Still Thankful

Sunday evening, we had our traditional carnivore post Thanksgiving turkey. Andrew and Dad roasted it with rosemary. We eat it right out of the pan, just tearing it apart and eating it. It is fun and super yummy! Andrew's girlfriend, Lauryn, joined us. I'm pretty sure she thinks we are crazy, but she loves us anyhow.

They made mashed potatoes to go with it.

They had fun playing Settlers of Catan after turkey.

The week was full of MCO rehearsals and 6 concerts. It was amazingly wonderful! There will be a separate post for all of that.

Saturday morning, Sebastian got baptized! He asked Papa to baptize him.

He had lots of friends from school come to support him.

Liz and Daniel Walker, Sara, Sebastian, Lucas Miles, Paul Walker, Brigham Fish

Josh, Freddy, Liz and Daniel, Sara, Sebastian, Laney, Lucas, Paul, Brigham, Andrew

We sure love this guy!

Sebastian and his sister, Sabrina and his mom, Amanda.

The baptism was awesome! Elder Brooks gave the talk on baptism, Papa baptized him with Andrew and Freddy as witnesses. Then Sara, Laney and I sang The Olive Tree accompanied by Amye Godfrey. Brigham Fish gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and then Sebastian bore his testimony. He spoke for about 10 minutes, excitedly sharing all the things he has been learning, especially about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He loves it all! Then we had refreshments and visited. His mom was especially touched and so happy for him. Sebastian is such a ray of sunshine!

Freddy, Madeline Kidd and Andrew 

(She team teaches their Sunday School class with me 

and she also goes to school with us as a music major at GCC.)

Elder Brooks, Sebastian and Elder Allen

Susie cannot get enough hugs from this guy.

Sebastian and his best friend, Miles!

So much love!!

Daniel jumped into this picture.

After his baptism, Dad and I took Freddy and Andrew to Red Robin's for their birthday burgers. Josh Jordan, Sara, Sebastian and Miles joined us. 

The waitresses sang happy birthday to them.

They loved it! And shared their birthday sundae.

They were so cute!

Sunday, we went to church with Sebastian to be there for his confirmation. He asked Rich to confirm him. It was a sweet blessing and Sebastian was so grateful and excited to have the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was testimony meeting so Sebastian shared his testimony about his baptism and all he was learning.

Elder Allen shared in his testimony, that 1 1/2 years ago, he was serving in a family ward in the area where Sebastian lives. As he and Elder Brooks drove up to Sebastian's house for Thanksgiving dinner, he reminisced about how he had previously tracked on the same street and had no luck. Back then, he and his greenie companion had had a long, unsuccessful day and decided to knock on one more door before calling it a night. He said that they knocked 3 times before someone answered. They had a nice conversation and taught him a lesson but then the guy told them it just wasn't the right time for him and thanked them for the pamphlet and Book of Mormon. They were so bummed to go home without a follow-up appointment.

As he and Elder Brooks pulled up to Sebastian's house on Thanksgiving, he realized that it was Sebastian who had spoken with him and his companion 1 1/2  years ago. No wonder they had found each other familiar when they first met. They just couldn't figure out where they would have met previously. It was a crazy awesome story!

Elder Allen, Sebastian and Elder Brooks

Just to add to all the wonderful things of the week, Sunday evening, Daniel modeled his choir tie and suspenders for us, minus his shirt. It was pretty funny!

What a nut!