Rose's Baptism

Our Rose-girl was so excited to be baptized! I wanted to make sure she wanted to get baptized and wasn't just going along with it, so a few weeks ago I asked her. She looked at me like I was crazy and barely deigned to answer. You keep using that gritty determination to stick to the right path, daughter.


Today was the day: February 23, 2019. I kept getting overwhelmed and felt so scatterbrained while trying to get everything ready this morning. I was determined not to be late to Rose's baptism (we were late to Jay's baptism). I ran seven miles in the 15 degree sunshine and somehow the morning slipped into rush mode after that, in spite of my best intentions. We arrived at the church early (somehow) with Amber's bedhead curls askew, Jay's tie sideways, and my hair in a wet bun. But Rose was calm and ready. I even remembered to pack her white underwear AND a towel. I cut the paper programs in half with my paper cutter in the car on the way to the church.

When we arrived at the church, Jeff and I found white jumpsuits in the closet for Jeff and Rose. Somehow we lucked out and found suits that fit both of them very well. When Rose put her suit on, she said "it makes me look like I have some of these up here" and gestured at the stiff fabric bulging across her thin little chest. I laughed and said, "it kind of does!"

There were three people getting baptized this morning: Rose, one of her classmates, and a teenager. Every time I attend a baptism, the spirit fills me to the brim and my eyes leak it out. I felt that way from the opening song onward. My eyes felt all shiny with tears for 75% of the time, but thankfully they never actually spilled over. Not that it would have mattered, but who cries during the opening song?

When it was time for the baptism, I stood in the wings by the steps down into the font and watched the brief, simple ordinance. The font plug had a leak, so the water had drained down to barely reach Jeff's knees when he walked into the water. He had to bend low and really push Rose down, down, down, to get her completely covered in the shallow water. But she went all the way under on the first dunk and emerged shivering and grinning. She said the water was freezing! I wrapped her in a towel and we stood and watched the two boys be baptized before heading back to the changing room.

When I asked Rose how it felt to be baptized, she said "It was different than I expected. I can't describe how it felt, besides cold water and weird wet underwear."

"Did it feel good?" I asked her.

"YES," she replied, half "duh, mom" and half glowy Rose-joy. I did my best to talk about the internal feelings rather than the external cold wetness, because I didn't want Rose to remember her baptism as only cold and wet. She tends to hone in on any small physical discomfort and let that one irritation eclipse all other thoughts and emotions. I don't know if I succeeded in helping her see past the shivering wet jumpsuit, but she's a smart kid. I told her I felt the spirit while she was getting baptized, and she said "me too."

Rose and Noah sang I am a Child of God together as a duet, in front of a surprisingly full chapel and it was absolutely the sweetest testimony. Those two fresh clean wet-headed newly baptized children didn't sing loudly or perfectly in tune, but their faces shined joy while they sang together. The spirit carried the truth of their words straight to my heart: "I am a child of God and he has sent me here."

After the singing, Grama Leslie gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. Then Rose was given the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was a beautiful moment and I kept thinking there is absolutely nothing better than watching my child make right choices. She is just as much a daughter of God as I am, and he loves her just as much as he loves me. What an equalizing, humbling thought. My daughter is my equal before God. She has her own struggles to overcome, talents to develop, and journey to make. Now she will make that journey with the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost to help her and guide her along. That knowledge comforts my motherly heart.

We talked with friends and family afterwards (I forgot to bring my half of the refreshments--oops, they're still in our fridge). Then it was over and we came home to process all of the light, truth, and joy from the experience.

Rose just sat down next to me and summed it all up: "When I was at the church, nothing wiped the smile off of my face except when I was chewing a brownie. I was so happy!"

I kind of dropped the ball on pictures. I didn't even get a picture of Rose with all of the family members that came to her baptism. Grampa Dan, Grama Leslie, and all of the Gibbons cousins: Aunt Steph, Uncle Jasen, and the cousins Layne, Tate, Grayce, and Cole, plus so many kind friends from our ward family. My parents (Grama Meri and Grampa Charley) got snowed in up in Seattle, so they couldn't make it. We missed them, but were so thankful for everyone who did come to support Rose on her day. 

The afterthought family photo in our driveway after we got home. I had to chase Amber across the snowy yard and drag her over to get her into the picture, so this was the best we could do. Rose was still glowing. 

 Later I realized that I didn't get any pictures of me and my Rose daughter, so we did a quick cell phone selfie photo shoot in the kitchen. Then I did some major Adobe Lightroom voodoo magic on the wimpy cell phone pictures and came out with these heartbursting gems.

Someday I hope Rose knows how much her mom loves her.