His Day

I love this picture because we have one where Grandpa Johnson is the dad and Andy is the kid.

A. turned 8 this year.  In our church, it's the year you get to be baptized.  (Go here for more about baptism in our church.)  Since he turned seven, A. has been telling people (even complete strangers!) that when he turns eight, he gets baptized and he gets to go to cub scouts.  He has been really looking forward to it.  Aunt Charlotte gave the talk and Uncle Stan gave the closing prayer.  Uncle Arnie and Uncle Spence were the witnesses.  And I got to welcome him into the primary.  (You know, since I am the primary president again... The main reason I was sad to be released last time.)

It was an emotional day for Andy and I.  We were remembering how emotional we were the day he was born and the day we blessed him.  And how emotional we were at our wedding.  Andy said something about maybe being less emotional as we baptize each subsequent kid.  I'm not betting on it, because important family moments make us blubber every time.  :)  We were so proud of him-- the boy he's becoming, the choices he's making-- and just in awe at how quickly his life is flying by.  We are blessed that God sent him to us.  He has blessed our family and he is a strong spirit.  I am grateful for his influence on my other boys.  Just the other day, I noticed G. saying his personal nightly prayer.  I hadn't reminded him.  I think it's the combination of seeing A. be so good about it and the teachings of his church teachers.  (I go to bed so much later than him, that I'm sure it's not much of my influence.)

We were so grateful to have such support from so much family.  It was so fun to have them see our new place and spend time with them.  We have missed the Johnson's and living so close to cousins.  We saw them all the time before we moved, so my kids were going through withdrawals.  My sister's family drove five hours and stayed the weekend.  It was the first time we had met their beautiful baby boy and he's such a sweetheart.  We were also excited to have my aunt's family come.  Their son had a cross-country meet here so their trip was extra worth-it.  I really appreciated that they came all the way.  It's funny that she was always my faraway aunt and now she lives close enough to come to A.'s baptism.  :)  Her boys were so sweet to the Johnson cousins.  

The weather was perfect and it was a fantastic reason to get together.  We shared a lasagna dinner before most of them had to leave.  The only bummer of the day was that Anna twisted her ankle, but luckily Spence (the trained EMT in the family) taped her up.  And she says she is healing nicely.

I think A. had a very memorable day.

My Future Missionary

Uncle Spence took all the stylin' pics of A.

Click on this pic to see it BIG.

Our family.  They are all growing up so fast!             
And yes, we bribed G. to get him to smile.  It worked a little too well!          

8 years ago, this guy came into our lives.  :)

The following  are some of my thoughts in preparation for A.'s baptism.  Some background info:  Mormons know how to have a good time and we have activities that are noisy and joyous.  But if you have never been to a service, you should know that we teach our children to show their respect for Heavenly Father by being reverent.  Also, when they are quiet, they will learn the way the Holy Ghost speaks to them- spirit to spirit.  This means that in our meetings, we attempt to get our children to talk in hushed voices and we don't applaud during services.  Needless to say, when I have been in churches with electric guitars and drum sets, I am a little out of my element.  :)

     I attended a baptism once where the family of the child to be baptized were relatively new to the church.  Because of this, no one was surprised when after he emerged from the water, many in the family applauded.  This response was quickly, but politely, hushed. 

     My oldest child will be baptized in a few weeks.  We have looked forward to this day almost his entire life.  I often contemplate how though joyous for us when our children are born, it must be a bittersweet day for our Heavenly Father.  I am sure He misses us and worries about us even though our sojourn on this earth is part of His plan.  On that day of baptism though, we as parents share with Him in the excitement of the moment.  This is the day where that son or daughter chooses to become His. 

     I recognize the appropriateness of reverence at worship meetings, as well as baptisms.  But I also have heard sacred music sung when I longed to have some way to express my appreciation.  At the baptism that day, perhaps the applause of joy was not the norm.  But it did express how we all felt.  When Alma asked the people if they desired to be baptized, to be called His people and come into the fold of God, "they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts." (Mosiah 18:8,11)

     It has been years since my baptism and I only remember a few things.    Now as I prepare the program for my boy's baptism, I cheer inside that our Heavenly Father lets us be old enough to choose his plan.  On that day, I will have to cheer on the inside that my boy has the desire to come into the fold of God.  I won't clap, but I will want to.