Baptism

My oldest daughter, Esther, was baptized today. I'm so proud of her. It was a memorable day, to say the least. Things were actually pretty calm getting everyone ready for the service. My son didn't even complain about putting on his church clothes!

Esther was a bit nervous, as she didn't want a lot of people watching her. The Lord was merciful in that regard (isn't He, though, in most regards?), as many of the people who would have come to the baptism were out of town for one reason or another. Also, Esther was the only one in our ward being baptized this month. A friend of hers was originally going to be baptized this month, but waited until next month for family reasons.

So the group of people was small and intimate. Esther, myself, Susie, Jayson, Lizzie, Grandma Chris, Brian and Jennifer Christensen with their children (Caleb, Paige, and Tanner), Brother and Sister Swensen, Brother and Sister Ruiz, Brother Ball, Brother and Sister Stephen, Brandi Snyder (with Zayden and Eli), Bishop and Sister Keele, Sister Goodman, Kristina Pinner, and maybe two or three other people who I can't remember at the moment.

The water in the baptismal font was very warm. I mean very warm. As Esther put her foot into the water, she said, "It feels like a hot tub." We had practiced baptism at home last night. I wanted to do so for Esther to feel more comfortable, and also because I hadn't baptized someone since my mission (other than a couple of times doing baptism for the dead).

I actually had to baptize Esther three times. The first time, her foot came up. The second time, one of her pony tails came up. The third time, all of her went under at the same time.

I felt a little bit embarrased, but the Spirit used it as a teaching opportunity for me (and also for my children). The Lord does expect perfection from us. The baptism ceremony must be performed just so. However, He gives us as many chances as we need to get it right. It is good for my perfectionistic children (especially my son) to learn that. It is also good for perfectionistic me to learn that.

After a quick clothes change, I laid my hands on Esther's head (along with the Bishop, Brother Ball, Brother Stephen, and Brother Christensen) and confirmed her a member of the church, and commanded her to "receive the Holy Ghost." As always, I felt the Spirit as I was blessing her. The best blessings are the ones where I am merely the microphone, and the Lord is doing the talking. He promised Esther that she would continue to develop skills for dealing with people, and also that the scriptures and gospel would be opened further to her understanding now that she has the Spirit with her.

After the service, we went to Bajio for lunch (Esther's choice). We invited those at the service to join us for lunch. I have a fond memory of Jayson, who was sitting at his own table with Eli, Zayden, and Lizzie. They certainly seemed to be enjoying themselves.

We came home, and Esther got her new burgandy (red) scriptures (with her name on them). Grandma Chris also gave her a CTR necklace in the shape of a ladybug. I thought it was a nice and thoughtful gift. Esther isn't usually too much into jewelry, but she did wear her "big sister" necklace today. Perhaps she is becoming more aware of the example she is setting for her younger brother and sister.

And she does set a good example for them. Both of them talked about their future baptism today. In fact, Lizzie wanted to play "baptism" in the pool when she went swimming this afternoon. Cute, but I told her that we don't play games about baptism, as it is a sacred ordinance.

I am so proud of my daughter. It pleases me that there are now three of us in the home that have the Gift of the Holy Ghost. We can have the Spirit with us all of the time, as long as we remain worthy of His presence. Esther is growing into a lovely young woman. It is great to see her grow in knowledge and strength, and to hear her determination to live as Heavenly Father wants her to. She will do many great things to help build the kingdom of God if she continues in her present course.

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." -3 John 1:4.

It brings great peace and contentment to my heart to see Esther baptized. I am humbled and honored that I bear the Holy Priesthood, and can do these things for my family.

As we were waiting in the chapel for the baptism to begin, I took a moment to look at Esther sitting beside me. I remembered the day we brought her home from the hospital, and part of the day she was born. It doesn't really seem like it was that long ago when I brought home that beautiful, squawking bundle of joy. She is becoming a wonderful woman, day by day. I'm grateful that my children are growing up faithful in the Gospel. May it ever so be.

Congratulations Esther!

Birthday Thoughts

I turned 37 today. I'm just sitting here thinking through some of the things that I've learned (or re-learned) over the past year.

I've been reminded that true happiness comes through living the gospel of Jesus Christ. Gospel means "good news". And what is the good news? That Jesus loves us. That He died for us. That He not only took our sins upon Him, but also experienced our pains, sufferings, sorrows, and disappointments. So that He could not only offer us salvation, but know how to succor us in our infirmities. "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Heb 4:15-16).

