Day 1093: I Like My Birthdays

When Sweet P was three, she would fall asleep while listening to the Children's Primary Songs, produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  One day she surprised HH and I by coming down the stairs belting this song as loudly as possible, "I Like My Birthdays".  And from that day on, she was counting down the days until she was finally old enough to be baptized.

Today that day finally arrived.

I'm so pleased that she has made the decision to be baptized.  I've done my best to help her understand what it means.  When baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a covenant is made between the individual being baptized and Heavenly Father.  We covenant to bear one another's burdens, be willing to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places.  We promise to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, to always remember Him, and to keep His commandments.

That's a lot to expect of an 8-year old.

But, in return the Lord promises us that, as long as we live worthily, we will have the gift of the Holy Ghost to be present with us always--to testify of Christ, to prompt us the right way to go and the correct decisions to make, to comfort, and to guide.

So, today, amid family and friends, she was baptized, then confirmed and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and given the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I can tell it hasn't really sunk in.  She is eight, after all.  But, it's the first step down the path that leads to eternal happiness.  I'm so grateful she's taken it.

The rest of today had quite a bit of craziness and chaos, so I'm not going to chronicle it here.  HH's parents drove part way yesterday, arrived at our house this afternoon, spent a few hours with us before the baptism, attended and participated in the baptism itself, joined us for dinner after, and then headed back home because they had some very pressing responsibilities that couldn't be left unattended for long.  What a sacrifice!  I'm so grateful on Sweet P's behalf that they made it though.  I know it will mean a lot to her and I couldn't appreciate them more.

If my parents had known how sick our household would be (HH is coming down with it too, now), they might have made their trip a shorter one, too!  But, I'm really grateful they were here today, especially, as well.

There are certain things our kids miss out on because we live so far from family.  I'm grateful that all four of Sweet P's grandparents were present and a part of her baptism, so she can remember that forever.