Hollie's Baptism

 Some time ago (when Hollie was about four years old) Jotham excitedly brought home from an international business trip pearl necklaces for all of his girls.  But Hollie was so young, I convinced him he needed to wait until she was older to present hers to her.  I wanted her to understand and really appreciate such a nice gift.  So it was decided she could have them when she was baptised.

So, he's been waiting and waiting, most patiently waiting for this day, almost
more excited to finally give her the pearls than the baptism. Almost.

But then, Hollie was so excited to get to baptised, she left her bag with the baptism jumpsuit at home by the  front door.  So, Jotham had to make a fast dash home to retrieve it.  But before he left, he presented her with that special gift that he's been saving for years to give to her.

The next day at church Hollie drew this cute picture:

 It was a beautiful baptism.  Both of her Grandmother's spoke and Jotham performed the ordinances.   The room was full of family and during her confirmation she was surrounded by the most wonderful men who love her.

  

Would you believe that was the last picture I took that day?  It didn't even cross my mind to pick the camera back up to document the rest of the day.  No pictures in her white dress with her new pearls, and none of all the wonderful family that came out to support our Hollie.  

Thank you all who came, it was a wonderful day!

The following is a copy of the spotlight I read for the program:

When Hollie was a baby she was a Momma's girl.  Nobody would do, but her mother, oh, how she loved to cuddle and give hugs.  One day when Hollie was about two years old, I was a little taken aback when Mark announced.   "Hollie loves me more than you do"  - I was a little wounded that he didn’t think I loved him,  so I asked how he knew and he replied because Hollie gave him more hugs.  I decided it was important for Mark to know how much I loved him and so I tried to keep up with her one day, every time I saw her give Mark a hug, I would stop what I was doing and also give Mark a hug.  But I couldn't do it, I just couldn't keep up with her, let alone beat her.  She is so good at showing love and being a friend. 

She likes to write songs to sing with her friends and play the piano.  She has a natural rhythm and is the dance partner of choice at our house.  She loves to draw and work on art, she loves it so much is my only child to have ever gotten in trouble for coloring on the wall.   She has a very keen mind and school work comes easy for her.  She is brave and doesn't let fear doesn't stand in her way, she's the first one to volunteer to repel off a cliff or ride a new roller coaster.  She wasn't shy or timid about inviting a new girl to come to church and set the example for me.

When she was 2 ½ I wrote in her journal.

"You’ve really taken to climbing; I’m always having to take you down from off the top of the table.  You don’t want to be left out of anything and will fight, cry, or SCREAM to get your way.   In the kitchen, a couple of days ago we were getting dinner on.  Before long you were standing on top of a chair over by the counter where I was working and you started crying, frustrated.  So I took you down off the chair and set you over by the table where the kids were, and moved the chair back into place at the table. Apparently this is not what you wanted.  A few minutes later, I see you working with all your might to move the chair back over to the counter.  Then you climb up onto the chair and reach for the counter, unable to reach it you clamber down the chair, and again push with all your strength to move the chair a few more inches closer to the counter. After succeeding you once again climb back up the chair and are still frustrated, because although now you can touch the counter you can’t figure out how to get on top of it (the back of the chair was in you way). You just wouldn't give up.  I couldn’t believe how determined you were."

Even today, we see glimpses of our stubborn little fighter.   I believe Hollie was one of the noble and great ones.  A valiant warrior in Heaven who fought for the right to come to earth and make her own choices.  And what an excellent choice she is making today, to become one of Christ's own and to have the Holy Ghost as a companion and guide.  She seeks after truth and righteousness, (she's been reading her scriptures every night since she received them for her birthday).   She uses her agency daily to make good choices, I'm am constantly amazed how quickly and effectively she can lift the mood around her with nothing but her sheer determination to do so.   I believe she will have to fight many battles in her life, but that she will always come off conqueror.   That stubbornness that vexed me as the mother of her as a toddler will only win her battles the older she becomes.  She has a strong heart, she loves her Savior and I love her fiercely.   She has been such a blessing in our family.