Madi's Baptism

When I came into the young woman program (18 months ago), I met a spunky girl named Madi.  She was not a member of the church, but often attended church with my friend Deedra and came to our activities often.  Several sets of missionaries had taught her the gospel and although she wanted to be baptized, her dad said she was too young.  He wanted her to wait until she really understood the commitment she would be making.  He had been baptized into the church when he was 35, but became less active soon after.

This year, we convinced Madi to come to girl's camp.  She didn't know if she really wanted to come, but she came.  One morning, we asked the girls to take some time alone in the woods to ponder, read scriptures and write in their journals.  Madi thought that it was going to be lame, and wanted to just be with her friends, but on that morning, as she sat in the trees, she said that she felt the holy ghost tell her that she should be baptized and that now was the right time.  Later that day, she told me what had happened, I was thrilled.  In testimony meeting at the end of the week, she stood and shared her feelings and told everyone that she had decided to be baptized.  But, she was really nervous to tell her dad and didn't know if he would give his permission.  So, we all started praying for her and her dad.

When she got home, they sat down for dinner and she told him.  He asked why she wanted to be baptized, and she was able to tell him that she felt the holy ghost for the first time, and knew it was the right thing to do.  This time he gave his permission.  We were all so excited!

Last night, after her 7 year faith journey, she was finally baptized.  It was an emotional and wonderful evening for all of us.  She is a strong, brave young woman that I have come to admire and love.