Andrew gets baptized

Landon, Andrew and Alex and Andrew's Jan. 31st LDS baptism

We all survived Andrew’s baptism. 

 That makes it sound like it was horrible and it wasn't, but it did have the capacity to be.  

 Afterall, we were attending our son, Landon’s partner, Alex’s son’s baptism…..with a very antagonistic x-wife and in the midst of a fierce custody battle. 

  What?

 Everyone turned on their best behavior and it actually was really sweet.  It was hard for Alex to be back in the ward that he left when he got divorced, but many seemed pleased to see him. It’s a Portuguese ward and the program was in Portuguese, as were the songs, and the speakers…all except Laila who gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and Wayne who confirmed Andrew in English.  Andrew speaks both Portuguese and English and most of the ward understands English and speaks a little English…but Portuguese is first.  

 Andrew planned his program… with Laila and Wayne participating and  little sister Sophia giving the closing prayer.   Wayne was honored to be asked.  He gave a beautiful blessing with the confirmation to Andrew. He really emphasized the knowledge to have that Andrew ( all of us) is a literal child of God. 

We met Patricia, the x-wife  and her family, in their “Spanish Soap opera” outfits and attitudes.  I don’t know quite how else to explain it.  It was Telemundo interesante. ( I know I should be relating this to something Brazillian and Portuguese sounding...but alas Spanish is all I know.)

The fun surprise was Aunt Wanda and Uncle Dell came to it.  They just live up the street in Orem.  What wonderful, warm, welcoming people they are.  SO proud to be related to them.    We also had Monson, Lexi, me, Wayne, Laila and Alfie for support for Andrew, and of course, Alex. 

 The whole experience was overwhelming for Andrew…first of all his two worlds were colliding.  He is really good at keeping his mom’s world and his dad’s world and the people in them separate  but on this day everyone was in the same room at the same time…and being nice too.  IT was just too many people, too noisy, too many hugs but he did good. 

 Hopefully it will be a good memory for him.

I have a couple of observations about this day...first off, it's amazing what the spirit can do.  I really felt the spirit touch this day, because it is a sacred saving ordinance and allowed all of the participants to be civil and cordial to one another.   

and

I'm once again amazed at the support system of an LDS ward.  Patricia, the x-wife, is full of  "crazy" but knowing that, and I'm sure many in her ward do too, she is still loved unconditionally and surrounded even with her flaws, because after all are we not all crazy and flawed in some way.  It works this way in my ward too... we just lift and love because that's what Jesus would do...and we don't judge.  Having a ward family is a beautiful thing.

Front row: Melinda, Laila, Andrew, Lexi, Friend Paula and Alex's mom Sonia
2nd row:  Alfie, Wayne, Monson, Landon,Alex, Sophia and Alex's dad Allan.

"You are a child of God. He is the father of your spirit. Spiritually you are of noble birth, the offspring of the King of Heaven. Fix that truth in your mind and hold to it. However many generations in your mortal ancestry, no matter what race or people you represent, the pedigree of your spirit can be written on a single line. You are a child of God!" Boyd K Packer