October, 8th 2011, Hailey was baptized. It was a fabulous event. We spent weeks planning, buying a beautiful white dress, having many Family Home Evenings on Baptism, making invitations, cleaning the house, preparing the program, and then having a wonderful day.
A few weeks before the baptism I took Hailey to Temple Square in Salt Lake City to take some pictures of Hailey around the temple. It was around 6 pm on a random Wednesday and not very many people were at Temple Square. She looked so beautiful in her white dress. She walked and acted like a princess. We talked a lot about the church and life in general. It was wonderful private time. I took her in the visitor's center to the statue of Christ and told her that is where Ben proposed to me. She sat on the same chair I did, almost 13 years ago. I took her to the temple doors and her little hand shook as she reached to touch the door knob. She cried afterwards and said she could feel the Holy Spirit very strongly. It was a wonderful sweet time.
Hailey was able to be baptized with her friend Myah Smith. They were only birthdays in September, to be baptized in October. She was baptized by her Ben. Many, many families came to support her. We had many of her neighborhood friends. Our home teachers (brother Moore and brother Caughlin), her primary teachers (Sister Anderson) and the Primary presidency. My visiting teachers. Our good friend Craig Mattinson conducted (he is in the bishopric). Abby Mattinson play the piano and Grandpa Powell lead the music. Shelli Smith gave a talk on baptism and Grandma Powell gave a talk on the Holy Ghost. Hailey, Aubrey, Myah and Beckham sang "When I am Baptized" while my sister, Stephanie, played the guitar. Grandma and Grandpa Place came, Grandma and Grandpa Powell, Jen, The Morgan family, the Mercer family, Rachael, Ryan, Jett, Becca and Hannah, the Okerlund family and the Herrera family. There was so much love and support it was overwhelming. After the baptism everyone came to our home for lunch. I had made a movie of Hailey's first 8 years and played it for everyone. It was a wonderful day!!!
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| Hailey and Ben before the baptism. |
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| Hailey and Myah on their baptism day. |
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| Hailey at the temple |
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| Hailey's first time to touch the temple doors. |
