Sunday, November 11, 2012

MacKenzy's baptism

I felt like I needed to write a few words in here tonight and express my thoughts of the events these past few days. 
We were able to go to Missoula to attend and participate in our 8 year old grand daughter MacKenzy Best's baptism.  This past year has been a lot of ups and downs for this little girl as her parents separated and divorced.  She and her brothers have had a lot of traumatic events as their lives were changed in a split moment decision.  I felt the great love of our Heavenly Father for us and for my daughter Gina, MacKenzy, Jimmy, Cody, Zachary and Jim this weekend, as we were able to be there for her baptism and feel of His spirit healing our hearts and teaching us through His unconditional love.  I volunteered to play the piano for the service and John, her grandpa, my husband, was asked to speak about baptism.  We have felt a lot of deep sorrow over the events that this little girl and our other grand children have had to deal with, but their love for their parents was very evident.  John gave a wonderful heartfelt talk about baptism and I played two songs for the service, "When I Am Baptized," and "I'm trying to be Like Jesus."   Those Primary songs that we sing with the children in our church are so touching to my soul that I can't sing or play them without crying and feeling the Spirit so strong each time.  They just touch me deeply and I felt it a privilege that I was able to play two of them for her. 
After her baptism we all went out to dinner with her other grand parents and both our daughter and Jim her dad.  Everyone is friendly and loving towards each other and this has made it so much better for our grand kids.  Once again I was taught through the Spirit. 
Today as we attended church we had a lesson on showing kindness and how we should always do this to all people no matter what the circumstances.  We need not judge but we should encourage better choices when those around us make mistakes.  It allowed me to think, ponder, and reflect about this past year and the events that happened this weekend.  It gave me the opportunity realize how I treat other people especially my own family members, and how I've judged the events of this past year with my kids. Today as I listened to this lesson I realized that Heavenly Father knows each one of us, and is compassionate when we make mistakes. He was cementing those lessons I had already learned earlier in the weekend.  I know I am to show love and treat others as Heavenly Father treats me even in difficult situations.  Heavenly Father healed me through the gift of this weekend and the lesson today.  We must be as innocent as a child and my grand kids are pure and full of this love that the Savior has taught us about. 
I have had a hard time forgiving my daughter and son-in-law for the decisions that they made which resulted in the hurt that came to our grand kids.  Today's lesson taught me and has given me the knowledge and tools to forgive and to help her to "start over" in choosing better choices.  After this weekend I have felt the Spirit and it's taught me to forgive and to help both my daughter and my grand kids.  I have learned this day how to be a better mom and grandma, and have been given a gift from Heavenly Father, the gift of knowledge about how he would have me do this and live my life better. 
Once a year our church has a Sunday where the children of Primary age, (3-12) are allowed to present the entire Sacrament meeting (church) program.  Today was that day and as the children sang, I was touched, and tonight my heart is full.  As the song that I played at the baptism was also one sang today it says,

"I'm trying to be like Jesus,
I'm following in His ways, 
Trying to love as He did,
In all that I do and say, 
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

Love one another as Jesus loves you,
Try to show kindness in all that you do, 
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.

I'm trying to love my neighbor,
I'm learning to serve my friends,
I'll watch for the day of gladness
When Jesus will come again,
I try to remember the lessons he taught,
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts saying

Love one another as Jesus loves you,
Try to show kindness in all that you do,
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.  




My grand kids, Cody, MacKenzy, Zachary, Jimmy

MacKenzy is baptized by her father Jim.

My daughter Gina, MacKenzy's mom and MacKenzy. Baptized this day, November 9th, 2012

The family someday to be together again is my prayer.

I have been blessed to teach myself piano and now I get to use this skill to play for my grand kids and special family and church events. Today I got to play for MacKenzy's baptism. 
I realize that if I live my life as this song says, I'll be a better person each day and a better mom, wife, grandma to all I meet each day.  I have felt of His love for me this weekend and I know that I can do better and show that love each day to all of my family and friends.  The lessons I learned and the spirit I have felt these past few days, has taught me well.  I truly want to try to be like Jesus and I hope that I can always remember those things that He has taught me the last few days.  I love all my children and grand children and I need not judge but instead I need to encourage, serve and guide with love.