March 4, 2017

There are some days a mother will remember in her heart forever.  Today was one of those days.  With a large assortment of family members here to support us, we all made our way to the Stake Center at 11:30.  Greg and Austin were already there, all dressed in white.  We captured a few pictures and settled in to await the beginning of the baptismal service.

My handsome Austin

I gave the talk on baptism.  It was so fun for me to think about and prepare.  I found so much joy in sharing my thoughts and testimony with Austin and his good friend, Carson Hunt, who was also being baptized that day.  This is the talk I gave.



"A little over eight years ago, on February 26th, I was in a hospital in Pennsylvania with my brand new baby, Austin. When Austin was born, he was a big boy, he still is, and he cried and cried and cried. But when I finally got a chance to hug and kiss and love him, he almost never cried again! We didn’t know it, but on exactly the same day, in St. George, Carson was born too! Carson was born five weeks early, but he was a big baby too. He had to stay in the hospital for ten long days, where all the nurses loved him so much they would fight over him.

I was in love with Austin from the very first minute I saw him, and I know Carson’s family was so in love with him too.

You were both such perfect babies, fresh from heaven, surrounded by a lot of people who love you, ready to start your exciting life here on this earth.

Now you have both grown to eight years old. You are both such wonderful boys. You are developing a testimony of the gospel, and you are surrounded by a lot of people who still love you, just like you were when you were born.

Today you will both be baptized by your dad.

We all need baptism. Jesus Christ set the perfect example for us when He was baptized by John the Baptist.

When we are baptized, we make a covenant with Heavenly Father. A covenant is a two-way promise. That means, we promise something and Heavenly Father promises something back.

When we go under the waters of baptism, we promise to take Christ’s name upon us, to always remember Him, to keep His commandments, and to serve Him to the end, and He promises that we may always have His Spirit to be with us.

That’s a great promise! We need His spirit in our life.

You will probably always remember, even when you are grown up, that you share the same birthday as your friend. And you will probably also remember your special baptism day together.

I remember my baptism day. I remember the clean, warm feeling I felt after I came up out of the water. I remember the spirit I felt when I was given the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I think you will remember those things too. But I also hope you remember, that just like when you were both born, you are both such special little boys. You are surrounded by many people who are proud of you for making the choice to be baptized. You are both still pretty fresh from heaven, and after you are baptized today, you will be as pure and clean as a new baby. You will be ready to continue on with your exciting life.

Every Sunday, when you take the sacrament, you will be reminded of the covenant, or two-way promise, that you are making today. And you will be reminded that if you do your part, you will always have His spirit to be with you.

I know Heavenly Father loves you so much and is so happy that you are being baptized today. Always stay close to the Savior and try to be a good boy, and you will find a lot of happiness in your life.

I’m so grateful for days like this, that remind us what is truly important in life. Days that remind us all to keep going toward our eternal goals. I’m grateful for these two handsome boys. I’m grateful that Heavenly Father sent them to us.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen"

It was such a joy to look down into Austin's attentive face, and see him smile or feel the emotions while I spoke.  

After my talk, Emma and the girls put on a beautiful musical number.  Emma played the primary song titled, Baptism, which is such a beautiful but difficult song.  Julia, Kate and Macee Jacobsen, Marlee Dannehl, and Eliese and Avree Eardley all sang.  Emma was so nervous, but she has been practicing for a few months now.  My heart swelled with absolute joy as I watched Emma play so flawlessly, and all of those sweet cousins, and Julia, sing such a beautiful song.  

Carson's grandmother gave the talk on the Holy Ghost, and then we moved into the room with the font.  There are few joys as sweet as watching my husband use his priesthood to baptize my sweet child.  I was nearly overcome with tender feelings as I sat on the front row and watched.  I love my sweet Austin, and I am so grateful to have him in my life.  Greg finished the day by giving Austin the gift of the Holy Ghost and a beautiful blessing.  It was all so wonderful.

We all reconvened at our house for sandwiches and treats.  The kids played and played in the pleasant weather, and the adults laughed and talked and enjoyed each other so much.  As the day was nearly ending, we all piled into the cars and went to dinner at Cafe Rio.  We ate out on the patio and enjoyed the beautiful evening.  

As I think back over this day, I am filled with unspeakable gratitude.  I have been so blessed to be surrounded by such a loving family, to have such beautiful children, to be joined for eternity to my wonderful husband.  This day was a glimpse into heaven.  I couldn't be more blessed.

Our loving, supportive crew!  What a great day!