EMILY EVA'S BAPTISM

Dear Family.

Lot of activity this last two weeks.  Yesterday, we had a baptism with Cheryl and Paul's youngest daughter, Emily Eva, getting baptized in her ward chapel.  It was hard to schedule to get everyone in town at the same time but finally parents, grandparents were all there together.

Little Emil looked like an angel and was so happy smiling constantly.  We had a private session with many as possible from the extended families present. I think Emily Eva has > 130 cousins and there were plenty there.

There was a simple program.  Mom said the opening prayer and the two grandfathers gave short talks and testimonies. I talked on how baptism follows the commandment and was a sign of the covenant with Heaven to always choose the right course.  I talked about my baptism in New York City where at the time ('40's) there were no chapels and not even a font so we were baptized in the YMCA [pool somewhere in Manhattan.  I had never had my head underwater and the immersion was a new experience.

Here is a picture of the two grandpas, Opa W. on the left and Jon H. on the right. Jon also talked about baptism and his baptism which was unusual.  He was in Pensacola, FL as his father was in active duty in the Navy.  The parents were not active at the time so the base Chaplain (Catholic) gathered all the "unbaptized Children"on the base in  the base auditorium, lined them up and then sprinkled each one.  He was later baptized by a member of the Church and the story was interesting.

Paul did the baptism and confirmed Eva a member of the Church with grandpas and uncles standing in the circle.  It was very moving and Eva was radiant and happy.  Afterwards, we  repaired to Cheryl's and she put on a great afternoon feed.  It was so fun to see everyone.

Later we stayed with Paul and watched the Utah, BYU football game held down in Provo.  The stands were very quiet as Utah beat BYU for the fourth consecutive time.  I am a Ute fan as my Dad played for Utah when he went to college in the '20's.  Mom roots for booth and all our kids and their kids root for the their Alma Mater, BYU. All the cousins had sleep overs all over the map and we all got to bed late.  It was a great Saturday but I liked the baptism the best.

Love, to all,
Mom and Dad