Baptism and Berries

We have had such a busy week.  I have decided to report our adventures in two posts.  I will tell all about our trip to New York in the next blog post.

Last Saturday, Craig was able to participate in the baptism of Jay Weaver.

The service was wonderful.  Jay planned the music and speakers.  He had chosen two very nice songs.  Then, on Sunday, he was surprised to see that the National Anthem was in the hymnbook.  At the last minute, he changed his mind and wanted the Star Spangled Banner for the opening song.  So, that's what we sang.  

These are the two "Hermanas" who have been teaching him.  Although not required, Jay was asked to say a few words after the ceremony and tell about how he found the gospel.  He said that he had grown up in a town with a lot of different churches that often vied for members and seemed to be against each other.  He felt that even though the people attended church on Sundays, they didn't act much like Christians during the week.  He had decided he would just stop going to church altogether.

He saw the Sisters wandering around as if lost and asked them if he could help them.  Then he noticed their name tags and wanted to know what they were doing in Rensselaer.  From the time they started teaching him until his baptism it was only about four weeks.  He was most impressed that the Mormons tried to live as they taught.  For any non-Mormon friends reading this - this is true.  We really do try to be honest, kind, loving, and give service every day.  He said, "The sisters were lost so that I could be found."  He is 20 years old and will be a Sophomore at St. Joseph's college.  He plans on turning his mission papers in the Spring, hoping to go on a mission next fall.

This week I did something I have NEVER done before.  Actually I've done a lot of that here in Indiana.  Just down the street are two very large Mulberry trees.  My neighbor dragged us down there.  I'm so glad she did.  They were full of ripe mulberries.

You can see that some berries are ripe and others are not.  

They were juicy and sweet.  YUM.  We ate quite a few.  You just have to be careful, because everything they touch is forever died blue.

I'll add one more thing before I go.  When we got back from New York, our neighbor came over to warn us that there were quite a few Cicada Killers in the neighborhood.  She said they look like huge wasps and dig tunnels under the ground.  Sure enough, look what we found outside our door.

She said they don't bite or sting but look ugly.

 Nice huh?

Tomorrow is our ward picnic.  We are hoping to have about 75 people, including lots of investigators and friends.  The branch is providing the meat and drinks.  The members are bringing salads and desserts.  I am in charge of games and activities for the Primary kids.  We'll take lots of pictures.  We are having a live bluegrass group.  Yay.