Julia Mae's Baptism Day

Julia's Flower~She picked it herself! (from flickr)

In our Church children are baptized when they reach the age of accountability or age 8. At that time they are baptized by their father if he is a worthy Priesthood holder. Lowell baptized Julia yesterday and it was a wonderful event. Julia was so excited to be baptized and to become an official member of the Church. She wore a beautiful, white, fancy dress and she was so excited about her special day. She was sorry that her Aunt Laura and Uncle Robert and her cousins couldn't come and she really missed her Stewart Grandma and Grandpa and all her Stewart aunts, uncles and cousins. But she totally knew that they would have all been there if they could have been, and she felt very loved by those that were present and those that could not come.

Such an Exciting Day for Our Family!

Daddy's Julia Mae!
All photos can be doubled clicked for enlargement

Happy Family!

Julia's best friends joined the family in celebrating her baptism!

Beautiful Julia loves Jesus and is Happy, really Happy today!
She is has deep spiritual side that always shines through.

Grandma and Grampa are pretty Happy too!
To say we love this little girl doesn't
really seem special enough.

We Totally Love Her!

Today in Sacrament Meeting she leaned over to me and told me how happy she is to be a member of the Church! I am sure she will serve in the Church and be happy in doing so all of her life! She is one of God's most beautiful JEWELS...no doubt about it! We are proud of your decision, Julia Mae!

Now on the the PARTY!

Jen made a great dinner for everyone with three different kinds of soup and bread bowls with all the trimmings. We had white cupcakes for dessert to celebrate Julia's big day and Hazel's first birthday a few days ago.

The cousins!

Uncle Chris and Owie!
Owen has just learned how to say "Hello!"

Silly Faces!

The Hofheins and the Houses~really special friends to us all!
Becca & Gordon, Grampa and Kim and Hazel!

David, Kim & Shelby House with Piper

Grampa among the sunflowers and pumpkins!
The yard is gorgeous this time of year.

Everyone watching Hazel dive into her cupcake!

Traci catching the action! We love those Hartmans too!
She is a great photographer!

Hazie has done this before~check it out on her real birthday post!

30 BEST Years

The Baptism of Jesus Christ

30 years ago today Jim and I decided to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since we are currently 60 that means that for 1/2 half of our lives we have been members. (Math whiz, huh?) It seems hard to imagine but then I cannot possibly remember life without the Gospel in our lives either.

Ever since Jen had been born we had been searching for some truth with regards to religion. I had had some bad experiences with a pastor in our former religion and so was really looking for something good for our family and a reconnection with Christ that I had always felt as a child. Being brought up in the Lutheran church was a good experience but not quite what we wanted for our family. Although it laid a foundation for me I realized there had to be more. There were just too many basic questions that were explained as being "the Mysteries of God". Jim was raised in an nondenominational community church and he too had plenty of unanswered questions.


Having Jen and becoming parents had a powerful effect on both of us and we knew that God lived and cared for us and our little family. I can remember feeling so happy during those early years of her life and just feeling spiritual a lot of the time and so grateful for her. We were really ready to learn and were teachable at that time.

We investigated the church and attended for two years before we decided to get baptized. Everyone was so wonderful, loving, and supportive during that time and no one ever pressured us in anyway to join. It was almost too comfortable to keep going along that way not making a commitment. Once we made the decision we didn't waste any time~our baptismal date was set for the very next day~June 10, 1978.

Our sweet friend, Garth, "just happened" to come for a visit, unannounced from Las Vegas the day we decided to be baptized. He was able to baptize us himself the very next day. It was a small miracle..no really a big one ~since not one of us knew what was about to transpire and he appeared when we needed him with a recommend to baptize outside of his stake. It was perfect really, since he had been so instrumental in our introduction to the Gospel.

I will never forget the day we decided as it was the same day when things transpired in SLC that resulted in changes that inspired an addition to the Doctrine & Covenants~Official Declaration #2 following Sec. 138. It was instrumental in our decision as well.

Becoming a member of the church has affected our entire life since then~for the good. Nothing, not one thing, would I change from the experiences we have had and the spiritual enlightenment we have felt and continue to feel regularly. From that very day we have been blessed continually and neither of us have ever doubted the truthfulness of what we now know. I have found answers to all my previously unanswered questions and that has been so wonderful and peace filled. Our family committed totally to the teachings of Jesus Christ and we will never stop learning all there is to know. We have barely scratched the surface in all these years. There is still so much to learn, to know, to do. We are far from attaining the things we want and need to, but we have been blessed graciously in our lives, as have our children and their children.

