Our Grandson Stirling James Shipley was baptized this past Saturday here in Spring Hill Tennessee.  It was a sweet, and different, ceremony.  Sweet because of the spirit that always attends such an event. Different due to the Covid virus restrictions.  The only persons in attendance were the immediate family, a Bishopric member, a pianist, and the Primary President.  And...about a year ago the Prophet announced that witnesses to the ordinance could now come from any baptized member, male or female.  So Lori and Abby, sisters to Stirling, witnessed the correctness of the ordinance.  Along those same lines, Sisters may now witness sealings for the dead or living.  How cool is that?  I have been working in the Columbus Temple and have watched this take place.  It is marvelous and so appropriate.

The sweetest moment occurred when Stirling emerged from the water, wiped his eyes, and stated, "I would like to do that again".  His smile said it all.  He is a sweet boy, full of love and growing up fast.

Lastly, Sister Brooklyn Shipley was able to be in virtual attendance at the ordinance via face-time on her Mom's cell phone. How about that for a change of operations?  Missionaries have been given the green light for electronic communication especially in this time of social distancing due to the Corona virus.  And they are allowed to call home twice a week!  It is really quite a wonderful change and evidence that the Lord trusts his work to these great young people through the electronic tools he has provided.  It is nothing short of a miracle, but then miracles are happening all around all the time.

And I forgot to mention that I flew from Ohio home to Tennessee last Thursday to be in person for the baptism.  Jan and I will fly out tomorrow, Wednesday the 9th, for Ohio where she will help me in the document preparation for work. She will stay for a couple of weeks, which will be wonderful.