Yesterday was Ben’s baptism day. It was a good day. In my mind, I had pictured it being a little more Norman Rockwell like (if Norman Rockwell was a Mormon.) In the real world, it was pretty much a normal Saturday for most of the day. Ben added to the excitement by deciding at 3:30 that “I don’t want to get baptized.” While this is very typical Ben behavior, it still wasn’t a great thing to hear 30 minutes before the event. He’s been really excited about it for the past few weeks, but yesterday he was suddenly a little afraid. After a bit of discussion, we discovered that he was afraid of making a mistake after he had been baptized and not being able to wash it away. The whole accountability thing was feeling a little overwhelming and he thought it might be best to postpone it another year or two. We told him that it was totally up to him, but a couple of reminders about repentance and the sacrament and he was back on board. I think that kid just doesn’t want parenting to be too easy for us. He wants to make us work for it.
The baptism itself was great. Ben was glad that the water was warm because he got a double dunk. Nate’s tried and true baptism technique is to put his foot on the other guy’s toes so no legs float up. Unfortunately, someone flushed the toilet in the adjoining bathroom right in the middle of the baptismal prayer and broke his concentration. After that, he was so focused on not messing up the words that he forgot all about the foot trick and Ben’s knee popped out of the water.
Ben had lots of family there to support him and witness the big event. Afterwards, everyone came here for some treats. We watched a little slideshow that we had made for Ben and he got spoiled with lots of presents. I think he might go through withdrawals in February after the near constant flow of presents since Christmas.
It was fun to see Ben today. We’ve taught the kids that when they turn eight they can start fasting for one meal on Fast Sunday. He woke up so excited to fast. I was worried that the thrill would wear off at around 1:00 when the hunger hit, but he never complained. He spent a lot of time before church and during sacrament meeting marking the seminary mastery scriptures in his new scriptures and he bore his testimony in sacrament meeting for the first time. I don’t think he really intended to. I was on the stand meeting my “one testimony every three years” quota. Nate told Ben to “look up there” which Ben heard as “go up there.” Up he went. He did a great job.
5 comments:
Congratulations Ben!! Such an important day. A little funny that his toe standing trick didn't work and the knee popped up. I think something little always seems to happen to make the day a little more memorable! Isaac still talks about that he got to swim down and unplug the plug when he was baptized
It was a great day! We are so proud of Ben and love him so much!! I've been craving those yummy cheesecake things all day. It was great seeing you guys yesterday!
Congratulations! It's a bit of a milestone when your first kid gets baptised! It makes you wonder how the heck they grew up so fast! We're really impressed that Ben fasted for the first time without complaint. He has some major steadfastness and endurance at such a young age! Good Job Ben!
That's awesome Ben! I'm glad it turned into a good day, even though it wasn't perfect, but at least it will be more memorable!
We are still working on the fasting thing and we have 9am church...way to go Ben! Jantzen did decide to join Tanner and Brinley on Sunday so he could 'practice' fasting before he turns 8. Aren't kids great?
We had some drama before Brin was baptized and ended up postponing it until the next month (which ended up being a good thing). Parenting is NOT for the faint of heart! Glad it went so well.
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