Last Saturday, the 14th of September, Emma was baptized. I can't believe she's old enough. I can't believe she's finally to this point in her life. One of those amazing moments as a parent. And the service was wonderful. So many people came to support her and help us out. She felt so loved. I can't thank everyone enough who was there. We pushed it back a couple weeks from her birthday so that her grandma and great-grandma could be there for it. And it was great having some family there. I knew that living so far away from family would make it difficult for anyone to come to something like this, especially at the start of the school year, but I am very grateful that they were able to be here for it.
It was amazing to see Emma during the service. She felt the Spirit so strongly. She has always been very tender hearted and very in tune with emotions, both hers and other peoples. It's one of her best strengths. After she had been baptized and before she was confirmed, her grandma asked her to come up and say the fourth article of faith, which she did, as she started to tear up a little. And Emma doesn't get nervous in front of people. These were not nervous tears. She was very calm as she stood there, as the tears welled in her eyes. At the end of the service, while we were singing the closing song, she was just sobbing. The Spirit was overwhelming to her. I just sat there holding her as she began her lifelong relationship with the Spirit. It was so precious. I am so amazed that I get to be her mom. She is such a blessing to me. This girl has so many precious gifts. She is destined for wonderful things as she serves her Heavenly Father. I am so happy I was able to witness this special day of hers. The Spirit was very strong. Several people came up to Eric and me afterwards and told us they had never cried at a baptism before, but they cried at this one.
We had some refreshments afterwards with everyone, and it was nice talking to them. I appreciated so much their coming out on a Saturday morning to support Emma. It meant so much to me. After we finally left, we went to a nearby park to take a few four generations pictures of Emma with Eric, his mom, and his grandma. It was an absolutely perfect day.
 |
| All ready to go! |
 |
| I am so lucky these two are in my family! |
 |
| I had these pictures out on the table with the programs. Sort of a representation of Emma growing up along with a current photo of her. |
 |
| Better view of the pictures I used. |
 |
The programs. Emma drew this picture when she was 4 years old. It's of her being baptized by Eric. We've been saving it ever since to use at her baptism. We did have a nice current photo of her on the back too, but just had to use this one for the front!
|
 |
| Four generations. |
 |
| And finally, the girl of honor herself, in the lovely dress my mom got for her. |
