What would an 8 year old girl be most excited about? Christmas, Her Birthday, Disneyland, the Beach? Nope.....it would be her Baptism into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Ella has anticipated this day for a really long time. We have had the opportunity to attend several baptisms over the last 5 years and Ella was paying attention. We attended a preview meeting several months ago and we were asked how many people we thought would attend. Ella started making a list. Byron and I told her that she could invite as many people as she wanted. There was no limit. She also started planning the program months in advance. She called and/or visited all of the people and invited them to specifically participate at her baptism. Her planning paid off because everything went perfectly as planned.....aside from Ella getting up at 4:00 AM.....somethings never change.
Ella's cousins...Megan and Colby...said the prayers. Grandma Wright played the piano and Auntie Allison led the music. Auntie Sara and Auntie Ericka gave the talks....which were excellent and several people in attendance asked me if they could get a copy. Grandpa Wright and Grandpa McMurtrey were witnesses and Byron did the Baptism and Confirmation. Ella's friend/babysitter, Abby sang a song called, "I Know That My Savior Loves Me". As my sister--Melissa said, "She sounded like an angel"...and she did. It was beautiful.
Thank you Byron for being the Husband and Father that you are for our family.
Our primary had all those in attendance write down a little thought and then they compiled them into a little book for Ella. My neighbor made a slideshow of pictures with music and a video to play at the baptism. It was all just wonderful.
We had lunch at our house afterward. Ella had asked Aunt Melissa to make her "World Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies"....and they did not disappoint. Ella also asked Grandma McMurtrey to make her "World Famous Potato Salad". I overheard Ella tell her cousin, "It looks disgusting but tastes delicious." Good thing Grandma McMurtrey doesn't get offended very easily. Ella is right about it tasting delicious and only Ella thinks it looks bad!!!
Aunt Sara, Ella and Aunt Ericka
Ella and Cousin Megan
Ella and Aunt Allison
Grandma Wright, Ella and Grandpa Wright
Uncle Shaun and Ella
Grandma McMurtrey, Ella and Grandpa McMurtrey
Brandon, Uncle Jeff, Aunt Ericka, Ella and Darren
We felt so much love and suppport from all of our family members.....where-ever they live. We appreciated those that made an extra sacrifice to spend this moment with Ella. We have such a great family! We didn't plan anything else for this day and it was the PERFECT day to soak in the things that matter the very most.
As I was tucking Ella into bed that night, she told me that she wished, "today was yesterday, so that I could wake up tomorrow and have this day all over again." It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
Things Ella said on the day of her Baptism--February 1, 2014
"I felt like hugging my Dad right there in the font."
"I was glad that most of my family was there to support me."
"Right after I got baptized, I felt this huge burst in my chest."
"I was super duper happy."
"I thought the song that Abby sang was beautiful. Her voice was so pretty."
