Summer Staycation: The Main Event

Saturday July 3rd

We actually started Alyssa's big day at the Scout's 4th of July fundraiser breakfast. We were there just long enough to show our support to the scouts, and then we scrambled home to make sure everyone was dressed, ready, and 30 minutes early to the baptism.

Everyone was, except for my mom, stepdad, and Kelly, who stayed at a hotel the night before and got lost on the way to the church. Since I go to all the baptisms I know that it is frustrating when they start late. We have had some start 45 minutes late. I had vowed to start on time, and be done in under an hour. I am also big on short baptismal services. I am not trying to rush an important occasion, but if the actual baptism takes 1 minute, then I am baffled as to why talks, geared toward an 8 year old, should take an hour. Jeff and Kelly were speaking and had been instructed to keep it short, to the point, and kid friendly. Alyssa had contemplated asking my mom to speak. My mom is a great speaker, but a little wordy. We told Alyssa that, and as my mom finished the (semi-long) opening prayer, Alyssa leaned over and said, "now I know why you said Grandma Susie shouldn't give a talk." I am getting ahead of myself, but I thought that was so funny.

Anyhow, before the service started we took a few pictures.

Look Grandma Ann...she got a white dress after all. Only because the jumpsuits had all been checked out and not returned. Luckily since it was past her feet, it didn't float up and she only required one dip. It was a bit see through though, so she is actually wearing a white tank top and stretch pants underneath. I joked about just baptising her in that, but in the end the dress was simple and looked much prettier than the monkey suit I wore.

Notice anyone missing?

My mom rolled in late and we didn't start until 10 after 11. I was a bit frazzled, but we still got out at 10 til 12...40 minutes total and if you ask me the short and to the point talks were awesome.

Alyssa went down into the water, with her daddy, and came forth the same way she came to us 8 years prior. Perfect.

I met her in the bathroom, and she looked happy. She wouldn't say much about how she felt. She is very private about why she feels the way she feels. She will tell you logically why she believes what she believes, but she won't tell you how she feels. Even in her wordlessness, I could see it.

It was a special moment to once again be a mother to just one little girl. To dress her, as I had 8 years ago when she was issued to me from heaven. She had once again taken a huge step in her mortal journey, and I was once again privileged to be there to dress her, hold her and set her on the path forward. After she was all dressed, I gave her a necklace. It has her name, the year of her baptism, and her birthstone. I want her to remember that day, and the covenants that she made. I want her to remember who she is, and that I have loved her from the exact second she entered my life, probably longer.

After Alyssa was all dressed, hair still damp from the sacred waters of baptism, we returned to the service where she was confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

After the service ended, my friend Andra, who serves with me in Primary, and knows what an emotional wreck I am, remarked that she was shocked that I didn't cry. I am too, actually. I cry in Primary way too often, and any other time the Spirit is strong.

What struck me about Alyssa's baptism, was that it was not an overwhelming emotionally charged experience. There was a quiet calm. I have worried for 2 years now that Alyssa was not old enough, that she was not ready, that I had failed to teach her enough, that 8 was too young....My anxiety about the matter has been obsessive at points.

So as I sat there and expected to feel overwhelmed and overcome, I was blessed to feel a calm enter my heart and occupy the place where all the fear and worry had resided. I felt strength and assurance that this was the right step, at the right time.

I felt deeply blessed to be there. To be there with Seth, who was worthy and prepared to take his daughter into those waters and to lay his hands upon her head. I felt very much like we have been mission companions for 8 years now, and we were watching our first investigator accept the gospel. I feel so blessed to be a part of this family, striving to live the gospel together each day. It has been work, but Alyssa's baptism was one of those moments where I could see how important it is, and how worth it. It means everything.

Here is our baptized beauty after we got home, in the dress she picked out with Grandma Ann.

My mom laughed when she saw this next picture and accused me of trying to get a picture of the necklace. That is exactly what I was trying to do. I'm not ashamed.

Here is a close-up.

This next picture was actually taken on Sunday at church, but since I didn't get one of my mom and Alyssa at the baptism, I really wanted one of them at the church together. My mom got really sick a few days before the baptism, so we thought for a minute she wouldn't make it. She did! We were thrilled and I had to grab a picture so that Alyssa will always remember that she was there.

It was such a perfect day. I will tell you more about what we did after the baptism. Later...