A milestone day

Taking communion after  baptism

Jacob Burton was baptized today, a milestone in his life and in ours. We attend University Christian Church, where they baptize by immersion. Jacob was admittedly quite nervous about this, but it went well, and he said when it came to the actual moment, he felt calm.

Proud grandmother

He certainly had a cheering section—Christian’s parents, his sister, her husband, and their two daughters, a couple of my friends, lots of Jordan’s friends, and several boys Jacob’s age. It was a great tribute to all of them that so many friends turned out to congratulate him. I got hugs from Jordan’s friends—and a couple from Jacob’s contemporaries—not

Jordan trying to get hug

from Jacob

the boys, of course. They’re at the hug-resistant age.

Afterwards we went to the Star Café in the Stockyards. My friends Betty and Don Boles own the café and treated us like royalty—flowers on the table, a cake with Jacob’s name on it. Most people ordered chicken fried steak, and it met with high praise. Conversation was light and flowing.

We came home, with the Burton clan, for more cake, but I gave up—I was full and sleepy and had a good nap.

Baptism is a serious step for a youngster, and Jacob was told that he did not have to do it. He’s the right age, in our church, and he’d been going to the Discipleship class, but it was still his decision. And he decided he wanted to do it—which, to me, made it all the more meaningful. I have a funny take on baptism, mostly because I was sprinkled as an infant in the Methodist Church. I tend to take it for granted and not to realize what a momentous moment it is the lives of young people. Maybe it’s partly my long-ago background as a northerner. But I’m learning And tonight, I’m proud and grateful.

It does remind me of a friend who wrote, remembering her immersion baptism now many many years ago, that her thought was, “Well, at least that’s taken care of!” I think Jacob may feel a bit that way too.

So what do young boys do after the experience of baptism? Jacob and his buddies went fishing.

A big day for Jacob

Today was Jacob’s public confession of faith, along with fourteen others in the Discipleship class at our church. Looking solemn, these kids stood in front of the congregation and assured our senior minister, Russ Peterman, that they believed in Jesus Christ as the Savior. Jacob did well. Although I know he was nervous, he looked composed, and he maintained eye contact with Dr. Peterman. This was a prelude to his baptism, which will take place on April 28.

Of course, we were the last to leave the church. The Burtons took lots of pictures and then explored the balcony to figure out where they could best see the baptism. I will not be sitting in the balcony with them, thank you very much. All those stairs! And I’m not sure I have to see it. Just knowing and being there is enough for me. Unless the minister drops him.

This baptism business sort of snuck up on me. I was baptized as an infant in the Methodist Church; my children were welcomed into the community of faith in the Unitarian Church. We do not come from this dunking tradition, but Christian, raised a Baptist, is invested in it, and has passed the significance along to Jacob. The day of the baptism will be a big deal, with many friends present.

To celebrate today, we went out for Mexican food for lunch. Fun and good. Then Jordan and Christian worked in the back yard putting potted plants in place, putting down mulch. Jacob went fishing, and I took a nap. When I woke up, the back yard looked like spring. Pray for no storms for a bit so that the new plants have a chance to strengthen.

Jordan has gone to a performance at Bass Hall with a neighbor, so I fixed Sloppy Joe for the boys and me. I’ve told the story so often about my Sloppy Joe recipe that I won’t repeat it here. Suffice it to say it’s the only recipe I know that calls for red wine. I wanted to check something and looked it up on an old cookbook file—wrong move. It had an error that has since been corrected—no, the recipe doesn’t need 1-1/3 c. ketchup; only ¼. For a moment I panicked, but in the new cookbook, it’s correct. At Jacob’s request, I cut down on the onion and diced what I did use very fine. As it simmered, it looked dry. Easy solution—sprinkle more red wine and ketchup on it. It was really good.

Busy week coming up, and I’m glad. Hope you all have a good week.

The church battles and tornadoes

Sunday morning Jacob ate his breakfast--always chocolate chip waffles at my house--and then plunked himself on the couch with the iPad, deliberately ignoring me. I came into the living room at 10:15, fully dressed for church, and announced that I'd put his toothbrush and mouthwash out and it was time to get ready for church.
Jacob (absolutely incredulous): We're going to church? (He looked out the window as though the Lord maybe had sent one of the thunderstorms promised for this weekend, but the Lord had not cooperated.)
Me: Yes.
So he took care of his oral hygiene and came back to my office.
Jacob: Juju, my stomach really hurts.
Me: Jacob, your stomach hurts every Sunday morning just before church. Get dressed.
Jacob: I didn't say that just so I wouldn't have to go to church. I just wanted you to know.
Me: I'm really sorry your stomach hurts.
I never heard another word about his stomach. We went to church, and there were baptisms (my church dunks). He likes to watch that, and I figure it's good preparation for him. All else went well--he bows his head in prayer, and he recites the Lord's prayer. I was glad we went, and I hope he was too. We're going next week too.
On the way home:
Jacob: I'm not afraid of tornadoes any more.
Me, thinking a little healthy fear was good: Where would we go if there was one?
Jacob: Your closet or the bathroom.
Me: Who would be there?
Jacob: You and me.
Me: What about Sophie?
Jacob: Oh, yeah, we'd take her. Unless of course she was already dead.
I did not explore any more.