Baptism

I've been wrestling with the idea of Baptism for probably 3 months now. It started when we were sitting in church (where I have been attending for more/less 2 years now) on an ordinary Sunday and the preacher was making a few general announcements at the end of service. He said "members are welcome to....." I looked at Luis to see if he was interested in what the Preacher was saying and he said to me "you can't, you're not a member." I was completely thrown off by his statement and had we not been in the front row at church, I would have responded to him much differently. Instead I thought to myself, "I've been going here for two years, I was baptized when I was a baby, I tithe here, I get mail addressed to me from this church, etc. etc." Quite frankly I was offended.
On the way home Luis challenged me to look into being Baptized. And so I began thinking. A few nights later I went to dinner with a good friend. She is someone I look up to and I really admire the strength of her faith. I knew she would have good advice for me.
The conversation went something like this.
"So, I just found out I have to be Baptized to be a member at [my church]." I told her the entire story and of my defensive response. She listened and when I was finished ranting simply said, "I'm getting Baptized on May 15th" ... I'm sure being slightly speechless, I couldn't help but laugh.
"Ok, well now this interesting," I thought. We continued to discuss why it's important and she too challenged me to consider the possibility.
Now, a few months later, I have spoken with my Preacher and am planning to be Baptized in July. As I look back, I am amazed yet again at how the Lord sets things up. When my friend told me she was getting Baptized, I now know God planned for us to have that conversation and used her to speak to me.
I am preparing now for what this Baptism will do in my life.
"One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River.
As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said "You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy" Mark 1: 9-11.