Today is … not the anniversary of my baptism.
Posted by Brian October 11, 2006
Well, this is a little embarrassing.
Somehow, I had it in my mind that October 11 was my baptism anniversary. That’s what I told them at St. Michael’s. We thanked God for it in prayer two Sundays ago (they mistakenly recorded it as October 1, not 11).
Last night, I was thinking that I would post something about that today. I was thinking back to the happy event, and remembered that Mom had recorded it in my Bible. I went and got the old Bible from the bookshelf. I haven’t looked at it in a long time.
It’s a cheap “gift Bible” that I received when I was a child. It’s the New American Standard Version. (Who reads the NASB?) On the front, there is a sticker of a little teddy bear holding a heart that says, “Hug Me.” I have no idea why I would have put that on there. On the inside cover, it says I was awarded the Bible for being “Best Bible Student” at Camp Manatawny.
And at the top of the page, in Mom’s handwriting, it says “Brian was baptized Aug 18, 1987.”
Ooops.
Unlike in some other churches, in the Church of Christ, I don’t think it’s that common to have baptism certificates. But Mom wrote it down for some reason. It’s a good thing she did!
Maybe I’ll save all my profound baptism blog-thoughts for the real anniversary. 
I have no recollection at all of writing that date down in your Bible. I don’t remember that Bible, and I can’t believe you still have it! I do recall your winning “Best Bible Student” at Camp Manatawny, though, until I saw the name in your blog, I’m not sure I would have come up with it. That was a pretty good summer camp, huh? Was Laura also baptized that same day?
And how did you know there was a website for Camp Manatawny? I checked it out, pretty interesting. I have a lot of good memories from going as a counselor, hope you did as a camper, since you were pretty much obligated to go.
Okay, can’t resist one more comment! You should know by now not to trust your memory. I’ll just say “dorm room at Harding” and let it go at that.
1. Yes, Laura was baptized at the same time.
2. I just Googled “Camp Manatawny”. Yes, I had a good time there.
3. Yep.
I have an old childhood Bible that I plastered with stickers as well.
When I was baptised I did get a certificate. It was a normal, mainstream congregation, too. I wonder why most CoC congregations won’t document the event? Secular events can be commemorated but not religious? What logic.
Well, I suppose I should really only speak of my own experience. Maybe lots of congregations DO give out certificates. What do I know?