Baptism Talk

Today is a very special day.  Each of one of us has come here because we are so delighted with the choice that you have made to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

Being baptized and confirmed is essential for returning to live with Heavenly Father.  Every single person that will live with Heavenly Father again someday must be baptized.

I remember when I was baptized that I giggled and giggled with delight.  The Holy Ghost was so strong and I knew I was doing just what Heavenly Father wanted me to do.  I knew I was following Jesus’ example.  He was baptized even though he had never sinned. 

Just as Jesus went into the Jordan River with John the Baptist who had the authority, today each of you will enter the baptismal font with someone that holds the priesthood. 

Just as Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist saying the baptismal prayer and then being immersed or covered completely in the water, the baptismal prayer will be given and then you will be immersed in the water. 

After Jesus was baptized the heavens opened and the Holy Ghost came to Him.  After you are baptized you will be given the Holy Ghost to guide your life.

Today you will be following in Jesus’ path and joining His church.  

As you are baptized you will make promises to Heavenly Father, and in return Heavenly Father makes promises back to you.  These promises are called covenants. 

Today you will promise:
1. To take upon you the name of Christ (D&C 18:21-25)
2. To bear one another’s burdens that they might be light (Mosiah 18:8)
3. To stand as a witness of God at all times, in all things, and in all places even until death. (Mosiah 18:9)
4. To obey the commandments of God and to serve him (Mosiah 18:10)

In return God promises:
1. To accept you as a member of his Church
2. To forgive your sins if you repent
3. To give you the gift of the Holy Ghost
4. To bring you into the kingdom of God in heaven if you remain obedient for all your earthly life

Heavenly Father will never break His promises to us because He is perfect.  We are not perfect, so even though we must TRY to never break our promises sometimes we make mistakes, BUT if we repent Heavenly Father will forgive us. 

Every Sunday you will have the chance to partake of the Sacrament.  Now that you are baptized you will have a lot more to think about during that time.  You will have the chance to remember the promises that you made and that Heavenly Father has made to you today, how you have been over the past week and if you have been obedient, and what you can do better the following week.  Most importantly you will have the chance to remember Jesus.  That he died and was resurrected so that you might live again someday.  That he suffered in Gethesmane to atone for your sins and made it possible for you to live with Him and your family forever if you are willing to choose the right, read your scriptures, say your prayers and obey the commandments. 

Today is the first day of the rest of your life; you will participate in your first ordinance by being baptized in the church.  After you are baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost you will be completely clean.  I hope that each of you will continue to live your lives that you will be worthy to participate on the rest of the ordinances that will help you return to Heavenly Father.  I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Child of God - Prayer

This morning I was in charge of our Primary Presidency Meeting Thought.  I shared some of the following thoughts.
This coming year topic for primary is "I am a Child of God."

We each have the sacred blessing to help the children know that they are each a child of God.
As I continued to read from the Sharing Time manual it states, "You can help the children understand their divine identity, purpose, and potential. You can help them increase their faith in Jesus Christ and their testimony of our Heavenly Father’s plan for them. And you can give them hope for their future and strengthen their desire to stay on the path back to our Heavenly Father."

I realized that if we can help the children understand that ONE concept that the rest fall into place.  All those other things are understood if we can just help them know that they are each a child of God.
I shared an experience I had with #1 Girl.  She was upset and annoyed with something a few months back.  I started feeling upset and annoyed also.  It got to the point that I knew I needed to pray to Heavenly Father.  After I had prayed #1 Girl was still acting upset, but I was feeling calm.  I asked her what she could do to be calm, but she couldn't come up with an answer.  She was annoyed at the world and that was that.  I told her how I had prayed to Heavenly Father and that it helped me feel peace, that it might also help her.  I encouraged her to pray, knowing that Heavenly Father would listen and comfort her.  After she prayed she was calm and able to deal with life.  Over the next few days when there was ANY contention in the house #1 Girl would quietly disappear into her room, say a prayer and emerge.  As things calmed down, #1 Girl would tell me how prayer had worked the first time and continued to make a difference each time.
These are the things I want my children to know.  Even if no one else seems to be able to help you, Heavenly Father can!
I watch with delight each time Dad walks in the door and the children run to him.  They wrap their arms around him and start spilling their guts about what has gone on that day...the good and the bad.  Then later, as I asked my children to prayer, I watch them complain, not wanting to do it.  I try to remind them that it is their Heavenly Father and that he wants to hear from them.  He loves them and wants them to tell Him about their day. 
I pray that some day that understanding will be in bedded in each of my children.  That they will come to KNOW Heavenly Father as THEIR father!

Office into Reading Nook

This used to have a large built in desk but was missing the end units that helped it stay up.  We thought we would some day get something to support it and use the large desk.  But, as the last few years have gone on we haven't.  The space was a waste.  So, we decided to make it into a reading nook (with a spot for a computer).  It turned out completely different then what I had pictured.  But we like it.

Desk out holes sanded

first coat of painted.. like the color..mostly... but not enough so we decided to add a texture to it

Found these to use for the texture

Close up of the texture

I still think it looks better in person

Dad had to climb up to the very peak of the ceiling to get the lighting ready

we got it from Ikea

it reminds me of a dandelion

But it fits the room perfectly

We even got our fish tank and chairs moved up.

Now we just need to create a back for the fish tank so the cords aren't seen from below.  Then we need to make the old desk into new bench sitting for the main front room so we don't have to sit on the hard floor!