Oli's Baptism

When we arrived for Oli's baptism, there were no chairs set up, we all stood around the font.  Crista played beautiful primary music, and we sang, "I am a Child of God" for the opening hymn.  Lisa Green said a prayer, and we moved right to the ordinance.  

Participating in a baptism during the pandemic was a lot different, and I'd venture to say better than normal.  When all the focus is on the ordinance, there is a tangible spirit that accompanies it.  When AJ performed the baptism, I felt a very strong spirit in the room.  I am sure that Oli felt it too.  President Nelson has asked us all to discover how it feels when the spirit talks to us, how we recognize the spirit.  This is a great start for Oli in following that council.  

I had prepared a few words for Oli about his baptism, but since we weren't allowed to do it in the chapel, I decided it wasn't worth trying to get all the kids to settle down and listen once we were at the Green's.  However, I still want to let Oli know the thoughts that I had for him.

Oli, now that you have been baptized you can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.  President Nelson has told us that, "He (the Holy Ghost) will guide and protect you...you will never be left without the power of God to help you."  The Holy Ghost will also comfort you when you are sad, scared, worried or hurt.  Heavenly Father speaks to us through the Holy Ghost, but his voice is quiet.   We have to learn to listen!  President Nelson has asked us to pay attention to how we hear Him.  How does the Holy Ghost speak to you?  You have felt him today.  I hope you will always remember how you felt the day you were baptized.  There was such a special feeling present.  

Oli, when  you pray to Heavenly Father, try to notice how you feel in your heart.  When you are afraid and ask Heavenly Father for help, and you feel peace, you can know that the Holy Ghost is comforting you.  We live in a noisy world.  There are TV shows, games, sports, friends, music and other things that will fill our time and our minds.  None of these things are bad, but in order to feel the Holy Ghost, we have to find some time to be still and quiet so that our minds are free from worldly noise and able to feel the promptings of the spirit.  

I am grateful that Oli has chosen to be baptized, as well as Gunnar and Hyeji.  Our grandchildren are just starting to be old enough to make this commitment and I am proud of them for doing so.  We as adults, know, however, that baptism is just the beginning of our commitments to God.  We also know that we will make a lot of mistakes.  We are blessed to know that because of our Savior, we can repent daily of these mistakes and strive to become like Him.

Oli with his parents, Nov. 7, 2020
(another good thing that has happened in 2020)

  

The Green Family, AJ, Gunnar, Oli, Adrienne, Finn and Ila

Here they are again.  I told them we needed one with masks
on, as it is historical.

Ruby, pretty with a mask, but prettier without

                      Only 16 guests were allowed at the baptism.  With Oli and his family we were over by 2.  Sadly, masks really block peoples beautiful smiles and faces.

Bridget gave Grandpa lots of affection and attention

Following the baptism, we had lunch at th4e Green's.  Matt, Bridget and Greta joined us there.

Bridget and Ila

Ruby

Greta and Caitlyn having a tea party

Nick and Ori were at the baptism, but because of the rise in Covid.19, and Sara being pregnant, they didn't join us for lunch.  Jieun and her family stayed home for the same reason.  We missed them.  We'll be so glad when things are back to normal for all of us.

I think one of the better things about Covid.19 is the ability to watch church on-line.  Our stake conference this week was moved to virtual only.  This allowed us to watch 90% of it, but sneak away to a different computer for half an hour to hear Nan and Bruce give talks in their ward.  They talked about the great blessings they gained from serving in Africa.  (next paragraph stolen from Dave Cook's weekly letter):

"They gave a great talk and shared some of the cultural differences of the Congo. One of them was the "dot" (pronounced dote). This is where men must pay a dowry to the family of the bride. The dot can be expensive for the people. The groom must pay the bride’s father a lot of money and give a gift to every member of the extended family. It could cost as much as $10,000. The average income in the Congo is not more than a few dollars a month. As a result, few people from the Congo marry. If you want to live a chaste life, you may not ever marry. The work of the devil is in full swing with this practice. Both, Nan & Bruce, gave exceptional talks."

I was especially touched by the testimonies.  They both said that their sacrifice was small in comparison to the great blessings they received from their service.  

Nick, Sara, Ori, Effie and Avie came over Sunday evening.  They tried on their dresses for the wedding pictures.  They looked beautiful, of course.