There was a big event this past weekend for my little family. My son made the choice to be baptized and confirmed a member of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This is an essential ordinance and a commandment of God. I know that most mothers feel this way when their children make big decisions and they are the right decisions. I have felt a great deal of love and appreciation for my husband for holding the
Priesthood so that he was able to baptize and confirm our son. I wasn't able to be baptized by my dad, but was fortunate to have wonderful
Priesthood holders around me growing up. I was baptized by my Uncle Terry, and confirmed a member of the Church by my grandfather.
As I watched so many of our family members and friends participate in the confirmation circle for my son, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. Later I was sitting next to my "brother from another mother", Ben, and he said, "You are very loved." Still later my bestie said, "It was a powerful image seeing all of those men who hold the Priesthood in the confirmation circle. Those will be wonderful examples for him." Then I said a small prayer of gratitude that because both Ben and my bestie happened to move to Utah over the past six months, they were both able to be at the baptism. Then I said another small prayer of gratitude because my niece (who grew up in North Dakota), who gave the talk on the
Holy Ghost, was able to be there because she is going to school at
BYU. I gave the talk on the
Holy Ghost at her baptism when she was 8.
There are huge moments in life to be grateful for and there are small moments to be grateful for, and yesterday included both. To have all of my parents there was a blessing. To have my wonderful friend Ginny and her family here from Colorado was a blessing. They aren't members of our Church, but understood the significance for our family, and they love us so they came. To have shared the baptism with two families in our congregation was a blessing. Their sons are good friends with our son, and we love them. I commented today to the father of one of our boys (who is our home teacher) that I felt like the Spirit was much stronger with the three boys getting baptized on the same day than if they had had individual programs.
It's easy to accuse me of being sentimental, because I am. By small and simple means do great things come to pass. I am grateful for a
Heavenly Father and
Savior, Jesus Christ, who know me, love me, and know what the small things mean to me.
Josh at the temple where Dave and I got married - Mt. Timpanogos Utah Temple
Josh - 8 years old
November 5, 2011 - Josh's Baptism Day
Dressed and ready!
Josh and Heidi
Our little Family - Dave, Heidi, Josh and Clara
Uncle Jack, Ellen, and Aunt Karen
Ben, Uncle Rob and Aunt Jessica
Grandma Nancy, Josh and Dave
Amabuela, Josh and Heidi
Ama Georgia, Papa Kirk, Josh and Heidi
William and Josh - born on the same day!
Uncle Eric showing off the butternut squash soup
Josh and Uncle Curtis
Chef Marty gives out the soup for everyone
Chef Marty made butternut squash soup, roasted pepper soup, and minestrone - all amazing!
The Tottens
Ginny and Josh
