The week before Grace's baptism, we went to Billings together....just she and I. It was so fun! We don't get a lot of one on one time together and it was great to just enjoy being with her. We did a little shopping and intended to take pictures of her outside the temple in her baptism dress. BUT we went on Monday and the gates were closed....I knew better, but it just slipped my mind. Anyway after deciding that crawling under the gate was not a real great plan, we took a couple shots of her on the hill above the temple and made plans to return a few days later to finish. We went to lunch at Red Lobster (Grace picked) where she had potato soup and I had a chicken Caesar salad. (Yeah, we aren't big seafood fans)
We went back to Billings on Wednesday and finished the picture taking and picked up food for after the baptism. We were so lucky, it was beautiful that week...in the 60's. However, by the day of her baptism, snow was flying and we considered postponing it since we weren't sure if family would be able to make it safe and sound. Grace really wanted to be baptized on her birthday, so we went ahead with our plans not sure who would be able to make it. We held the baptism in Byron on Sunday, January 25th. We needed to hold the baptism there so we could have it earlier in the day and give our family who were traveling time to get home before too late. The Lovell building has wards meeting in it until 6:00pm, so it would not have been available until late.
It turned out wonderful. We had a full house. Chris's sister, our niece Mikala, and his parents all braved the snow and made it. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! We LOVED seeing you there and your presence meant so much to Grace! My family also came in spite of the snow. My sister, Marsie, lead the music and my mom and my brother, Bryce, put together a slide show with pictures of Grace from the time she was born to the present. It was beautiful. She is growing so fast it makes me a little sad, but we couldn't be more proud of her. My mom spoke to Gracie about baptism and choices. Emma said the closing prayer without help.....Way to go Emma! We were so proud of you! Grace asked my aunt Ruby to speak about the Holy Ghost, so she was there with her family as well as my aunt Melanie and her husband John. We are so grateful for our family's support and willingness to participate in the program. In addition to our family we can't forget the many great friends who came to show their support and love. Kisha McArthur played the piano and brought her children. I served with her in the primary presidency in 4th ward and they have become dear friends. I also served with Jen McArthur (another dear friend and inspiration!) and she came with her family and 8 kids! I have to give credit where it is due....Jen has brought all of her girls to Billings for a special day with mom and taken pictures outside the temple before they were baptized. Thank you for the wonderful idea! It is a memory I will treasure! We are so thankful for the sacrifices each of you made to be there. All of our friends from 4th ward were skipping out of ward conference to be there and show their support. And from what I hear were reprimanded just a little for doing so! Aubrey, thank you so much for coming and for your help in the kitchen. We love your sweet little family! Grace's friend Natalia and her family also came and Grace was so excited to see them there. There are more of you. Tashie and Kaitlyn and Brenden...Bishop... Sister Checketts... but this post is getting extremely long. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE! It was such a special day!
