Washed Clean

Malia has been looking forward to her baptism for many months. Time flows slowly for a 7-8 year old and the wait has seemed long for her. When she decided what she wanted her dress to look like earlier this summer, it seemed like the first practical step in the process. As the summer has progressed, our preparations have progressed as well. Things have kicked into high gear over the past several weeks as we worked to sew her dress, bake cookies, invite family and friends, select and print her baptism memory book and interview with the bishop. As each step was completed, she got more and more excited. As of today, the wait was finally over.

Due to the way our stake handles baptisms, we did not get to participate in the program in any way. However, it was important to Malia to have her family be a part of the event, so she asked Nathan to baptize her. He has done so many baptisms for the dead over the summer that he had to think really hard about the differing words for a living ordinance. Kevin confirmed her and Malia asked Daniel to stand in the circle since he now holds the Melchizedek priesthood. Matthew got to say the opening prayer and I was on clean, dry clothes duty.

Since Malia is my only daughter, I’ve never really been able to participate in the actual baptism in any way. Kevin was always the one to help the boys get ready and get them dry and dressed afterward. Being able to walk to the font with Malia and help her out afterward was surprisingly emotional for me. It is a well-known fact that I’m a giant cry baby so it should be no surprise that tears were shed, but they were accompanied by a feeling of such pride in the good choice that she has made. The world is becoming an increasingly dark place and as such, my kids are faced with even more opposition and pressure than I was at their age. Despite that, their testimonies are growing with each good decision they make, and they are constantly learning and increasing in faith and understanding. Malia has taken a big step forward on the gospel path today. I know she will have trials to endure and difficult choices to make in the years to come, but the choice she made today means that she will have the Spirit to help and guide her in every step. If she continues to make righteous choices, she will never be alone.

Malia’s light is shining brightly today. I can see it in her eyes. She’s happy. So am I.

The primary asked us a few questions to they could introduce the kids to those gathered at the baptism. I thought it might be fun to include some of the info we put on Malia’s paper.

Three words that describe your daughter:
1.    Precocious
2.    Sociable
3.    Happy

Malia’s favorite scripture story or favorite scripture and why:
    Jesus calming the angry sea. It reminds her not to be afraid.

Malia’s favorite primary song:
    Baptism

Malia’s favorite food:
    Spaghetti

Favorite thing to do/play:
Drawing and writing stories.

Fun Facts: Three interesting things about Malia…
1.    When she grows up she wants to be a horse rider, a ballerina, a teacher, an artist, and a mom.
2.    She is related to John Hancock. He is her 3rd cousin 8 times removed.
3.    She is named after her mother, grandmother, great grandfather, great-great grandfather, and great-great-great grandfather.

Hip Hip Hooray! It’s Baptism Day!

Matthew has been looking forward to his baptism for a long time. I think he was even more excited for this than he was for his birthday party which makes me really proud. He has his priorities straight. Due to the fact that we don’t have a stake center right now and are sharing one with another stake, our ward has baptisms on the third Saturday of the month. That means that Matthew got baptized the same week as his birthday. He didn’t have to wait for next month like all the other kids. He was pretty thrilled about that.

After the baptism our families joined us for a lunch in his honor. As it was Matthew’s special day, we arranged it so all the food was Matthew friendly. (Thank you everyone who contributed to that effort. It means a lot to us.) We had everyone wash their hands right before we ate so it would stay Matthew friendly and for once in his life he was able to eat everything and go back for as many servings as he wanted. Afterward, I asked him how it was. His response: “It wasn’t awesome….I’m just kidding. It was awesome!!!!” It made all the extra effort worth it. And it made my eyes well up a little…darn cry baby gene.

Today was a great day. And I have one happy eight year old. 

(I had hopes of getting a decent family picture, but Malia was being a turkey and it didn’t happen. Ah, life with a three year old.)

Eight Is Great!

Today was Nathan’s baptism day.  He has been counting down for about the last year and has been terribly excited for the past few weeks.  He was sick on Tuesday and it really stressed him out because he was afraid we would have to cancel the baptism and wait until next month.  But a little priesthood and a lot of faith meant he was well by Wednesday morning.

 Kev’s family and those of my family who were able to attend joined us for the baptism.  There were seven children being baptized in our session and my favorite comment for the day came via Matthew (no surprise there) when the seven kids and their seven dads all in white came in and sat down: “There’s a lot of Baptists here!”

After the baptism and confirmation, we gathered at our house for food and fun.  Thanks to all those who helped make Nathan’s day special!

I’m terribly proud of Nathan and the choices he has made.  He is one of those kids who understands gospel concepts that seem far beyond his years and he is always asking questions that make me think.  His baptism gift was his own set of scriptures and the morning after he got them, I came out at 7 a.m. and found him reading his scriptures.  He says he wants to read every day.  I don’t know many eight year olds who do that so again, terribly proud.  He is a great kid.

Eight Is Great!

Because his birthday is very early in the month, stake baptism day rolled around just three days after Daniel's birthday. He decided months ago that he would be baptized in December. We told him that he could wait until January, but he was determined to do it in December. He would be eight, after all, so why wait? Being baptized was his number one priority. He even postponed his birthday party for a week because his baptism day was on the Saturday just after his birthday.

We're so very proud of the choice he has made.

Daniel, The Man

On the way to church this morning, Daniel informed us all that he can't wait until December. If you're like me, the first thought you'll have is Christmas. What kid doesn't spend the entire year counting down to Christmas? But I should know that Daniel is not just any kid. He explained that he is looking forward to December because it is his birthday and he will get baptized. What a great kid!

During all of our ramblings yesterday, there was an entertaining exchange between Daniel and Nathan. We were driving past the mouth of Ogden canyon and Nathan said, "Look! It's the great Grand Canyon!" It looked like a gravel pit. Daniel was quick to inform him that it wasn't the Grand Canyon, and then there was a segue to the topic of the Bingham Copper Mine. Which of course led to the fact that you can see the copper mine from space. Then Daniel informed us that he wants to be an astronaut for two reasons. His first reason for wanting to ramble into space is that "It's gotta be fun to play ball up there." And the second reason is "to see the big hole," meaning the copper mine. Kev and I were in the front seat of the car, snorting softly to ourselves.

Without children, we wouldn't laugh nearly as much as we do.