Ricky chose to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) on Saturday, August 4. We were completely tickled with his decision.
He had no concerns about joining the church, but he did have a few about the actual baptism program … event … whatever you want to call it. When asked if he was excited to get baptized, Ricky would stretch out his mouth in a worried look. He had two main concerns: first, that there would be strangers there (a little girl got baptized the same night); and, second, that he would get water up his nose. He was VERY concerned about the water up his nose.
We assured him that the people there to see this little girl get baptized would be nice people and thinking about her not him. And, really, you can’t get much stranger than our family …
We took Ricky to several baptisms earlier this year so he would know what would happen. After one, we asked him what he wanted for his program. He asked me to give a talk on baptism, his dad to baptize him and say the opening prayer, Aunt Suzy and Uncle Tim to lead the music and play the piano, Aunt Cathy to play her flute, and Uncle Tony and Grandpa Brent to be the witnesses. The rest of the program was handled by the little girl’s family.
Ricky was mesmerized by Aunt Cathy’s flute. He was attentive during my talk. He smiled as he and Kevin entered the font and kept smiling until it was time for Kevin to immerse him in the water. Ricky took a huge breath, with puffed out cheeks, and plugged that nose. He came out smiling again.
Once they got into the changing room, Ricky excitedly said to Kevin, “That was SO awesome … NO! That was so WICKED!” Kevin corrected him by saying, “No, son. That was so RIGHTEOUS!”
We had almost all of my family able to come and Kevin’s parents. We got a special treat and Kevin’s Aunt Jolyn and cousin Juston happened to be in town and were able to come as well. After the baptism, we had a nice dinner at the church where the kids ran around and played and the grown-ups did some visiting.
It was a great evening.