a beautiful christening bib. Meme & Mel gave her a special little silver bracelet. Gaga gave Ella a special little silver cross. Aunt Sissy gave her a silver spoon (every southern girl needs a silver spoon). Her sweet little friend Caitlin Bray, her Mommy, Jan Bray, and her Grand mom, Miriam McCain, gave Ella a silver passy holder and a handkerchief church baby. She also received a little bible, a silver piggy bank and some precious little books.

We had about 100 guest for a lovely luncheon in the family life center following the service. We served veggie soup, fried chicken, corn bread and desserts. We used lots of pretty bright colors and Gerber daisies to decorate. Special thanks to Great Aunt Linda Strickland who helped cook and serve, Meme and Aunt Pam Marek for helping cook, Uncle Ricky Strickland for the amazing photos, the choir at Effingham for the beautiful special music and to our good friend Reverend Andy Putnam for taking time off to coming down from Rockhill to perform the service.