“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.
How beautiful!
I am so happy for Ariana and glad that she was surrounded by her wonderful family.
Sweet photo of your little family.
On a side note (and only because you worry about it):
Lori, you look great and I think BT looks like he has gained a few pounds.
What a beautiful picture! I loved hearing Ariana bear her testimony on Sunday, I got all teary eyed!
What a great picture of your family. It sounds like it was a great day for Ariana.
I love rainbows. We didn’t know it at the time, but the storm would end. I think you’ve found the pot of gold and are enjoying it now.
I love reading your blog. Most of all, I love seeing how happy you are today.
Love you,
Jody
What a beautiful family picture. I am so glad it was a wonderful day for Ariana. So lucky to have family come down even though it wasn’t a long visit to celebrate her wonderful day. I remember those times….and her birth. What a wonderful day that was for you. Ariana was and is a blessing in your life. I am so glad the day went off without a hitch.
(stop worrying about how you look…you look beautiful…pregnancy suits you…fun to think baby Tad is in the family picture too!)
What a wonderful day for a wonderful girl! Ariana truly is a rainbow to many, including our family. We loved the quilt…can’t imagine the hours of love and work that went into that. Thanks for letting us be a part of Ariana’s special day. Thanks for the Scooby-Doo DVDs and the fun night with Taylor. Lori…your little guy is almost here…can’t wait to meet him.
Lori, your post reminded me of an EFY song from 2005. It’s called “What Heaven Sees in You”. It goes through each of the “white dress moments” (blessing, baptism, wedding) of an LDS girl’s life.
I thought you might like it:
Lyrics: http://www.hedgemom.net/id49.htm
Song Clip: http://www.ldsaudio.com/shop/music.aspx?id=341&type=album
(Scroll down, and it’s the 2nd to last song).
your cuz,
Heather Hess
p.s. I love reading your blog!