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Kinley nicole is baptized (June 2023)
One of the most important days of Kinley Nicole’s life occurred on May 21st, 2023. On this Sunday she was baptized. So like her brother Bennett, and cousins Madison and Liam, this singular event was a most miraculous blessing! In fact, there have already been many miracles in their early lives, and the longer lives of the larger family. There is thankfulness for both the witnessed miracles, like Kinley’s baptism, and those where awareness (at least my awareness) of God’s positive intervention has been lacking.
Miracles occur without a requirement of understanding. This is good. When it comes to baptism, my layperson perspective is grounded in the beliefs that 1) baptism is fully accomplished by God, 2) baptism reaffirms and covenants our spiritual belonging and fellowship with God, and 3), while we are baptized into Christ’s death, we are also assured of a resurrection like Christ. Baptism with this perspective is a trinity of miracles in one.
The “Goodly Heritage” section of this website has some updated genealogy information. It is surprising how much information is available, many generations back, and well before the internet. For the Danish side of the family, the church was the keeper, and one of the best sources of much of the most reliable data. In these church records, and usually without fail, the most important date is the date of Christening or Baptism. Records may be incomplete or lack clarity around births and deaths, but one’s baptismal date is traditionally well documented.
It was good to have brother David up for the Service from Colorado Springs. Many of the baptism photos on this webpage were courtesy of David or Ken and/or Aaron.
Kinley nicole’s baptism day & aaron Lee’s birthday
Kinley won’t remember her actual baptism, but beyond the miracles, her baptism day was a beautiful spring day at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. She was baptized at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Lakewood, Colorado, which is where her brother Bennett attended 3 year old preschool. The presiding pastor was David Langewisch. His preaching style, clarity of message and willingness to address tough faith questions is notable. Kinley was staring him down, but she did look interested during the liturgical part of the baptism service. We were so happy Pastor Langewisch officiated the service.
Kinley’s sponsors were Russell and Becky. They were Bennett’s baptismal sponsors as well and Michelle and Aaron couldn’t have chosen better. There are many nice things about Aaron and Michelle’s home, but one of the best qualities is the neighbors, Becky and Russell.
Besides being a spring day, May 21st was also Aaron’s birthday and the date of the annual Colfax Marathon. This meant that the after baptism get together was also blessed with a birthday celebration. Bennett was excited to help both Kinley open her baptism gifts and Aaron to open his birthday presents. When one thinks of some of the climbing Aaron has done in South America and Asia, including Ama Dablam just before Kinley’s birth, it seems like a miracle that he made it to his current age.
Few people and maybe we as well, especially years from now, will much care about the Colfax marathon occurring on this particular day in May 2023. We cared at this time because it really complicated getting to Bethlehem Lutheran Church. Bethlehem is not far from and just a little north of Colfax Avenue, the longest east/west street in the US (26.5 miles commercial, 53 including noncommercial miles). So, on marathon day it seemed next to impossible to traverse Colfax (not a chicken to be seen on either side of the road). Race authorities were allowed to put up barricades, but not required to offer any guidance on how one might cross over the now bifurcated metropolis. Family members, including David, as well as Russell and Becky tried to approach Bethlehem Lutheran from the South. Miraculously we all made it on time, though just barely (during the opening welcome).
One last note about the baptism, though there could be many more, is that Kinley was adorned in the same baptismal gown that Ashley wore when she was baptized 35 years ago at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheaton, IL. In a coincidence much like the Colfax marathon, part of the family was challenged to get to Ashley’s baptismal service due to traffic & confusion.