Miracle!

Every day life shows us that God does exist and He does hear our pleas and love us. 

My Nephew Jackson (9), pictured in the middle between Charlie (4) and Nolan (3), has desired to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for a year. Since he turned 8 in Jan of 2009, he's been praying, fasting by himself and begging his mom to let him be baptized. His father TJ (who has 4 kids from previous marriage) married my sister Shanna (who has 3 kids from previous marriage), and they are both active in the church and have been praying and fasting for Jackson also. His maternal mom lives in Virginia and hasn't been sure if baptism for Jackson was a good idea. 

A few months ago, we were living in the same ward as my sister and her family, and the kids were a part of the primary sacrament meeting program. JAckson's class all got up and shared a bit of their testimony from being Baptized that year... Jackson got up and recited a scripture... This and so many other experiances like it have caused m heart to break and my pleas to increase to the Lord. 

Rob and I felt to fast for Jack that he'd be baptized by his 9th birthday. We told Jack we were going to fast and he no doubt joined and we talked about having increasing faith and courage.

The day after Jack's 9th birthday, TJ again asked Jack's mom in VA if he could be baptized. She finally consented on account that they agree to some other business they've been working out. 

Jack has before Wednesday to be baptized because his older sister Ana is moving back to VA to be with her mom and she should be there to witness the miracle!!

Because he is 9, he has to be taught the missionary discussions... I"m sure the sister missionaries will be blown away by his faith, courage and desire to be baptized, as well as his knowledge of the gospel.

This is just a shout out to Faith, Prayer, Fasting, and Courage, and to Jack for his diligence, and for not giving up or getting discouraged!!

When TJ told him he could get baptized, he wept. I love Jackson and all my nieces and nephews. They are giant examples of the Saviors Love.

"...Now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

   Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witness of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

   Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

   And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts." - Mosiah 18:8-11