Everett was baptized on Saturday. It was a crazy whirlwind of events but it all worked out. back in July Everett expressed his readiness to get baptized. I was so excited and relived to hear that he was ready. With the pandemic all baptisms in the area had been changed from a stake baptism day to individual baptism to keep things small. that was exactly what we wished for. A small and imamate baptism.
communicating with the primary president was another story. to say the least it was a mess.
in August a month before Everett's 8th birthday I reached out the primary president once again to ask if we could schedule a baptism for Everett. first they said yes. then they got word from the Stake that starting in September they would not longer have individual baptisms but all kids had to be baptized on the Stake baptism day. This announcement came the same week James' ICU covid cases where at the highest they had ever been for the last 1.5 years. After a quick discussion James and I decided to postpone scheduling Everett's baptism until the covid cases settled down.
After letting the primary president know that we needed to postpone Everett's baptism she asked the bishop if we could make an exception. The Bishop got permission from the stake president and in the middle of September we got permission to do an individual baptism for Everett. YAY! But we couldn't make anything official until the Bishop returned home from his vacation at the end of September.
Late September Bishop Bevens came over to visit with our family. He agreed Everett could get baptized and asked that we do it in 10 days! Oct 9th.
as life goes all the kids got sick the week of Everett's baptism. just a cold but still not fun. Bishop agreed we could continue with the baptism but I was extra thankful that we kept the baptism small.
Thankfully we where able to have family come out for the baptism.
My mom flew in Friday Oct 8th.
Saturday morning Grandma Thomas and the kids got ready for the baptism while James and I went to the church building to fill up the font and set up for the baptism. It was so peaceful.
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| Everett picked out the pictures of the Savior holding a Lamb |
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| Everett's first pair of Scriptures. |
Those who attended the baptism in Person included. Grandma Sandy Thomas, Grandpa Rob Roemhildt, Grandma and Grandpa Cox, Bishop Bevens, and the Winder Family (Ben Everett's Friend) and Ellie (Gwenevere's friend who played the piano for us) and Cousnins Miles and Charlie.
I wish I knew all the people who joined in on Zoom. Here is a list of those I know participated.
Great Red Grandma (Nancy Wilcox), Great Aunt Cindy Packham, Aunt Rebecca Baertlein, Sarah Day, Dalynn Thomas and Girls, Aunt Alisha, Aunt Grace, Uncle Andrew, Grandpa Thomas, Uncle Luke, Papa's cousin Callie Jacobson, Aunt Laura, Uncle Will, Amanda Meikle, Aunt Tessha,
around 1pm we had everyone logged onto the zoom link and we began the service.
Bishop was very kind to include those on zoom in his conducting.
I was very grateful for Gwenevere's friend Ellie who played the piano for our music.
Here is the program
Welcome to the Baptism of
Everett Bennett Roemhildt
Presiding and Conducting .......………………..………… Bishop Bevens
Opening Song ………………….....………...…I am a Child of God
Opening Prayer .….………….…….Mother, Elizabeth Roemhildt
My baptismal covenants……………….………..Charlie Baertlein
Special Musical Number ….………………....……...Gethemene
Baptism of Everett Bennett Roemhildt
By Father, James Roemhildt
Witnesses: Gwenevere and Grace Roemhildt
A time of reverence while those who participated in the baptism change into dry clothes.
Confirmation of Everett Bennett Roemhildt
By Father, James Roemhildt
Testimony Sharing
Closing Song……………..Book of Mormon Stories (last verse)
Closing Prayer ………………….…………...…Dumpa Roemhildt
The program was lovely. Cousin Charlie explained what a baptism covenant is for. Then we sang Gethsemane< Everett's Song, before he entered the waters of baptism. James was worried the water would be cold so we filled the fount on the warmer side. it turned out to be very warm maybe too warm. ooops.
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| Charlie's address on Baptismal covenants. |
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| Before the baptism |
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| Our primary president snapped this phone of Everett getting ready for his baptism |
When James baptized Everett he forgot to let Everett plug his nose. Everett came up out of the extra warm water a little bit mad. James and Everett went and changed clothes.
When they finally returned James gave Everett the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Bishop then invited friends on zoom to congratulate Everett. so we took a minute or two to chat with those on the zoom call.
Then we invited those in person to bare their testimonies for Everett.
Finally Dumpa gave the closing prayer and we went outside to eat cookies and enjoy the beautiful autumn day.
I never got a picture with Everett on his special day but his day will forever live in my heart.
I I am Grateful for our Savior Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice. I'm so glad Everett had the desire to be baptized. and I am ever thankful for the love of family and friends who supported Everett on this special day.
In preparation for Everett's Baptism I had lots of little spiritual promptings of things I wished to bless Everett with. So in addendum to this journal post. I leave with you Everett a mother's blessing.
Everett my son, I bless you with humility. Be thou humble in they yearnings and the Lord, thy God shall lead thee by thy hand. repent quickly that you may always feel the presents of the Holy Spirit. Your Savior is your best friend. He is your big brother and will always be there for you. Your Heavenly parents and earthly parents love you very much. This is the blessing of my heart.
