noah is 9! – gentino family

Can you believe that Noah turned 9 last week? I certainly can’t. We adopted him when he was two, and when I spend time with the two-year-olds at church I marvel that he was that young when we brought him home. At the same time, it feels like he and Gabe always been part of our family.

Here’s two-year-old Noah (and a very young looking David!):

His birthday, which is on New Years Eve, began with Duck Donuts with Grandpa, Mum Mum and his siblings, while David and I drove home.

That evening some friends from church had a party and made street tacos. We brought a cake and told Noah that was his birthday party. That’s the great thing about having a birthday on New Years Eve! Also: fireworks.

On Sunday, Noah also became a “communing member” of our church. Our church baptizes infants, but then elementary kids go through a six-week class to learn more about the gospel and putting their trust in Jesus to save them. We’d had lots of conversations with Noah about this and felt like he was ready for the class. He enjoyed it so much, and was interviewed by two elders in December to share his testimony about trusting in Jesus. Then, once these students have stood on stage and answered membership questions by one of the pastors, they are able to take the Lord’s Supper.

It was a beautiful Sunday, our first time taking communion as a whole family. We haven’t pressured any of our kids to articulate their faith in Jesus, but we study the Bible and talk about it often so that it feels natural to them to have a relationship with Him. I believe that’s the beautiful thing about raising children in a covenant family. I’m so humbled to see God’s work in each of their hearts, and to see the ways Noah is growing to love the Lord more and more. We’re very thankful for all the people who are part of discipling him in the faith, especially Mr. Rich and Miss Susanne, who taught his communicants’ class and made it special for the kids with a fun lunch and dessert each week.

We recently watched a fun documentary on Netflix called My Octopus Teacher, and Noah told us it was one of his favorite movies ever. We all six remarked that we could see Noah growing up to befriend an octopus. So of course David and I had to pick him up a stuffed one from the Georgia Aquarium gift shop.

In addition, we got him a family zoo membership, which he’s been asking for for a long time — ever since we let ours expire. He was so excited.

It was a perfect birthday weekend and we’re so thankful for our 9-year-old!