My Little Man Got Baptized!

Yesterday was a great day. JD got baptized and I am a free mother - he is responsible for his own sins now! Ha! I wish it were that simple. I used that card a few months ago when he was being a stinker to some of his friends. I had a long talk (actually, many long talks - he likes to discuss things with me) with him about how he was about to turn 8 which meant he would be responsible for his own sins. I said it in a...well...forceful manner so he would get the point. And that he did. Something clicked inside him that day. I don't think he understood the magnitude of his turning 8 until that moment.

Many conversations and lessons followed in the weeks after that initial conversation. I must say that there is something about this magical age 8. JD has grown in maturity and understanding over the last few months - to the point where I really felt like he was ready to take the the plunge (ha ha pun intended).

Since JD is a very thoughtful, sensitive and introspective kid, I could definitely see his little ticker mulling over the magnitude of his baptism and confirmation. He would ask me things like, "Mom, will you describe what the Holy Spirit feels like?" Or, after getting in trouble, he would come crying to me, "MOM, THE HOLY GHOST DIDN'T TELL ME THE RIGHT THING TO DO!" I would give him the standard gospel answers, but it just always seemed to come back to an issue of faith. "JD, if you have faith that one day you'll feel the Holy Spirit's comfort, then you will - just keep praying," would be my standard answer. I had no doubt that eventually he would feel something that he could identify as the Holy Ghost, I just didn't know when it would come.

It couldn't have come at a more perfect time. I know the Lord was aware of JD's desires and so when Joel placed his hands on his son's head to confirm him a member of the Church and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, JD felt it for the first time. What a wonderful testimony builder! Yeah!



He shared this little bit of information with his gammy (Joel's mom) immediately following the baptism and confimation program. She asked him if he felt anything special during his confirmation and he was able to identify the warm feeling around his heart as the Holy Ghost. Later that evening when we were home, I was able to hold him in my arms and ask him the same question that his gammy asked. He explained the feeling to me and I was so thankful that he could recognize it with certainty.


The entire evening was very spiritual and I couldn't have asked for better experience for our first child's baptism and confirmation. Baptisms around these parts aren't that common so it was neat to have such a great turn out. JD and his friend Annie had a joint baptism at our chapel. We are friends with Annie's family so it was a warm and inviting little program that took place. The talks were perfect and the spirit was strong - especially during JD's confirmation.

JD and his bud Annie

Camryn and her bud Brigham
(Annie's Brother)

Christian and his bud Lily, or Lolee
as he so affectionately renamed her.
(Annie's sister)

JD received a very nice set of scriptures during a special family dinner out (before the baptisms). He was soooo excited. Not in a yipee kind of way, but in a way that exuded curiosity and validated his maturing age. He and Annie showed off their new scriptures later that night - it was cute. I spent a good part of the morning today walking him through this ins and outs of the scriptures: footnotes, topical guide, glossary, how to find scriptures etc. He spent the entire sacrament meeting perusing the pages of his new precious gift.

Joel and I are aware that JD is a gem and are continually trying our best to be good stewards of his strong little spirit. I feel like I fall short most of the time when it comes to raising him, but that's where the beauty of the atonement comes into play. If we can just try our best, Christ makes up the difference. I love the gospel!



Anyway, JD is on his way towards making a name for himself in this life. I hope that he might read this entry in our family blog book some day and at the very least feel comforted by the feelings he had on the day of his baptism and confirmation.