On April 5, Mariah chose to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She had been looking forward to this day for a very long time. She also had planned on both sets of grandparents and her cousins from Missouri being there. But the current state of things changed all that. We asked her if she wanted to wait but without any hesitation she said she wanted to be baptized now. She handled the disappointment well, but there was a day where she came out of her room crying. I held her and we were sad together but after that she never looked back. I'm so proud of her for not dwelling on what might have been and still finding the joy in the experience.
It ended up being our family, the Bishop and his wife, Brother Jacobs (a counselor in the Bishopric), and the Elders at the Baptism. Thanks to technology, her grandparents were able to be at the baptism through Zoom. Grandma Crossley gave a wonderful talk on Baptism and Grandma Young spoke on the Holy Ghost. Chet played prelude music and said the opening prayer and Austin and Eliza made sure to provide the background noise. Mariah played Baptism on the piano as a special musical number.
Chet has been just as excited about Mariah's baptism. It's been so sweet to see his support and enthusiasm. He is already looking forward to his "new suit and scriptures" that he will get at his baptism in 18 months.
We came out from the baptism to see this chalk message. Someone had come during the baptism. It made Mariah so happy. Natalie had contacted family members and asked if they would send a special message to Mariah, and she loved hearing everyone's kind words. Even though our friends and family couldn't be there, it was nice to know that others were thinking of her during this special time.
Although it wasn't how Mariah had envisioned her Baptism to be, it will be something she never forgets. We are so grateful for her and the choice she has made to begin on the covenant path with her Heavenly Father through Baptism.
What a sweet tender mercy of our Lord. Thank you for sharing such an amazing experience. I am sure she will never forget this moment in time. It proved that our Heavenly Father is mindful of the coming generation. He is strengthening them, nursing them along, and opening the way before them. He is their guiding light. I pray that your family will become closer than ever before because of this adversity. It shows that Satan is trying ridiculously hard to hold them back from achieving the Lord's will. When we all unit in Zion, NOTHING can hold back the will of the Lord. Congratulations on making and keeping your sacred covenant. May you continue to hold fast to the iron rod and show the world your light.
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