New Life

Pre-dunknation. Jon promised Jonah that he would not hold him under for three days like Jesus was under.
I have no idea what Jon said to him during the pre-dunk prayer, but it was long and involved copious amounts of snottage. Hopefully, none got in the water. (If you know who any of the people were that came around them, please let me know. Thanks.)
Post-dunkaroo smile. What am I doing here? Just casually walking away??

It was a beautiful day for baptisms as it was smoking hot. There were about a zillion people getting baptized, give or take a few million. I grew up with monthly baptisms - it was just no big deal. I went there for 29 years and after every person got baptized, the same song was sung. I kid you not, for 29 years, it was the same song after each individual, "There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the Lamb." Even though it was borishly repetitive, I still liked baptisms. Maybe it was because it wasn't the normal lengthy hell, fire, and brimstone services. But Vineyard baptisms, I love. They are such a celebration and way, way fun. And, I cry - a lot! There's just something about seeing a man get baptized with all of his family around or a father baptize his son, or a husband baptize his wife...it just gets me all melty and weepy. I try to hold it together because, as I've explained, Jon does not hold it together too well. But, try as I may, my heart squeezes up into my throat and I feel that burning in my nose from holding back the tears. I do things like count chairs or people wearing glasses just to distract myself so I don't cry! Why? Because some people can cry pretty or at least look somewhat normal when they cry. I...can't.

So anyhoo, I loved the baptisms today and the picnic, but I have a smokin' sunburn from standing in line for an hour. Which begs another question I have heard: How can it be anything special getting baptized when you one of a zillion and have to stand in line to be baptized?

It just is.

Jonah made no new decision today. He had made this decision years ago. He had begged to be baptized since he was still watching Barney. (He loves to be teased about being a Barney fan and even being in the Barney fan club. He wanted to be in the Barney Gang) I really didn't care if he got baptized. I know, I know, it's scriptural and all, but it just wasn't important to me. I knew it was there for him when he was ready. But today, while we stood in line, I told myself that this was not a new decision for him. I told myself that the water was nasty and that it was hot and I needed a drink. But yet, as I told myself these things, I found myself borrowing Jonah's towel to wipe my nose!

It was special. It just was.