Following

The Book of Mormon asks us to follow the Savior down into the waters of baptism.

Calvin followed Him on December 6, 2008.

But he has been trying to follow Him long before that . . .

Jesus Christ is the creator.

He made the earth and everything on it and Calvin has always recognized His amazing creations.

As a baby, Calvin would squeel with delight pointing and gesturing at the mountains and the trees and the rocks. Calvin loves the stars, the moon, and the planets.

In his prayers he has thanked Heavenly Father for Jupiter and for all of "His outskirts and his inskirts."

Maybe that's why he's tried to invent so many things on his own. He has made moon landing gear, rocket ships, carbon dioxide air filters, astronaut suits made out of garbage bags, "technology" bottles full of tv wires, and flying machines.

The Savior is selfless and sacrificed His life for us. Calvin has tried to follow him by sharing everything from chocolate bars to socks (he gave Coleman his socks to wear on the first day of school when Coleman discovered--in Cindy's driveway-- he didn't have any).

He is also willing to do anything he can to save others from punishments or pain. Once when an un-named brother was being a pill right before a Halloween party, I threatened him with not being able to come with us to the party. From the back of the van I heard Calvin say, "Mom . . . Mom." I was too busy bawling the unnamed child out, and then finally I said, "What?

"Mom, can stay home so that (BLANK) can go. It's OK."

And there are other times . . . Like when Cy doesn't clean up his toys and the SUCKER UPPER comes out and takes them away, Cal asks if he can do a job so that Cy can get his toys back.

He truly is an angelic, Christ-like child.

At the Baptism: (Warning: This part is for family history and probably provides too much information. Feel free to scroll down to the pics at the bottom without offending anyone.)

Calvin asked Coleman to speak at the baptism. He told Calvin that he was glad that the water was warm that day because a few weeks prior a girl in our ward had to be baptized in ice cold water because the water heater had broken at the stake center. He told Calvin a story about how Cam had baptized a woman in Japan in the ocean while it was snowing. When she came up out of the water she said, "I'm warm." Coleman testified of the power of the Holy Ghost to warm us and to testify that what we are doing is right.


Calvin's cousins--Madison, Emma, and Daphne sang "I'm trying to be like Jesus" as sweetly as little angels.

After the baptism, Cam spoke about the Holy Ghost (and I have to say it was the best talk I've ever heard on the subject) and how it was like FIRE. He reminded Calvin about how much he loves to go camping, and that his favorite thing to do when he goes camping is to play with the fire. He taught us all that Fire has many uses. It provides:

warmth and comfort

light

protection from animals

power (to cook)

cleanses and purifies

(He reminded Calvin how when he uses a needle to get out a sliver,

he burns the tip of it in a flame to disinfect it.)

The Baptism of Fire, or the Holy Ghost, also gives:

warmth and comfort

light--helps us understand, gives peace, joy

protection--through warnings, teaches us to stay away from evil

power--to be more than who we are

cleansing and purification

Afterwards, (and after Kristi lost her wedding ring in the parking lot and Danny picked it up but didn't tell anyone for a month!), we had a luncheon at Cynthia's house.

Cousins Dawson and Wyatt

The new parents, Danny and Shalayne

Gorgeous, Amazing CeLisa

Calvin wanted to invite them, but I wouldn't let him.

Shalayne, CeLisa, and TJ

Jeff, Emma, and Grandpa Packer

Lisa, Nikki, and Tiffany

Kristi and Lisa