Gabe's Baptismal Interview

OK, I usually don't get on the computer on Sundays -- my day of rest -- but this was too cute, and I wanted to post while I could still remember everything. As you probably know, Gabriel is getting baptized this Saturday. So, he had his interview with the bishop today. Gabe approached it very seriously. He asked me, "Mom, if I get some of the answers wrong, can I still get baptized?" I had assured him everything would be fine, but he was still worried when we got to the bishop's office.

Well, our bishop is a very down to earth man who spent his life working on a farm. He has a great sense of humor, but it is a little different than what we're typically used to. I'm afraid Gabriel didn't know what to make of him half the time. One of the first things the bishop asked was why we get baptized. Gabe answered, "To wash away our sins." The bishop answered, "That's right! Now, I imagine a young guy like you probably doesn't have that many sins." Gabe said, "Well, it's hard to remember all the times." That cracked the bishop up, and he said, "Well, at least you're honest."

They then talked about the covenants that you make at baptism. We promise to take upon us Jesus' name, we promise to always remember him, and we promise to keep his commandments. He promises us that we'll always have his spirit to be with us. So, the bishop was mentioning how important it is to be obedient. I said Gabe has always been a very obedient boy. The bishop was impressed, and told him that he could be a great influence in his family by his example. He said, "I don't want you to feel that just because you're small, you're unimportant." Gabe answered, "Well, I've never felt that way, but OK."

Finally, the bishop was explaining that when Gabe is baptized, he becomes responsible for his choices. He gave the example of Gabe being responsible for getting up Sunday mornings and getting ready for Church on his own, because he wants to go. Gabe said, "That should be easy, because my brother Gavin and I are always the first ones up. My parents sleep in until 10 or so." (k, that's not true, we're always up before 9 on Sundays!) The bishop laughed, and then he suggested that Gabe get a glass with just a little water in it, and that he dribble it in our ears and on our faces to wake us up. Not too much, just enough to be annoying. Gabe's eyes were huge! He kept looking at us like, "Can I get away with that? It's the bishop telling me to do this!" I'm pretty sure he won't actually act on the suggestion, but if it happens, I'll know who to blame!

I'm so excited about our Gabriel getting baptized. He is such a responsible little man, and he is so ready for this. I love that he'll be getting the gift of the Holy Ghost, because he deserves that blessing. I'll post more next week about the actual day.