MICHELE'S BAPTISM AND OTHER BLOOMFIELD HILLS WARD NEWS

Dear Family,

One of the reasons to go back to Michigan was to attend Michele's (Mimi) baptism. It was on a Sunday afternoon in the Bloomfield Hills Ward.  Here is a picture of Mimi and Bryan before the baptism.  Even though there had been three hours of church service, most of the ward returned for the baptism.the chapel was full.  Kristina's mother gave a talk on Baptism and then Bryan performed the baptism.  All the cousins stood up and sang  " I Like to Look for Rainbows" (the baptism song)

I must apologize for this snapshot.  It was taken surreptitiously with my iPhone.  Probably should not do this in Church but I realized that this group would not be together again like this for a long time.  Al and her kids came as well and here are all the cousins: front row, George, Henry, Clara, Katie. Mimi, Maryanna, Henry, with William James, Heidi in the middle row, and Sarah Scotty and Mary's German exchange student, Anton, in the back.

After the baptism, Mom gave a good talk on the Holy Ghost and Bryan asked me to confirm Michele a member os the church.  After the closing prayer there was a rush of little kids to the Primary Room where there were two tables of sweet treats.  It was a fine baptismal ceremony and great event.

There have been three German High School exchange students with families in the Bloomfield Hills ward, attending Andover High School.  There are also two German families who live there as well and I knew two of them in the mission field. (Einie kleine Deutsche Gemeinde in Michigan!) During Fast meeting, one of the girls got up and bore her testimony.  It was very interesting as the rules prohibit active proselyting and they do not speak to missionaries but they emesh themselves into the lives of the host families.  The two girls went to early morning seminary each and every day and attended all church meetings.  They expressed desire to join after they return to Germany and straighten things out with their families.

Mary had a young man, Anton from Dusseldorf  stayed with them for a year.  He liked it so much, he kept extending the duration of stay.  He became a member of the family fitting right in and doing all the things the family was engaged.  He rode in the back of the car when they came to Utah. He is a very fine young man, respectful and very helpful.  He pitches in on the farm.  On Sunday, he was assigned to give a 5 minute talk in Church and they listed him as Br. Mavric.  He gave a very mature talk and bore testimony to the truth of the Restoration, a talk which he prepared himself.  He goes home in a couple of weeks.  Good things going on in the old ward!

Need to write about a couple of other things in Michigan.  We had a ball.  Mom is down in California this week helping Bina with their move to Florida.

We Love you All,

Dad