Post after post, I'm slowly catching up.
WARNING!!!!!
Slightly Religious Text Ahead
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormon), we don't baptize children as infants. We believe children come to us perfect and don't believe they carry with them the burdens of Adam's transgressions. They are born sinless. We believe they possess the light of Christ that helps them to feel right from wrong, but sometimes lack the conviction necessary to understand the weight and consequences of making wrong choices. We believe sin is not sin if the sinner does not know that which they do is actually a sin. Clear as mud? :) For this reason, the minimum age that a person/child may enter the waters of baptism is the age of 8.
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Showing off her "CTR" ring. For those who are not LDS, CTR means "Choose The Right" and is
the name of the children's church class she attends as well as the them of her gospel curriculum. It is
basically a reminder such as WWJD. |
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| This little girl was so excited to get her scriptures. |
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| I love that goofy smile. |
I don't know if or why 8 is the magical number, but I do see the logic as I have watched Leah grow. In some instances, I recognized in her a very clear understanding of right and wrong and watched her make right and wrong choices (mostly right). Her understanding seemed to develop before she was 8. In some ways, I see a lack of that same understanding and am currently witnessing her growth as she becomes more familiar with the rewards and consequences of her decision making. I see that she comprehends more and more with each passing day the times she makes a wrong choice even when she knows it's a wrong choice. I see her glee when she makes the right choice even when it is difficult to do so.
While baptism by immersion and confirmation by the laying on of hands (by authority) are the ordinances wherein membership to the church is gained, it is not required of anybody, but should rather be a choice. The same applies to children. It was not required of Leah to be baptized nor did we demand it. We did teach her that baptism is the natural path that we choose when we want to follow in the footsteps of Christ. We taught her that it is a rebirth of sorts wherein she leaves her old self and life behind, however few years that may be, and begins a new life (born again) as a disciple of the Savior, Jesus Christ. We taught her that great responsibility accompanies this commitment and that she must always strive to do as He would do or as He would have her do. She understands that mistakes will be made along the path of life. In spite of the fact that her baptism for the remission of sins was a one time thing, Christ has prepared a way (the atonement) for us to overcome not only death by resurrection, but sin by way of repentance.
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We arrived early so that we could change into our baptismal clothes. At this time,
Leah was a bit nervous, but all in all, she remained excited. |
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One thing I've always loved about Leah is that she tends to get cuddly and clingy
whenever she is nervous, unsure or scared. I'm happy she finds comfort in her
family. Dax tried his hardest to be a good kid and not a distraction. Tried being
the operative word. |
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In our church, we believe in baptism by immersion; the same manner in which
Christ was baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. |
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| Dax trying his hardest to behave. |
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| Well, that didn't last long. Thanks for trying, Dax! |
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| We wear white symbolically to show purity. |
That is a lot for an 8 year old mind to wrap itself around. The truth is, Leah can't remember what she did in school each day...I doubt she'll remember all of that. For this reason, her baptism covenant is an ongoing thing. As she lives life, attends church, learns from us and prays to her Heavenly Father, she will hopefully continue to learn, and remember, the things the Spirit will teach her. It is my hope that her testimony of things will become her own and it is my prayer that that testimony will never cease to grow. I am proud of her decision to take on all of that, in spite of her over dramatic Father stressing point after point to her of what it her baptism means. Of all the questions I asked her as we talked in preparation for her decision to be baptized, my favorite answer she gave was to the question I posed, "Why do you want to be baptized?", to which she replied, "It feels like the right thing to do." A simpler and more truer response could not have been given. I am glad she trusts me, her mother and her Grandmother, but mostly, I hope she never stops trusting in that light of Christ that is within her and that she learns to rely and respond to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. She is such a great and caring and loving and compassionate kid.
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| The baptism luncheon was basically another 8th birthday party for Leah. |
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| Newly baptized Leah and her Super Mom |
Okay. Enough religion...at least for this post. Needless to say, it was a grand day. She was as beautiful as ever and so excited to share her day with her family and friends. Her Uncle Scott surprised us as he appeared the day before on our doorsteps unannounced. We were missed the rest of his family, but were completely stoked that he could make it up. Grandma and Grandpa Ostler came up from Arizona and many of our friends and family joined us from around Utah, including Caitlin, Zach, the Reeds, Wilsons, Josh and Marie, Aunt Lyn, Uncle Ray and more. The love we felt was overwhelming. As an Elder in the church that holds the Melchizedek Priesthood, I was able to perform the baptism and confirmation of Leah. She did wonderfully. I don't remember the words of the blessing I gave, but I remember feeling really good about it and when I ended the blessing there were many a wet eye in the room. It was particularly great to have Caitlin there with us.
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| Leah and her Grandmothers. |
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| Leah with Uncle Ray and Aunt Lyn |
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| 3 Generations - Sarah, her Mother (Christine) and Leah. |
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Me and 1/2 the ladies in my life...Mom, Leah and Grandma.
Missing is Sarah, Caitlin and Christine. |
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| L to R: Scooter McGee (my brother), Grandma, Mum, Leah, Me, Sarah & Dax |
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| I don't know what to do with my hands. |
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| Leah asked for a group hug. I'm glad there was a camera to catch it. |
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| I love these girls! |
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| Leah and Caitlin |
Afterwards, Sarah prepared a fantastic luncheon for everybody at our church building. Leah was blessed with many hugs and well wishes and even some presents! We feasted on ham, church potatoes, salad and rolls. Sarah did a wonderful job setting up everything (as she always does). It was a good day. Sarah is a great Mother and this benchmark for Leah caused many weepy moments for her Mom. I'm a proud Papa and I cannot imagine my life without Leah in it. God surely does know what he is doing and I've learned (and am still learning) to trust in his plan. It may not always be in alignment with our plan, but it is always the right plan and I know we will be blessed if we trust in him. His ways are not always our ways, but we should strive to make them so.
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Leah and her neighborhood friends.
L to R: Margot, Leah, Claire and Molly |
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The kid pretty much lived at the lemonade and cupcake table.
Hello diabetes, my name is Dax! |
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| L to R: Molly, Amy, Laura, Claire, Leah and Margot |
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Sarah's Family. Around the table starting with the old man. Dave (Sarah's
step father), Christine (Sarah's Mom), Jacob (Sarah's Brother), Erin (SIL),
Reagan (Niece), Marie (Soon to be SIL...hint Josh), Josh (Sarah's Brother),
Emerson (Nephew) and Cole (Nephew). |
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| More of Sarah's Family. The Kelleys! |
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| The Holyoaks....basically family. |
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| More of Sarah's Family, the Pierce family! |
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More of our families. Grandma, my Mom, Scott (My bro), Jake photobombing,
Sarah, Me, Duane (BIL) and Molly (Sarah's Sister) |
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| Leah and her best friend and cousin, Jakey. |
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L to R: Lynette (my Aunt), Leah, Ray (my Uncle), Zack (Caitlin's Boyfriend)
and Caitlin. |
Congratulations, Baby Cakes! I'm proud of the young woman you are turning out to be. You make life fun and worth bragging about.
