We have had the most wonderful weekend. Mom and Dad came into town last Wednesday to spend a few extra days with us.
The highlight, of course, was Jack's baptism. Our time slot was 11am, so we had a nice unhurried morning getting ourselves ready. We showed up about 20 minutes early to the stake center to take pictures and receive instructions.
Jack had asked me to give the talk about baptism, which I was honestly torn about. Of course, I'm pleased that he wanted me to, and I would do almost anything for my sweet boy. But I inwardly bemoaned the fact that I could just sit back and enjoy the day. But I was glad to prepare something for him, and it was easier to deliver just focusing on him. Plus, we were surrounded by people who love us.
I definitely welled up with tears when he went into the font with Daniel. I was so happy that he wanted to be baptized. Sometimes I have doubts about kids his age, and if they really want to be baptized or if they are just feeling so much pressure from their family to do it, that they do. But I really feel that Jack wanted to be baptized, and he understood, probably better than I did at that age, the decision he was making and how serious it was and the covenants he was making. He was so little and cute in that font, and he was so happy. He was smiling the whole day, pretty much. 🥹
Mom gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and did an absolutely phenomenal job. It was the best talk on the Holy Ghost I think I've ever heard. I grabbed her notes so that I could write them down for Jack:
- You have been week prepared for this very important day, by friends and family and primary leaders and teachers.
- Let's review what you know about the Holy Ghost: 3rd member of the Godhead; He is a personage of spirit; he's referred to as the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the Comforter
- When Heavenly Father gives gifts they are spiritual gifts. You are going to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift will help you to live righteously and receive the blessings of the gospel. This is the purpose of the Holy Ghost.
- Jobs: dad has a job, mom has a job, you have a job. Your job is to be worthy to have the Holy Ghost to guide you.
- The Holy Ghost can do many different things to help you: 1) He communicates to our spirits; he bears witness of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, testifies and we can receive a sure testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ only by the power of the Holy Ghost; 2) he reveals and teaches the truth of all things; 3) he guides and helps us stay on the covenant path that leads to eternal life; he can guide us in our decisions and protect us from harm or spiritual danger; 4) he comforts, calms fears, comforts when sad or worried or scared; 5) he fills our hearts with hope and love; he teaches us to be kind and to love others
She also told some amazing sstories from her own life, about times when she felt the influence and whispering of the Holy Ghost. I should have her write them down in her own words. They were so good.
A bunch of family and friends came to the baptism: mom and dad Holbrook, Bowman's family, David and some of his kids, Brian's family, Scott's family, the Freis, and Gabe Christensen. It was lovely. Some of them had to leave right after the baptism, but a bunch of them made their way to our house for lunch and stayed and chatted and ate a good long while.
It was a wonderful day. I can't believe I have another child that is baptized. It both gladdens and hurts my heart to see my children grow up. A very complicated mix of emotions. I'm so happy, though. So happy for Jack to make this covenant with God, and have a deeper relationship with Him, and have the companionship of the Holy Ghost. And I have high hopes and expectations for Jack.
The talk I wrote on baptism:
When I was thinking about talking at Jack's baptism, I thought it would be fun to look back at my journals and see what I had written about my own baptism. There isn't much about my baptism, just this one paragraph (about how I had family and friends there, and it was a special day).
When I was thinking about my baptism, I remember knowing how special and important it was, and that Heavenly Father was pleased with my decision, and that I was following Jesus. But I didn't think much or understand about the covenants that I was making by being baptized. And so, I mostly want to talk about the covenants we make at baptism and the covenants you are about to make.
Jacky boy, today, as you complete the ordinance of baptism, you'll be taking your first official step onto the covenant path! Up to this point in your life, you've been making lots of good smaller decisions to follow Jesus, like going to church with your family and reading scriptures and being helpful and kind at home. But this choice to get baptized sets you on the covenant path. It's very exciting to have a covenant relationship with Heavenly Father!
There are 3 covenants that we make at baptism. Do you know what any of them are? Yes, we covenant to follow Jesus! We sometimes use different words for this -- we say we take Jesus' name upon us, but it's really the same thing. Second, we promise to keep the commandments that Heavenly Father and Jesus give us. And third, we promise to serve Them for the rest of our lives. These are big things to promise, aren't they?
Now, you know that covenants are really just promises that people make to each other. And if we keep these promises, these 3 special baptismal promises, Heavenly Father promises things back to us. Do you know what things Heavenly Father promises? As we keep the commandments, Heavenly Father can bless us with many things, and He promises those blessings to us. One of the big things He promises to us is the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. Gramma Fern is going to talk to us about the Holy Ghost after you get baptized. And another wonderful promise God makes to us as we live our covenants is being cleaned from our sins and the gift of salvation.
Now, you are about to be baptized and be the completely clean and pure. Do you think you'll always be clean and pure? Or do you think you'll make some mistakes every now and then? Yes, we all make mistakes and sin. How do we become clean and pure again when we sin? Do we have to be baptized again? That's what the Atonement of Jesus Christ is for. We can repent over and over again, and we can renew our covenants every time we take the Sacrament and be cleansed from our sin, through Jesus Christ. He wants us to repent and He wants to heal us and help us be clean again.
You'll make many many choices throughout your life. Some good and some bad. But if you always choose to follow Jesus and repent, everything will be good.
I testify that your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love you. They are so joyful over the choice you are making today, to make covenants with Them through baptism. I testify to you that living our covenants and living the gospel is the most happy and peaceful way to live. And I know that Jesus atoned for all of us, so that we can receive salvation.
Other notes from his baptism:
Jack's confirmation blessing
[ ] Use the curiosity that's part of your character to do good in this world
[ ] You'll have moments through your life when you can feel the Holy Ghost, when you feel the love of God
Bishop's remarks
Beautiful thing to be able to renew our covenants when we take the Sacrament, to have a relationship with Jesus and Heavenly Father
That night, mom and dad watched the kids while Daniel and I went to Sammy's birthday celebration (it was her birthday that day too). We did a fun mission experience at this space center place. It was fun!
It was fun, too, to have mom and dad here for mother's day. 😊 It was a lovely mother's day. See, look: I got to sleep in and have no meetings (glorious); I got to leisurely read my scriptures; Daniel made this delicious breakfast of French toast (made from croissant bread ... drool-worthy), berries and Buttermilk syrup (scrumptious); we went to church, where they served us a delightful luncheon (and I had to give a spiritual thought on the fly... yikes 😬); I had a nice little nap after church, and then we opened presents (the kids have me the cutest little homemade gifts, shrinky dink Keychain and cards, Daniel gave me a kindle, Julie sent a candle warmer with mom, and mom and dad got me flowers and a gift card - for sure the most gifts I think I've ever gotten over mother's day); we sat out on the patio while opening presents and sat outside and chatted for a long while; then we went to Denise's house for a mother's day BBQ and games. It was just a lovely day.
Another fun thing about the weekend was that I invited Drew to come stay the whole weekend with us. Gramma and Grampa were staying and there were so many family things he was invited to, so I thought it'd be nice for him to just be with us.
Mom and Dad left this morning. We loved having them and are always sad when they have to leave.
