Thursday, September 11, 2008

Kaitlyn's Baptism


So I am finally entering a post about Kaitlyn's Baptism. 

 (Pictures of Kaitlyn were taken in front of the Kirtland Temple door, N.K. Whitney store and on the Kirtland Temple grounds.)

When we first moved to the Kirtland area we took a tour, as a family, of the Kirtland historic sites. On the tour the missionary related to us that many early saints were baptized in the Chagrin river near historic Kirtland. We all thought that was so neat and thought it would be pretty cool if Kaitlyn was baptized in the river.

Two years later with proper permission obtained we did infact perform the ordinance in the Chagrin River as near we could to the actual probable location where the early saints were baptized.



The big concern was the level of water. It is a small river which is not very deep. "Mr. Bill" our neighbor who grew up in Kirtland, about 30 years ago, volunteered to meet us after church with his swim trunks on and wade in the river to see where the deep spots were. He waded out while we stood on shore. We were very hopeful after this exploration as he found some spots that went just above his knee. We would just need to practice with Kaitlyn to get very low, which we did the night before. We practiced a bunch and realized the water would be running from head to toe. I worried that the water would kick her feet out so I simply, very lightly, stepped on her feet with one of my feet.


With the river level sufficient and plenty of practice, Kaitlyn was baptized on Saturday, August 31, 2008, by Me (her dad). What a neat experience it was. We found an adequate location in the water. As we got set up in the spot we stood for a moment. I wanted Kaitlyn to just kind of take it all in. We discovered a small audience, other than our family and friends on the banks of the river, in very small fish swimming about our legs. The fish seemed to love and flock to our white clothing. Kaitlyn and I got a little kick out of it.


Kaitlyn, Mom and I love you and are very proud of you. I know that your Heavenly Father is very proud of your decision to be baptized. Thank you for being such a wonderful daughter and kind sister to your siblings.

8 comments:

Liz Johnson said...

How cool!! Congratulations Kaitlyn!

Rochelle said...

That is so awesome! What a memory for your whole family, but especially Kaitlyn. How many people can say they were baptized there? Wish we could have been there to see it in person!

Wendi said...

That is so great! Congratulations Kaitlyn! What an exciting and memorable day.

Jean said...

Congratulations to Kaitlyn!! I think it's so wonderful that she was baptized in the river where baptisms originally took place. Very special!

Jordana said...

Congratulations, that's so great! Kaitlyn looks so beautiful and grown up, I miss you guys!

John said...

Congrats Kaitlyn! We wish we could have been there.

Those are nice pictures. Some of them look like they could have been taken by a professional :)

Katie said...

How wonderful! And her dress is DARLING!

hilary w said...

Wow...what a neat experience to be baptized in such a special place. That's so neat that you were able to capture it in pictures. Congratulations, Kaitlyn!