Parenting Highlights...

Yesterday Julio got baptized. It was a great experience watching him prepare for it the last few weeks. He was very aware of what he was doing and took it very seriously. The first thing he said to me yesterday morning was, "Today's my baptism day!!!"

We chose the wrong day to do it. Yesterday was the election for the mayor of Big City. Brazilians are required by law to vote; if they don't vote they are fined, they can't receive a passport and they can use any government provided services. Interesting, huh? Understandably so, almost everyone participates which means A LOT of traffic.

So not many came, but those who did made a lot of effort to get there and we appreciated it. The water was very cold (and slightly brown, eww), but Julio didn't complain a bit. Juan Carlos said a sweet prayer, Margarita sang "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" very well, I gave a talk, and Guapo preformed the baptism.

In the end I was glad it was as small as it was. It seemed really special and very much a family affair.

(see post below)

President Gordon B. Hinckley

There are so many lovely posts out there honoring President Gordon B. Hinckley, the leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who passed away Sunday evening; I can't add anything new but just wanted to share my thoughts. He was the prophet when I joined the church almost 12 1/2 years ago and has been an important figure in my life ever since.

When I think of him I think of someone who was truly exemplifies Christ. He preached, and more importantly, lived a life of, tolerance, acceptance, optimism, kindness, hard-work, faith, and devotion. I always appreciated that in his addresses he never made you feel bad or guilted you into making changes in your life, he just gently encouraged you to try a little harder and to do a little better, to remember our past and look forward to our future.

I, like so many others, am happy he is once again with his beloved wife (and probably getting a well deserved break!), but I will miss his presence and in our church so much.