On the eve of this very "special day" Rachel sat contemplating what it was going to be like when she was baptized. We had talked about it several times before, but I think just knowing that she was only one day away was truly making all too surreal. She was a little fearful of the Holy GHOST. She wasn't sure if it was a ghost, like in the movies that you would see...and that it would just follow her around, or end up in her room late at night...unannounced. So, it was me and Clint's duty to make her feel at peace with what having the Holy Ghost meant. We both shared stories with her of times where if it hadn't been for the Holy Ghost that we or someone we loved wouldn't be here today. I felt like that made her a little more at ease, until I went into her room later to tuck her in and noticed her looking out of the corner of her eye at the window...as if someone or someTHING might try to come in or maybe even just looking in. We talked again and said a prayer and thankfully she went to bed with a smile...and there was no middle of the night wake up calls with her being afraid.
Now for her very special day: I woke early in the morning with much excitement of what the days events would intell. Days prior, my sweet friend Shannon had taken little Rachel to shoot some pictures of her in her beautiful dress. That morning, I knew that she would be emailing me the photos so that I could have them printed for display at the baptism. Sure enough, they were there. When looking at the pictures, I felt such a spirit of love...a love for my friend that had stayed awake until 4 AM editing these pictures for us and a love for this beautiful girl that looked so grown up in these pictures. I cried. I immediately did my "Mom thing" (in which I mean something that MY mother would do) and I decided last minute that I not only wanted the Baptism Dress pictures displayed, but that I also wanted pictures of Rachel's life displayed. So...I compiled LOADS of pictures to also have printed. Thank goodness for 1 hour photo! I sent over the pictures at 9:40 AM. I then took a shower...and also had Rachel take a bath. I knew it was early for her to get ready, but she INSISTED it was time to put on her "Wedding Dress" (is what she called it). As we were doing her hair, she told me that she had a headache and felt like she was going to throw up. We talked about that she was probably just nervous and that it was okay to feel like that, but that ultimately everything was going to be okay. Clint took her downstairs to get her some breakfast as I QUICKLY ran to Walmart at 10:40 AM to pick up the pictures, with my hair wet might I add. When I returned, the boys were showered and dressed. I asked Kory if he would take a bunch of frames around the house and empty the pictures out of them so that I could fill them with the pictures of Rachel. Which he did...no complaints. As soon as they were emptied, I went upstairs and began my major multi tasking. From the time of 11 to 11:35 AM, I filled frames with pictures, bathed & dressed & did Sarah's hair, helped Kory with his hair and finished my own hair. In the meantime I asked Kory to take care of the diaper bag for Sarah by filling it with treats, toys, diapers & wipes...and also to make a bottle. Kory did this all...no complaints. As I was gathering all the photos and frames, Clint grabbed Brock and they loaded the car with all the goodies and such for the baptism. I ran down the stairs to find everything loaded...including Sarah, and we were on our way. We arrived at the church a little later than I had planned, so I was still in run, run, run mode. We set up the pictures, and the goodies...and THANKFULLY my Dad & Mom were there and helped a BUNCH! My dad helped with set up and my Mom took pictures and helped Rachel get into her baptism outfit. My parents are a blessing! Everyone arrived on time and we began the meeting...and what a perfectly beautiful meeting it was! My sister Skyler began with giving a beautiful opening prayer, my sister Misty led the music, Clint's Mom, Miriam gave a wonderful talk on Baptism...then came the special moment of being baptised, by her DAD :) Clint was so nervous, as was Rachel. Clint said that once they walked behind the doors and were about to enter the font that Rachel called out to him...sort of in a "where are you?" manner. He spoke to her softly and said "It's okay sweety, I am right here". With the nerves that were inside Clint...he accidentally jumbled the prayer the first time and was required to do it a second time...which he did so with no problems. Yay Clint! I then walked back to help Rachel get dressed. She was SOOOO freezing! I don't know why, but at the moment...seeing her tiny body shivering like that, just reminded me of her small innocence. It made me smile. We got her changed back into her "Wedding Dress", put on her special earrings from me & Clint and her REAL pearl necklace from Grammy and Braided her hair. While getting her ready, Rachel said to me "Is the Ghost here yet?" ha ha. So cute! I told her no, that she was just clean and that came next after her blessing. We then went and sat down again and had a wonderful talk on the Holy Ghost, given by my Mom. Both talks included visual aides in which were small gifts for Rachel...and I loved that most of the gifts were CHOCOLATE. Boy do they know Rachel! Rachel was then confirmed by my Dad...and even though Clint's phone went off during, with music from ZZ Top/Duck Dynasty's theme song...it was a BEAUTIFUL prayer! I just love my Dad's blessings! We then had some words from our Bishop and closed with a wonderful prayer from my little brother Brayden. What a wonderful meeting. We then had refreshments (Rachel's favorite, Chocolate Chip Cookies & Chocolate Waffle Cookies..we also had cupcakes, Strawberry with Lemon frosting, for those that may not want chocolate). The display of pictures around the refreshments made an extra special touch.
The day was perfect...and the weather absolutely BEAUTIFUL! Some of the other highlights of the day included: Rachel receiving a print of my Grandma's painting with her testimony, her getting a gift from Vince & Abby..which included a necklace and two bars of chocolate (which Rachel acted like the chocolate could have been GOLD, she kissed it, ha ha), her telling me that she could feel when the Holy Ghost went into her body during the Confirmation Prayer, finding her in her room...behind closed door reading her new scriptures that were given to her by Grammy and loving the ones that were marked for her by Grammy, seeing her room organized with the items that had been given to her that day, going to lunch with my Family.
I am thankful in so many ways with how yesterday turned out...even with the small things. I feel truly blessed!
