The half marathon weekend was a marathon of it's own due all the activities we had to cram in. After the half race and lunch we all headed to our over night accommodations to shower and get ready for Kaylee's big day. Her baptism. We were very lucky to have a baptism that was just our family. Everyone was able to participate in some way; from standing in the confirmation circle to playing the piano, leading music, prayers, talks, etc. We had everything covered.
We did forget to bring underwear though. At first Kaylee was adamant that she would wear underwear but once I told her it wasn't an option her chagrin quickly changed to excitement and wanting to tell everyone that she didn't have any underwear on. I made her keep it hushed up until after the baptism was over and she did. Instead she told everyone while out to eat :)
I love the picture of the kids with all the priesthood holders. There is just something special about seeing these men live up to the extra responsibility that has been given them. (Kyle especially. He will proudly stand up and exercise his priesthood regardless of who may be laughing in the crowd.)
We were really glad with how many people were able to come to her baptism. As family grow and expand it is hard for everyone to be at everything. Distance makes it hard but we really appreciated all those who were able to come and appreciate the support of those who weren't.
Not only was it good to have family for Kaylee's baptism but Ben was being ordained to a high priest and his dad was able to set him apart. It was perfect timing. Ben was put in the bishopric the previous week so we waited until the baptism for the ordination.
OK, here's my feelings about that. Ben got called to be the 2nd counselor in the bishopric and people keep saying, "Congratulations". I'm not sure that is really the right word to use. You congratulate people when they accomplish something great (finishing school, having a baby, getting married) or if they win a prize (scholarship, contest, lottery). Now Ben is a great guy. He is my absolute FAVORITE person in the world. He is a good guy that would do well in a calling that requires trust and commitment of that person. Ben fits the bill. He's great. However he was still that same guy that last month, with a different calling, who got to be home more and help out during sacrament meeting. I'm grateful for the learning experience this will be but I, in no way, think we won the lottery.
Here is how it has gone down since he has been called.
WEEK 1: Had to nurse Dodge, found Blake under the pew, Blake hit is head on the water tray, had to take Dodge out, had to take Daisy out, had to threaten the kids with angry glares to turn around and sit, then at the end of church lost Daisy and Blake who walked home by themselves. I figured it could only get better after that.
WEEK 2: Morning went perfect until 5 mins before and had a yelling match with Kaylee over shoes (goodbye to the spirit there), Daisy crying over who knows what, Blake still trying to lay under the pew. Better. Phew. Maybe we can handle this.
WEEK 3: Morning went smoothly but we barely made it in time and someone had taken our last row seat meaning we had to sit four rows from the front. Blake hit his head again, Daisy crying again, and at one point Blake screaming while Dodge laughed out loud at him and nothing I could really do because we were in the front and I didn't want to make a scene by dragging them out. I figured the best course of action was to just sit there, hope he quit screaming and silently laughing to tears at the fact that No, i don't have a handle on it and I can either laugh about it or cry. Either way I have had a headache by the end of church two weeks in a row and have taken a nap that afternoon.
So to recap-Sacrament meeting has become a juggling act and people are starting to notice that I drop the ball quite often. I'm glad Ben (and our family) will have a chance to learn new things and hopefully improve ourselves through service but this is not anything to throw a party over or view as a promotion (another word used to congratulate us). And lastly, callings are a chance to grow and improve and don't a ranking of spirituality as sometimes viewed by others. It is more the right person at the right time. My testimony of callings being from the Lord is strengthened because Ben/I could not have done this calling just a few months ago even. But the timing is just right. Heidi just barely became old enough for us to leave her babysitting here and there if needed. Dodge is just old enough that I don't HAVE to be his only food source. Ben's work allows him to be home the nights he needs to be, and he has been able to quit Saturdays to spend more time with us. Callings are not a way to gauge your status with the Lord but instead a way to serve that will best suit your family needs. Right now Ben can do that. And right now I can survive that one L O N G Sunday hour. However I will be excited when I get Ben back sitting in the pew with us. That will be a day to throw a party. I wanted to get this down so my kids and I can look back one day to see my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel and how it blesses us even when church service can be demanding.
