Saturday, December 6th was Kayda's baptism. She was so excited! She was up and in her dress well before the rest of us woke up for the day. She wrote this in her journal about the day (I changed spelling but the rest is all her):
"At my baptism I felt so excited to get baptized that I ran to get on my whites the smallest ones was not my type of baptism clothes but the other one was the one for me and then we went to the chapel and I saw... my family and my babysitter and her dad. I saw Uncle Scott's family, Uncle Pat's family, Uncle Justin and Aunt Ayana, Grandma and Papa G, some of my friends, and Grandma Peggy and Papa Mike, and a great Aunt and a great Uncle and Baba. But all the kids came up front and the grown ups had to stay in the back. But my Papa G and Uncle Pat stood up front to make sure Dad says it right. Then I got off my whites and I got in my dress and then a few people talked then I got the Holy Ghost and then I got a lot of pictures with everybody. Then I ad a great big party and have the best time and I want to see more people get baptisms. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."
We started out with a few people coming by the house because we were leaving a little later than they expected. Kayda got her scriptures from Grandma and Papa G and got some beautiful jewelry from Uncle Justin and Aunt Ayana, Aunt Kirsten and her family and later from Grandma and Papa H (along with a wonderful canvas church bag).
When we got to the church the doors were locked! Fortunately the Stake President arrived about the same time and let us in. Kayda was beaming. She has a permanent, HUGE, smile on her face. She raced down the hall to go get her baptism jumper on! It seemed that as more people she knows and loves showed up she got more and more excited!
In the chapel she got to hear about what baptism means and how it pleases Heavenly Father that she made the choice to be baptized. She got to talk a little bit about why she wanted to be baptized and Mommy got to brag for a little while. There was another little boy being baptized that way as well but it seemed like even the other speakers were wrapped up in her glow and spent a lot of time seeming to talk directly to HER. She got to be the first one baptized. Daddy did great (he was really nervous) and it went really smoothly. I desperately wish we were allowed to take pictures. The moment she came up out of the water she took my breath away. Her entire body was practically vibrating with joy! I want to remember the look on her face forever. We headed back to the chapel and she was given the gift of the Holy Ghost. Seeing her surrounded by worthy, men who love her and support her was a sight to behold. She was able to have many people she loves participate in giving that gift. She was welcomed by the primary, and the bishop spoke. She was so enthralled with it all! It was such a blessing to have so many people she loves come to support her on such a special day. In case you missed it before: Our family, Both sets of Grandparents, Baba, Great Aunt Charlotte, Great Uncle Perrin, Uncle Justin, Aunt Ayana, Uncle Pat and family, Uncle Scott and family, Auntie Kina, our friends Trevor and Laurel and their boys, her Sunday School teacher (who is also their babysitters's Dad), Emmalee (one of her babysitters). It all worked together to make it such a special day for her!
This is for her, I want her to have it always:
Kayda,
You are such an amazing girl! I am so grateful that Heavenly Father chose to send you to your Dad and I. Watching you grow up is awe inspiring. Your spirit is so bright and your faith is amazing. You have been an example to our family and help us to remember what is most important. I am so glad that you chose to be baptized. It is a very personal choice and I would have supported you either way but I know that you made the right choice. Heavenly Father is so proud of you and I know that this was the right choice for YOU as a person as well. Church has always been very important to you and your faith is incredible. There seems to be not a sliver of doubt. You love Heavenly Father and Jesus with your whole being and can easily recognize their hands in the world around you.
As you continue to grow I want you to know that Heavenly Father loves you. Many people will tell you that he has more important things to do than to look after you at every moment. I cannot express to you how much I disagree with that statement. Heavenly Father is much more than we are. He has the ability to read your heart, to know your needs and desires in ways you yourself are incapable of doing. When that time comes that you are questioning your path in life, questioning your faith and your ability to make it through know that Heavenly Father is there. He sent Jesus to the Earth not just to give us the ability to repent but also to make it so we never have to endure alone. Jesus experienced every type of pain imaginable, not just physical pain but emotional pain as well. He is the only person that can truly understand everything you experience in your life. Don't be afraid to lean on him. Share your joy with them, share your hurts, your confusion, your pain, your hopes and your fears. Heavenly Father and Jesus both love you more than anyone else is capable. There is nothing that you can do to revoke that love. There is nothing you can't come back from. There is no trial so great that they cannot support you through it. I can tell you through experience that Heavenly Father has a direct effect on your life. He is weaving a network of people all around you that can help you and teach you and learn from you. No one will ever come into your life by accident. Some bad things will happen, many good things will happen, learn from them both. As they say Heavenly Father is a master craftsman. He is shaping you, helping you to become your best self. Always be true to that self. You ideals may not always line up exactly with other peoples'. Know that is okay. Heavenly Father wants you to be YOU. No one else, ever. He does not want you to like the same things, dislike the same things, or desire the same things. He needs unique people with unique talents, gifts and perspectives. He needs people to know themselves, to know Him and to love Him. To choose to follow the path He lays before you whether it is easy or seemingly impossible. You are blessed with MANY people who love you and we will do our very best to help you along the way. Remember that any one person is imperfect, including yourself. You will make mistakes, we will make mistakes. Heavenly Father and Jesus, fortunately, know much more than we do. They may respond to you in ways that you do not expect or appreciate but trust the feelings that they send to you through the Holy Ghost. Trust your ability to follow where they lead and you will find peace, happiness and fulfillment.
I know that much of this is a little intense for you at eight years old. I hope that it will help you as you grow. Your Daddy has blessed you multiple times with the ability to lead and trust yourself and I hope that you will accept those as a part of you. You ARE a leader, you have already guided our family back to church and I'm sure that you will help MANY people as you grow. You have a good heart, a good concept of right and wrong, and an amazing faith. You will know the right thing to do. Other people may have differing opinions. Do not bend to them. Heavenly Father is helping you. Always do what you feel is right for you in your heart.
I love you so much. You are exactly the person that I needed in my life and I will never stop thanking Heavenly Father for the opportunity to be your Mom. Know that at times I may be disappointed but I will always, ALWAYS love you. I hope that your future is bright and beautiful to match your spirit.
Mommy
