"Sonny's Baptism Day"

10.23.10. I am grateful that today was such a special day for my family. Sonny was baptized along with his cousin, TJ. Mahalo to our family and friends who came to support them and attended the party tonight. What a wonderful day!!!

We've talked about this day for so long, ever since we got Sonny. He's looked forward to his special day, too. He met with the bishop last week for an interview, Fosi got him a white jumper from the ward, I was asked to give the talk on baptism and the Holy Ghost at the Stake 'child of record' baptisms. All 8 year olds who turn 8 in that month are baptized on the same Saturday. I was not too thrilled with the idea of a 'mass' baptism and not having the leeway to specialize my son's baptism-from program to musical performances and talks, but it ended up being special, nonetheless. There were 5 getting baptized from Halawa, Nuuanu, MII (TJ) and MI (Sonny). The stake prepared the printed programs and we had opening exercises in the chapel with all the children and their family, ward members. Pres. Tenney conducted and Pres. Stubbs was there, along with bishops from the wards represented. The Stake primary presidency was there-Priscilla Young, Lokahi Molale, etc. Our ward was in charge of the program this month, thank goodness, because I actually got a chance to participate in my son's baptismal program. I thinkg the talk went well, I was only given 5 minutes to talk on 2 subjects and I used props ( a wipeboard and camera/flashlight, keys.) Sarai said it was the best talk she'd heard at a baptism and I thanked her. Lol. The wards were then led to the font one by one. We were last, with TJ baptized by Timo first and then Sonny by Fosi. Sonny was SO excited, you could see it on his face in the water. They both went perfectly and then our wards went back to the chapel for confirmation and closing exercises. Niu confirmed TJ and dad, Fosi, Niu, Timo, Don, Bro. Nauahi, Bishop Tupuola stood in the circle. Fosi confirmed Sonny and the same people stood in the circle along with Pres. Tenney, Bishop Fujii, Mac and Austin. It was a very special moment and Fosi gave a lovely blessing and talked about Sonny being a good example throughout his life and listening to his parents and honoring his priesthood responsibilities and going on a mission and marriage in the temple. You could definitely feel the Spirit and Alyssa Tenney told me afterwards that she was impressed that my parents and other family members were there. I'm sure they were. I hadn't even thought about mom, with all the busyness, but of course she would have been there. We had a nice turnout: Mac and the kids (Ang was at work), Aus and the kids (Tahia was at a fair), Dinah, Deb and her family, the Ulimas, Apa, Lani, Kesi stayed home to watch the food and tent. The Nordgrans, Nauahi, Bro Theurer, the Huddys with Nathan Matsuda, Jen Luke-Payne, Theresa from work, Sister Finau, Luisa, Bella, Don, Elaine, Jonah and Lala. And Kalani came all the way from Laie for the baptism. And of course, Bishop Fujii, Robert, Pres. Tenney and Bishop Tupuola. We took pictures with much of them afterwards. Then we headed to the house where we had been preparing all day cleaning and cooking. Fosi made great potato salad, mom made sapa sui. Sonny cleaned the bathrooms and vacuumed. Timo and Fosi and Kesi/Apa put up the tents and did the BBQ-with Mac, too and dad while they all watched UH kill Utah St. 45-7, yeah baby!!!. We had most of the same people come to the after party (minus Nelson and the kids, Luisa, Fujiis, Tenneys, Tupuolas, Theresa, Theurer and stake primary presidency). The menu: bbq chicken, hot dogs, sapa sui, potato salad, rice, green salad didn't make it, lupulu from Sis Nauahi, cake and ice cream from the Nordgrans. Homemade pumpkin pie from Nani (it was a hit!), pumpkin pie from the Huddys. Drinks provided by Niu. Everyone enjoyed, ate a lot, watched the replay of the UH game, talked story and the kids played. Afterwards, we cleaned up and relaxed. Sonny was blessed with lei, cards, money and a song book with his name engraved from the Nordgrans. It was a wonderful and successful today-one we told Sonny to remember all his life as we talked with him and prayed as a family before the baptism. And it will be one that we will always remember, as well. Mahalo ke Akua.