Pete's Baptism.

Well, it is just another beautiful day in England. The sun is shining
high in the sky and yesterday was no different. It has barely rained
since I have been here, by the way. So, don't listen to those
naysayers. There is wonderful weather here. All of the time? Well.
Yes.

In other news, we baptized Pete last night. Just before it all
started, I shook Pete's hand. As he took it, he looked at me and said
"You bastard." We laughed and we hugged.

A group of staff, exchange students, friends, and visitors from the
State's gathered around as we heard the explanation of what this all
means from Natalie. Robert peeled open the pages of the bible where
Paul wrote to the Romans...

"What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may
increase?"

In the spirit of the tradition of years at CCF and throughout the
world, all of us joined together in the loudest shout, "HELL NO!"

"By no means. We died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?"

Oh. How beautiful it was.

How beautiful it was when the waters rocked Nathan led Pete down into
the cold bath.

How beautiful it was when he took his confession once more and said
"Because of your confession of faith, I now baptize you into the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

As Pete emerged from the water the shouts and the claps began. We
cheered and we screamed. Cameras flashed and our throats became sore.

We sang "Happy Birthday" and Pete blew out the candles. We ate our
cake and then we celebrated at The Goose. Where else but at The
Goose? We couldn't have it any other way.