Friday, April 24, 2009

Stefan's Baptism



My grandson, Stefan was baptized on Saturday April 18th in the same font as his mother, Kendy. Friends and family arrived. Kendy started tuning Stefan's violin for the musical number he was to play as part of the service, when to Stefan's surprise and thrill his violin teacher Mr Beck took the violin from her and tuned it. It was Mr, Beck's birthday but he had still come.
We began by singing one of Stefan's favorite songs, I know that My Redeemer Lives. After a heartfelt prayer by his Aunt Jane Arriscorreta, Stefan played his violin accompanied by Megan Gygi, his friend Harrison's mother. He did a marvelous job of playing Johanns Brahms Waltz. I spoke on baptism. I began talking about my own experience on the island of Oahu and put a lei on Stefan as my Mom had done to me on that special day. The beautiful white and green Azalea lei was made by his mother. After kissing each adorable cheek, I explained that the white represented the purity of forgiveness provided by our Savior thru the ordinance of baptism. The green leaves represented how this can give us eternal life. I talked about the importance of repentance and of living a life of service as a member of God's family, God's church.

Stefan was baptized by his father, Luis Arriscorreta. Afterward Britt signed the words of the song Footprints in the Sand, Marty gave a moving talk about the gift of the Holy Ghost and shared his own conversion story, along with his own baptism some 30 years ago. We closed by singing another of Stefan's favorite hymns Called to Serve. Stefan's aunt Alejandra poured out her heart in a sincere prayer of closing.
We held a reception that evening in celebration of this occasion. Kendy made Kalua Pig and there was a white chocolate fountain with tropical sweets to dip in it.

Stefan was confirmed on Sunday by his grandfather, Marty Robbins. After the confirmation Stefan arose with a big grin on his face and headed straight for me. His eyes clearly read "Look grandma, I did it!" I smiled and motioned him back up where the men of the circle stood waiting to shake his hand.

Later Stefan gave remarks regarding baptism in Primary as part of Sharing Time. He said " I was baptised by my father yesterday. When you are baptized you are born again.....
into the family of God. I know that most of you in here have been baptized also. (thoughtful pause) and that is all I have to say about that. "