The gas line to the font was broken. Which means that the water couldn't be warmed. Which means it felt like hose water. 'Cold' doesn't adequately describe it. Tess came out of the water gasping and immediately burst into tears, clinging to Nate in a sheer death grip. I started crying as well, not so much because I was feeling the spirit, but more because I was thinking, "Oh my word, what have we done to our baby?!?"
And then we went into the bathroom and all Tess could say between sobs was, "That was awful. That was the most horrible thing ever." And just as I had calmed her down, the next little 8 year-old girl walked into the bathroom after her plunge into the icy waters, crying her own little river. Folks, it was a dramatic day at the font.
But, after we had rubbed Tess' chilled skin warm and the color had returned to her cheeks, we talked to her about the pioneers who used to break the ice in a stream and get baptized right there because they didn't want to wait. And I think she felt better, more noble, like she was someone who'd had to sacrifice a little to prove her commitment to the Lord. Like a true martyr for the gospel.
We hope that in the end, it was a positive experience for her. I guess if nothing else, it was a memorable one.
11 comments:
Oh so sad! Well, at least her baptism memories won't fade for a long time, right? ;)
congratulations to you and her.
And I love your outfit in the last picture. Super cute!
Tell Tess she is a great example of having the desire to be baptised, and following through with it no matter what! Congrats!
She looks beautiful! And what a great story-she'll always remember her day I'm sure. Congratulations and tell Tess we're so proud of her.
We had a similar experience with Chris. We thought it'd be neat to baptize him in the Susquehanna where Joseph Smith was baptized, and we left here on a warm fall day. Of course, two hours north of here, the weather was quite different. MUCH colder and rainy. The river was COLD. It quickly became a badge of honor instead of negative experience. Way to go, Tess!!
Oh, that's horrible. I'm glad that you were such a quick thinker with the pioneer thing. I think I would have been tempted to reschedule.
seriously that is really sad! but at least she won't forget it...you're right! but i think i'm with jenny and probably would've rescheduled!
congrats on the big run...i really can't believe you did it...and we haven't heard about it! with all our running talk..i would've thought you would've said something...that's awesome erin!
Oh I love your family so much! That story is fantastic and what a great way to help her understand! She is a little pioneer! So proud!
so bummed i missed it. i talked to tess all about it in cali and she said she could still feel the coldness of the water......more than a week later. that must have been cold! :)
Bummer! Way to put a positive spin on it though. Your family is beautiful!
oh man! you have the best family stories...way to go Tess! I can't believe you are 8 years old! In my mind you are still 3 watching the squirrel from Ice Age fall down the mountain 100 times and laughing like each time was the first! miss you!
your blog stalkers feel deserted! please update soon.
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