Israel: Jordan River Baptisms Part II

We had not thought of our two little ones getting baptized, though both of them had asked questions about it in the last months. After we were baptized, Big Ben had been watching (and applauded for each as his sisters did), then said he was ready and wanted to do it. He did have some questions. How cold was it? was the main one. We assured him that the cold part was worth it. He has made a firm commitment to letting the Lord into his life, so we agreed that he could be baptized this day.

CC reviewed several salvation questions, and they remembered together the decision he had made in Kindergarten.

 Raised in newness of life!

And then there was Sweet Cheeks, wanting to be baptized, but scared. She's always been my child to do things a little later, a little more slowly, a little more carefully. We let it be her decision. She was thinking so hard. She asked if she had to. We told her that she did not have to. We told her that baptism does not give us salvation, but that it was a command, so sometime she should do it. As she was thinking, I asked her what she felt God wanted her to do. She said, "He wants me to do it." And then Big Ben called out, "Hey, Eva, wouldn't you rather be baptized where Jesus was than somewhere else?" and that sealed the deal. She was ready. I promised her we would walk through the cold water with her and that she would be glad she did it.

And when she came up, Miss Middler caught this picture, which has become my favorite from the trip. She turned and said, "I am so glad I did that!"

From the song "Trust and Obey": Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies, But His smile quickly drives it away; Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear, Can abide when we trust and obey.