She turned 8 on November 17th and that Friday had her birthday party at a local gymnastics place. She had tremendous fun with about a dozen close friends.
Queen of the Birthday Table:
The Parachute Game with Friends:
Yesterday was a different sort of fun. Spawn had been looking forward to it for a long time. She was baptized. The morning before she told us why she was excited. "All of my sins will be washed away, I'll be an actual member of the church, and Heavenly Father will take my prayers more seriously." I reminded her that Heavenly Father has always taken her prayers seriously. She'd also expressed how she was a bit humbled that Heavenly Father trusted her so much. We'd been discussing the baptismal covenant, and she liked what she heard.
Okay, so it didn't really turn into a party. It was still a few close friends. And of course it was wonderful, just like everything Bubbles convinces me to do. The leftovers are also wonderful. Bubbles is wise.
Yesterday was a different sort of fun. Spawn had been looking forward to it for a long time. She was baptized. The morning before she told us why she was excited. "All of my sins will be washed away, I'll be an actual member of the church, and Heavenly Father will take my prayers more seriously." I reminded her that Heavenly Father has always taken her prayers seriously. She'd also expressed how she was a bit humbled that Heavenly Father trusted her so much. We'd been discussing the baptismal covenant, and she liked what she heard.
Spawn's aunt Jean had made her an absolutely stunning dress for the baptism.
Each snowflake in that front panel is different from the others.
No ornate dress is complete without a proper belt.
Needless to say, Spawn was thrilled to put the dress on. She said it made her feel like a princess. It is the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given her.
Now, I'm old school. I hadn't planned on anything but the normal baptismal service. Bubbles had other ideas. "Everybody's done cake or cookies. We need to do that," she said. Okay, I can deal with cookies. We got cookies. "We have family coming in from Chico, and wonderful friends we haven't seen in far too long coming from the Bay Area and Antelope. They will need some refreshments before heading home again." Okay, very reasonable. Soon she'd turned our intimate get together into a Candace Party, though. Don't get the reference? The below video will help.
Okay, so it didn't really turn into a party. It was still a few close friends. And of course it was wonderful, just like everything Bubbles convinces me to do. The leftovers are also wonderful. Bubbles is wise.
The actual baptismal service was incredible. They always are, but it was especially so for me since it's my only child, and very likely the last time I'll perform a saving ordinance for family. I had a conversation with Heavenly Father thanking him for letting me take care of one of his daughters and acknowledging she was first and foremost His. I asked that it would be a great day for her and that He'd speak very clearly to her in the blessing following her baptism.
We relied quite heavily on our family from Chico, and they were amazing. Aunt Jean gave the opening prayer. Cousin Katie gave a lovely talk on Baptism. I am not sure there could have been a better source for that talk. Katie understands the topic well, and she conveyed the things Spawn needed to understand very clearly. Naturally, the message coming from her well-beloved cousin held Spawn's attention very well.
The baptism went really well. You have to understand, I'm a complete sap. When the Spirit is strong, that's magnified. It's no shock my voice cracked a bit as I said the baptismal prayer. I was grateful I didn't lose it altogether and have to try again.
Yes, this picture made me recommit to losing weight, but she's adorable:
How about one more with mommy in it this time? Okay.
And there were our behind the scenes helpers, too. Our good friends Tate and Angela made sure there was water on hand. Considering the number of cookies consumed, this turned out to be vital (it helped us avoid turning the gathering afterward into a "Got Milk?" commercial. Complete digression: we went to the adult dinner dance with them and some other friends. Friday night. Bubbles should write about that soon.
Spawn and I went to our respective changing areas after the baptism and I was delighted to find Spawn's soccer coach, who is a member of our faith, changing from soccer gear to church attire. He was sad to have missed the baptism itself, but I mentioned it was far more important to have him in the circle when she was blessed.
Once we changed, Uncle Mark gave a talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost. He was great. Ellie sat paying attention, and Mark's talk was very well done. I have to write my talks out fully. He was able to do a beautiful job from notes only. I was impressed. Most importantly, Ellie got a lot out of it.
Coach Jared did make it to the circle for the confirmation. In fact, I felt strongly that everyone who cared about Spawn enough to come to her baptism and who was eligible to participate should, so I invited all Melchizedek priesthood holders to come forward and be part of her confirmation blessing.
There is something very special about confirmation blessings. They begin by confirming a person a member of the Church, hence the name. This is also the blessing in which the Gift of the Holy Ghost is conferred. No one but the Savior can actually give the Gift of the Holy Ghost, so the words used in the blessing are, "receive the Holy Ghost." I have never participated in a confirmation, or given a confirmation where the Holy Ghost did not become amazingly strong at that point of the blessing, and yesterday was no exception. It was poured out on the circle and Spawn. It was wonderful. The blessing was full of Heavenly Father's love for her and she was promised many wonderful things, including plenty of help navigating a difficult world. I couldn't have been more pleased. For those who haven't given a blessing of this sort, it might sound a bit funny to say it that way, but the person acting as the voice in the blessing really hasn't any say in what is pronounced on the person being blessed. The impressions and often actual words of the blessing come by the Spirit. I wouldn't have it any other way.
After we'd finished, and Spawn shook the hands of all the gentlemen in the circle (a baker's dozen or so), the bishop welcomed her to the ward family. Our bishop is a really nice man with 5 kids of his own. His demeanor with children is sweet, patient and seasoned with plenty of good humor. Spawn took complete advantage of this. He asked her questions, and she responded with her normal frankness, drawing quite a few chuckles from the crowd. I promptly dubbed the performance the Spawn and Bishop show.
The Primary presidency next welcomed Spawn to the ward. They were very sweet. Angela gave the closing prayer.
We couldn't have asked for a nicer service. Spawn was delighted with all of it. It more than met her expectations for the event. When we asked how she'd felt after being baptized, she told us it felt like a warm blanket was wrapped around her heart. She later decided it had to be a flannel blanket because it was so warm. We reminded her those feelings come from the Spirit. Since today was fast and testimony meeting, she happily went and bore her testimony about it in Sacrament meeting. I went with her, and of course my child expressing herself so well and spiritually caused me to lose my composure completely. I'm sure everyone understood.
It's been a wonderful weekend. I'm very happy for my little one, and more importantly, she's very happy.
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