Our Family:: The Baptism

Kir made these awesome announcements for Morgan's baptism.

Morgan was baptized on Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 5:30pm. Our stake has their baptisms on the fast Sunday of each month- which caused a lot of trauma and drama in our family. It was just very difficult for family members to come all the way out here on a Sunday evening. And, Joanna and Loren, who were visiting for a few weeks, flew out Sunday morning. But, with all said and done, Morgan chose to be baptized in our stake (and not in HH) because she wanted people from school and the ward there too. In church that afternoon (church is from 12:30-3:30pm), Brother Lytle announced Morgan's baptism in sacrament meeting and said that attending the baptism would be a better activity than watching the Super Bowl.

Because it was on Sunday and people were coming from out of town, I made Mexican Corn Chowder (Kir's recipe and so yummy) for dinner. The Finnigans and Ben and Kir and fam and my mom joined us for dinner before the baptism. Then we all went over to the stake center (I left too late and got there just a few minutes early- next time I'll leave earlier).

This is Morgan's "baptism" dress- the one she was baptized in. Heather made it and I was glad Morgan could wear it.

Morgan was beautiful in her baptism dress- Aunt Heather made it for Nicole and Kennedy has also worn it. There was a good turn out- Grandma Anne, Grandpa Jenkins, Liz, Michael, Katie, Spencer, Anna Jo, the Finnigans, Ben, Kir, Ian, Jacob, Kate, Lucy, Grandma Morgan. There were also friends from the ward (the Hermansens, Lytles, Hopkins, Hopkins, Heathcotes, Taylors, Maynards, Petrowskys, Stohltons, McCleans), and school friends (Nicole & her family and Bita & her mom). Morgan wanted me to give the baptism talk so I used the tried and true talk that Nate wrote for Brynn's baptism years ago. I've also used it for Parker's baptism & now for Morgan's. I was emotional, but people said they enjoyed the talk.

Nate baptized Morgan and Grandpa Jenkins and Ben were the witnesses. Morgan said the water was cold and she was shivering in the dressing room after while I was helping her change into her "confirmation dress". I had put Morgan's hair in a bun (got the idea from Kristyn) and after she was baptized, all I had to do was put the white flower clip (that I made) in her hair. She was dressed and back in the room before Nate.

Morgan in her "confirmation" dress.

Morgan, her brothers (Evan & Eli), and her cousins (Ian, Jacob, Kate, Anna Jo), and her friends (Shea, Ella) sang "When I am Baptized". Liz led them and they sounded beautiful. Ella was pretty funny with Eli- she kept holding him and picking him up and then put her hand over his mouth at one point. Sean was in the back motioning furiously with his arms for her to stop. It was quite funny. Grandma Anne gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and did a great job. She told Morgan that the Holy Ghost is like the sun and we can feel the warmth of him when we are doing what's right.

Morgan was then confirmed. I was very impressed with Evan throughout the whole baptism. He was sitting on the front row & when Morgan was going into the water to be baptized, some other kids came right in front of him. Instead of throwing a fit, he quietly got up and moved over so he could see. He was also very reverent during the confirmation. I think he felt the spirit.

Laurie Taylor then welcomed Morgan into primary- she's a councelor in the primary presidency and her husband and son are our home teachers. We really like the Taylors. Laurie introduced the Faith in God program and talked about Morgan. She said that Morgan is a unique child that has a special spirit that is beyond her years. It is very true about Morgan and was sweet to hear it from Laurie. Morgan finished reading the Book of Mormon on her eighth birthday and she started it in July. As we finished the Book of Mormon, Nate, Morgan, and I knelt down and offered a prayer to know if this book is true. We all felt the spirit and Morgan even had tears in her eyes. It was a tender experience that I (and hopefully Morgan) will never forget. The bishop then welcomed her to the ward. It was a really special baptism.

This is the Oakland temple- which is the only temple to have 5 spires.

looks just like it, right?

getting excited to eat the cake- I think that's all Evan talked about this day

After the baptism, friends and family came back to our house to have some "temple" cake (thanks to Mom for frosting it) and icecream. It was a really wonderful day and we are so happy that Morgan chose to be baptized and set such a great example for her brothers.