hazel’s baptism

our dear sweet hazel jane was baptized on sunday. she was so conscientious about her decision to be baptized. she is very aware of the doctrines of the gospel and the promises she was ready to make with god. hazel is such a special girl. i want to be like her when i grow up, truly. she is so creative and sweet and adventurous and sharp and earnest and spunky. i feel like our spirits are made of the same stuff and i love her oh so, so dearly.

sunday was a double momentous day because my brother-in-law jeff was sustained and set apart to serve as the bishop of the shumways’ congregation.
  

hazel was baptized in the same white clothes that my dad, her grandfather, wore when he was baptized sixty years ago. the clothes were made by hand by his mother, my grandma ruthie, hazel’s grandma great. i also wore the same outfit when i was baptized.

the baptism service was so lovely and wonderful. my mom, sister and i sang the song beautiful savior, and i had to fight so hard to not crack into a cry. i felt the love of god in such so strongly and tenderly – my love of god, hazel’s love of god, the love of god for each of us. hazel jane has made such a beautiful decision and i know that she will be a fantastic disciple of christ throughout her life. i am so glad i was able to attend hazel’s baptism.