Emily and Leah were baptized on Leah's birthday, April 11. It was a very special day. The day before, we went to the Bead Shop and they each made a necklace to wear on their baptism day. They also made a necklace for Stephanie, Emily's American Girl doll. Everyone got to do something to contribute. Matthew and Emily helped me to prepare the fresh fruit. Matthew designed the program cover, and I typed the program. Doreen made yummy banana bread, and Sarah (Leah's mom) did the rest of the snacks and drinks. Sarah and I shared the planning of the baptismal service (making phone calls, planning the music and the video for people to watch after the baptisms, etc.).
We invited some of our neighbors, and there was a good turn-out of members of the ward and others, including Farides, Sister Morgan, Jeter and Gg, and the Bustos family. The Barrios' couldn't come, but they gave Emily a special card and necklace. It was really nice for Emily to have Grandma Doreen there. She really loves her grandma!
Emily and Leah sang a really sweet duet of "When Jesus Christ Was Baptized." The girls' Primary teacher, Sister Sloan, gave a wonderful talk on baptism and friendship. She talked about how Emily and Leah are such good friends and how lucky they are to have each other. But if you don't have that special friend, she said, you still have Jesus Christ. It was a really neat talk, and she tied it into baptism.
The baptisms and confirmations were wonderful! The Spirit was really strong during the whole service.
Emily happily left her shoes off the whole time. She seemed very comfortable, happy, and at peace.
Sarah (Leah's mom) gave a really good talk on the Holy Ghost.
Then we went to the kitchen and gym and everyone seemed to enjoy the fruit and banana bread and snacks. Emily, Leah, Gg, and the other kids ran around in the gym together.
After the baptism, we all went to the park by our house for an Easter egg hunt hosted by Candy. It was a wonderful but exhausting day, and Matthew and I relaxed over some hamburgers and milkshakes at Fuddruckers that night. I have a feeling this baby is going to be a serious meat eater!
We are so grateful for Emily's desire to be baptized. She was eager to learn the discussions that we taught during FHE before her baptism. She asked for her own set of scriptures for her birthday, and she doesn't let us miss a night of reading. We are very grateful for the gospel. It is such an important part of our lives.
No comments:
Post a Comment