Maria's Baptism

 

What a day! What a day! What a DAY!!!!!!!!!

We woke up to a SNOW STORM!! I woke up, pulled open my blinds and was horribly confused!

How could this be? But God is good. He is so very good. The roads ended up clear and clean. We got Yaya Sofia... that was the big concern... and no one slipped!!!

 

It was the same, the day Maria was born. It started off snowing and rough... but the sun shone in the end. She is that calm and peace in the world that can be found after the storm.

 

We are so proud of our sweet girl. She has been working hard and preparing a long time for her baptism. She's memorized all her articles of faith, read the Book of Mormon almost 2 times, knew all the covenants she was making.... and she was excited!

 

What a privilege to have a daddy who is worthy of the priesthood.

Who is loving, kind, supportive, strong, tender.

I adore him.

Even though he bugs me when he needs to go for a run 1.5 hours before the baptism starts.

I wouldn't trade him for anything. He's so patient with me.

Sweet anorexic Armando.

 

 

We had a wonderful turnout from family and friends. It is always so humbling to see all the love and support people give us. We are so blessed.

Maria was baptized with one other boy, Doug.

It was nice and short.

 

N. Miller gave a talk on baptism. You could tell he was nervous, but you gotta love him. He would always ask me and Ramya to dance at Stake dances. Good guy.

 

JoAnn Dalton gave a talk on the Holy Ghost that was just perfect and amazing. She did a demonstration with coins in a jar. When we are clean we can hear the Holy Ghost nice and clear. When we make mistakes, she added rice, we can't. It was an excellent visual and reminder of the importance of repentance. She is an angel. I love her more than words can say. She is such a classy woman and has the heart of a saint. I feel like we were friends before we came to earth and it's just such a joy to serve with her and learn from her example.

 

She also sewed the most beautiful towels for all our 8 year olds in primary- 18???? It was perfect!!

 

Maria was confirmed by Joe. Also in the circle were Papa, Fred Dalton, Buzz Southam, Ty Tolman, Bishop Kahumoku, President Sommers.

We had invited Brother Seavey but he wasn't feeling too good! We'll catch him in 5 years when Eli is ready!

 

In Maria's blessing it stood out to me that she would study and learn much from the scriptures but that the Holy Ghost would teach her things beyond that learning found through obedience. It was repeated that God loves her. That she would continue to be a blessing to those around her. It was beautiful.

 

Bishop Kahumoku gave an inspired talk. He talked about how life wasn't a competition and how we're here to help each other along the road. The reason it was inspired is because Maria has that streak of ambition. She wants to be the best. Never at the expense of anyone else, but all the same it was a good reminder that it's not about being the best, but doing our best.

 

We headed home for ice cream sundaes!!!!! It was awesome. We had a great group of friends and family over.

 

The Daltons gave Maria a silver dollar and a beautiful note.

Yaya gave Maria a beautiful gold necklace.

SO GREEK!!!!!!!

The children ran wild and had a blast playing together.

It just makes me smile. Such a wonderful night.

 

Maria's friend Jaden came from school. I was glad to get rid of some Harry Potter leftovers. He has been reading the books with Maria at school.

 

Charlie came.

Maria's night was complete.

 

Oh. My. Goodness. This child had 8 bowls of who knows what!!!!!!!!! Everyone kept squirting whip cream for him.

He woke up with a sugar hangover the next morning.

 

Tobi was there too!!! My cousin Alexis brought his girlfriend Christina. Another Christina!!! She'll fit in perfectly. It was just so nice of him to come.

 

We started goodbyes at 9:30.... everyone was gone by 10:30.

 

Thank you Heavenly Father. What a blessed life we live.