A Boy on a Mission

For the past few weeks, Wayne has been on a serious mission - to be baptized.  He is 6 years old and we weren't sure if he really understood it all, but all it took was one conversation after the little boys to know where his heart was.  He knows that God commands us to be baptized if we believe in Him, and believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins.  That we are to be baptized to profess this faith to everyone we know.  Wayne understood all of this, and he wanted it.  He called our church and spoke with Pastor Ken, and they set a time to meet for breakfast, "Thanks Pastor Ken.  We have to be done by 9 because I have school.  I don't want to be late."  Come Thursday morning, Ken pulled into the driveway and Wayne was ready to go - backpack and all.  Once they got to the restaurant, apparently Pastor Ken let Wayne order whatever it was he wanted - and he chose pancakes and hashbrowns, with a hot cocoa.  And then he ordered a 2nd hot cocoa when his first was gone.  

They had quite the conversation, and when they were done they stopped by the house to let me know they had a good time.  Ken put the car in park, and he got out of the car but he was laughing so hard he couldn't stand up.  Is that a good sign?  Hmm...  There was no doubt in Ken's mind that Wayne knew what it meant to be baptized, and that he was ready and wanting to do it.  He asked Wayne if he needed a wash cloth over his nose, and Wayne said, "No, just dunk me under."  I told Ken he better be happy Wayne called him now instead if in 5 years - imagine what he'll be eating for breakfast then!

So this morning we went to church early, and I got a good seat in the front to video and photograph the occasion.  Wyatt went to class, and Weston sat with Uncle Deryl and Aunt Shari, and Addison hung out with Grandma.  Tyler took Wayne to the back area, where several of the other kids and Dad's were.  They asked Wayne if he was nervous, and of course his answer was "No!"  He was not nervous, he was ready, and excited.  So many of our family and our dear friends were there, and Wayne was so sweet and sincere in his responses... 

Why do you want to be baptized?  To show everyone how much I love God.

Who is Jesus?  My savior.

Pastor Ken even shared a conversation that they had over breakfast - that Wayne was so surprised that his Mom and his Dad did not get baptized until they were 30 and 31, and we weren't even in a grade! 

 This is my most favorite shot.... can you see the smile on his face just before he goes under?

 Afterwards we had coffee and donuts at our house for anyone who could stop by.  Thank you all for being their for Wayne on this special day!

Dear Wayne,

Watching you act out in obedience to the word of God today was beyond special for Dad and me.  You have a sincere, and close relationship with God.  I love that you know you can talk to Him, and tell him all the wonderful things, and that you so readily confess your sin to Him daily.  The sigh of relief after you confess your sin and ask for forgiveness is precious and inspires me to do the same.  I pray that you will always fully know that God's love and the sacrifice of His son is enough to cover all your sin, and that you can walk alongside your Lord and Savior every day of your life.  I pray that as you grow your faith matures with you, through elementary school, middle school, high school, and even college someday.  I pray that one day you would be able to watch your children be baptized, as we watched you today.  We are so very proud of you, and love you more than you will ever know.

Love, Mom and Dad