Ross' Baptism

Robert, Laura, Ross and Spencer on Ross' special day!

Ross was baptized in Mondragone, Italy on July 3rd, 2010. It was his birthday~ the day he turned 8 years old. It was a very hectic time for their family as they were packing up and almost ready to leave their home in Italy to return to the USA. I didn't have the heart to beg for pictures then but, I have them now.

This coming Tuesday, Aynslee will be turning 8 and, she will be baptized on Saturday. We are so excited to be able to be there for that wonderful event. Although the ordinance of baptism is always exactly the same, the circumstances can be very different. Anyslee's baptism will be very conventional but Ross' was quite unique. I will post about hers next week but for today we're going to see what an LDS baptism looks like in Italy.

The tradition of an LDS baptism is based in the example of the baptism of Jesus Christ. We are baptized by immersion, by someone holding the proper authority to perform that ordinance. In the best of all worlds that is the child's father. We do not do infant baptisms but we do give each new baby a special blessing shortly after birth. Most baptisms are performed in our chapels which are equipped with a baptismal font.

In Italy the church members where the kids lived met in a building that was rented by the church. Consequently there was no baptismal font there. Many Italians have been baptized in the sea which was an option for Ross. However, they have this wonderful couple in Mondragone that have provided a great service to their branch in Caserta. This couple has been introduced to you before if you have been a regular l reader of my blog. People like these are the heart and soul of the real Italy.

This is a picture of Rosa and Salvatore from the baptism but a really nice look into who they are can be found here in a post I did while visiting the kids over the holidays nine months ago.

Salvatore built this amazing "font" in their huge dining room. It is like 3 times bigger than a hot tube and just perfect for performing the ordinance of baptism. So Ross was baptized by Robert right here in this lovely home.

The font is just to the right of the head of the
table and up against the wall.
What an unusual story Ross will have to tell
about his baptism.

Baptism is something very special to the children that are turning 8 and Ross was very excited and happy. We were so sad to miss it but having been there before for a lovely dinner, we felt blessed to know exactly where it was and how it was for him among many loving friends.

Young and old, they came to congratulate Ross and to enjoy Salvatore and Rosa's {Paradiso} Paradise of a Garden in the foothills of Mondragone, Italy. And Rosa outdid herself in the kitchen, as always.

I will share a more traditional baptism next week when Anyslee is baptized by her Daddy, our son, Christopher. Congratulations, Ross and Aynslee, for learning the Gospel essentials and making a good decision to be baptized. We are all very pleased with your good choices and want you to know how much you are loved by all of your family and friends.