Makelle's Baptism Day

Last night was Makelle's baptism!  What a fantastic day it was.  For a month or two she had been feeling kind of sad about not having family at her baptism and then she was sad she had to wait a while to get baptized and share it with another boy.  After lots of talking about what was really important she agreed that she wanted to get baptized right away without family and share the day with a friend.  After Zak's amazing baptism we both knew how much we wanted her day to be just as special.  We both started praying for an abundance of the spirit.  She just kept saying...I want it to be quiet and feel the spirit so much.  She helped to plan her program getting to choose half of it.  She had Zak give a prayer, her primary president talk, and she chose to end with her favorite song, "I Stand All Amazed".  She also sang with the two sisters of Rayce who was getting baptized.  Their voices were angelic as they sang "When I am Baptized".  She also had a YW who we are friends with play some amazing music while we waited for the others to get dressed.  She  had her siblings and friends share the Articles of Faith so that nonmembers could hear those simple truths.  She invited a friend from school as well as her AMAZING Grandmotherly school teacher.  At first her teacher said she could come but the next day it turned out that she couldn't.  We were all sad that she couldn't be there for Makelle or that she couldn't feel the spirit. Good job to Makelle for inviting!

On Saturday we had a crazy day with the Raingutter Ragatta all morning followed by a basketball game for Zak.  We scheduled a few hours at home for lunch and naps and then it was off to the baptism.  I was so hoping it would turn out wonderful....I was not disappointed!

When we got there we were told that the hot water wasn't working so it was really cold....memorable, right?!  Luckily, the missionaries were able to figure out the hot water and added some so it at least felt warm as you put your feet in and then it was cold.  We started off in the Primary room and when it was time to start there wasn't even standing room left and people were still coming so we moved to the chapel.  We took up most of the center area.  There was a lot of people!  It felt a little like Sacrament meeting.  There was so much support.  It was a cold snowy busy day with all sorts of things going on and people took the time to come to Makelle's baptism...it was awesome!  When Makelle went into the water she was so happy and calm.  Karlee and Lantz were so intrigued with the whole experience.  I loved getting to be behind the font to wrap the towel around her.  The primary gave her a towel with "My Baptism Day" written on it for her to use.  She stood there shivering while she watched her friend get baptized.  She got dressed zippity quick while shivering and we headed to the chapel.  We walked in and heard the awesome music and the spirit was so strong.  We had to wait a little bit for the other family and we loved enjoying the music.  I looked over at Makelle and she had tears because she was feeling the spirit so strong.  Then came the articles of Faith from all of the little kids and that was awesome.  Makelle's confirmation was great!  During one part of it John quoted the light on a hill scripture.  Several months ago Makelle just happened to write down that scripture mastery on a  paper and she hung it by her bed.  After saying it over and over for a couple of weeks she had it memorized.  I had no idea.  She told it during FHE one night and then encouraged us all to memorize it.  John took the challenge and surprised us by quoting it during her confirmation.  Telling her to be that light on a hill and to be an example of Christ and to lead others to Him.  It was a great blessing.  Makelle had asked Dan Nelson, Ryan Hackett, Robbie Riddle, Spencer Lee, Cliff Palmer and her dad to be in the circle.  We were glad she had men she already knew and wanted to be in the circle.  During the closing song of "I Stand All Amazed"  there was tears again.  It turns out we got what we had been praying for....an abundance of the spirit.  It was AWESOME!  We went to the other room for an ice cream and hot chocolate bar....just what Makelle wanted.  After lots of visiting, thanking, and clean up we headed home.  We decided to go out for dinner since the baptism was during dinner.  We chose our favorite Thai restaurant.  The kids all eat with chopsticks and put me to shame with my fork!  It was a great meal and a great time as a family.  It was snowing and we all talked about how cold it was and how nice we had it in Florida.  Makelle will remember wearing her baptism shoes with the holes in the toes and how cold her feet were!  On the way home we talked about our favorite parts of the baptism.   Makelle's were the baptism prayer and her confirmation.  We talked about the tears we had and even Lantz said he almost cried because he felt the spirit just as much as at Zak's baptism.   I guess it was a success!