Enoch's Baptism

What an amazing day we had.  Our family has looked forward to this for eight years - and it is finally here!  Enoch was so excited (and nervous).  After a few days of apprehension, he was ready today.
A few days ago Greg and I told Enoch we would take just him to dinner the night before his baptism.  Enoch asked if Kate could come too (so typical of those two).  So, Dad, Mom, Enoch and Kate went to Arctic Circle (Enoch's choice).  During dinner we were able to talk to him one last time about his baptism.  We knew he was still nervous, but he seemed to be doing better and was starting to really get excited.
After dinner, we drove to the Temple.  It was a bit chilly, but we got out and walked around a bit.  We told Enoch that being baptized was the first step to being able to go to the Temple.  He seemed impressed by that and was excited to be making that step.  After a bit, the kids got a bit bored and started hiding from us.  We told them they needed to be reverent at the Temple.  Enoch said, "But we are spies, we have to hide."  No spies at the Temple I told him.  He then asked, "What if we are holy spies?"  Oh Enoch!  You just make me smile!

 

The next morning was busy.  We tried to keep the Spirit as best we could while we ran around.  Enoch was so excited and it was contagious.  Before we drove to the Stake Center, we snapped a few pictures of Enoch in his new suit (I love his bow tie!).

 

A few more pictures at the church.

 Finally, the baptism started.  Bishop Brent Estes conducted.  Enoch and Tyler Michaelis were born on the same day, so of course, they were baptized on the same day.  We split the program with them and it was great.  Gavin said the opening prayer and Grandpa Dee gave the talk about the Holy Ghost.  Both did so well and the meeting was beautiful. 

When is was time for Enoch to be baptized, we all filed into the RS room and sat in front of the font.  Enoch and Greg came down into the water and I started to get choked up.  Here was my little boy, so grown up, making grown up decisions.  Enoch can be crazy, irrational, maddening, but never have I doubted his relationship with the Spirit.  Enoch just knows things - things that most of us struggle to believe and Enoch just knows.  What an amazing person Heavenly Father has sent into our lives. 

When Greg and Enoch entered the font, Guard (who was sitting on my lap), sat right up, turned his head so he could see and was still, quiet and memorized the entire time.  He didn't move.  He watched and listened and smiled.  He knows something too, I think.

Enoch's face was calm.  He looked at Greg and smiled.  When he went down under the water, I couldn't believe he was being baptized.  It was finally happening.  It seemed surreal until Grandpa Dee said, "He didn't go under all the way.  His knee popped up."  I grinned, knowing that something like that would happen to Enoch.  The second time was perfect and we got a thumbs up from both witness, Grandpa Dee Fowler and Great-Grandpa Alan Jordan.

Enoch and Greg went back into changing room.  Enoch dried off with his special CTR towel with his name embroidered on it.  It was a surprise for him and he thought it was pretty neat.  After tying up the bow tie for the second time, Enoch and Greg came back into the chapel.

Again, I got teary.  I thought, he's official now.  Help me teach him enough, more, everything to grow in the Spirit, for him to be a Saint in God's church (as Enoch says in his prayers).

Enoch's confirmation prayer was beautiful, one I hope he always remembers.  Greg pronounced on him some immense blessings.  They were for Enoch and custom-made for him.

It was a beautiful baptism.

We decided to keep the refreshments simple.  Enoch chose milk and cookies.  We served milk, chocolate milk, fruit and a dozen different kinds of cookies.  It was a hit.

We had a wonderful time visiting and being with friends and family.  Enoch had such a happy spirit about him.  I asked him what he thought and how he was feeling.  He said, "I just feel good."  It's good to feel good.