Surprises are wonderful

On the last Sunday in February, I got a call from my sweet sister, super excited about news she'd just received. She was told that our brother-in-law, Kimo, had decided to get baptized. Not only that, but that our niece and nephew, Alexia & Trevor, had decided to get baptized as well. It was all going to happen the following Sunday. Our excitement was a little over the top, but we decided in that moment that we would buy plane tickets and go to Illinois to be present for the event. We also decided to surprise them. To surprise everyone which meant that we didn't tell anyone what was happening. We felt very sneaky all week long. We were paying attention to things, like the weather, all week long. Because of the stormy outlook, I know that I was including calm weather in my prayers all week and Heavenly Father definitely kept us safe and able to go and support our loved ones.

Saturday morning, extremely early, we got up and drove to the airport. Probably the first flight out of the airport that day. We got into the St. Louis airport at noon. Natalie drove us very safely...and very quickly...to Nauvoo to attend the temple.

I am so blessed and so grateful that we were able to go into the Nauvoo temple. I loved the feelings I felt while there as well as remembering the feelings I felt the first time I went to that temple. 

We continued our sneakiness-Natalie called Pop to ask a question-and then surprised our parents at home. We were so excited during the drive to the house as we anticipated reactions and trying to plan how to really scare them. Unfortunately, the back door was closed off, but we still surprised them. As we walked in, Natalie got an "I knew it!" from Mom followed by a "and Megan too!" since I had my hood over my face. It was fantastic. It was a great day.

Sunday we were blessed by a few inches of snow but nothing that was stopping us from driving. We went with Mom & Pop to church where we heard from several members of the ward and got hugs from a handful of loved friends. We ended up being able to leave earlier than planned and got to surprise Casey, Kimo, and crew at their house rather than at the chapel. It was just as exciting to surprise them as it was to surprise our parents.

Then it was time for the event that caused the trip to begin with. The baptisms were wonderful. Natalie gave a talk about baptism. Kimo was baptized by the bishop and Pop baptized Alexia and Trevor. Mom gave a talk on the Holy Ghost and then the three were confirmed. I felt the Holy Ghost testify to myself the sacredness of the event and I hope they were blessed by that same peace. 

Sunday night was spent with our loving family, eating dinner, playing games, talking late into the night. 

Monday we had to pack up and head back to the airport and back to Utah. It was a little sad to have to leave one family in order to go home to another family, but I feel so blessed for the love I feel in both places. I hope that I can soon see more of that family I grew up with (and those who have come into the family because of them) over the course of this year because I kind of love them.