AJ turned 8 last month which for him was significant in many ways. First, he is another year older. Second, and most important for us is he is old enough to get baptized. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints it is very clear that is a parents job to teach their children about “repentance, faith in Christ the Son of the living God, and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost”. It seems simple enough (I am a returned missionary), but as convert I wasn’t sure how to teach AJ about being a member all his life when I am not. Lucky for me Denise has been a member all her life. We have been teaching AJ since the day that he was born the importance of baptism. We have taken him to any and all baptisms we could go to. As such it was not much of a shocker to me that he was more than willing to do his Bishopric interview all by himself.

The baptism itself went great. It was standing room only as all of Denise’s family was at the baptism, plus many from our ward. Denise’s dad gave a very heart warming testimony.

After the baptism, we had a get together at the park with a very nice cake made by a sister in our ward. After the park we went bowling. Then to finish the day we went to the Soup Plantation in San Bernardino.

All in all it was a great day. All I can say to anyone who helped make this day in anyway possible, THANK YOU!! I recognize the fact that AJ has been helped along the way by many people. There is no great joy to a parent than to see their child follow in the way of the Savior, so that someday they can return to their Heavenly Father.

This was only some of the people who came to the baptism.

After the park we went to Arlington Lanes. I did horrible.

Sister Long made us this great cake, we won it at a Scout Camp auction.

After the Baptism we all met at Bonamino park to get out the wiggles.

You would think with a challenge like that they should at least offer you a T-Shirt.