In 2006, I was experiencing a very wonderful and emotional time in my life.
Meanwhile, young Mentol was a world away in Indonesia aspiring to become a recognized artist/illustrator/writer. We had never met, nor did we expect that our paths would cross so many years later.
My beautiful wife, Jennifer was pregnant with twins. We were so excited in anticipation. We knew that she was going to bring a baby girl, (Bethany) and a baby boy (Christian) into this world. (Our son, Hunter came along 14 months later.)
We lived at a wonderful old time marina home on the Magothy River in Severna Park, Maryland.
Working mid shifts at NASA flying satellites, my thoughts would drift off to a time gone by when family, friends and neighbors would gather down by the river for an old fashioned Baptism. All I had to do was find a Baptism Song. I searched for hours and could not find a single Baptism Song.
I have written songs after experiencing extreme emotions before. I even wrote my wedding song as a gift to my wife. I was sure that I could find inspiration for a Baptism Song. I dreamed about the tiny babies we were bringing into the world. I began to type and the words flowed. I completed writing the Baptism Song in about 10 minutes. In my mind it was perfect with the first try.
A couple days later, Jen and I were invited to a Baby Dedication for our friend's son, TJ! I had never been to a Baby Dedication before. It was at Grace Fellowship Church in Timonium, Maryland. I wondered if Jen would want a Baptism or Baby Dedication song for our children. I decided to make a Baby Dedication version of our song also! It came out beautiful! We eventually decided on a Baby Baptism, but knew that people would appreciate our Baby Dedication Song as well. They did! When we created The Baptism Song Book, we also made The Baby Dedication Song Book! Now everyone is happy ;-)
Our friends, Wilma and Lew Heck built us a wonderful "Baptism Pier" for the ceremony at Strubles Marina.
Our family of friends experienced a beautiful Baptism ceremony at the river with Granddaddy Walt performing the Baptism of our twins in gowns re-purposed from Jennifer's wedding dress. He also performed Hunter's and cousin Ryan's Baptism about 2 years later.
Our dear friend, Tina beautifully sang The Baptism Song in public for the first time.
Lauren sang The Baptism Song at Hunter and Ryan's ceremony. - Both renditions were spectacular and heartwarming.
Fast forward. Our now 11 year old Bethany had been studying to become an artist since she was 4. We wanted to show her how to first be an art director so she might learn how to write, illustrate and manage the creation of fanciful children's books. She said, "let's make The Baptism Song into a book!"
We needed an illustrator for our book. By the Grace of God, we found our Mentol. She became "our best friend on the other side of the world". Her talents would thrill and amaze us.
We spent over 6 months and more than 180 pages of art director notes, photographs, drawings & revisions going back and forth between Bethany and me in Maryland and Mentol in Indonesia. We made excellent use of Google Documents, emails, texts, and Skype video calls. When it is 7 a.m. in the Maryland, USA, it is 7 p.m. in Malang City, Java, Indonesia.
Now, Mentol, Bethany and I present you with The Baptism Song Book and The Baby Dedication Song Book.
We have also made all of the elements from the books and songs available completely free HERE on our website. We hope you will want to tell the story of your Baptism or Baby Dedication ceremony. Every story we hear makes us smile - alot.
We wish you Peace and Love. This I promise today! - Love, Dennis & Bethany ;-)
Meanwhile, young Mentol was a world away in Indonesia aspiring to become a recognized artist/illustrator/writer. We had never met, nor did we expect that our paths would cross so many years later.
My beautiful wife, Jennifer was pregnant with twins. We were so excited in anticipation. We knew that she was going to bring a baby girl, (Bethany) and a baby boy (Christian) into this world. (Our son, Hunter came along 14 months later.)
We lived at a wonderful old time marina home on the Magothy River in Severna Park, Maryland.
Working mid shifts at NASA flying satellites, my thoughts would drift off to a time gone by when family, friends and neighbors would gather down by the river for an old fashioned Baptism. All I had to do was find a Baptism Song. I searched for hours and could not find a single Baptism Song.
I have written songs after experiencing extreme emotions before. I even wrote my wedding song as a gift to my wife. I was sure that I could find inspiration for a Baptism Song. I dreamed about the tiny babies we were bringing into the world. I began to type and the words flowed. I completed writing the Baptism Song in about 10 minutes. In my mind it was perfect with the first try.
A couple days later, Jen and I were invited to a Baby Dedication for our friend's son, TJ! I had never been to a Baby Dedication before. It was at Grace Fellowship Church in Timonium, Maryland. I wondered if Jen would want a Baptism or Baby Dedication song for our children. I decided to make a Baby Dedication version of our song also! It came out beautiful! We eventually decided on a Baby Baptism, but knew that people would appreciate our Baby Dedication Song as well. They did! When we created The Baptism Song Book, we also made The Baby Dedication Song Book! Now everyone is happy ;-)
Our friends, Wilma and Lew Heck built us a wonderful "Baptism Pier" for the ceremony at Strubles Marina.
Our family of friends experienced a beautiful Baptism ceremony at the river with Granddaddy Walt performing the Baptism of our twins in gowns re-purposed from Jennifer's wedding dress. He also performed Hunter's and cousin Ryan's Baptism about 2 years later.
Our dear friend, Tina beautifully sang The Baptism Song in public for the first time.
Lauren sang The Baptism Song at Hunter and Ryan's ceremony. - Both renditions were spectacular and heartwarming.
Fast forward. Our now 11 year old Bethany had been studying to become an artist since she was 4. We wanted to show her how to first be an art director so she might learn how to write, illustrate and manage the creation of fanciful children's books. She said, "let's make The Baptism Song into a book!"
We needed an illustrator for our book. By the Grace of God, we found our Mentol. She became "our best friend on the other side of the world". Her talents would thrill and amaze us.
We spent over 6 months and more than 180 pages of art director notes, photographs, drawings & revisions going back and forth between Bethany and me in Maryland and Mentol in Indonesia. We made excellent use of Google Documents, emails, texts, and Skype video calls. When it is 7 a.m. in the Maryland, USA, it is 7 p.m. in Malang City, Java, Indonesia.
Now, Mentol, Bethany and I present you with The Baptism Song Book and The Baby Dedication Song Book.
We have also made all of the elements from the books and songs available completely free HERE on our website. We hope you will want to tell the story of your Baptism or Baby Dedication ceremony. Every story we hear makes us smile - alot.
We wish you Peace and Love. This I promise today! - Love, Dennis & Bethany ;-)
