Karina's Baptism

Karina decided to be baptized.  Typically, in our Stake, all children that turn 8 in a month and choose to be baptized, are baptized the same day, on the 1st Saturday of the month.  I asked the Stake Presidency if they could move up the Stake Baptism a week so that my family, who were in town for Christmas could be there for both.  They were unable to move the Stake baptism (because others had already made plans for that day), however said that we could have a special baptism for our ward.  Her buddy, Caleb A, also chose to be baptized that same day.  They were baptized on December 28, 2013 at 10 am.

I am so incredibly thankful for these pictures!  Let's just say that our morning didn't go as planned, that morning.  I am so thankful to my sister, Liz, and my friend, Michelle A, for taking these pictures so that I had some.  After a rough morning, we were late, however so was some of our extended family and they were very thankful that we were so that they didn't miss seeing her get baptized.  In the end, everything worked out and we were able to enjoy this special day for Karina.  I still can't believe she is that old!!  She is growing up so fast! 

 

Riana found the perfect clipart for the baptism program online, that we ended up using, of a little blonde girl and a little boy with brown hair.  It was so cute, and so perfect!

The program was wonderful.  It was kind of crazy to be able to choose everything (but a little stressful too, because we had no one to tell us everything we needed, we just had to figure it out.)  The prayers were given by Michelle and Michelle.  Karina asked Auntie Michelle and Caleb asked his Mom, Michelle.  The music was led by big sisters, Melanie (I Am A Child of God) and Sariah (Come Follow Me), and Uncle Tommy (my brother) played the piano.  Caleb and Karina chose their oldest sisters, Naomi and Riana, to speak at their baptism.  I was so proud of them all, but especially Riana.  I told her to try not to just read her paper the whole time.  She said that she didn't think she could do it, as she didn't have a lot of time to prepare.  But she did so wonderful at looking up and summarizing.  She gave a beautiful talk!

 

Caleb and Karina and all of their siblings, except the youngest in each family, (Naomi, Melanie, Gavin, Riana, Sariah, Tierra, Aurora) sang "When I Am Baptized."  They really brought the Spirit to the baptism with their sweet singing.  Karina and Caleb sang the second verse all by themselves.  They did a beautiful job and totally made me cry!  I was especially impressed by Karina's confidence, as she sang.  She really sang out and led the way and helped Caleb to be more brave.  They were so adorable!!

 

1. I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain

And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.

I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

 

2. I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away,

And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.

I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

Karina was baptized first.  I loved watching her timidly walk down the stairs and into the safety of her Daddy's arms.  She looked a little nervous, but super excited.  She barely made it under the water and kept out smiling from ear to ear!  Caleb was baptized next by his father, while Karina and I watched from above the stairs.  Because of a broken plug in the font, the water had been draining and we couldn't get it to stop.  So the difference between only a few minutes, made it difficult for Jared to completely immerse Caleb under the small amount of water.  The first time his knees were sticking out, so Caleb had to straighten out his entire body and Jared slide him under the water.  Oh my goodness, I felt so bad!  (However, we believe that it is very important to be baptized by immersion, as the Savior was, and to be completed covered by water.)  It looked super tricky!  But they did it on the second time!!  Impressive!!  Watching these two sweet friends be baptized, brought tears to my eyes.  The Spirit was definitely surrounding us all.  

Karina was confirmed, and given the Holy Ghost, by her Daddy, Grant.  He blessed her with a wonderful blessing.  In the blessing circle with Grant, were Grandpa D, Grandpa C, Uncle Chris, Uncle Danny, Uncle Tommy, Uncle Mark, Bro. Cory B, Bro. Jared A, and Brothers Danny S and Joel J (from our Bishopric.)  Jared then confirmed Caleb.

Knowing of the example of her Savior, Jesus Christ, Karina chose to follow Him and was very excited to be baptized.

Something extra special was that all of Karina's older sisters and her Mom (me) were all baptized in this same church, and in this same exact font.  Pretty neat!

We were blessed to have lots of extended family come to Karina's baptism:  Grandma and Grandpa D, Grandma and Grandpa C, Grant's sister Jill and her girls (Tito had to work), Grant's brother Phil's wife Michelle and their boys (Phil had to work), my brother Chris and Mandy and family, my sister Liz and Mark and family, my brother Danny and Jolie and family, and my brother Tommy. 

Sadly, because of the holidays, a lot of our really close friends couldn't make it (including the Bishop- Jason H and family, Primary President- Jenny O and family, and Karina's Primary teacher- Natalie S and family) because they were all out of town.  However, we still were able to have lots of good friends attend: Jared and Michelle A and family (of course... LOL!), Cory and Lisa B (some of her favorite Primary teachers, who she still has a very special relationship with,) Danny and Vicki S, Rachel and Preston R and family, Bro Joel J, A Family (Brooke, Hailey, Aimee, etc.) and from the Primary, Hannah D (my VT comp) and kids, Liz C and kids, and Janiel D (Karina's new Primary teacher) and kids.

 

Karina loved having her special day and everyone did a very good job of helping her feel loved.  She received several special presents.  The first came from my Mom- her Grandma.  She made her a beautiful baptism dress, that Nina abolutely loved!  She looked so gorgeous in it too!!  Right after she changed out of her wet baptismal clothes and into her beautiful dress, Grant's Mom, Karina's Grandma, presented her with a beautiful single pearl necklace.  Karina loved it!!  She felt so grown up wearing this special necklace that was made just for her.  What a thoughtful gift!  It looked perfect with her dress too.  Later, we gave her her own set of scriptures and hymnbook, all engraved with her full name, a journal with Christ on the cover, and her choice of scripture bags (she chose a pretty purple one-- her favorite color!)  She also received some fun stickers of Christ for her new scriptures from her Aunt Mandy and Uncle Chris and a mini Children's songbook from the Primary Presidency.  Every single gift helped her feel a little more loved and special that day.  I am thankful to everyone for their thoughtfulness and for loving her!

 

Directly after the baptism, we had some cookies for refreshments.  Then our extended family members came over to our house to have a luncheon.  (It was a little more stressful than usual because it was Christmastime, but I was so thankful that we were able to pull it off for Karina.)  We had croissant sandwiches, wraps, chips, fruit, cookies, cake, etc.  Everything was very good.

Karina was glowing all day!!  It was such a special day for her!!  She looked so beautiful in her dress!
And way too grown up!

The next day, we realized that her doll had a matching dress that we bought at the American Doll Store a few years before.  How fun is that??  :) 

 It was a beautiful day for a beautiful girl!!  :)