A Name and A Blessing

We recently had the privilege of giving our final child, Mason McKay Hoskins, a name and a blessing. The blessing was supposed to take place at my parent's ward in Edmond, Oklahoma; however, after a terrible snow storm hit, we found ourselves stranded at home with all church services being canceled. We were stressed and discouraged, especially since Nick's parents had made the trip from Utah to be with us for the special day. Having no other real options, we decided, with the bishop's permission, to hold the blessing in my parent's home. My oldest and youngest brothers braved the storm and joined us for the ceremony. What at first seemed like a disappointment, actually turned into a tremendous blessing, literally. As Mason's blessing stated, the Lord intended for the blessing to take place at home; it was supposed to take place in the presence of family alone. In that way our little family gathering was not only very significant, but as his blessing stated, symbolic of his life to come. We chose to name Mason after the beloved prophet David O. McKay, mainly because of President's McKay's strong positions on the family, and especially fatherhood. In choosing this name, we hoped our precious baby boy would choose to make his primary focus in life fatherhood and family. On this special day, he certainly was blessed to this end.
I am so grateful for modern prophets who lead, guide, and inspire us to be the Lord's chosen people. I am grateful for the inspiration for this little baby's name, and for his special spirit and apparent capacity to honor it. I am grateful for a husband who holds the Holy Priesthood with the power to speak on behalf of the Lord, prophesying of the life this child will lead and the joy he will be to our family. I am especially grateful for this precious baby boy, for his brother and sisters, and for the sealing power avaiable in the Lord's temples which allow us to be together forever as a family. Although on this day we gave our son Mason a name and a blessing, in many ways we were all reminded of the name we all bear, even that of our Savior Jesus Christ, and the blessing that discipleship affords.

Here are a few pictures of the special day including:

The men in the blessing circle,



our own little family, (well not so little anymore)



and those present at the blessing.



It was a day I will never forget. And by the way, Happy 35th Anniversary Mom and Dad. What a privilege to bless our baby boy on your special day.