Baptism Part 3: The Big Event

We wound up having a family baptism yesterday because we cancelled worship services due to the weather. In addition to the snow, our main plower called to say there was lots of ice underneath the snow and it wouldn't be advisable to ask folks to drive in for worship on these roads. I was really disappointed because I believe that baptism is a public event of the whole church, and I wanted our congregation to be witnesses to our little girl's big day. After all, the baptismal liturgy in our new hymnal asks the congregation to promise to support parents and sponsors in their baptismal vow to raise their children in the faith - don't you want a congregation who is willing to make that promise? But considering the weather AND my family only being in Minnesota for one weekend, we couldn't reschedule in good conscience, either. This, I believe, is the proof of the "good order" practice in the Lutheran church: when the situation allows normalcy, we follow a prescribed order, but the gospel flexes to meet the needs of the situation. Thus, emergency baptisms, the Lord's Supper when no ordained minister will soon be present, etc. Thus, our baby was baptised without the presence of my beloved congregation - with regrets for that, certainly, but also understanding about the situation, I'm sure.

So, after getting everyone up to Barrett and inviting extreme cabin fever due to the weather, after having to cancel worship services due to icy, snow-covered roads, we finally got the family over to the church for a small baptismal service Sunday morning, just after 11:00. And then things went according to plan. The Mooneyham plan, that is, complete with the usual cases of "How in the world did THAT happen?"

First, my brother's wife wasn't feeling so hot when she arrived at the church. By the time we were ready for the baptism, she was driving the porcelain bus instead. Major bummer. She recovered enough to journey into the sanctuary for the baptism, but chose, understandably, to forego the cold lunch after in favor of the couch, diet 7-Up and saltines back at the guest house. Thankfully, it seems to be a quick bug - by this morning she was feeling much better and ready to travel home. Unfortunately, it seems to be a contagious bug - my wife's sister and son were sick Sunday night after they got home. *sigh* Could we please get through a major event or holiday in our family without SOMEONE losing their lunch?

Second, the baptism. A wonderful moment in our life as a family, and in some ways all the more special because it was just us at the church. Let's take a listen, shall we?

The Reverend Grandpa Mooneyham, Presiding: We give you thanks, O God, for in baptism you free your sons and daughers from their slavery to sin and raise us up to new life in Christ. (Prayer continues to the end, at which point he concludes) ...now and forever.

ALL PRESENT: Amen.

Ainsley: [thbpthbpthbpthbpthbpthbpthbpthbpthbp] [thbpt] *squirt*

That's my little girl - always willing to offer her two cents' worth. Did I mention it was her first major 'blowout?' In her new baptismal gown? I know baptism washes us clean - now I have empirical proof, for in the end we were given a baby girl washed clean in soul and body.

Finally, my parents' car is not working particularly well this morning. We're not sure how far they're going to make it, or whether the dealer who's agreed to look at it this morning in Morris will be able to fix what's wrong quickly enough to get them back to Nebraska tonight.

But it was a wonderful weekend, filled with family and love and just about everything a new dad could hope to have. We're truly blessed and deeply grateful for our family and, of course, our little girl. And now, Pictures!

Is there anything more infectious than the sound of little kids chasing each other and giggling?


The happy post-baptismal family and sponsors. Well, happy save the baptized. Maybe it had to do with the brownish stain slowly working its way up her back...

The Reverend Grandpa Mooneyham, Mrs. Reverend Grandma Mooneyham, The Reverend Mrs. Johnson, the freshly-washed in body and soul Ainsley, The Reverend Daddy, and Grandma & Grandpa Johnson. What a group, eh?


Auntie Kim, Mommy, AJ, Daddy, Quinn & Uncle Jerry.

Grandma & Grandpa Johnson with Zach & Ainsley.

Grandma & Grandpa Moonehyam with Ainsley and Quinn. We took this picture about five minutes too late for Quinn's liking.

Aaaaand now it's five minutes to late for Grandpa Mooneyham's liking. I think he needed a nap, too.