Kirsten's Baptism 08/03/08

Here it comes, the challenges of the day with a beautiful, spiritual ending...a day that neither Kirsten nor I will forget for a very long time!

Going back to the run up before we had a challenge finding the right white dress for Kirsten to get baptised in, not because they are hard to come by but because she does NOT do dresses or skirts! We had my friend from Tewkesbury running round for something even remotely suitable, we had the Missionaries going from one ward to another doing the same in each of the chapels (each chappel has a range of baptism outfits for all ages, male and female) and I even checked out Next, New Look, Tammy Girl, Asda, Sainsburys, Kia, River Island and whole lot more places...but nothing...in the end she decided on the VERY FIRST dress the Missionaries showed her! Yes Murder could have been an option that day!! LOL So Friday evening, the Missionaries come round, reading through a few scriptures, chatting about various things she has to look forward to in the next few months as she turns 12 and trying to work on her nerves.
Kirsten will turn 12 at the end of June and will go from Primary to Young Womens (girls from12-18) and will receive so much support, encouragement and help as she goes through life's teenage challenges, hormonal changes and emotional and mental changes too. YW's will not only be supportive and guiding for her but it will also teach her to remember who she is (a Daughter of God) and why she is her, they will teach her to prepare for the female role in life as well as morals and standards to live by, humitlity, courage, patience etc all done through the scriputres and from teachings throughout the church teachings, from anyone that has given a public talk. She will have so many opportunites to grow and nurture her spiritual side that I can get excited for her just thinking about it! She has friends in YW's in our ward, she goes to school two of them and Lucy has been a fantastic friend, support and guide for Kirsten so far. My printer decided to not print even though I had new cartridges in there so the Missionaries and I were racing round looking for someone that could print off the 25 programmes! Eventually we managed to find a lady in the ward who was happy to do it!! A big thanks to her!!
Anyway, Saturday morning, off we went to Reading train station to pick up Jaymie, Leanne and Elaine, they were coming up for a few days and were going to share in the special time with us. My mum and Scott were coming later and I had a million things to do. Racing around doing all sorts of errands that I couldn't have done before that day I eventually got on the road. Kirsten and Charley stayed here with mum and Scott, I peddled as fast as my lil Peugot 206 would let me! Trust me, its a bit difficult to speed continually when you have Leona Lewis singing in your head, all that beat stopping n starting, speeding and slowing!! Duh Eventually I got to Reading, withuot too much effort, (no thanks to some traffic hold up cos some eejit decided to drive drunk down the motorway...of which i've since learnt was the reason for the hold up). We got back here with 45 minutes to spare so we were all racing round crashing through the shower, grabbing towels, trying not to trip over the dog and cussing that our clothes needed ironing!! In reality I think it was only ME that was stressing!!!
We got to the church with seconds to spare (not that u can be late in these occasions!) There were a fair few members turn up to witness this special occassion with us and two of Kirsten's close friends who gave superb talks! Rebecca bore her testimony, which I knew would be strong and righeous because thats the family she comes from, and I know her my, my best friend Sonia is a wonderful example to everyone around her not to mention her inspiring motherhood determination. Lucy gave the gospel that added boost too, having been born into the church with fantastic parents (her mum is my Relief Society President and a good friend so I know thats the truth!) and a strong testimony of her own. I was so humbled by these young ladies giving talks and demonstrating their faith, gratitude and excitement for the gospel!
Kirsten began her nerves thing, she literally gets wound up to the point of hyperventilating as we got closer to the font. See, Kirsten is extremely nervous when in the lime light, she is so not confident in those situations at all. But all was pretty much ok till we went to get ready. Now the font is situated through another door accessed from the back of the ladies room, in the font was Noel, Kirstens former Primary teacher when we were in Evesham Branch whom she got on with very well. She was breaking her heart on my shoulder (he is that tall..or i'm that short!!), Noel opened the door and reassured her, she went with him (all 12 steps!) and stood with him in the Baptismal position before the doors were opened where the rest of the attendees were waiting to witness. Our Home Teacher, Tony was also in the font area and was reassuring Kirsten, this also helped her have the courage to go with Noel. The water was hot, but she done it, one dunk under and she was Baptised.
In the changing room she collapsed on me. A very different type of tears, she was literally sobbing, one of those sobs after a tramatic deal and you have just been told of a justice. I had to grab hold of her and support her till she was able to gain enough strength to stand alone. I asked if she was ok and she looked at me and said 'I know its true mum, I have the strongest burning in my stomach and its not nerves'. I stood there and cried. I too felt the spirit. My daughter, the strong minded, dead set against anything out of her norm had just been Baptised and confirmed to me that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true, absolutely true. I felt my own confirmation in my stomach, I felt the Spirit tell me I had done the right thing allowing my daughter to be Baptised. I felt something different with Kirsten at that moment, as close as we are we both felt some other kind of connection. After getting dressed (and thanks to Claire, the Relief Society President coming in just at the right moment to run to my car for her towels!!!) we went back to the chapel after finally composing ourselves for the rest of the service to continue. For the rest of the weekend Kirsten was beaming, she had received gifts from some members, cards of congratulations and lots of hugs and encouraging words from everyone. She was totally beaming and radiant, jumping around in excitement and singing 'I am a Child of God', the words will be at the bottom of this post for you to understand what she was singing. She made a poster, which i've also attached below. She looks so peaceful and happy, like something flicked inside her head and her heart. I am so very proud of her it hurts.
On Sunday, Kirsten received The Gift of the Holy Ghost in Sacrament. This is a special blessing given by the priesthood of Kirsten's choice to give her the Holy Ghost as her constant companion in life (as long as she is living worthily of it). She chose Elder Simmons, the Missionary who is responsible for her heartfelt conversion, Bishop Mason and Tony, our Home Teacher and a counsellor on the Bishopric. The blessing was lovely, strong and so heartfelt to Kirsten. Again she said to me, 'I know the church is true mum, I really do'. I sat in Sacrament meeting with tears rolling down my face, through my precious daughter I too was able to witness my own confirmation of the truthfullness of the gospel.
Now I am enjoying the lifted confidence in Princess Kirsten, the lighter hearted attitude and the general feeling of happiness in our home, more than usual. I say that because we have created a happy, God based home that we continually work on, Kirstens Baptism has just added to it. Now to just maintain it and keep the feeling :)
Spirituality is such a wonderful thing, we all have it, even those that claim to be athiests, cos spirituality is covered by the terms 'sixth sense' and 'law of attraction'. Go figure! :)

Thanks for reading this,
Love Debs, Kirsten & Charley

ps. pictures will be added later....I have somehow managed to miss place my memory card from my camera!! doh