Calvin's Blessing

This Christmas we had the gift of being able to be in Utah with our family and friends for the holidays. So we took this opportunity to give Calvin a name and a blessing surrounded by our loved ones.

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka Mormons) we do not baptize children until they have reached the age when they are considered accountable for their actions. In our church that is eight years old. However, when they are still infants we often give them what we call a "name and a blessing." Usually the father of the child, if he is a worthy priesthood holder, will perform this ordinance. He will address our Heavenly Father, give the child a name, and then give a priesthood blessing as he feels guided by the Holy Ghost.

This is such a special ordinance as it focuses on the potential of each individual child. One of the greatest things of parenthood is seeing how divine a child truly is and what they can become. I know this is how Heavenly Father feels about us. He can see our potential even when we can't see it ourselves. During a priesthood blessing, the giver is guided by the Spirit to help us see just a glimmer of the potential Heavenly Father sees in each and every child.

It was hard this time to jot down a few notes, as Olivia was more interested in climbing under the pews then sitting still, but here are a few things from Calvin's blessing that stood out to me.

Christopher blessed Calvin to stand strong and be an example to those around him. I can see Calvin following in his dad's footsteps on this one. Chris was always an example to the younger boys in his ward and I hope Calvin can be as well. He also blessed Calvin with a drive to succeed in the important things in life. That is interesting wording, noting that there are things in life that are important to succeed in and others that may simply be distractions.  He blessed Calvin with wisdom in his decisions. This will be especially important as Calvin grows up in a continually challenging world. And finally, he blessed Calvin with the desire to follow the Lord's teachings throughout his life. This could be the most important of all, as a desire is the first step to any action or change.

Christopher was surrounded by his father, his brothers, my brothers and a few close friends. We are of course missing my father who is with my mother in Italy serving a mission, Chris's brother, Matt, who is living in Texas, and my brother-in-law, Adam, who is living in Minnesota. Know that we miss you and love you!