Yes ladies, I took the plunge, and I am officially Baptist! This happened Mother's Day, and most of you probably don't know that I have been struggling with this obedience step for about 7 years. I was sprinkled as a Methodist when I was 10 and then saved at church camp when I was 14..yes backwards, so essentially I just got my sins damp. When Hannah started talking about Baptism about 4 years ago...it was like a walking talking conviction every day. She was baptized the November after we moved here in 2006. After taking over as Director for AWANA T&T girls and going over with my girls the steps to salvation and the follow up outward step of obedience...well I just felt like such a hypocrite. I was so thankful every time that none of my girls asked me when I was baptized and I felt so guilty over something that was so simple.

After working on my friend and neighbor Cindy for two years, she started attending, took the 101 classes, joined the church and stepped out in obedience (as a former Catholic) and also got Baptized the same day as me. The seriousness that she took with her commitment really was the determining factor for me. I was an influence to her and I now she was an influence to me. Her pictures follow mine. My bestest friend Amy was there to take my pics and Lauren was there to pass the towel..thanks ladies. Our fabulous minister to our Children plunged me under.

Bro. Mike getting ready...For those of you (Caroline) who said I came down the steps holding my nose...this is proof that I did not!Bro. Mike said..."just bend your knees and lean back...don't let your feet get off the bottom cause I might not be able to get you ladies back up"...a nice way of saying you weigh more than the kids I guess. Well I apparently don't follow directions, because up came my leg.

...and don't ask me why I did this with my hands when I came up...it was my Hallelujah moment I guess!
Cindy's turn...
Molly Mize....
Amy and Molly

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Well, you know me, I google everything, and historically, here are some things that Baptism means to Baptists specifically:

• Most Baptists believe that baptism is a rich symbol. By this we mean that baptism in itself does not convey salvation or transformation, but it is a sign of what has happened in a spiritual sense to a new believer.
• Baptists also believe that baptism is an important way of professing one's faith in Christ. By being presented publicly as a candidate for baptism, the believer affirms personal commitment to God in Christ and the expressed faith of the congregation.
• Believer's baptism has also been understood among Baptists as a sign of obedience to Christ.
• Some Baptists also recover the rich symbolism of the Old Testament (Lev. 11:25; Heb. 9:10) where, like ceremonial cleansing from unclean things, baptism becomes a rite of cleansing from sin and personal renewal both for the candidate and the congregation. As an initiatory rite into membership of the Family of God, baptismal candidates are symbolically purified or washed as their sins have been forgiven and washed away (Acts 22:16).
• For many Baptists, baptism is a visible symbol of Christian unity within the church. Since Christian experience is important to Baptists, baptism becomes a kind of uniform experience that all believers can share. Because baptism is conducted publicly, it is first a witness to the church, with which all other baptized believers can identify.
• 
  In many ways, baptism is a seal on important promises. In being baptized a believer is assured that sins are forgiven (though not in the act of baptism itself), and that we are participants in God's kingdom. Further, by identifying with the death and burial of Christ, baptism assures us that we shall likewise see the resurrection and eternal life.
• Finally, for Baptists there is an important connection between baptism and relationship with a local congregation. In the New Testament church, baptism led to fellowship and communion with other believers (Acts 16:15), as well as being part of "Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:26-29, NRSV). Thus, for most Baptists, only baptized believers may become members of a church and enjoy the obligations and responsibilities of membership. For others, baptism is practiced and taught, but not required for membership.