Baptism - Araya Hope

Araya had been asking for months when she would be able to get baptized.  She turned 8 back in October but it was after the stake baptisms for the month.  We thought we'd do it in November but with Thanksgiving and family events, both November and December crept by.  Again she asked, "AM I EVER GOING TO GET BAPTIZED?"  It's one of those moments that you know you need to get your REAR in GEAR because this little wonderful spirit wants to do what the Lord wants her to do!  We got her in for interview with the Bishop and her date was set for January 15th.

We started out with the dress.  I was excited to get out Bryten's dress that she wore when she was baptized and it fit Araya perfectly.  We took her pictures at one of the little parks in our neighborhood and we sent out invites to friends and family!

I kind of miss the days when the baptisms were a little more personal.  Not a big fan of the stake baptism setup but I completely understand the need to do them all in one day.  There is no way that you could schedule the stake center for that many baptisms in a month, have people there to fill up the font, have the Bishop there to conduct, etc...etc...etc...  So we had 4 baptisms in our ward that day and the RS room was jam packed.  Many people had to stand and even though it was January, the room was HOT HOT HOT.  Araya was so scared to go down into the water and the little girl before her had to get dunked twice which really freaked Ray out.  She did great though and I was so proud of her.

Scot gave a talk on the Holy Ghost.  I felt so bad for him because there was no stand to put his scriptures on, no  microphone, barely any standing room and the temperature felt like it was 90 degrees.  He stood up there and was sweating so bad that he started to feel like he was going to pass out right there so he promptly ended his talk half way through it.  Definitely not like him as he has talked in church many times, sometimes even last minute when someone had not shown up.  He taught in the Elders quorum for a couple of years so he felt like quite the failure by not being able to finish his talk.  Poor guy!

Afterwards we had a lunch at our home for family and friends...I think I had something like 32 people there!  Yikes!  It was fun, a little crowded but it was one of those times that will be remembered!

I love this little girl with all my heart and know that she made such an important decision in her life.  I remember how I felt that day...remember that the next morning I wanted to do it all over again.  I am so proud of her and know that she will be a strong young woman someday!