baptism

Slade was baptized by his dad and became an official member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 1. The baptism was at 10 am and despite my best efforts for early preparation, I was frantic and harried all morning. Dave and my parents went to Emma's soccer game. I was trying to get cupcakes frosted and food prepared for the post baptism lunch. Plus I needed to shower and get myself plus the other four kids dressed and ready. We made it over to the church in time to snap a quick picture or two. Then it was time to begin.


Slade was baptized with another girl in our ward. The talks on baptism and the Holy Ghost were each given by their older sisters. Emma spoke about the Holy Ghost and did so flawlessly. I sang...well attempted to sing "If I Listen With My Heart" as a special musical number. As the music started, I made the mistake of looking over at Slade and Katie sitting so sweetly and my emotions got the better of me. It was not a pretty rendition of the song. I felt silly and embarrassed.

Slade was baptized and confirmed by Dave with the assistance of Grandpa Daniel, Grandpa Slade, and uncles Colin, Michael, Brett and Jason. After the confirmations, our ward's tradition is for the mothers to bear their testimonies. Honestly, I had been totally dreading this moment. I rarely get up to bear my testimony in sacrament meeting. Public speaking is not a talent of mine and I always get emotional and flustered. As I waited for my turn, I remembered something that Slade had said that morning. Nathan and Slade had been standing by the counter as I worked on the cupcakes. Nathan asked Slade if he was excited about his party. Slade replied, "I am excited but not about my party. There are some things more important than parties." I recognized in that moment how I had been very much like Martha all morning--troubled by many things like food and cupcakes, what to wear, singing the song, and on and on. None of that really mattered though. What was more important than parties and musical numbers was that Slade had made the choice to get baptized and confirmed. He was surrounded by people who loved him while he made his first covenant with the Lord. I still cried as I shared this testimony but I supposed that doesn't matter either. It matters that my husband and children heard me testify of Jesus Christ.

We came home and managed to have a wonderful get together afterward even though I didn't have it all perfectly prepared in advance.