Emma's Baptism

Did this just really happen?  Our little Emma chose to get baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on September 6, 2014 in the Sweetwater River at Martin's Cove.

Emma has been looking forward to this day for a long time.  Ever since she was three or four, she was talking about baptism and how she was going to get baptized.   We've always made it clear it was her choice, no one forces baptism.  That's one of the beauties of this Gospel, the gift of agency to choose for ourselves.  Em has always been so obedient and truly thirsts after the light and truth of God.  So it would make sense she would want to make the first step on her covenant path back to Heavenly Father.  For more the ordinance of baptism,  go here.  We had some great Family Home Evenings this past year on getting ready for baptism.  From discussions from "Preach My Gospel" on baptism, to the shiny penny experiment, and having Daddy and Emma practice,  it was good to all help us learn more about baptism and be reminded of the covenants we have made or will make.

The night before,  Grandma Sue and Grandpa Dan & Uncle Jeff and Aunt Shirley came up.  Tje kids were so happy they made it!  Grandma brought Emma some kitties and legos for ger birthday, so that kept her occupied for most of the night.  We had sone ranch chicken raxo salad and black bean dip for dinner. And talked and watched some football.   That afternoon, the skies were so dark and there was a bunch of thunder and lightning. We told Emma we may have to do her baptism at the church.   But she was disappointed, and I told her if it's important to her, it would be to Heavenly Father too, so to pray and ask for good weather.   I had been praying all week for that, as well as some sweet people in our ward.  God so delivered thanks to everyones prayers, and the weather was perfect!   The Sister missionary at Martin's Cove said she wasn't sure we were in WY anymore because the weather was so beautiful, not even windy at all!  Also, Lucy got sick Friday night and started throwing up.  She began crying in the middle of the night saying she was sad she would have to miss Emma's baptism.   I told her though that just like Jesus healed people when he was on the earth, He could heal us through our faith.   So we offered up several prayers and in the morning, she woke up healthy and happy and no one else got sick. I'm so thankful for a kind Heavenly Father who cares and listens to us and answers our prayers.

Saturday, we got ready for her family barbecue at our house.  Dave smoked some pulled pork and chicken the night before and day of.  The rest of the family came up and we were so happy almost everyone except Adam and family and Mark were able to come.  How blessed we are to have such a fantastic, supportive family.  Emma is our meat eater and she wanted a nice bbq.  We had some salad, baked beans, chips and turquoise punch to go with the meat.  I didn't take many pictures, I'm usually too busy running around to stop and remember to do that!  :)  But it was fun.

After that, we caravanned up to Martin's Cove, about an hour away.  Martin's Cove is a very special place.  When the early members of our church were trekking west to seek freedom from religious persecution,  they often used handcarts to cross the plains.  A few groups left later than scheduled, and chose to go anyway.   They ran into snow, bitter cold, and wind, as well as starvation, lack of proper supplies and sicknesses.  They stopped in Martin's Cove for refuge.  There are some incredible stories and accounts of miracles, along with the tragedy.   These pioneers always showed faith and truly followed the Savior. As a youth, I was able to go to Martin's Cove to have a trek experience. It is truly sacred ground and I felt the Spirit so strongly there.  So how appropriate it is that they allow baptisms there,  in the spirit of these faithful pioneers.

I made Emma's dress, she wanted this style.   I didn't use a pattern and kind of free handed cutting it all out, so don't look too closely.   ;)  She helped pick out the fabric and wanted turquoise accents.  I thought she looked so beautiful!  And props to my sister, Amy, who took these amazing pictures! You're the best!

