I have always loved writing down God's blessings, but I rarely write about my sadness.
When I'm hurting, I usually can't bring myself to write because it feels like I have to relive the pain all over again.
This time, I want to remember both.
A few weeks before Epic Camp, my daughter told us she was thinking about getting baptised.
I was so excited. Without even thinking, I started talking about booking accommodation so we could be there.
Then she quietly said, "I don't want you to come."
I was stunned and shocked, as our relationship was not that bad.
Later, she decided she definitely wanted to be baptised, but she still didn't invite us. I didn't dare bring it up again.
My husband gently reminded me that perhaps this was a special moment between her and God. If our presence took away from that, maybe we needed to let her have that space.
I knew he was probably right.
But as a mum, my heart still broke.
I cried that day.
I kept trying to surrender my disappointment to God while convincing myself that this wasn't about me.
The next day, when I picked her up, she unexpectedly brought the conversation back herself.
She asked, "Who do you think should baptise me?"
I realised she was opening the door for us to talk about it again.
So I told her honestly, "I'm so excited for your baptism. I've been looking forward to this day for so long. That's why I was so sad when you said you didn't want us to come."
She simply replied,
"Then just come."
Just like that.
On June 27, 2026, we drove to Phillip Island for her baptism.
The weather forecast had said it would be the coldest day since winter began.
As we drove there, everything was covered in thick grey fog. I quietly wondered, "Why today?" I even thought, "With weather like this, we probably won't even be able to see her in the photos."
Just before we arrived, I texted her to ask who would be baptising her.
She replied, "Larry, Sera."
I didn't recognise the names.
I felt another little disappointment because I knew she had secretly hoped it would be Larissa and Seraphina—her dance teachers who have known and loved her since she was in Prep. They have played such an important role in her life and faith.
Then I reminded myself again: it really didn't matter. God's blessing would be there no matter who baptised her.
As we turned the final corner towards the beach, something incredible happened.
The fog disappeared.
Suddenly there was brilliant blue sky and warm sunshine.
When we reached the beach, I saw Larissa and Seraphina standing there.
Only then did I realise that "Larry" and "Sera" were actually Larissa and Seraphina.
We hugged, cheering with excitement.
I couldn't hold back my tears.
I stood in the ocean taking photos while the waves soaked my shoes and pants, yet I didn't feel cold at all. The sunshine felt warm on our faces.
Everything had been arranged so perfectly.
In that moment, I felt God whisper to my heart,
"I've got everything under My care. Why are you worrying? Have you forgotten? My grace and My provision have always been there."
On the drive home, the fog returned.
That was when it struck me.
God had prepared that beautiful patch of blue sky and sunshine for those 36 young people being baptised that day.
But He had also prepared something for me.
He reminded me that even when all I could see was fog, He was already at work.
The story didn't end at the beach.
In many ways, it was only the beginning.
Since coming home from camp, I've seen changes in my daughter that have filled my heart with gratitude.
For the first time, I saw the devotional journals she had been faithfully writing all along. I never even knew they existed. God had been working in her heart long before I could see it.
She involved a lot in serving and participating in church.
What has touched me most is that she no longer hides her love for church or her excitement about her faith in front of us. Before, she almost seemed to act indifferent whenever conversations about church came up at home. Now she speaks openly and joyfully.
I've noticed the little things too.
One day she went movie with her friends, used her own pocket money to buy me a warm bubble tea because she remembered I like my drinks warm.
Our relationship has become gentler.
She cleaned her room and transformed it into the cosiest space I've ever seen.
None of these things happened overnight because of baptism.
But together, they are little glimpses of the work God continues to do in her life.
Looking back, I realise the breakthrough wasn't just her decision to be baptised.
The breakthrough was watching her faith become her own.
And perhaps God wasn't only transforming my daughter.
He was transforming me too.
He has been teaching me to trust Him, even when I cannot see what He is doing.
Sometimes we only recognise God in the blue-sky moments.
But this story reminded me that God is just as present in the fog.
His grace, His timing, and His provision are already there—even before we can see them.
As a mum, there is no greater joy than seeing my daughter choose Jesus—not because it is my faith, but because it has become hers. For that, I will always thank God.