Welcome, Jonathan!

The one event that absolutely guaranteed our return trip home this summer was Jonathan's baptism. For the past year Jonathan has been counting down to the moment he turns eight and is able to be baptized. And lucky for us, his birthday is in the summer so we can share this special event with our family and friends. 

We all gathered at the Valley View Stake Center for the big event. Our previous bishop was gracious enough to preside over the baptism, which made it possible to enjoy this event with our close family and friends.  Steve preformed the baptism. All of Jonathan's cousins and some of his closest friends gathered around the font. Although Jonathan wondered aloud before we arrived at the church what would happen if his toes floated to the surface, everything was perfect, with no emerging digits! 

          

Both grandfathers spoke, with Grandpa Ebert sharing the significance of Jonathan's name and Grandpa David comparing the Gift of the Holy Spirit to a tomato plant. What great examples Jonathan has to follow. 

Steve confirmed Jonathan a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with grandfathers, uncles and good friends. 

Emilie played the piano, accompanying our guests in the Baptism song and in I Know My Father Lives. She also played the prelude and interlude music which included a repertoire of Primary songs, Suzuki numbers and music she has worked on this year with her piano teacher. Sophia said the opening prayer, which was quite thorough and Annelise gave a sweet closing prayer.

Throughout the day Jonathan was showered with love. For lunch he had a special date with me at Windows on the Square, over looking Temple Square. Afterward we walked across the street to pick up new scriptures for him, with his name embossed in gold on the front. I loved our time together. We then stopped at Grandma Ebert's house. She gave him a handsome new blazer to wear to his baptism. He received a book about baptism (which made me cry) from his aunts and uncles, a candy gram from uncle Craig's family and a pillow case from aunt Marilee's family that each friend and family member signed. What sweet dreams it will bring! Most importantly, Jonathan was surrounded by all of the people who love him most. The evening was full of excitement and support for Jonathan and his big step in life. This love flowed from the chapel to Evergreen Park where we met for pulled pork sandwiches (thanks to Grandma Gretta -- we can always count on her for a party!), salads, fruit and an abundance of cookies of every kind. The adults sat around the picnic tables catching up on recent friend and family news and the children played until the sun set and we were left searching for lost shoes in the moonlight. The event couldn't have been better.