"I know baby girl," Lim attempted to soothe a fussy Mei-Li, "I'd hate being forced to wear a frilly itchy white dress too."

Melendez came into her nursery as he tied his tie, "But this gown is very special mija," he cooed at Mei-Li, "Daddy was baptized in this gown and so was Tía Gabi."

Lim lifted Mei-Li into her arms and said soothing words in Mandarin to her to stop her tears. Finally, Lim gave Mei-Li her pacifier and looked over at Melendez, "This will look good in all of the pictures. An infant with a Minnie Mouse pacifier. At least she's accepting this one and isn't insisting on the one with the giant Minnie Mouse plush attached to it."

"Hey, I'm screaming in my baptism photos. She can't be any worse," said Melendez, "Now we need to get over to the church."

As Melendez and Lim drove over to the church, Mei-Li continued to fuss in the back seat. Melendez glanced over at Lim and asked, "What's wrong, Audrey?"

"Nothing," she lied.

"Audrey," said Melendez.

"Just feels a little weird that we're going to stand up front and do all of the renouncement of sin stuff when according to the Catholic Church, we're living in sin," said Lim.

"But you don't believe that," said Melendez.

"No, I don't," admitted Lim, "And I know we're doing this for your parents and as a cultural thing more so than being devout Catholics. I've been to a few baptisms of my friend's kids and it's a beautiful ceremony. I guess…" she trailed off, "It makes me question whether or not some sort of Higher Power exists and if I'm a hypocrite for baptizing Mei-Li while not believing anything the Catholic Church says. I'm generally agnostic on the issue, but ever since I became a mom, I swear my entire philosophy on life has shifted."

The couple met everyone inside and those in attendance took their seats before the priest said, "Good morning and welcome. Today, Neil Melendez and Audrey Lim bring their child to the church for Baptism," Melendez, Lim, Miguel, and Elena processed down the aisle toward the altar. The priest smiled and asked, "What name have you given your child?"

"Mei-Li Esmeralda Lim-Melendez," answered Lim.

"What do you ask of God's Church for Mei-Li?"

"Baptism," Melendez responded.

"You have asked to have your child baptized. You are accepting the responsibility of training her in the practice of the faith, to live what Christ taught us, to love God and our neighbors. Do you understand this undertaking?" asked the priest.

"We do," Melendez and Lim said simultaneously.

The priest turned to Miguel and Elena and asked, "Godparents, are you ready to help these parents in their duty as Christian mothers and fathers?"

"We do," they both answered.

"Mei-Li, the Christian community welcomes you with great joy. In its name, I claim you for Christ by the sign of the Cross. I now trace the cross on your forehead and invite your parents and Godparents to do the same." The priest made the sign of the Cross on Mei-Li's forehead and Melendez, Lim, Elena, and Miguel followed suit. After the opening prayer, the readings, and the homily, the priest invited them back to the front, "I now invite the parents and Godparents to come forward with Mei-Li," they came forward, "Parents and Godparents: You have presented this child for Baptism. You must carefully bring Mei-Li up in the practice of the faith. If you are ready to accept this responsibility, renew now the promises of your own Baptism and profess your faith in Christ Jesus. Do you believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth?"

"I do," all four answered.

"Do you believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, who was born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, and was buried, rose from the dead, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father?"

"I do."

"Do you believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting?"

"I do."

"This is our faith. This is the faith of the Church. We are proud to profess it in Jesus Christ our Lord."

"Amen."

The family and the priest walked over to the baptismal font and the priest poured the water, "We ask you, Father, with Your Son, to send the Holy Spirit upon the waters of this font. May all who are buried with Christ in the death of Baptism also rise with Him to newness of life. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. Is it your will that Mei-Li should be baptized in the faith of the church, which you all have professed?"

Melendez and Lim glanced at each other and then back to the priest, "It is."

"Mei-Li Esmeralda, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit," he poured the Holy Water on her head. He obtained the chrism and began, "God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ has freed you from sin, given you a new birth by water and the Holy Spirit, and welcomed you into His holy people. He now anoints you with the chrism of salvation. As Christ was anointed Priest, Prophet, and King, may you live always as a member of His body, sharing in everlasting life. Amen."

The priest anointed Mei-Li with the chrism. He took the white baptismal stole, draped it around Mei-Li, and said, "Mei-Li, you have become a new creation, and have been clothed in Christ. See, in this white garment, the outward sign of your Christian dignity. With your friends and family to help you by word and example, bring that dignity into the unstained everlasting life of Heaven."

Miguel and Elena took the baptismal candle, lit it from the Easter candle, and then handed the now lit baptismal candle to Melendez. The priest exclaimed, "Receive the light of Christ. Parents and Godparents, this light is entrusted to you to be kept burning brightly. This child of yours has been enlightened by Christ. She is to walk always as a child of the light. May she keep the flame of faith alive in her heart. When the Lord comes, may she go out to meet Him with all the saints in the Heavenly Kingdom. The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the mute speak. May He soon touch your ears to receive his word, and your mouth, to proclaim his faith, to the praise and glory of God the Father. Amen."

After Communion, Lim took Mei-Li back into her arms and the priest laid his hand on her shoulder, "God the Father, through his Son, the Virgin Mary's child, has brought joy to all Christian mothers, as they see the hope of eternal life shine on their children. May He bless the mother of this child. She now thanks God for the gift of her child. May she be one with her in thanking Him forever in Heaven, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen."

Lim handed Mei-Li to Melendez and the priest laid his hand on Melendez's shoulder, "God is the giver of all life, human and divine. May He bless the father of this child. He and his wife will be the first teachers of their child in the ways of faith. May they be also the best of teachers, bearing witness to the faith by what they say and do, in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen," Melendez and Lim glanced at each other and shrugged at the mention of the word 'wife', supposing that it was set in the blessing, "Let us welcome the newest member of our community!" the congregation applauded and the priest said the final blessing, "The Lord be with you. May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Our Mass has ended. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord."

"Thanks be to God."

Everyone went back to the Limlendez house after Mass to celebrate Mei-Li's baptism. There was a cake and some food, and Mei-Li received a few presents such as rattles and a bear with her name and baptism date courtesy of Mateo and Maria. After the party, Neil and Audrey cleaned up their living room and Lim went upstairs to get Mei-Li ready for bed, "Well it's time for bed, little lady. I'm sure it's been a long day for you," Mei-Li's eyes were slowly closing, so Lim cradled her in her arms and rocked her while she sat in the glider, "But today was a special day. It's another milestone that we'll always remember," Lim paused before she continued, "You know, I never really thought about religion and God much before we started the baptism prep classes. I guess I've always struggled with understanding a why a loving God lets so many bad things happen in this world. I've seen so much death and destruction and trauma at work, in the world, and in my life, it makes it hard to understand," she smiled at Mei-Li, "But then you came along. I mean, I know the biology that led to you, but I can't deny that the whole process is…miraculous. The sense of awe and wonder I felt as you grew inside me, hearing your heartbeat, feeling you kick…regardless of what I believe, I'm glad I have you."