What a beautiful day. I didn't anticipate the tender feelings I experienced that day. I felt very proud of Caleb, and his decision to take this step towards his Heavenly Father. The Lord blessed me, as his mother, to feel the spirit deeply and be touched by God's love.
There was much to plan, clean and prepare the week and days before the big day because we had lots of loved ones join us: Maria and Thys from Indiana (a surprise), Grandma and Grandpa Lohner, and Grandma and Grandpa Winkel. Talk about getting special treatment! Caleb loved the entire week leading up to Saturday, October 10th.
We arrived at the church a few minutes early to snap some pictures of Caleb in his whites. As I saw Caleb and Matt come around the corner, both wearing their white baptismal suits, I felt the sweetness of the spirit and so much gratitude to have both a husband worthy to perform the baptism, and a son wanting to follow the Savior. I had to wipe the mascara away before I could be in the picture with them!
Even though October 10th was a stake baptism day, Caleb was the only child being baptized which was so nice. It was really a day devoted to him. Brooks Moore, our great family
friend shared a talk on Baptism that was so great. He shared with Caleb that after he was baptized and he continued to make mistakes he so wanted to be baptized again. He then spoke about the sacrament ordinance and how Caleb could be clean again each week if he chose to have repentant heart and remember what the Savior offered up for us through His sacrifice. It was such a sweet talk. We then all filed into the room connected to the font. Wow, what a beautiful feeling, seeing my husband and son in the baptismal font. I loved every second, watching them, listening to the baptismal prayer and feeling the spirit testify to me that this is why we teach them; this is why we have family prayer when there is utter chaos before bed; this is why we have Family Home Evening even when our boys are bouncing from couch to couch and getting in a wrestle or two while Matt and I are trying to teach them something. As Elder Bednar talked about consistency in family prayer, scripture study, and family home evening in conference a couple weeks ago, his thoughts have stayed with me. It does seem exhausting, exasperating, and fruitless sometimes. But seeing these two who I love so much participate together in Caleb's baptism was so tender for me--truly a pay day.
After Caleb and Matt changed and joined us for the remainder of the program, our family stood up and sang, "I Know that My Savior Loves Me." The spirit was more than I could handle as I listened to Caleb and Will's sweet voices belt out, "I know He lives. I will follow faithfully. My heart I give to him. I know that my Savior loves me." Several times during the song I could not hear Matt's voice; I looked over and saw his head down: he wasn't able to withstand the emotion either. The boys sang beautifully and Matt and I joined in when we could. :-) This, for me, was probably the most tender portion of the baptism. Truly, our boys were sharing their testimonies through this sweet song and it was a little bit of heaven listening to them and feeling the spirit fill the room.
Sharon Cliff, my friend and visiting teacher, then shared a beautiful talk on the Holy Ghost. She had asked me to bring Jameson's green silky blanket--that he can absolutely not live without. (He gets upset when I wash it and it's tied up for a spell!) As she spoke of the Holy Ghost as a comforter, and talked about this silky blankee that Jameson loves, and wants to carry it around to comfort him, I know Caleb understood one of the principle roles of the Holy Ghost. When she held the blankee up, Caleb grinned. He didn't know she would be bringing it and using it in her talk.
After the program we all came back to our house for lots of yummy food and chatted with family and friends. Caleb snarfed down dinner and then ran out back to throw the football around with Jack Mont and Thys.
My mom and dad flew out that night. Matt's parents left on Monday. We felt so blessed to have them come and be with Caleb on his big day, and share such a special time with us. I felt exhausted--yet spiritually on a high. Isn't that how it goes most of the time? You totally expended everything you have, whether it's physical, mental, or emotional energy--giving your all to something, and then the Lord allows you to feel His love and an outpouring of inspiration. This is what I experienced with his baptism. It was stressful preparing for the company that would be coming, making baptismal invitations to give out to neighbors, and Matt and I had even butted heads over a few things that week before. And then to have an outpouring of the spirit like that, felt so wonderful. October 10, 2009 is a day I want to remember forever.
