Must be a mom thing, but this picture makes me tear up a little. Our sweet pea of a daughter was baptized on December 27th. Leading up to this day, Mark and I would talk to her about the important decision this is. I am a convert to the church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. I was baptized when I was 15. I remember at the age of 12 taking the missionary lessons as a family, and wanting to be baptized then. However, my parents in their wisdom, wanted me (us) to wait until I knew more. I appreciate that now so much. Baptism is not a light promise one makes to the Lord. When I finally decided to be baptized, I remember the night before, my dad coming in my room, & sitting on my bed. He started talking to me about what an important decision it is to be baptized & to go to church. He told me that he doesn't know if the Mormon church is the only true church, but he does believe that if there is a church closest to Christ, it would be that one. He also told me that joining that church, if that's what I really want to do, I need to take it serious. He said,"It is not just a "Sunday church." It is one you have to live everyday." I have thought about that so much, as my own testimony grows a little everyday.Being baptized into the "Mormon" church has been such a blessing to me in my life. On Sunday, and Everyday. I wanted Lauren to have the opportunity to really think about being baptized. I talked to her beforehand. I told her that if she didn't feel ready, she didn't have to do it yet. I asked her why SHE wanted to be baptized. She replied, text book primary answer, "because Jesus did." I replied, "That's right. But why do YOU want to be." She looked up at me, pondered a moment and then with such surety in her eyes, said " I want the gift of the holy ghost." She is such a shining light to me. That sweet girl, just last night, was throwing up, and in the middle of doing so says, "Mom I want to say a prayer." She knew that through prayer, the holy ghost would bring her comfort. She surprises me so much with her quiet confidence. She has no problem getting up in sacrament and bearing her testimony. She tells me, at school some kids don't understand why she believes in Jesus. She says she tells them "Because I know He loves me." She is strong in her faith. I hope and pray she holds onto that throughout her life. Not just on Sunday, but everyday.
