I like to look for rainbows

On Saturday, our oldest daughter Lauren was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was such a wonderful, happy day and she was so excited to take this important step in her life. We were grateful that many of our family members and friends could come and share this special event with us. Jake performed the baptism and confirmed her a member of the church and gave her the gift of the Holy Ghost.



As we were talking with our girls tonight, Lauren said that she was grateful that Jake's surgery was after her baptism and confirmation, because she now has the gift of the Holy Ghost to help her when she feels worried about his surgery tomorrow. We believe that this gift is the privilege of enjoying the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost and are so grateful that our little girl has the promise to be comforted by that constant companionship tomorrow, and throughout her life.


One of Lauren's favorite songs is called When I am Baptized and we sung it as part of her baptismal service. The words are as follows:

I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain

And ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again.

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.

I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

 

I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away, 

And I can be forgiven and improve myself each day

I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain.

I want to be the best I can and live with God again.

In a usually sunny desert, Lauren's baptism day dawned with big clouds in the sky. Throughout the day the rain poured down in droves and filled the usually empty reservoirs of the desert. The rain had dissipated by the time we left to drive to the church, and stayed at bay during the baptismal service and for us to take pictures after the baptism. 


Our dear friend Nelly attend the baptism and went out into the hallway with her son during the service. While there, she looked out the window and saw two beautiful rainbows in the sky. She took this picture and wrote to us how "it came to me that those rainbows were for our friends Jordan and Jake."

I had a similar thought as we were driving to church today. The sun was shining and the earth was clean again. I commented to Lauren that we had experienced the words of her favorite song. Although her baptism day was filled with rain, the Lord had sent a rainbow and made the earth clean again.


We do not know what storms lie ahead for our family. Jacob has surgery tomorrow, and will then undergo treatments of various kinds for weeks to come. We cannot predict what changes, or hardships, or trials will enter our lives. 


But we can choose to look for rainbows. The small things that will give us hope, that will lift us up, and that will give us courage as we move ahead. I know that no matter fierceness of the storm, God will always send a rainbow. He made that promise to Noah and it is still in force today. We are grateful for the knowlege that He who is master of the elements stands at the helm and will help us, our children, and our families by sending rainbows.