Yesterday we had a baptism. The guy we had originally asked to perform the baptism said he might be out of town, so we should find someone who could definitely be there. So we asked one of the elders. He agreed. On Saturday, we got a call from a different set of elders asking if one of the guys they knew could do it instead. This guy had just received the priesthood, and the elders figured it would be a good, spiritual experience to baptize someone. So we, and our investigator Jaime, agreed to it. I mean, as long as he has the priesthood, is worthy, and speaks Spanish, we are good, right?
So after church, we start prepping for the baptism. Filling the font, setting up chairs and everything. We found out the font was leaking. Minor problem, but we fixed it by just leaving the water running. Then, the elders showed up with Frank, the guy who was going to preform the baptism. We had never met him before. We could see the problem right away. Frank is about half the size of Jaime. Jaime does construction work, and so even though he isn't too tall, he is bigger. Frank is about 19 years old I would guess. He is a few inches shorter, and about half the weight.
We were like "Hope he can pull him back up out of the water..."
So the baptism finally starts. The music and talks and everything go fine, right up until they got into the water.
Side note: in order for a baptism to be valid, the prayer must be said word for word correctly, and the person must go completely under the water.
First attempt: he messed up on the Spanish in the prayer. But that was ok, because he didn't succeed in dunking him all the way under.
The witnesses said "He didn't go all the way under"
"Okay" *another dunk*
"No, you have to say the prayer again too."
"Oh, sorry."
Another attempt: incorrect Spanish again, still not dunked fully under.
The witnesses corrected his Spanish.
Another attempt. By this time we are getting pretty nervous and trying not to laugh out loud. A few members of the ward have stood up and walked closer to the font, as if they could offer support or something. And we are thinking "Man, it's going to be pretty embarrassing if we have to pause this and ask someone else to do it instead."
Another attempt. His had was still sticking out of the water, and Frank forgot to say amen. A few people shouted out some tips and directions. We are trying so hard not to laugh that we can't even breathe.
Another attempt. The prayer is said correctly, but his hand is still sticking out. Right as Frank is about to bring him back out of the water the witnesses say "No! All the way under!" So he pushes him down even further. He must have been under for a good 10 seconds. Probably thought we were trying to drown him.
But it worked!!! He got baptized! A few people even started clapping at the end. We were all so relieved.
So that was the most hilarious, awkward, nerve-racking baptism I have ever been to. You had to have been there. Luckily Frank and Jaime were both good sports about the whole thing, even though Jaime got his head hit on the wall during one of the attempts.
We are staying together here for another 6 weeks. Unfortunately, the elder whose bike I am using is getting transferred, so I am now hunting for a new bike. One of the members offered hers, and I think I will use it.
So if you mix together 2 cups of ice cream and 1 1/2 cups of self rising flour, then you bake it around 400 for 30 minutes, it makes bread!! Not cake, but bread. It is pretty amazing.
That's about all I can remember from the week. The ward is great. They feel bad that we are on bikes, probably because we keep having to ask for rides.
Anyway, life is good. God loves us. He protects us a lot and makes small miracles happen all the time. Like that baptism. It was a definite miracle that it finally worked out. So many prayers answered. Haha what a ridiculous life.
Have a good week!
Love,
Hermana Pace