Charlotte is baptized with water from the Jordan River

For weeks and days leading up to this important event in Charlotte’s Christian life, Mommy struggled with the decision about what Charlotte should wear. Since this event is founded on years of tradition and religious ceremony, the outfit had to be just right. Unfortunately, Charlotte is too big to wear the beautiful hand-sewn Christening gown that has been in Nana’s family for generations: Mommy’s Mommy’s Daddy and his two sisters wore it, Mommy’s Mommy wore it, Mommy and her three siblings wore it, and Auntie Dale’s three children wore it; although, it was in an extremely delicate state when Kristen was the last to wear it. The night before Kristen’s baptism, Nana stayed up late hand-mending the little tiny holes in the gown to avoid any rips during the ceremony. At this point, the gown should probably be preserved and put away to avoid any further damage.

Mommy couldn’t decide whether to break with tradition and dress Charlotte in a red traditional Chinese gown or to go with one of Charlotte’s fancy party dresses or to get a white gown with lots of tulle, none of which really seemed right to Mommy. It didn’t take long before Mommy realized that she already had the perfect dress for Charlotte, and it was already in her closet waiting for the right special occasion-—this was it. Friends of Mommy’s and Daddy’s who have been teaching abroad in England for the last couple of years gave us a beautiful dress from Mark’s and Spencer’s in England. It was meant to be—-it even has a butterfly appliqué, a symbol of rebirth, on the front of the bodice. Mommy is entitled to be biased, but I think it looked absolutely beautiful on Charlotte and it already had so many memories wrapped up in the beautiful ceremony. On so many levels, this day was a true blessing.

Charlotte was the last of three children to be baptized today. F. Roy had told us in our preparation classes that hundreds of years ago, it was tradition to pinch a child to make it cry if it didn’t cry on its own after being cleansed with the blessed water. People in the time believed that the child’s cry released the demons, giving it a fresh start, following a life of God. The other family really thought that if a child was to cry, it would be their toddler son, but he was the perfect child, lying in F. Roy’s arms. His older sister (about 9 years old) was baptized next without any problems. Charlotte made up for the other two—-she screamed into F. Roy’s microphone, much to the congregation’s surprise.

Today’s baptism was extra special. Many years ago, F Roy and his wife travelled to Jerusalem and visited the spot in the River Jordan where John the Baptist baptized Jesus and many others. Before returning home, F Roy filled a large bottle with water from the River Jordan. A couple of times a year, he runs this remaining water through his Brita filter. For each baptism that he performs, he places a drop from this container. He now has only enough water to bless a few more baptisms; we were fortunate enough to be one of the recipients of this blessing. Today was also a very special day for F Roy, as he has never baptized a child adopted from China. It was so wonderful to share this special event in Charlotte’s life with so many friends and family in attendance.

Mommy was so pleased that her Godchildren Auntie Dale, Kaitlyn, Gregory, and Kristen accepted the responsibility to be Charlotte’s Godparents.
Baptismal font

After church, many photos were taken with friends and family around the baptismal font before returning to our home for lunch.
Father Roy with Mommy, Daddy, Charlotte, and Charlotte's Godparents: Auntie Dale, Kaitlyn, Gregory, and Kristen

Charlotte with Mommy and Daddy, Nana and Papa, and Charlotte's Godparents

Mommy, Daddy, and Charlotte

Nana with her four grandchildren

Charlotte with Uncle Roland, Samantha (one of Mommy's Godchildren), and Auntie Pam

Charlotte was quite intrigued with the baptismal font—-standing on a stool on her tip toes, Charlotte was just tall enough to peer over the edge of the font. From the look in her eyes, I think she was wondering how she could get in it for a big bath—-wouldn’t that be fun.



We had a lovely leisurely afternoon, visiting with friends and family. Charlotte enjoyed playing with her cousins and Suzanne’s children—-it was wonderful to hear the squeals of delight and laughter from the children playing upstairs in Charlotte’s room, which allowed the adults time to reminisce and catch up on each other’s busy lives.



Charlotte went to bed, a little later than usual, with Mommy and Daddy not far behind. I suspect Mommy and Daddy were both sound asleep before Nana and the rest of the family even got home in Scarborough.