My daughter is of a different religion, but we share the same God. On MY Easter Sunday (I am Greek Orthodox), 
she got baptized in the Ocean, embracing Jesus as her savior.
After immersing herself in bible study for well over a year now, she felt sure that she wanted to take this major step. When she announced that she will be baptized during my Easter celebration, I wholeheartedly gave her my blessings. It was so extraordinary to me that her Baptism occurred on one of my most favorite religious celebrations - Easter.
She is now 15 years old. I embraced my religion around the same time. I am Greek Orthodox mostly because that was the only religion available to me in my native Romania and because my grandmother, who was my spiritual 
mentor, is Greek Orthodox.
In Communist Romania, the Bible was a rarity and most regular folks had never even seen one. My grandmother had read the Bible in her youth and she remembered. She taught me about God and all the wonderful lessons from her memory.
I used to go to church on my way home from school every day and said my prayers. I learnt about God and religion from my Grandmother and I followed my heart. That little church by my school was my place to find the solace and peace I was seeking. It was my oasis in a World I had difficulty understanding. My God was loving, understanding and accepting, just like my Grandmother. 
My daughter openly declared her dedication to Him on Easter Sunday, when, alongside her two best friends, she got baptized in the Atlantic...
Although my Grandmother is now 95 and could not come to the Baptism, she was there in spirit and I lovingly dedicate this blog to her.
Myrtle Beach Real Estate by Mirela Monte
Me and my beloved daughter, Amanda-Miranda.
Ron, that is such a sweet comment! Very touching, thank you!
From the immortal words of Granny, from the 'Beverly Hillbillies'...."I've got Joy! Joy! Joy! Joy! down in my heart, down in my heart...down in my heart!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sing everybody!!!!!!! The Angels in heaven are!!!
That is what is declared in the Bible!!! I cannot site the passage verbatum...nor the chapter and verse...but it does quote that everytime a 'soul' is saved... the Angels in heaven rejoice!!!!! Pretty amazing stuff!! Must be where they got the line from, 'It's a wonderful Life'!! We all know it...."Every time a bell rings and Angel gets his wings"....
God Bless the Monte's.... and I want to follow Amanda for the years to come...God has his sights on her!!
Ever so Delighted,
Annie!
Praise God,
Great for you and your daughter. A step of faith, and a public declaration as it says in the Bible. Congrats and blessings.
List and Sell (and as we say in KW .. God, Family, then Business.) Gary @ RentonHomeFinder
Thank you for sharing such a wonderful moment in your daughters' life. She has just made the most important decision she'll ever make. And we should all pray that her faith will just continue to grow.
It's also pretty awesome about the 95 year old man. It just shows, it's never too late.
Mirela you have done a great job bringing your daughter to God"s love. God Bless both of you
Anne
God Bless Your Daughter! I know this day and time it is hard for young people to be able to stand for what they truly believe in. You should be proud of her for taking a stand for God.
Chuck, your comment brought tears to my eyes. You get it! You really get it! That has been one of the toughest missions I've had as a mother - to let them be themselves, even when their choices are so different from mine. It took all I had, to encourage my son to follow his military career dream, even though I am the least military person on the face of the planet... If if was up to me, I'd arm ALL the troops (ours and theirs) with paint guns...
The only thing I asked my daughter was to study the Bible and diligently attend church for at least a year before making this major decision. She followed my advice.
I have learnt so much from my children. It has been an extraordinary journey, a tough one, but the most worthwhile one of all. To say that I am proud of them is not enough. They have made good choices and they have done and are doing the work. Honor, integrity, humility and empathy are the four things I've stressed over the years. They are joyous people and good members of our society.
When my daughter was about three, and people used to compliment her and say: "You are such a pretty girl", she used to answer: "Thank you, but I am prettier on the inside!"
When my son got commissioned as an officer in the Marines, I gave him a special card that said: "Victory with Humility; Defeat with Grace". I wanted to have it engraved on the inside of his Citadel ring, as a constant reminder for the military leader I know he will be.
Thank you so much Chuck for your insightful comment!
Ray, Sharon, Gene, Rhonda, Jim, Anne, Michael, Clint, Darlene, Hugh, Rich, Heather, Gary and Annie:
Thank you all so much for the wonderful comments and the lovely wishes and thoughts! I am so glad to share this special time with you! May God Bless You!
Mirela,
PRAISE GOD!!! And Congratulations to your daughter! Reading your brief story of your childhood in Romania is a beautiful reminder of how blessed we are in this country to be free to celebrate our love of God. God bless you and your family, and I will keep you and your s in my prayers!
God Bless Ya'!
Nyana
Liz, Happy Birthday to your daughter! It's hard to believe that you have a 20 year old "kid". When did you have her, at 10?
Yes, you are right, these milestones are so amazing! I have girlfriends who are my age or older, and who chose not to have any kids, and I am so sorry that they are missing out on all of this. I am so blessed to have had my children! It is such an extraordinary journey! I have accomplished a lot in this life, but the single most important thing I have done is raising these awesome kids!
Thank you for your lovely comment!
Great post my friend and awesome photos. My oldest daughter is also named Amanda!
Chuck, thank you so much for that! Wow! You spoke to my heart once again!
Thank you for sharing your personal experience! With my children as with everything else in life, I let my inner compass steer me in the right direction. I pray about it at night and I trust that I will make the best decision about it the next day. I consistently ask for guidance and I trust that I do the right thing.
Doing "the right thing" is not necessarily easy. Sometimes it takes a long time to see the results. After praying on it, I just trust that I am making the right decision. The inner peace it gives me is the "instant gratification". The result garnered is the icing on the cake...
Thank you Chuck for your wonderful contribution here!
Liz, don't feel bad! Some of the biggest atrocities throughout history happened in the name of Religion... Humans have a way of twisting things...
Religion is a highly personal choice . I know agnostics who are extraordinary people: kind and giving and good to the core. I also know church going folks who wave their religions like marching banners, yet they are unethical and mean to the bone. Unfortunately, Religion does not confer goodness... It is simply a personal choice.
Being religious gives me internal peace. I think it does the same for Amanda. Some people don't need that. Perhaps they are stronger inside. No worries, Liz. When they need IT, they will find IT. That's the beautiful thing about Religion...
That is so special, both my son and daughter were Baptized in the ocean in Fla 2 years ago, my daughter was 14 and my son 15. they both have special memories of this special time for them, and every time we visit the ocean they remember and connect it to the ocean. I am very happy for you and your daughter. Both my kids are big Christians and love GOd with all there hearts, we all should be proud of there steps to show they are Gods children, it is hard for teens to show this in a world that acts as if it is weird to believe in God. Thanks !
Good for you, Mirela!
Apparently many parents are not seeing the need to baptize their children. It nearly makes me crazy..I guess it's the oldest Christian celebration there is, but these kids see no value in perpetuation and inclusion.
Bill