Ike's Baptism

Our eight-year-old nephew Ike (Isaac) was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday, November 1, at his stake center in West Bountiful. His dad, Jeff, performed the ordinance as well as the subsequent confirmation.

Ike was so excited for his baptismal service that he also volunteered to lead the singing of the opening and closing songs:

... and he did a great job doing so.

Other family members participating included Ike's 12-year-old cousin Christian giving a talk on the Holy Ghost, his eight-year-old sister Katy acting as one of the witnesses, and yours truly offering the opening prayer.

Following the service, family on both sides and friends congregated at Biz's and Jeff's home in West Bountiful for good eats and good company.

Tanner's Baptism

Last Saturday, October 11, our eight-year-old nephew Tanner was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His father, my brother Steve, performed the baptism as well as the subsequent confirmation, which Tanner's uncles and Grandpa Keeler joined in on. This event was held at our stake center in North Salt Lake. (In case I've not mentioned it previously here on Paco Nation, JB and I now belong to the same stake as they do.)

A few other family members were asked to participate in the service. Jana 1 conducted the music, Mike gave a great talk on baptism, and Danny was one of the witnesses. Also, we all filled out 3 x 5 cards with messages of encouragement for Tanner, and they were compiled together for to have as a keepsake.

Following the program, we gathered at Steve's and Summer's home for refreshments.

Graham's Baptism

Our eight-year-old nephew Graham was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday in Centerville. His dad (my brother Ben) performed the baptismal ordinance, as well as the subsequent confirmation (bestowal of the gift of the Holy Ghost).

Graham asked various family members, including his young cousins, to take part in the service. Nine-year-old cousin Katy gave a talk on baptism; 10-year-old brother, Christian, spoke on the gift of the Holy Ghost; and eight-year-old cousin Danny offered the closing prayer. Graham also sang a Primary song along with his parents and Christian. Jessica played the piano for the Primary songs we sang as a congregation. Everyone did a great job!

We (Fun Aunt and Uncle) just showed up ... which was all we really needed to do.

Afterward, most of those who attended, including our Sanders cousins, gathered for breakfast (brunch?) at Black Bear Diner, one of our favorite local hotspots.

Danny's Baptism

On Saturday, our eight-year-old nephew Danny was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His father, Steve, performed the ordinance and also after that confirmed Danny a member of the Church.

It was a lovely service, held at Steve's and Summer's stake center in North Salt Lake. Danny's a great kid, and we are proud of his decision to take the plunge ... so to speak.

Kate's Baptism

Our niece Kate just turned eight years old, and in the LDS Church, that means a baptism is imminent. Which happened this past Saturday, April 8, at her stake center in West Bountiful.

It was a lovely service. I was asked to participate as one of the witnesses, and I was grateful for the invitation. Sadly, Grandma Plowman was not able to attend in person due to a brief hospital stay (she's home and is doing much better now, thanks for asking). JB unselfishly volunteered to go be with Mom during the service to ensure that her electronic devices were working and they could both hear and see the proceedings, while I used FaceTime to send broadcast it to them. (Isn't technology great?!)

Following the meeting, we gathered at Biz's and Jeff's home in West Bountiful for socializing and snacks. JB caught up with us there and got to spend some quality time with now seven-month-old Sam:

For Hairstyle of the Day, the Oscar goes to 15-year-old Jackson, whose hair his sisters apparently had a little too much fun curling.

Whenever we get together, we have fun times. This was no exception.

Tatum's Baptism

Last week, our eight-year-old nephew Tatum was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by his dad, Tyson, in a service held at their stake center in Bountiful. Afterward, Tyson also confirmed Tatum a member of the Church.

We love this kid and are proud of the young man he is becoming. He's also willing to play video games with me for hours on end, so that's an added bonus!

Christian's Baptism

Our nephew Christian recently turned eight years old. On Saturday, August 7, his dad—my brother Ben—baptized him into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at their stake center in Centerville. Ben also later confirmed Christian a member of the Church in an additional priesthood ordinance.

After the service, we adjourned to Fiiz and then Bountiful City Park, where we got all sugared up. Meanwhile, the kids, who don't actually need sugar to have an overabundant amount of energy but still consume it in copious amounts, goofed around on the playground.

Christian is a great kid, and we are proud of the young man he is becoming.

The Mish: Blossoming as the Rose

Twenty-five years and several pounds ago this month, I was serving as a missionary in Peru. I was transfered to a new assignment to labor in the city of Cusco, which as it turns out is real and not a fictional place from The Emperor's New Groove. In that area, my companion, Elder Quispe, and I taught and baptized brother and sister Ever and Kelly Cárdenas, whose mother was returning to activity in the Church after an absence.

Sunday, March 17, 1996, looked like this:

You may not recognize that skinny kid, but that was me. The Cuzco Ward was one of my favorite areas with one of my favorite companions, and it included many memorable experiences enjoyed with unforgettable people.

Fast-forward to just a few days ago when now-thirtysomething Kelly searched for and found me on Facebook. In her message, she said her own eight-year-old child (Kelly is now a mother of four) had been baptized that week, and it inspired her to find the missionary who baptized her all those years ago. She remains active in the Church and is trying to keep her family on the straight and narrow.

Talking to Kelly again after not knowing anything about her or her family for many years was a great blessing for me. It was a reminder that planting seeds, nurturing them, watching them grow, and seeing the fruits blossom are all part of the process.

I have, and will always have, a great love for the children of Lehi in Peru. My association with the Lamanites and seeing them "blossom as the rose" (D&C 49:24) keeps bringing dividends and great blessings as the years go by.

Kiera's Baptism

This afternoon, our eight-year-old niece Kieralee was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by her father, Tyson. JB and I attended the very nice service at their stake center in Bountiful, along with my other in-laws.

Here's Kiera and JB after the service:

... and JB's brother Jeremy photobombing them in another shot:

My in-laws are pretty great people. We are very proud of Kiera, and we were happy to see her make the choice to follow the path of discipleship.

Kira's Baptism

My niece Kira, who celebrated her 8th birthday last week, was baptized into the LDS Church Saturday by her father, my brother Dave, at their stake center in Woods Cross.

Nearly all of our immediately family members and their kids attended, though sadly none of our Utah County cousins were able to make it. Attendees included most notably Mom, who we're grateful was able to leave the hospital Friday night, fewer than 24 hours before the scheduled baptism ordinance. We certainly view this as a tender mercy, something which I wrote about a great deal in my last post. All week while she was being treated, her goal was to be able to make it home to be able to attend, and sometimes you are allotted those things you want in addition to those things you need. She has to be on oxygen for the time being, so we're taking things a little bit at a time and helping her as best we can as she makes her recovery.

Here's all of the Woods Cross family members, looking sharp:

It was a beautiful day and hopefully a memorable one for a great kid.

Jackson's Baptism

My eight-year-old nephew Jackson was baptized into the LDS Church by his father (my oldest brother, Mike) two Saturdays ago. Much of the family, including Scott and Claudia and their kids, came to support Jackson in this momentous decision.

Yours truly got asked to give a short talk on baptism, while Jana's sister Amy spoke on the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Prior to the service, Jackson posed for this photo with his Grandma Plowman and oldest sister, Kylee:

It was a phenomenal day, and I'm proud of my nephew and his choice to follow the path of the restored gospel.