Tanner's Blessing

We blessed Tanner on September 3. 

We was 3 months old, so not much of a tiny newborn anymore.  I feared he might not fit into his blessing outfit that Grandma Ann gave him, but it fit just fine. 

As I've mentioned before, I dealt with quite a bit of anxiety after his birth. I think I even carried it in my chest at times I didn't realize. This dawned on me when Travis walked up to the front of the chapel to give him his blessing. All the men in our family who had come, got up and walked toward the front, slowly forming a circle around my precious baby. There were quite a few men... 10 to be exact. And as that circle formed, I felt as though heavenly arms wrapped around me and my son. I had the most calming sense of peace settle on my spirit. It was safe and reassuring and protective. It was like an unseen circle of angels were around Tanner and I had it confirmed to me again that priesthood power is REAL. It's tangible and eternal and binds families forever. Those men held my baby, but because of the priesthood that they held, I knew he was really in God's hands. I will never forget how safe that felt. Literal peace calmed anxiety that I had been holding inside for months. And I felt gratitude pour out of my heart. I am SO GRATEFUL for this gospel. I don't know what I did to deserve these blessings. Travis gave an absolutely beautiful blessing. He always does. Thanks to smart phones, I was able to record it and have it here. 

"Our dear Heavenly Father, by the authority of the Holy Melchizedek priesthood we take this baby in our arms to give him a name and a blessing. The name we have chosen for him is Tanner Lindblom Evans.

At this time we direct our attention towards Tanner. And Tanner we give you a blessing at this time that as you are beginning the journey of your earthly, mortal life that you'll know and remember the rich and strong heritage that you have. The gospel in your life through your family. You have had many before you who have sacrificed and gone through much so that you may have the gospel in your life and have the many blessings that you do. Tanner, we bless you that as you grow in your mortal body that your spirit might stay strong and that you might keep that connection with heaven and your Savior and those who have gone before you. that you might have continual direction in your life to guide you and lead you and help you to always have a testimony of your savior and his sacrifice for you. We bless you that you will know you are a loved part of a large family and that there are many who care for you and watching out for you and that you might go to them for guidance and direction and comfort and peace throughout your life. We bless you that you'll be an integral part of your family and be a support in whatever way you can. Bless you that as you grow through the church, grow spiritually, that you will always feel of the love of your Savior through your life. Bless you that you will keep that strong bond that you have with your mother. And always know of her love and sacrifice for you and everything that she does and her eternal love for you. We bless you with these things and say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

It was fast and testimony meeting and I knew I couldn't stay sitting when I had so much gratitude in my heart and a chapel full of my family. I don't remember everything I said, but I do remember expressing appreciation for the men in that room. For the priesthood that they hold and honor. I felt a very distinct and special gratitude for the blessings of the priesthood and wanted the men to know that I KNOW it's not easy. It's not easy to remain spotless from this wicked world. It's an uphill battle and being worthy of the priesthood means that they make hard choices every day. They choose to avoid evil and be different from the other men of this world. They look away from pornography. They turn down the drinks. They keep their language clean. They spend their time serving others and going to church and other priesthood meetings. And oh, how I (and everyone who is blessed by it) appreciate it. The priesthood is powerful. I witnessed that again today. As I look at each of the faces in this picture I just wish I could let each of them know how much it means to me that they have chosen to lead a life following Christ. That they are worthy to use His power on this earth. It blesses me and my family and I can FEEL that distinctly. It makes a difference. THEY make a difference. And I am profoundly grateful.

Unfortunately, we didn't get Casey and President Haws in the picture.

Goodness gracious, I love him!!

Ugh, the only thing I don't love about blessing days is the way I look in pictures. Puffy and tired. Every single time.

Our little poser. She got all the girls doing it.

We get lots of comments about how he looks like his siblings. Yep, we make one kind.

But most specifically he looks like Collin and Olive. He's a Lindblom baby. I guess his middle name fits! He is dark featured and seems like the brown eyes are sticking around.

We didn't host a lunch for everyone at our house afterward. I kept debating if we should, but in the end I was just too tired. Since the Haws were in town we had them over, though. I made liege waffles with fresh, Utah peaches, which turned into quite the production. They stayed and visited all afternoon then we had the normal Sunday dinner at the Evans. 

Blessing day complete! Mr. Tanner is official. :)