2 Marissa Stories

I decided that these stories of Marissa's 12-year-old beginnings needed to be documented so that we NEVER forget them (although it seems impossible that we COULD ever forget). So ... here goes:

#1. A few preludes: Marissa loves dogs ... and especially loves Huskies. Marissa can be quite dramatic which = screaming, spazz-o-ling, flayling of arms, LOUDness flowing over. Marissa quite often spills or trips or messes up and is quite fond of the term "Oh Geez" when little things happen.

Now for the event: Camping. Shower time. There is one shower open and we are sharing a camp ground with a youth group and a young women's camp. Needless to say - the line is long. Marissa had all of her stuff packed and ready - and took her shower. I told her to just hurry and put on her shirt - and wrap her towel around the rest of her (instead of getting all the way dressed in the shower room) so the people waiting in line could take their turn sooner. So - she came out carrying all of her stuff in one arm and holding her towel around her waist with her other arm. And we started walking together back to our campsite. Well, to Marissa's extreme excitement - a couple walking a HUSKY came up the path toward us. Before even thinking, Marissa pointed at the dog and said, "O My Heck, Mom - look!!!! it's a Husky!" However, she pointed with her hand that was holding her towel around her waist .... aaaaaaaand the towel immediately dropped around her ankles. She said, "oh geez" ... bent down to pick up her towel - MOOOONING the whole entire world behind her ... and the two of us preceded to laugh hysterically while we tried to get that dang towel wrapped back around her. :D! No huge dramatics ... screaming, crying, scrambling ... just a simple "oh geez" - like this just happens every day. hahahaha. That's my Marissa.

#2 - Marissa had the opportunity of doing baptisms for the dead on her 12th birthday. She had a rather unique experience (which was shared with me later by the Young Women's president). Apparantly there was a lady at the temple that asked to watch the youth perform baptisms that day. She had several names in hand. When Marissa was led into the font - this lady that was watching - told one of the temple workers that Marissa was the girl she had been waiting for. They immediately pulled Marissa out of the baptismal font and had her perfom the confirmations of the names the lady had right then and there. Marissa wasn't sure of all that had happened - just told us that she had done things a little differently then everyone else. We know that Marissa is here on earth with us today for many special reasons - and this just may have been one of them. She is indeed a special child with a bright countenance - and is being watched over. We are so lucky and blessed that she is ours.