Today I have so so so many wonderful things to be grateful for... Today Leigha was baptized! I do not have any pictures yet... so this one is the one we put on her baptism announcement:
The whole process of having you child be baptized is A LOT more work than I thought it would be, but it was truly one of the most memorable and beautiful days of my life. We had the BEST support from family and friends, I am SO grateful for all of the amazing people and examples in Leigha's life. The program was beautiful, Leigha was so happy and excited to be baptized and she had such a huge smile on her face. As we were in the dressing room after she was baptized she said, "I want to feel like this forever!" of course I started to cry and said "Even though you may not feel like this forever you can remember how this feels forever." She was shivering and we heard the Elders and Sisters singing and I said, "Shhh. Can you hear it?" She stopped shivering and said, "It sounds like angels!" She did not shiver again until they were through.
She is a wonderful girl and she really knows that the Holy Ghost is her friend (Great Grandma Berta taught her that), and now can be her constant companion.
After the baptism we had a wonderful lunch and we got to spend time with our favorite people. We had SO much support on both sides of family, and the outpouring of love from friends was remarkable!
While I remember I just want to document who was there for Leigha's sake, both at the baptism and luncheon.
Daddy's side of the family:
Great Grandpa Squire, Great Aunt Denna, Grandma Squire, Aunt Marie, Aunt Annie & Uncle Adam- Baby Walter, Aunt DeAnna, and cousin Ben.
Mommy's side of the family:
Great Grandpa Lind, Grandma Smith (Pretty Grandma) Grandpa Smith, Aunt Juli, Uncle Ted, Tanner, Justin, Aunt Jan, Uncle Al
Friends:
Bishop Talbot & Tiffany Talbot (Leigha's Primary Teacher), Mandi- Miley, Marley, Mckinly Simons, Sadie (Primary President)- Alivia, Landrie, Scarlett, Hartman Goulding, Michele- Lilly, Sophie, Dean Zadrozny, Kelli Brough, Katy- Brock, Adam Bryce, Ashlee- Hadlee, Cady- Trent Hatch, Laura (my visiting teacher)- Jason Felt, Connie- Summer, Carly, Adelaide Neilson, Melanie- Braden, Zack, Payton Meyers, Sister Grigley, Sister Messervy, Elder Miller (Smiller) and Elder Hayes. I am sorry if I am missing anyone else.
Witnesses:
Mitchell Smith, Don Squire Sr.
Men who stood in the Confirmation Circle:
Don Squire III (Daddy), Bishop Talbot, Grandpa Smith, Great Grandpa Squire, Great Grandpa Lind, Uncle Al, Uncle Ted, Uncle Adam, Cousin Ben
There were so many little things that made today extra special... this is just to name a few: Don wore his Dad's temple tie, the witnesses held the temple name tags of Don's dad Don Squire Jr (held by Mitchell Smith) and his Great Grandpa's Forrest Squire (held by his son Don Squire Sr.... my Don's grandpa), Great Aunt Denna gave Leigha her baptism towel, which she made (Leigha loves it so much she wants to sleep with it), Great Grandpa Squire gave Leigha a white rose which belonged to Great Grandma Squire, Grandma Squire gave Leigha a bracelet that was hers when she was young, a notebook for church to help Leigha pay attention, and a pencil that belonged to Poppa (from when he worked at Scheaffer Pen), pretty Grandma gave her a scripture journal that will really help her learn to love the scriptures, Great Grandpa Lind gave her a statue that he and Great Grandma got on their mission to France (one I have loved almost my whole life! and will cherish until Leigha is all grown up and moves away), Grandpa gave her a beautiful book with his testimony written in it about "The Story of Jesus" by Eliza R. Snow, Aunt Jan gave her a photo book and pens that everyone who came to the luncheon wrote notes for Leigha to help remind her of this special day, the Elders and Sisters sang If the Savior Stood Beside Me (Aunt Jan played), and mommy and daddy gave her a necklace of a pearl and a crown and taught her the parable of the pearl of great price and that she is princess who is now on the path to be a queen. There are SO many other things that I just cannot even remember.
The talks were amazing (given by both grandma's)
Grandma Squire talked and told a true story about a prophet who came to teach an evil king and how one person was touched. She taught that the story was about Abinadi and wicked King Noah, and how Alma felt when he heard the words of a prophet. She taught about how people followed Alma, probably first his family, to the Waters of Mormon. She talked about how the spirit can teach us and about the waters of Mormon. She taught about covenants and talked about when she was 9 and she first gained a testimony that God is real, and how that testimony grew when she was baptized when she was 14, it was remarkable, and the spirit was so strong as she bore her testimony of her love of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father.
Pretty Grandma talked about the gift of the Holy Ghost and that if we do not receive it, it is of no worth. She talked about things we can do to receive the Holy Ghost. She held up a book of tracing paper that had a picture several pages deep, she asked the kids what they can do to feel the Holy Ghost and with each suggestion lifted a page, as the pages were lifted the picture became more visible as the Picture of Christ with the children, she talked about how the Holy Ghost can help us come unto Christ. She spoke about the purposes of the Holy Ghost as a friend, a warner, a comforter and a rememberer. She talked about the Godhead and had Conner sing the first article of Faith and bore her testimony, it was really beautiful!
The luncheon was so much fun to get to eat amazing soup (thank you Kelli, Katy, and Mom!) and spend time with incredible people. All in all it was just a remarkable experience and I am so grateful for today.
Day #2: I am grateful for Leigha's choice to be baptized and the wonderful spirit and love we felt today.
What a wonderful day! Tell her congratulations for me. We miss your beautiful family so much!
ReplyDelete