It’s been 10 months, and probably two inches since Jonah was baptized. I put the photos into this post about 3 months later, and here they’ve sat, gathering dust.
So here I sit, tapping this out on my phone while listening to Ellie’s cello lesson, then I need to drop her off at a WiFi hotspot in town for her online class before taking Tessa to have a reluctant and painful baby tooth pulled. Thankfully, she is anticipating not feeling well enough to go to piano lesson so we can skip that (no, not thankfully. Of course, I’m not glad for her pain). Then to pick up Ellie and hurry home to feed dad and get dinner started, and finally off to presidency meeting followed by youth activity, my third trip into town today. Yeah, I guess there’s a reason I don’t get a lot of time to write. I don’t get important things like recording our lives, because we are too busy living.
Sadly, I don’t remember much about the day of Jonah’s baptism. We had new friends from Jackson, old friends from Rancho, and some of our family. I do remember taking Jonah out for a prayer in the woods, and how sweet he was. I remember him asking me why Jesus cares so much about us getting baptized. We talked for a long time, and he pretty much gave me the answer to his own question.
I know many people wouldn’t understand the reason behind people in our faith being baptized beginning at the age of eight. We believe as children age and mature they are able to understand the roll of Christ in their lives and begin to be accountable for their choices at around the age of 8 years. That testimony will of course grow over time in small steps. The choice to be baptized, though encouraged by family, is the individual’s first step of devotion on a lifelong path of decipleship.
On our walk that morning, I asked Jonah if he really wanted to be baptized. He said, “Well, I have to now because everyone is already coming.”
“No, you don’t.” I told him. “This is between you and your Heavenly Father, and if you don’t feel ready, we don’t have to do this today. I want you to always remember that this is your choice.” He thought about it for a few moments rather seriously, then said he would like to continue.
I do remember how serious he was that day. He was very focused. He listened to every word spoken. It was sweet.
The rest of the day was busy the way family days are busy. Food and laughter and joking around. But my favorite part of the day, besides witnessing his baptism, was my morning in the woods with Jonah.
Besties!
Are we having fun yet?
Guy and his choir
My cute man-boy
I’m so grateful for pictures. They do so much to fill in the blanks in my memory. It’s like they wake up and come out of hiding. But, by waiting so long to write, these darn pictures also make me see how much they’ve grown!
