My little Cuddle Bug was baptized into the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 22, 2021.
He prepared a lot for this special day, telling us that He wants to get baptized so the Holy Ghost can be with him all the time.
Figuring out a baptism at this stage of the pandemic presented more stress and challenges than I had hoped. But we were so grateful that the capacity restrictions allowed us to have 28 people attend (including all 6 living grand and great- grandparents), and there could be one song with actual singing!! 
The special song was a duet with Dallin and me, just a few minutes before he went into the water. My Dad played the piano for us. It became a moment I’ll treasure forever. 
Printed program of the event
Dallin’s Testimony that he wrote and was printed in the program:
I believe that Jesus is real and that He died for us. He loves me and you. He had 12 apostles and He is the Son of God. I believe that I am a child of God. He invented all things. He loves us.
Being baptized is the right choice. All of my sins will be washed away. I believe that you should get baptized when you are eight (unless you’re new to the church and you’re like 25, then get baptized as soon as you can).
I believe that I can receive/get the gift of the Holy Ghost when I am confirmed. That’s why I want to be baptized. Also because I can go to heaven if I’m baptized and try to live all the commandments.
If I’m not perfect, it’s okay because everyone’s not perfect. I can repent and pray, then Jesus and Heavenly Father will forgive me and you so that we can try again.
Before the ceremony
Tanner was so excited for Dallin when he got into his white clothes!
It was a beautiful brother moment for them.
Dallin was a nervous about singing a duet at his baptism. But he was willing to do it and practiced a lot with me and my Dad. He decided that he was most comfortable with me singing all of the song with him while holding my hand 💗. We rehearsed a couple of times before we let people come into the meeting room.
Feeling a little goofy and excited.
And also annoyed at all the picture taking.
During the baptism
Dallin’s song was the opening song in the program. He sang with his mask off (with permission from the bishop) while I sang with mine on. His voice was so strong, clear, right on pitch. It was the sweetest and most beautiful thing. The Holy Spirit was very strong in the room.
It was also super special because I sang on my baptism day while my dad played for me. So to have my Dad there playing the piano for my son to sing, and for me to be involved in the singing too, it was just so awesome. Also, Jeremy actually got a video of the song.
Gramz and Uncle Matt gave wonderful talks. Grampz and Tanner were witnesses and Jeremy baptized Dallin. When it was time for Dallin to go in the water, he was smiling so big both before and after he went under the water. We were so proud of him for getting baptized, and also proud that he didn’t go swimming through the font or make silly jokes like with thought he might.
When Dallin received his confirmation, he was also given a blessing. Jeremy’s blessing said Dallin will grow to love the Holy Ghost. In difficult times, he will feel the Holy Ghost help him to be brave and confident and to feel peace when he needs it. The blessing said that Dallin is a sweet and helpful spirit. That he has a special gift of helping and uplifting others. He was given a promise that as he is obedient he will feel the Holy Ghost’s love, joy and peace more and more. He will learn to follow it’s guidance and return to live with Heavenly Father.
After the baptism we got pictures of some that attended. Not pictured are Owen and Laura Cavey, Levi and Talia Garcia, Annabelle, Emma and Robert Awalt, Ryan and Carmen Rodriguez, Judy Anderson, Rebekah and Kevin Aguilar, and Micah Glass. Many of our guests filled out kind notes for Dallin’s baptism book. We were so glad all these people were allowed to come.
Grandma Nana made beautiful CTR cookies for the guests to take home.
Dinner to celebrate! We met at the park on our street and got Chipotle food catered for the all the family that came. We brought down a lot of our outdoor furniture so that we could be comfy and visit. The food was great! A lot of people had fun playing music. The rest of us had fun visiting.
These two almost look like twins!
But when you get a closer look, you can tell their differences.
The next day was Sunday. After church, we all took a walking tour of the Jacaranda trees and old bridges in Banker’s Hill area. I decided to make it fun by playing tour guide. I shared everything i had read about the Jacaranda trees and the bridges on Wikipedia. Jacaranda trees mean a lot to our family because they were in bloom when Jeremy and I moved to HB, when Tanner and Dallin were born in HB, and when we moved to San Diego. It was a really beautiful walk. Next time, we’ll have to take people to Little Italy because I later found out there are tons of Jacarandas all along that neighborhood, even more than Baker’s Hill.
Silly Grandpa
We found a kumquat tree and ate the fruit.
Grandpa rented a scooter for Dallin to try.
We also went to see a local homeowners garden with all kinds of cool bush sculptures.
Grandpa Papa with the napping amigo.
We came home and played catch phrase for a bit too. It was a good reminder to me that the Zavorals have a tendency to get very competitive. Dallin loved playing with doggie Callie.
Our little Dallin Jerold is such an amazing boy,
and we are so happy for him to be growing his faith in Jesus Christ!
