Tomorrow is a day that is already bringing tears to my eyes... okay, the waterworks have already begun 
My 16 year old nephew Johnny will receive the First Scrutiny at Mass, and Walt and I have the great honor of standing beside him as his sponsors.
Many people don’t know what the Scrutinies are.
The word can even sound a little intimidating.
But in the Catholic Church, they are actually something incredibly beautiful.
During Lent, those preparing to enter the Church at Easter stand before the altar and the entire Church prays over them.
These prayers ask God to search the depths of their hearts, strengthen what is good, heal what is wounded, and remove anything that keeps them from fully belonging to Christ.
It is ancient. It is powerful.
And it is profoundly moving.
Watching a young soul freely choose God in a world that constantly pulls in the opposite direction is something that goes straight to my mama heart... we joke that he is our 14th child.
As his sponsors, Walt and I promise to pray for him, encourage him, and walk beside him in faith as he continues this journey.
And if I get a little emotional and cry tomorrow… well… I suppose that’s what happens when you witness a soul drawing closer to Christ.
Please keep Johnny in your prayers as he prepares to enter the Church this Easter.
Moments like this remind me that our faith is not just something we inherit… it is something we choose with our whole heart
Welcome home, Johnny... we love you 