Araceli and Elise
White is the way I'll always remember Elise's baptism day. Two absolutely beautiful little girls in white dresses. Two fathers worthy to perform the sacred ordinance. The soft, but deep gift of snow. Family who showered us with support and nary a complaint of their white-knuckle drives to get home.
I've taken Elise to several of her Primary classmates' baptisms this year to prepare her for her own experience. I've marveled how the weather on many of those days was an exact match, a striking visual aid to this* Primary song:
I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain
And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away
And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.
I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.
(Children's Songbook p. 103)
I learn so much when nature reflects my spiritual stretches. This time Heavenly Father taught me through the trials another family is weathering. A 16-year-old girl died this week in a car accident not far from our home. The news broke my heart.
I did not know how sharply this tragedy would penetrate me until I was notified Friday that our scheduled Saturday afternoon baptism would have to be moved to 8 a.m. to accommodate the girl's funeral in the same building. Amidst my genuine sorrow for her family I was also stressed and initially confused that no one saw the duplication of scheduling earlier, which only made me feel worse for feeling that way. I was happy to do what I could. Oh, how I ache for this family!
I was worried about the hardship this time change would create for our family to be able to attend, many of whom live nearly two hours away. Turns out this wasn't even an issue; they didn't hesitate to say they'd be there no matter what. They all expressed concern for the young girl's loved ones. Thank you, family. We love you!
My amazing friend Circe** was in the same boat as us in trying to scrabble new baptism plans. I'm so glad it was her that I got to do this with. We got to combine our planned programs into one. We laughed about having to change our dinner menus for the after gatherings to something more breakfast-friendly.
And then in all seriousness I said, "The only thing that doesn't have to change is the baptism prayer because the ordinance is always the same."
I realized early on that this perceived hassle was actually a gift. It boosted my testimony, helped me see what matters most. I've pondered on the importance of baptism today more than any other. I know that this young girl's family will have a chance to see her again someday. I pray they can be thus comforted. Just like Elise's Grandma Hatch reminded us in her talk, I know that I'll be able to see my brother Ben again. I know that my dear little Elise today took an important step this very day to be able to return to her home with Heavenly Father. Please don't make it be soon.
Jeff, in his confirmation blessing, encouraged Elise to write about this day in her journal so she can teach her own children about baptism. She did! I know Elise was happy today because her little giggle as she left the font told me so.
It didn't rain. There wasn't a rainbow. It was white, not the way some see as the absence of color, but as a type of light which contains all of the beautiful hues. The gospel light.
Today, white.
___________
*Perhaps showing my preoccupation with this Primary song, I, as pianist, played it for the closing hymn at the service, not realizing the baptism coordinators thought we were doing a different song and had made printed handouts of the its lyrics for the congregation. Oops. Didn't know that -- and could have been forever oblivious had not Jeff informed me of my mistake as we drove home.
**Circe is the most kind, thoughtful person I know -- and she acts on those thoughts. During our phone conversations Friday I had several of what I'll call "brainbursts," vocal realizations of things I'd forgotten. "Aaargh! I still need to get James' stitches taken out! Aaargh! I haven't even bought Elise's dress yet!" and so forth. Even though she was going through the same stress of rescheduling as I was, she showed up at my door with a white dress we could borrow. Thank you, Circe! Another way I'll remember white.
