Ethan's baptism

Today was my nephew Ethan's baptism. What a special day! I just felt so blessed to be a part of it. I went to their house a little early, and got to hear Seth giving Ethan last minute instructions, and making sure they had everything they needed. We got this picture while his Dad was talking to him. What a sweet boy!



Then we went over to the church, and once he and Seth changed into their clothes, we got a bunch of pictures. Here are some of my favorites:

I love this last one with him and his brothers and sister. In his confirmation blessing today, he was told that he was chosen to be a leader by his Heavenly Father, and that his brothers and sister would look up to him and would need his guidance and love. But, I'm getting ahead of myself...

I snapped this picture right before we went into the Primary room. My Dad was giving Seth some last minute instructions about how to hold Ethan while he baptized him. What would we do without our parents to support us at special times?

I didn't, of course, take any pictures of the baptism. But here are some of the kids lined up waiting for it to start. It was so fun to have so many of them in front.

I was so privileged to be asked by Ethan to speak at his baptism. I spoke about baptism, and I think it went well. I just felt so grateful to be able to testify that Heavenly Father asks us to be baptized so that He can bless us and so that we can someday return to Him. I also told about when Jan and I were baptized, and lived in North Carolina, so had to drive for an hour, and then there was only one dress, so since I was older, I got to wear the dry dress, and Jan had to wear a wet dress. The kids got a kick out of that. At the end I got really choked up, talking about how ever since Ethan was a baby, we've been talking about the milestones in his life--when he is baptized, gets the priesthood, goes on a mission, gets married, etc. I felt so proud of him that he has reached one of those milestones, and has made the choice to be baptized. It was just really special to get to talk at his baptism.

The baptism was really sweet--to see all of my other 18 nieces and nephews (well, more like 15 or so, since the babies were being held by their parents) leaning up against the glass, so excited to see what was happening. I couldn't take a picture, but "my heart took a picture." Then Seth got really emotional as he said the baptismal words. It was just a really sweet experience. Next year we will have four kids baptized. That will be so neat!

The confirmation was really special as well. I always get a little glimpse when I hear confirmation blessings about the true nature of the person being blessed--who they really are. One of my favorite things about the blessing is that Ethan was told that he was blessed with great faith, and would be an example to others of pure faith. I can't wait to see the young man he grows up to be.


We went afterward to Seth and Karla's house and had a little luncheon. It was fun to get to talk and spend time as family, and Jan and I gave Ethan a little present--a journal and a "Future Missionary" tag. He loved them, and was so cute about it.

What a wonderful day! I love my Ethan, and I'm so grateful he has always wanted me to be such a part of his life!