MADI'S BAPTISM

Friday August 14, 2009 is a day I will never forget. Madi entered the waters of baptism and was confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was such a special day.

Baptisms in Australia are not done the same as in Utah. In Utah there are so many members of the Church that baptisms are typically held on the first Saturday of the month and whomever has turned eight during the previous month goes to the Stake Center and gets baptized and confirmed. However, in Australia there are not as many children in a typical month who are at the age of accountability to get baptized. Therefore, Madi got her own special day. She was also baptized on her birthday which is even more special. We planned the entire program and made treats to share for after. It was a busy day, but well worth all the effort.

Here is the program so that we don't forget:

Chorister – Katrina Gledhill
Pianist – Carli Jeffrey

Conducting – Nick Murphy


Opening Song – Seek the Lord Early
Opening Prayer – Rosa Bale

4th Article of Faith – Cooper Hutchinson
Scripture – Stacy Hutchinson
Talk – Brandon Carlson

Baptism performed by Kevin Hutchinson

Song – I am a Child of God performed by Natasha and Antoi Nel

Talk – Joanne Carswell

Confirmation performed by Kevin Hutchinson

remarks - Nick Murphy

Closing song – When I am Baptized
Closing prayer – Julie Carlson

When we left the chapel and headed to the font I left Rylee by the glass to go help Madi. Rylee started screaming as soon as she realized I wasn't there. Lisha brought her to me in the bathroom where I was watching through the door. She whimpered through the entire thing.

Madi said she was a little nervous when she looked up and saw all the kids with their faces pressed against the glass looking at her.

Madi was a trooper. She had to get baptized twice. The first time Kev forgot to say her name - just practicing...hahaha! Not only that but her dress bubbled up out of the water. The second time went off without a hitch.

She came into the bathroom to change and was shivering. I couldn't get her dressed fast enough.

Madi, our little missionary, invited four friends who are not members of our faith. They all came and brought at least one member of their family with them.

top row: Antoi, Madi, Bethanny, and Isabella

bottom row: Jaimee and Sophie

My mom made Madi's white baptism dress and another special dress she could wear that day. I am going to take her out sometime in the next couple of weeks and get pictures in her special dresses. Thanks mom!

We were so glad that Brandon, Julie, and Claire were here to share it with us. (Somehow we didn't manage to get a picture with them) It was a little sad that the rest of our family couldn't be here as well. We wish you all could have been here to share in our special night.

I asked Madi after we got home how she felt about her baptism night. She said that she just felt so happy. It was obvious to me that she felt happy. She was glowing. She could hardly sit still and she was giggling and smiling all night long. Madi is such a special spirit, one that we are blessed to have in our home, and we are so proud of her decision to be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church.

Thanks to all who helped to make her night a very special night. It was nice to share it with so many of you and to have so much support since we didn't have family here.

A night to never be forgotten.