Although we have only just arrived and are in the hustle of directing our new life here, my thoughts have been led to another matter entirely.
My daughter.
She is turning 8 years old in a few weeks. Unbelievable. In our religion the number 8 is a very big deal because it when you are baptized into our church. We believe that until that time you do not fully understand your choices and that you have finally reached the age of accountability.
After she is baptized she will also receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. A comforter (some would call it a conscience) and guide for her life as she listens to the promptings. It's a really happy day, one of growing up, rebirth, and one that I remember with such clarity and warmth.
However, I have been fearful that I have not prepared my daughter enough for this day. With all that has transpired in the last few months, I have felt a bit distracted. And so I have been in search of ways to help her understand the importance of this day as well as keep the symbolism alive in her heart for years to come.
Enter my dear friend Amanda who searched for such a thing a few months ago and found this story. When I read it, it brought to tears to my eyes and I knew it was exactly what I needed to do for my own sweet girl.
I was also thrilled to find this idea as well: I think a very large white fluffy towel is mandatory!
My Baptism Towel
This towel will help to remind you
Of your glorious Baptism Day,
When you chose to follow the Savior,
To be righteous, and walk in His way.
When you come up out of the water,
So pure and so clean, without a sin;
Use this towel to dry and to warm you
And prepare for new strength from within.
A Gift from your Father awaits you,
By hands blessed with priesthood power.
The Holy Ghost can then guide you,
And direct you from hour to hour.
Sometimes you may not heed his warnings,
This Comforter whom God has sent.
That’s when you will need Christ’s Atonement,
So you can pray, fast, and repent.
Your Heavenly Father smiles with you
As you enter His Kingdom, His way.
This towel is a special reminder
Of the covenants you make today.
~T.J. Eich
I would love any other ideas or suggestions!!
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1 comment:
Oh for goodness' sake, she canNOT be 8 already?! I think you shouldn't worry too much about the last few months; you've been preparing her for this all her life - the last few months are such a small part of that.
There are two things I received at my baptism that I will always and forever remember. One was my very own set of scriptures - they were just vinyl-bound, nothing really very fancy, but they were my very own. And the other was my very first ever bottle of perfume ... it was given by our home teacher, who had 8 children, all of them girls (can you imagine?! Later they had a 9th - finally a boy!), and he tied it into a reminder about the Holy Ghost, but it also served as a reminder that I wasn't a little kid anymore and that I was responsible for my choices from now on.
Whatever you do for her day, it's going to be lovely - because she is lovely and you are lovely and because it's a baptism and that's EVER so lovely in itself. :)
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