One thing I believe is that spiritual things are not intellectual things. Learning to recognize the promptings of the spirit is a life long quest but it is worth seeking after. It is the Holy Ghost that testifies of truth in all things. Our church has satisfied all of our spiritual needs, we are surrounded by the best people and we have unity in our family.

There are no perfect people in the church although we know several that seem to be. They are kind and gracious and giving and wonderful to know. Most of the people in the church are just striving to do their best, looking for things in life that are virtuous, lovely and of good report, that uplift themselves and others and bring glory to God and Jesus Christ. The best thing is that it makes us all so happy and when troubled times come we have the faith and hope to endure them with God's help. The church does so much good in the world and we recognize what a privilege it is to be a part of it. None of us can imagine life without the joy and support and love the Gospel brings into our lives every day. So tomorrow is a wonderful day to look forward to and to celebrate a wonderful decision made 30 years ago!

June 10, 1978!

Hazel Jo's Blessing Day

Hazel was given a name and a blessing in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by her father, Lowell, on January 6, 2008. Assisting Lowell in the blessing and standing in the circle were both her grandfathers Jim and Read, her uncle, Chris, and
friends of Lowell's David & Nick.



I am not sure I have the words to express how deeply we all love this little angel. I love that her big sister, Chloe, calls her "Baby Halo" because that is exactly what she is; a circle of angelic light rests all around this tiny girl. God has sent her to the right family. Her spina bifada will be her challenge in this life but a loving Father in Heaven has sent her to the perfect home for her. I don't think there will be a single moment in her life that she will not know that she is loved and cherished in our family. Many on the earth would love to have that blessing in their lives.

Hazel is a strong little girl. She has undergone and survived like a champion two major surgeries and a bad infection in her short life. Jen nearly lost her last May but she was determined to come into this life and her little heart stayed strong through all the trauma. She has already taught us all so much about life, and love and challenges, and blessings that our cup truly is running over. This little one has a mission and a great work to perform in this life. I think she will be a grounding force for all of us. Lowell blessed her that she will be a joy to all around her and that she will have every opportunity in her life. I have every bit of faith that her life will be good, very good. I love that she carries my mom's name, Jo. My mom spent many years in a wheelchair and she was the epitome of sweetness and patience in all things. She endured her trials well and I know Hazel will too. I am so thankful that she will have the Church in her life and the wonderful community of loving , caring, family and friends to love and protect her all of her life. Someone once said that when grandparents die they are given the opportunity to be the guardian angels of their grandchildren. If this is true and I hope it is...I've got dibs on this one! We love you, Baby Halo!

Connor's Baptism Brunch

Missy did a beautiful job on the brunch. She had mini-quiches, little cakes, delicious bread with yummy spreads, homemade cream puffs, cookies, the list goes on. She must never sleep! The setting was so lovely with the big slider to their backyard and the heavy snow storm it was being inside a snow globe. The snow flakes were the size of fifty cent pieces! It was gorgeous! It all seemed symbolic of Connor's baptism...everything was so white and fresh and clean...just like him. Read and Mary Jane left first and it was delightful to watch him shovel the walkway just a few steps ahead of Mary Jane so she had an easier time walking to their car...very gallant!

Connor's Baptism

Connor's Baptism was really great. It was so wonderful to see Chris baptize his first child and to realize that in just 30 years we now have three generations of Latter-day Saints in our family. As memories of Chris growing up flashed before our minds and eyes we could not imagine how time has flown by. Watching him preform this ordinance for his son truly left heart prints for Jim and me. Missy and Chris have taught him very well. Connor was so excited and that was neat to see.



Bishop Holland (OK, I am not saying it but you all know whose son he is! :-)) was so thoughtful regarding it being a special day for each of the four kids being baptized. He had each one come up and stand beside him as he told some interesting things about them as individuals. Connor's scripture hero is Nephi and his favorite foods are pizza and spaghetti. (I thought it was Honey Bunches of Oats...but I learned something new!) Oddly, we have been going to Utah for so long we knew three of the four kids being baptized. One of them was "Handsome Ransom!"

Somehow we missed getting a picture of Chris and Connor in their white clothes but we do have several (see above) that were taken at their home of the lovely brunch that Missy prepared for all the family. It was so good to be there with Missy's parents, Barbara and Spencer and her sister, Jocelyn, our good friends the House family, and it was a real treat to have Lowell's parents join us as well.

Connor got some really nice gifts, including his journal, his scriptures, a CTR tie tack, and a special white bath towel that dried him off after his baptism for him to keep. He also got a new watch that seemed to be a really big hit from his Grandma and Grandpa George!

It was something we really would not have wanted to miss! Congratulations on your special day, Connor. Grampa and I are very proud of your decision!