To rely on wonder...

We didn't have the internet to answer every question
so we had to rely on wonder, encyclopedias, 

and the wisdom of our elders.
I think we were better for it.

Gathering for Grahm...

It was wonderful to gather with family and friends to celebrate Grahm's baptism.

I was thankful Chris was home and could be with us. I love having our family together.

What a blessing that Grahm's Great Grandma Darling could also come for the baptism and the gathering after. She told me she wonders why she is still here. Then she quickly said it was so she could be at the baptism. She's so loving and family means everything to her. 

Grahm still has the silver dollar!

I took this picture before the baptism. Grahm likes the inside pocket in his jacket. He had a mini Jesus figure in it!

Uncle Chris and Grahm

It was so nice of Adrian to come, he's a dear family friend.

And of course Great Uncle Lee

Grahm took the next few pictures!

Grandma Darling

Christopher and Adrian

Cousin Navy

Uncle Marshall and cousin Gavin

Beautiful Aunt Bree

Good friends and the Harris family, Kenny and Pam

Tiffani gave Grahm some candy that had cute saying about baptism attached to them. It was sweet watching Grahm read them. 

A day I'll always remember...

ThrowBack Thursday ~ My soccer star...

 What a cute little boy my Mark was and is!

Grahm's Baptism Day...

I have been trying to find the right words to express the joy I felt on Grahm's baptism day. I've tried for a few weeks now to prepare this post but as I typed some thoughts they always seems to fall short. Watching my grandson take this important step, surrounded by those who love him most, filled me with gratitude beyond words.

Tiffani asked me to help Grahm choose the opening and closing songs. I suggested a few songs and he knew right away which ones he wanted. He chose "I Am a Child God" and "When I Am Baptized." Grahm sang the first verse of "I Am a Child of God" by himself.

It was a privilege for me to share a few thoughts about the baptismal covenant and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Grahm helped me by holding up some items that would help him remember what the Holy Ghost does.

I had a flashlight and started to relate it to the Holy Ghost when Grahm looked at me and said, "Grandma, can I tell about this?" "It helps lead you in the darkness. If you are having a bad time and you are kinda scared, and it's dark, you turn on the light and you won't be scared anymore." There was nothing else I needed to add. 

The following were my closing thoughts:

"Grahm, before I finish, there is one more thing I want you to know.

You were given a special name—Grahm Ivan. You were named after my Dad, Ivan.

Great-Grandpa Ivan was not baptized when he was 8, he was 59 years old. After being taught by some missionaries, he chose to follow Jesus Christ. His testimony was strong and he loved the Gospel. He worked hard his entire life. He was always helping others. He was a wonderful friend, son, husband, dad, and grandfather.

Grandpa Ivan passed away many years ago when he was only 66 and that was before you were born. But I believe he knows you and is so happy that you are choosing to follow Jesus, just like he did. I know he’s proud of you too.

I brought something today that belonged to Grandpa Ivan, I want you to have it... a silver dollar."

You can see Nana facetiming all the way from Vietnam.

I asked Grahm to guess how old it thought the silver dollar was. He was surprised when I told him it was minted in 1921 so it's 104 years old! 

"Silver is strong, and it lasts a long time – just like love and faith can last a lifetime… even forever. I want to give this coin to today to remind you of Grandpa Ivan and the strong testimony he had.

I hope this coin will also help you remember your baptism day and the promises you made. May it always remind you to choose the right and listen to the Holy Ghost."

As I watch Grahm step into the waters of baptism with his big brother Cash, my heart felt fuller than I knew was possible. Grahm was so excited and so ready to make his first covenant with Heavenly Father. In that quiet, sacred moment, the Spirit filled the room.

I can't thank Lee enough for capturing this day in so many wonderful photos.

I love how Grahm is looking up at Cash.

This picture melts my heart. Grahm's warm smile and Cash reverently and lovingly baptizing his brother.

I'm so thankful we have these photos so Grahm can show them to his future family. 

Cash tenderly touching Grahm's shoulder, what a perfect day.

Grandpa and Grahm have had a special relationship since day one. He was thankful he could confirm Grahm a member of the Church and bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost. He also gave Grahm a sweet blessing.

Bishop Brucker asked Mark to bear his testimony. He expressed what it's like to be father, it was very sincere and tender. 

Bishop Brucker asked Grahm to stand on the chair. He said he doesn't usually let children stand on chairs, but he wanted everyone to see him as he introduced Grahm as the newest member of the Church. Grahm thought that was really awesome! 

Grandpa and Grahm lead everyone in the closing song. Tiffani offered a beautiful prayer.

Grahm really is one of the sweetest gifts. He brings light, joy, and laughter into our lives, and we are so thankful for the blessing of watching him grow. We pray everyday that he will choose to stay faithful, to remember his baptismal covenants, and listen to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. He is a beloved child of God.

We love you so much Grahm!

To run to...

To those who may feel they have somehow forfeited their place at the table of the Lord, we say again with the Prophet Joseph Smith that God has “a forgiving disposition,” that Christ is “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, [is] long-suffering and full of goodness.” I have always loved that when Matthew records Jesus’ great injunction, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect,” Luke adds the Savior’s additional commentary: “Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful”—as if to suggest that mercy is at least a beginning synonym for the perfection God has and for which all of us must strive. Mercy, with its sister virtue forgiveness, is at the very heart of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the eternal plan of salvation. Everything in the gospel teaches us that we can change if we need to, that we can be helped if we truly want it, that we can be made whole, whatever the problems of the past.

...as Alma says in the Book of Mormon, because He has suffered “pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind … , that he may know … how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” To succor means “to run to.” I testify that in my fears and in my infirmities the Savior has surely run to me. I will never be able to thank Him enough for such personal kindness and such loving care.

“He Hath Filled the Hungry with Good Things” | Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

October 1997

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Grandpa Ivan...

I love this picture of my Dad holding his grandson's Christopher and Mark. We were still living in Cheyenne. I miss my Dad and my little boys for that matter.

Feed My Sheep...

In a discussion between Peter and the Savior, we learn of another way the Lord recognizes our expressions of love: “[The Lord] saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.”

We show our love for Heavenly Father when we serve, listen to, love, lift, or minister to His children. That service may be as simple as truly seeing others without judgment. In the 76th section of the Doctrine and Covenants, we get a glimpse of the character of those who will inherit a celestial glory: “They see as they are seen, and know as they are known.” They see others as God sees them, and He sees them as they can become, with glorious divine potential.

After returning home from my mission, I took over the lawn-care business my brothers and I had started as teenagers. I was also busy with my university studies. One spring week, heavy rain and looming final exams left me overwhelmed and behind on yard work.

Midweek the skies cleared, and I planned to catch up on yard work after classes. But when I arrived home, my truck and equipment were gone. Curious, I visited the scheduled yards; each one had already been beautifully trimmed. At the last yard on the schedule, I saw my younger brother walking behind the mower. He saw me, smiled, and waved. Overcome with gratitude, I hugged and thanked him. His meaningful act of service deeply strengthened my love and loyalty for him. Serving each other is an unmistakable way we show our love for God and His Beloved Son.

“Lovest Thou Me?” | Elder Steven C. Barlow

October 2025