My Baptism

Baptism of Graham Michael Ragsdale
August 15, 2015

Presiding………………………………………….…….Bishop Lisle Updike

Conducting……………………………………..Brother Nick Wadsworth

Pianist………………………………………….…………….Cassandra Baer

Chorister……………………………………..……………….Erin Ragsdale

Hymn………………………………….………………. “I am a Child of God”

Opening Prayer……………………………………………Steve Ragsdale

Talk on Baptism…………………………….....Steven and Shelly Arroyo

Special Musical Number………………………….….Debbie Ragsdale,

                                                                           Jessica Ragsdale, 

                                                                      Scotty Ragsdale

Baptism of Graham Ragsdale
Ordinance performed by Lee Ragsdale
Witnesses: Kyle Ragsdale and Steven Ragsdale

Interlude Hymns

Talk on Holy Ghost…………………..…….…………….Rick Ragsdale

Confirmation of Graham Ragsdale
Ordinance performed by Lee Ragsdale

Welcome to Primary…………………………...………..Heidi Anderson

Welcome to Ward / Closing Remarks…...……Brother Nick Wadsworth

Hymn…………………………………………………….…………..”Baptism”

Closing Prayer……………………………...………………Amy Ragsdale

All the Ragsdales!

"I got baptized! I am eight years old now. And I have gone through the gate and I am on the first step on the path to Heavenly Father. I felt really good when I went through the doors of the church. I heard the spirit in my heart. It said, 'Graham, you are just about to go through The Gate.' A lot of family and church friends got to come. All of the Ragsdale family came. I'm really glad they all got to come. I love them very much. 

Before I got baptized, I was gathering up a testimony because I will need a testimony when I go on a mission. I also helped plan the program. I called my aunts and uncles and asked them to be a part of my baptism program. They all said yes! 

Here is a note that Mimi and Papa Ragsdale sent me to remind me of the things Grandpa spoke about in his talk:

I felt really good after I got baptized. My dad gave me a slap on the back when he pulled me out of the water and then I hugged him."

Love,

Graham

Sister "Shmooch"

A little while ago a member of the primary presidency, Ashley Schmutz, told me this story.

Graham volunteered to share a scripture for opening exercises. He had his Book of Mormon open and ready and when it was his turn he eagerly read, 

3 Nephi 12:44

"But behold I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who dispitefully use you and persecute you."

Then he essentially testified of the importance of being kind. Ashley said most of the adults in the room were blinking back the tears. So I asked her to write it down and send me her version for Graham's blog.

Tandem with Uncle Steven

We spent the day visiting lots of Ragsdale family. Uncle Steven got out the tandem bike!

Unfair!

I was talking with the kids about job charts and the division of responsibility in the home yesterday. They started debating whether mom or dad did more work. Graham was pretty addement that dad did more.

I obviously needed to correct this perception. We started listing the things that mom did. 

After a few minutes of discussing this the kids rallied and said they wanted to help with jobs more. 

"Yeah," said Graham. "Cuz it's not fair that mom gets to do all the work!"

(He said this in a whiny sort of way that showed he felt truly jipped out of doing some of the cooler jobs, like loading and starting the dishwasher or doing laundry. Machines and tools are apparently key to getting this kid excited about housework!)

"No," I agreed. "It's not fair."

Then Graham said, "Wait, what did I just say?"

I think the end result of this conversation caught him off guard. 

The Wee Ride!

Finally, we are using the WeeRide we got for Christmas! 

Graham is even wearing Daddy's old helmet!

That Face!

They came back over an hour later - sweaty and happy!

Third tooth

I was dreading that a lost tooth would ruin this kids winning smile... I shouldn't have worried. He still melts my heart.

Love from Sister Rindfleisch

Graham's primary teacher, Katie Rindfleisch, was just released because they moved. Katie and I were visit taught by the same sisters and we were texting today, lamenting her move out of the ward. Here is a bit of the texting exchange:

Katie: I'll miss Graham! He is super smart and knew all the right answers in church. You should be proud. It was fun to get to know him!

Me: I am proud of my boy. I can't take all the credit for the little person he is though, he is good all by himself.

Katie: That is so amazing. I really am impressed. I hope Austin can be just like him when he is older!

I told her that I would relay her compliments to him, but then I decided it would be more meaningful for her to tell him in her own words. So I asked if she would write him a letter:

Dear Graham,

I have had the privilege of getting to know you for a couple months and just wanted to write you some thoughts and impressions I have had about you as I have taught you in primary. I only got to teach you for about 3 months before my family had to move, but from those 3 months I could tell you are a special son of Heavenly Father who loves you very much. I think I learned more from you and your classmates than you probably learned from me. You always knew the right answer and helped others when they did not know what to say. You are patient and kind and I can tell you are a great big brother to all your siblings. You made me laugh every Sunday and put smiles on everyone else's faces. I loved hearing your stories about your family and the week you had like your soccer games or school or what your mom cooked for you. I especially loved hearing your prayers. Heavenly Father does hear you and listens to you. I am very impressed that you know all the articles of faith at age 7 and can read very well. Your love for learning is a wonderful attribute that you have that will get you far in life. Never forget who you are, a special son of God. Thank you for being who you are and teaching me. Thanks for making me laugh and smile, and thank you for your sweet spirit you brought every Sunday.

-Katie Rindfleisch