This week was a poignant reminder of my need for mercy and grace in my life. I am prone to bouts of anger, which I am ashamed to say that I sometimes take out on my wife and children. One need not suppose that I strike them physically. I've never been inclined to do so. But my words and feelings can be very unkind and harsh at times. My wife called me on it this week, pointing out things which I knew in my heart already, but perhaps needed to hear from mortal lips. It was a difficult thing to hear, but needful. I am working and striving to be a more kind and understanding husband and father, which is what I truly wish to be in the first place! I have seen progress in the later half of this week. But surely, I need mercy and grace from a loving Savior to help me stay the course.

We had our ward conference today. One of the things that stuck out to me was that one of the speakers spoke on addictive habits, and how prevalent they are in our society today. I am prone to such with websurfing and computer games, wasting many hours that could be spent in better things. I want to be more wise with my time, and also teach my children the same, as they are prone to the same thing.

It's really amazing how much things change over time. I remember fragments from when I was younger. I remember when my family got our first microwave, and our first VCR. I remember when phones had a cord. Speaking of which, I remember a cartoon in Boy's Life years and years ago. The scouts in the cartoon travelled to the future. The scout in the future indicated that everyone had a personal communication device via satellite, but that the satellites now had to be much lower. They then ducked as a satellite whizzed over their heads. In any case, that is not the future anymore. It is the present, as I look at the prolifiration of cell phones. As the old saying goes, science fiction is fact that hasn't happened yet.

Here's hoping that I may become more like my Savior as I begin the next year in my mortal sojourn.

Highlights

*Blows dust off of blog*

*Chases away moths*

*Removes cobwebs*

Yes, I'm still here, although I wonder if there is anyone left to read this. :) Better infrequent updates than none at all, right? So I am going to post a few highlights of what's been going on over the past few months, in no particular order. Things that I can actually still remember that I want to be able to remember at some point in the future.


* Esther is making great strides in her spiritual development. It is a joy for me to watch my children growing up in light and truth. She has shared her testimony at church twice in the past six months (unfortunately I missed both times, being home sick). She has a good understanding of gospel principles, seems curious about learning additional truth, and asks insightful questions. She also gave a good example of Christ-like behavior earlier this week. Our family was at the school's book fair, and the kids brought their money. Jayson had picked out a book that he wanted, but didn't have enough money for. He started to cry when he realized he didn't have enough, and Susie started to comfort him. Esther came over and asked why he was crying. When we told her, Esther volunteered to *give* Jayson some of her own money so that he could buy the book he wanted! Amazing. Truly amazing.

Anyway, she will be old enough to be baptized in a few months, and I'm looking forward to providing this saving ordinance for her.

* We took a family trip to Ohio to see family in September. Our children really are amazing travel buddies. We look forward to going out there again later this year, as my brother-in-law is getting married.

* Lizzie had a first experience of the not-so-fun kind. One Sunday afternoon in early December, I heard her crying loudly in the basement. I went down, and discovered blood on her ear. I found out later that she was climbing somewhere she shouldn't, and fell onto our wood-burning stove in the basement (not in use, fortunately). The two of us made a quick trip to Instacare, where she got 10 stitches in her left ear. She is doing fine, and the ear healed up extremely well. But four is a bit young to be getting stitches.

* Jayson is finally potty trained! Hallelujah! He took his time getting there, but he has finally "got it". We had a celebration party for him last Saturday at a local place called "Jump On It" (lots of big trampolines), and invited a few of his friends from school. It was also nice for the parents, as we brought a board game for us to play while our children jumped.

* I have been trying my hand at furniture assembly lately. Got some cheap furniture from Shop-Ko at half-price during a sale. It always takes longer than I think it is going to, but the girls have their own room with bunk beds, and Jayson has his room back with a mate's bed. Although they enjoyed all sleeping in one big bed together, they are getting old enough that that is no longer practical.

* I'm still the Cubmaster. I've been doing it for just over six years, and I enjoy it. Two meetings a month (both of them short) and a trip to the Scout Office to pick up awards. We always have a good group of boys and a good set of leaders. I feel very blessed. I'm also starting to feel a bit old. Later this year, a boy named Ethan will be coming in to the pack. I remember visiting his parents in the hospital when he was *born*. Doesn't seem possible that he's almost old enough to be in Cub Scouts.

* As far as feeling old goes, Susie and I are rapidly approaching our ninth anniversary. I'm grateful that she has stuck in there with me, as we have definitely had our share of bumps in the road. The good news is that our relationship continues to get better and better. I am blessed to have her in my life, and I love her very much.


Not much else comes to mind, so I will close for the present. Hope is well with all of you out there in blogland. :)