Four Itchy Feet

July 17, 2025. Tacoma, Washington. Day 57 of 170

Today, we had a once-in-a-lifetime experience hiking to Talapus Lake, located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness within the Central Cascades Region of Washington State. After our hike, we all settled by the lake to rest a bit. I immediately went into catnap mode while the boys decided to go for a swim. When I awoke, they both said, “Papa, this would be a great place to be baptized.” We had been talking about baptism for both of them for a while, and they said this would be a great place. I hesitated and told them we needed more witnesses and there was no one at the lake, but they insisted.

I decided this was as good a place as any, and if they were ready to commit their lives to Jesus right then and there, there would be no better place. I got in the lake with them and proceeded to baptize them both, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. After I was done with the second baptism, from across the lake a man stood up, all I can tell from the distance is that he was wearing a blue shirt and he screamed, “I AM A WITNESS!”

We gathered up our stuff, put on our shoes, not saying much, but full of the Spirit. This was one of the moments that is imprinted in our minds and hearts and can never be forgotten. As we walked back down the mountain, I prayed continuously that God would continue to show up for the boys as He did on the lake throughout their lives and that He would help them achieve the purpose He has for them, continuing to bless and keep them.