“WHEN I AM BAPTIZED”

[audio:http://tolberts.org/lori/Audio/rainbows.mp3]

I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain
And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.

I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away,
And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.
I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

Surrounded by family and friends–including Grandma & Grandpa Hess, Aunt Heidi, Aunt Lisa and Gran Tolbert–Ariana was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by her dad, John Bryan Tolbert, on Saturday, September 6, 2008.

As I helped Ariana put on her new baptism dress, I couldn’t help but think about a similar day, 8 years ago, that I dressed my precious newborn daughter in her blessing dress.  Ariana’s birth changed my life and heart forever.

Several times during my pregnancy, I questioned how Heavenly Father could possibly send me a child given the stormy circumstances of my life at the time.  Now I know that by blessing me with my sweet Ariana, He was sending me a rainbow.  She empowered me with the hope and strength needed to see us both through to brighter days.

I love you with all my heart, Ariana, and am so incredibly proud of the wonderful young lady you are becoming.