All of our family, except for Adam, Meghan and kids, who live on the other side of the country, and Mark, who had to work were there.  We had the Mills and the Millers there as well, and a few other friends who were going to come, but things came up.  So much support for Emma!  She’s so lucky to have a great family and friends who love her!  Down by the river, the service was simple, yet sweet.  They had a few rows of benches for baptismal services, and it was neat to be right by the water.  Aunt Julie said the opening prayer.  Then we had an opening song.  Aunt Stacy led the music.  Brother Mills from our ward, came with his family, and welcomed everyone. Grandma Sue gave the first talk about baptism.  She talked about how when she was baptized she got into the font with her father.  She saw a spider come down from its web right into the font.  It creeped her out a bit, but said that didn’t matter.  She told Emma she would be in the water with a lot more creatures, but it would be okay.  Grandma Sue said that she didn’t remember much about her baptism.  She didn’t remember all of the people who were there, or many details of the day, but she did remember love.  The love of her family and the love she felt from and for Heavenly Father when she was baptized.  She gave Emma a book about the covenants we make when we are baptized and talked about those covenants.  And she gave her a bracelet to help her remember her baptism day.  Next, Amy played the violin and I played the flute to “To Be A Pioneer” and “Baptism”.  The second one was a flop, I felt bad, but we got through it.  We should’ve practiced before, oops!  Next, Grandma Di spoke about the Holy Ghost.  She related how she went to an aquarium in California not to long ago, and was fascinated by the sea horses.  They were all holding on to plants with their tails at the bottom of the aquarium.  She was curious as to why they did this.  So she researched it when she got home and found out that sea horses are very weak.  They need to hang on to those plants so they won’t drift away and can stay with their families.  Then, when they need to, they will have the strength to go where they need to and not get washed away where they don’t want to go.  My mom likened this to us, how we need to “hold on” to the Holy Ghost and get the inspiration, help, direction, and comfort we need in order to make it to our destination.  She gave Emma a seahorse frame to put a picture of her on her baptism day to help remind her to stay close to the Holy Ghost.  Then all of the cousins sang “The Family is of God”, Emma’s favorite song.  It was so neat to hear them lifting their voices together, expressing their growing testimonies.  I could tell they felt what they sang was true.  Service missionaries Brother and Sister Moench spoke next. They held up a picture of Jesus when he was baptized and talked about how similar it looked to where Emma was going to be baptized.  They talked about how the ordinance of baptism is the same now as it was in Jesus’ day and since then.  They also talked about the pioneers, and those who crossed through Martin’s Cove, and how dedicated they were to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And what they sacrificed, and then gave Emma a card and a handcart necklace as well.  It was then time for the baptismal ordinance.  Dave helped Emma into the water, and they walked out a bit to where the deepest part of the river was.  As Dave held Emma and was about to start, all of the sudden he said, “Woa! A fish just touched my leg!”  That wasn’t the only animal we saw, either. We saw a muskrat swimming across the water and other fish and insects.  He regained his composure, said the baptismal prayer, and Emma was immersed in the water, symbolizing the death of the old, and birth of her new self.  She has begun her journey on the covenant path and was beaming!  It was touching to see.  I took her and Dave towels, and they changed.  While doing this, the kids played with the white rag dolls and the whirly gig pioneer toys we made.  As soon as we got Emma dressed again, we went out for her confirmation.  Dave confirmed her, and in the circle was both Grandpas, Uncle Jeff, Uncle Randy, Uncle Jerry, Uncle Brian, Uncle Kolby, and Brother Mills.  A confirmation is to bestow upon the person being confirmed the gift of the Holy Ghost, and becoming a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  The rest of the blessing was really good.  He blessed her to be able to remember the day and that Heavenly Father would help her with the decisions she could make.  I felt so proud of her, as well as thankful to have a husband who is a worthy Priesthood holder to bless me and our children in so many ways!  Mayela said the closing prayer, and it was time to eat.

After the service, we had sack dinners on the picnic tables that were right there near the river.  We had all kinds of rolls and breads, meats and cheeses and toppings, chips, fruit, and skittles (think: “I like to look for rainbows”).  It was nice to sit and visit and be outside.  But dark clouds started rolling in, and luckily everyone was just finishing up and it was time to pack up and go.  We felt such gratitude that the weather held out and our prayers were answered.  It was a neat experience. 

We went back to our house to have pie, per Emma’s request, instead of cake.  We had key lime, salted caramel apple, chocolate, almond peach crumble, and pumpkin.  It was fun making them, Emma helped a bit.  And it was perfect because we call Emma our sweetie pie.  And we enjoyed visiting and saying goodbyes. 

I’m so proud of Emma in this decision she’s made to follow the Savior!  She’s such an obedient, sweet, full-of-light kind of girl!  We love you, Emma Ann!  Congratulations!