Lily's 8th birthday and baptism

On Sept. 30, Lily turned 8 years old. In some ways, I can't believe that she is already 8! In other ways, it's been a journey that sometimes has seemed longer than maybe we were prepared for. But, in going back and reading my journal entries written when she was a baby and a toddler, I have realized just how far she has come. She has such an amazing spirit! The desire to be baptized was in her heart, in spite of the fact that she is terrified of putting her head under water. She has never put her head under before, so we were unsure as to whether or not she would be able to go through with her baptism. I know that it was her strong spirit and the many prayers offered on her behalf, that enabled her to overcome her fears and be baptized. I can't quite describe what I felt that day. But, I do know that I felt that for that brief moment, her disabilities just melted away and I was able to see Lily for who she truly is. The anxiety and autism didn't stand a chance against her spirit. I will cherish that moment always. The Spirit in the room was so strong that I couldn't hold back my tears. I know these words don't do justice to how Coult and I felt that day. Natalie was so proud of Lily too. She has watched Lily's struggles and I know she understands too just how amazing it was that Lily was able to go under the water. She was holding Joshua whenever Lily came up out of the water and she said that his face just lit up and he had a huge smile on his face--almost like he was saying that he knew she could do it. I feel tremendously blessed to be the mother of such special spirits.