Delaney's Baptism

The magical birthday year has now come upon Delaney....she's turned eight and thus has the opportunity to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints....a choice she's wanted to make, yet, been nervous about.  We've taught her the joys of following the commandments and the responsibilities.
We invited our family...Granny and Papa-- Uncle Brian and Aunt Risa ( Brennan and Logan too) and Aunt Elizabeth  came too, they wouldn't miss this event. Plus many friends from our ward came too.

Delaney planned the whole things.  She asked Brian and Risa to give the talks on baptism and the Holy Ghost.  She asked me to play the piano and Elizabeth to lead.  She chose to sing How Firm A Foundation..all seven verses.  The first three for the opening song and the last four for closing song.  This has been favorite of our family, since Barry's deployment years, and we still have many of the verses memorized.  Since we're a musical family...Cailin and I also performed the song Baptism  Cailin on the flute and I accompanied.  Delaney wanted to sing the song  When Jesus Was Baptized  so, she had her primary class join her with this.  Practicing wasn't a problem as many from her class were at her birthday party the night before...we just practiced then.

She asked her Granny and Papa to give the prayers....which was a big deal for Papa...he doesn't get up in front of many people to say or do anything, but for Delaney he would brave it and gave a lovely prayer.   Ryan was asked to baptize her.  Of course, this was his first time performing this sacred ordinance.  He was quite nervous....Delaney was quite nervous....but after three tries at getting her totally immersed in the baptismal waters....he was successful.  Because they are both worrisome, they were embarrassed by this but a story from Uncle Brian of his unusual re baptism a month after his first (and incomplete) one and a private pep talk by the bishop put her fears aside. ( Ryan, I'm so proud of you for prayerfully and lovingly fulfilling this priesthood duty.)

Most of Delaney's primary class...(after the meeting it was hard to corral all of them for a photo.)  L to R:  Janet Brame, Amber Mattson, Delaney, Krysal Mattson, Eliza Morgan, Grace Walker.  Missing was Nicole Robinette...Liam's in front.  (Amber and Liam, of course aren't in the class, but how can we not have them help with the song?!)

Our family

I'm so proud of my beautiful sweet daughter.  She tries so hard to be good and make good choices.  She's often plagued with overwhelming fears...of many many things, which is why she was nervous for this step in life.  I think it was the change...a show that she's growing up and taking on responsibility for her life and choices that made her uneasy.  However, she has a loving spirit, always kind and thoughtful.  She's especially loving with her little sister and has a mothers heart.  She's on her way to brighten other's lives with her talents and gifts the Lord has blessed her with.  She sure does brighten mine. I love you my Laney Janey.