Testimony Meeting and Baptism

Here's a post I've been working on for quite awhile!

In January, we were in Sacrament and it was Fast Sunday...no, we didn't have any testimonies on the Utes winning the Sugar Bowl (yes that post will be coming soon too!) however, my sister's Ward did. Anyway, we are sitting there and the Bishop finishes his testimony and says, "The remainder of the time is yours to come up and bear your testimony." So Ashlyn stands up and says to me, "I going up." I said, "No your not." "Yes, I go up there!" and I responded "No, you have nothing to say!" The ladies around us and myself just started to laugh. One of the girls said, "They have a stool up there she can stand on." Can you imagine??? First, I'm not sure Ashlyn would have made it up to the stand, she probably would have found something else more exciting half way up. And if she did make it, what would she share??? Maybe this...

So yes, you heard it right!! Paige was Baptized on December 20, 2008.

It was one of the most amazing days of my life! I'm so proud of her. A few months ago she asked me and my sister and mom if we would help her learn more about the Church. I was floored! She had asked me questions in the past and we had good conversations about my beliefs and I knew she would one day ask about learning more, I just didn't expect it to be at the age of 14. After that, everything fell into place. The Lord sure knows how to get the ball rolling!! My sister started picking Paige up on the Sundays she was at her mom's house and taking Paige to her Ward. The nice thing about that is the Young Women in Kristin's Ward go to Highland where Paige transferred to this year. So...now she has good friends at school too! Then Kristin was called to be in Young Women, which works perfectly, because Paige goes with Kristin to the activities on Wednesday!

Then came time for the missionaries. It was Sunday, November 9 and we were at my Mom's house for dinner. An appointment for Paige to meet the missionaries had been set up at Paige's friend Jodie's house for Saturday, November 15. Well, the REAL Soccer team made it to the playoffs and Payton decided he wanted to go with his friends, including Jodie to the game. Paige was really heart broken because she had looked forward to this for over a month.

Everyone went home and Cole and I were getting ready to leave when there was a knock at the door. I answered it and there they were--the Missionaries. I talked to them for a few minutes and told them about Paige and her desire to learn more about the Church. I told them I would call them if her appointment with the other missionaries was cancelled. I called Paige and told her about them coming to my Mom's door. She said she didn't want to wait any longer and asked if we could just do the discussions at my parent's house. We found the phone number and called the missionaries. My mom was the one who arranged it and Paige, along with me, my mom, sister, and Jodie all attended the first discussion on Saturday November 15. Jay and my parents live in the same Stake. It worked out perfect.

Elder Bogdan ~ Paige ~ Elder Billingsley

We first met Elder Billingsley, he is from Chicago Illinois and has been out for a year. Elder Billingsley came with a few different companions at first because they go on splits with other Elders in the area. The last couple of discussions, Elder Bogdan came with Elder Billingsley. Elder Bodgan is from McGraff, Canada and he has been out for 3 months. Both of them are fabulous missionaries and really know how to personally relate to Paige. During one of the discussions they were teaching Paige about Baptism and how it is done. They were using Kid's Meal toys of the Hulk and some other super hero, as well as an angel ornament from my mom's Christmas tree as the Holy Ghost. It was hilarious! The only problem was the super hero's hands were 5 x's the size of their bodies so they kept falling over. Elder Billingsley said they needed to get G.I. Joe figures because they would work better. It was so neat to be a part of the discussions and to review the basic principles of the Gospel.

I went with Paige to her Dad's ward and I was amazed at the kindness and acceptance she was shown by the Young Women, the leaders, and other people of the ward. The Bishop is amazing and has such a concern and love for the youth of his ward. She is so excited to attend that ward now!

The missionaries encouraged us to go and see the movie "Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration" at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. So my mom, Paige, Jodie, Payton and I went to see it. Cole and I had seen it before in Hawaii about 3 years ago. It is amazing how large the screen is in that theatre. It makes you feel as if you are a part of the movie. If you haven't seen it, you have to! I forgot that my mom hadn't seen it and she was crying so hard, I wondered if she was breathing! Part of it is because our Great Great...Grandfather is Willard Richards who was in Carthage with Joseph and Hyrum when they were martyred. He is the one who pulled John Taylor under the bed to hide from the mob.

Payton and Paige both had great experiences at the movie and they were both touched by the Spirit. After the movie we went out and looked at the timeline of Joseph Smith's life. Payton was talking about how he felt "tingly" during certain parts of the movie. I asked him if he knew what that was. He said no and I told him it was the Spirit testifying to him that these things are true. He said he was amazed at how forgiving Joseph was. I know it was a turning point for him. After that we went and looked at the Christmas lights around the Temple. It was such a great evening.

At Paige's Baptism, her brother Brenton baptized her and Elder Billingsley confirmed her. Elder Billingsley said that this was the best "White Christmas" he had ever had. I told Paige that this was such a great time to be baptized because it was right before Christmas--the birth of our Savior who made this all possible.

Brenton and Paige

"A White Christmas"

I was honored to speak at Paige's Baptism about the Holy Ghost. I shared my testimony with Paige that if she would stay close to the Savior, she would always have the companionship of the Holy Ghost to guide her and protect her from danger. The Spirit was so strong during the baptism and you couldn't deny that it was there.

After the baptism, we gave the Elders a present...G.I. Joe figures to help them in teaching about baptism. They were so surprised and excited! Then we went up to my uncle's house for an open house for Paige. My family gave Paige a set of scriptures with her name on them.

A couple of weeks later, Paige went with the Young Men and Young Women and participated in Baptisms for the Dead at the Temple. I'm am amazed at the faith and dedication she has. I will always remember this experience and hold it close to me. She has definitely strengthened my testimony.