Jaden had made his decision to be baptized back in April when he turned 8, but the 2 cousins wanted to wait a few months so their aunt Alli would be home from her mission. Both boys were baptized and confirmed by their dads.
We really lucked out with choosing a date for the baptism. We went back and forth between a few dates, and tried to plan it on a day where the largest number of family members could attend. Everyone except Grandpa Socci and Forrest's family were in town for the triathlon. Even Dave! In fact, the baptism took place just a few hours after that triathlon.
Everyone on my side of the family was in town for our Ashton family vacation, as well as for Alli's Missionary Homecoming. Planning the baptism then was busy, but wonderful.
Ethan's extended family on Bryce's side all live in Utah, so holding the baptism here was nice for them as well. Another blessing going on that weekend was that Shanade was having her baby just a few days later. She and Andrew and family were still able to make it, and we had the added bonus of David being in town. And Emily too! Our good friends the Holbrooks also came, and so did Jaden's friend Jackson and his family.
Since this was a personal baptism and not a stake one, we were in charge of planning the program. When choosing the songs, we let each of the boys pick their favorite primary song. Ethan chose Nephi's Courage and Jaden chose I Love to See the Temple.
Heh-heh... funny story... When I was making the program, I just copied it from one I found online and then changed the names and songs. Apparently I assigned Charles a Welcome Talk and didn't even realize it. When my dad was conducting at the baptism, he turned the time over to Charles for his talk, and both Charles and I were so confused. We thought my dad had pulled one over on us. Nope. It was all me. Mybad! But Charles got up and said a few words anyway. Good man. :)
Alli gave the talk on Baptism, and Ethan's Grandma spoke about the Holy Ghost. They did a great job. :)
We're so proud of these boys.
After the baptism, we brought the party over to Grandma and Grandpa Ashton's house for food and presents.
Here's Bryce looking like a frat boy from his new university. Haha!
Jaden has been looking forward to getting his first set of scriptures. I'm pretty amazed by how well he knows the stories in the Book of Mormon. He really loves to hear them.
Julianne made him a necklace with a seed, symbolizing his faith and how he will need to nurture it to make it grow.
The Merrills gave Jaden his first journal, which he wrote inside that very night. He let me read his first entry:
"Today I was baptized. My dad baptized me. But the prayer, I did not understand. After I got out of the font I felt like the Holy Ghost gave me a bath. Not just any bath. A holy bath. Then I received the Holy Ghost and then I went to my grandparents' house to eat dinner. And I got to play with my friends and cousins. And I got presents. I got a journal, 3 pictures of Jesus, the HB, B of M, DC and P, (Holy Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price) a mini Book of Mormon from Ethan's grandparents, a disc, a necklace and a pillow case. Everybody who came was Merrills, Bartletts, Holbrooks, Binghams, Collins, Rosarios, Soccis and Ashtons. That day was a special day of my life."
His 2nd entry was about Minecraft. :)
Jaden also received a copy of his favorite painting of Jesus as the Good Shepherd and a new CTR ring from Grandma and Grandpa Ashton.
Kaylee was very friendly with Brynnlee. Unfortunately, Brynn doesn't seem to do affection.
David and Emily gave Jaden his first real tie--not a clip on. They also gave him a tie clip of one of Jaden's favorite Book of Mormon heroes... Captain Moroni.
When we went back home, Jaden received even more gifts. These were from Grandma Socci. She gave him a book to write in to remember his baptism, a book of word puzzles, and a church pillow case that he could color.
That night we spent a few more hours with the Socci side before everyone left the next morning to go home.
Here's Zoe, with all that long hair that Brynnlee is jealous of!
We got to meet Dave this weekend. He came down to support Amber in the triathlon, so we finally had our chance. I don't think the kids will ever get used to his accent. They thought it was hilarious, haha!
We wish we could have had more time with them, but it was a crazy busy weekend! Next summer Dave! Traiathlon #2! :)
The next day in church, Jaden wore his new suit as he was welcomed into the ward by the bishop, and then invited to sit on the stand with Charles for the rest of the meeting.
I think he's showing President Monson his spiritual strength. :)
Along with... his gangsta side.
We're all so proud of Jaden. He is a great example of faith, obedience, and kindness. His his brothers and sister have a great role model.
They all look up to him, and admire him. They know he loves and cares about them.
So many great pictures in there! I think Jaden looks like an older version of Nath sometimes :) It looks like he had a great day with tons of support from his family and friends. So nice that everyone could be there on his special day to celebrate with him!
ReplyDeleteYay! Crissy you are so good at remembering to take pictures of things, I am so jealous. I LOVE the picture of my family with Jaden because Nathan looks so happy to be standing by his "brest friend cousin" Jaden. Jaden isn't just a good example to his siblings but to my kiddos too, they both can't get enough of him! Also, how gorgeous is Alli in that picture of her with the two boys? Oh my other favorite picture is Jaden's gangsta side. Haha, your can take the boy out of Lancaster, but you can never take Lancaster out of the boy!
ReplyDeleteI also love his journal entry, what a sweetheart he is!! I just love him to death and am so proud of him!! Yay Jaden!