Our beautiful baby girl, Grace, chose to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We are so proud of her. 

These are a few of the pictures we took for her announcement. 

Graces baptism took place on October 31st, 2020 at the Ririe, Idaho Stake Center at 10 a.m. She was set on having her baptism on Halloween because when we went to her Great to be 8 program in January that is when the stake baptism was set for. With COVID things kind of changed. We were not even sure we would be able to have the baptism in the font. Others had to have their baptism outside in the river or ponds. That would have been cool, but October can be cold. Thankfully we were able to use the font and even though the stake baptism was canceled, we were able to have an individual baptism just for Grace. We did have to limit who could come to the baptism, wear masks, not sing and sanitize after we were done.

Ethan and James both had stake baptisms, so all we did was show up and know who would be baptizing, confirming and witnessing the baptism. Grace was able to plan her whole baptism and it was a wonderful experience. 

After we got Grace all dressed in her baptism clothes we were able to get some pictures. 

This is how Graces baptism went:

Welcome: Bishop Todd Sutton

Opening Hymn: Teach Me to Walk in the Light (listen to only)

Pianist: Ethan Furniss (Brother)

Ethan did a great job playing the piano and really brought the spirit. 

Opening Prayer: Brother Wayne Avery (Grandpa)

Baptismal Talk: Sister Heather Furniss (Mother)

I shared a talk that my mom (Trish Avery) gave at my brother Jakob Avery's baptism 25 years before. I added a few things to make it personal to Grace and reminded her that she was named after her Grandma Trish. That even though her Grandma Trish could not be there physically I knew she was there in spirit. I was way emotional and could really feel the spirit. Here is the talk my mom gave for Jakob's baptism and my sister in law shared at my nephew Quort's baptism last year. Even though I added/changed things a little to make it personal to Grace. I am just adding the original talk. 

A talk given at Jakob Avery's Baptism July 1, 1995 by Trish Avery (Mom)

We've played and watched a lot of baseball this summer, and we've had a lot of fun. I've always felt that sports teach us a lot of good things about life. So today I'm going to tell you about a baseball game. 

This is a special baseball games and a little different than the once you've played this summer. You see, this baseball games is a game you will play for the rest of your life. In this game Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are your coaches. They love and care about you very much and want you to win the game and return and live with them again.

Your coacher (Heavenly Father and Jesus) have given you some special things to help you in this game.

First are the Rule Books which are the Scriptures. If you will use these rules they will help you make good choices.

Second are your first base coaches which are your family (your parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, and other family members and your good friends). These coaches are standing at first base to help you and teach you, so that you will know when to run and when to stay on base. They can speak to you but they can't run for you. 

Third are your church leaders (Bishop, Primary Teachers, Scout leaders, etc.) These coaches are much like the first base coaches, they can guide and teach you but they can't play the game for you They really want you to make good choices and win the game. 

Fourth is a special helper, we don't get to have this helper in the baseball games you've played in before. This helper is the Holy Ghost. Now unlike the other coaches you have, the Holy Ghost can be with you all the time. He can stand right by you in the batter's box and help you bat. He will help you know which balls to swing at and which balls to let go by. He gets to run right along side you every step of the way around the bases, and he can touch you, he touches your heart and your mind to let you know which choices are right. Today you will receive this special helper. Listen to him. 

Now you might think that with great coachers and helpers like this, that game would be easy to win. But, let's talk about the opposing team. The coach for this team is Satan. Satan has taught his team to play dirty. They will chant and jeer and trip and shove. Anything to win the game. They tempt you with things that seem fun and look good. 

The good news is that you get to bat first. As long as you listen to your coaches (Heavenly Father and Jesus), study the rules (Scripturas) and carefully listen to the other helpers you've been sent (your family and church leaders, good friends and mostly the Holy Ghost) you will win the game. 

You've been sitting on the bench for the past eight years. The past few months you've been warming up to bat. you've passed the first test by preparing for baptism. Now you've hit your first Home Run by being Baptized and Confirmed a member of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ church. 

You'll have many turns to bat. Listen to the Holy Ghost and your coaches. Sometimes you might swing at balls you shouldn't and sometimes you might trip and fall, but because of Jesus Christ you can get back up (by repenting) and make it to base. You'll win this game if you just listen and repent. 

You'll have more home runs (when you receive the Priesthood, Go on a Mission, Receive your Endowments, and get married in the Temple). you'' have some base hits when you choose the right by being kind, helpful, and honest. With each right choice you will run farther around the bases until you score over and over again. 

Heavenly Father and Jesus have taught us not to slide into base and home because, by sliding in you've taken o many chances and you might get out. So think and listen before you run. Try not to just get by, but to run in home with your head held high. 

Satan's team will never get a turn to bat, if you listen to your coaches, and to the Holy Ghost and study the rule books. Then you will win this most important game of Life, you will be welcomed home by Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, your family, church leaders, and friends. 

Baptism: Performed by Brother Jeremy Furniss (Father)

Witnesses: Brother Ethan Furniss and Brother James Furniss (Brothers)

Testimonies (while I got Grace changed and Jeremy was changing they asked for anyone who would like to share testimonies. I guess Gavin got right up and shared his testimony. Telling everyone that he loved his brothers and sister, and that Grace was the special one in his family. Shelley Furniss shared her testimony and remembered how blessed we were that Jeremy followed the spirit and went to check on Grace when she fell in the cannel and was able to save her. Neil Furniss also shared his testimony and then we were done changing. 

Confirmation: Performed by Brother Jeremy Furniss (Father) Bishop Sutton, Grandpa Neil Furniss, Grandpa Wayne Avery, and Uncle Jakob Avery stood in the circle. 

Primary Presidency Remarks: Sister Caryn Johnson (Willowcreek Primary Secretary)

Welcome to the Ward: Bishop Todd Sutton

Closing Prayer: Brother Neil Furniss (Grandpa)

We are so grateful to all who came to be with us for Graces baptism. After leaving the church we had a lunch at our home. 

Bishop Sutton and Grace

Grace with her friend Kaydree Johnson. Kaydree's mom Caryn and her siblings, Jacen, Lincln, Marshall and Naomi also came. 

Grace and Sister LaRae Cook (Graces Primary Teacer)

Family who came: Neil and Shelley Furniss, Michele Bills and her girls Brielle and Addie, Wendy Lee and her kids Anna, Carter and Lexie, Mandi and Drew Burrell and their kids Libby and Ike, Wayne and Tess Avery, Jakob and Angie Avery and their kids Quort, Oakley, Colt and Cassidy. Plus all of us.  

Those who stood in the circle for Confirmations. Missing Bishop Sutton.