This is a small group of 15 but we have never known a more JOYFUL group. The day we took them on the Church History Tour, they were just like sponges, soaking up everything! They were so happy they could hardly contain themselves. At the conclusion, when we gathered to share testimonies, there were so many tears, so much gratitude and such childlike faith. It simply melts your heart to be in their presence. As usual they are from all over the world. What is unusual is that there is only one from the USA. One of the miracles is that they arrive as strangers gathered from the far corners of the earth, and they leave as dearest friends. I know I say this everytime, but it will be so hard to say good-bye to this group. Each one is such a little jewel. Let me share just a few of them with you.
Meet Elders Curran and Torjesen. Elder Curran is an English convert of two years and he teaches with such conviction. On the train this week he leaned over to the man next to him and said, "Do you mind if I share a story with you. It is a story about me and what happened to me two years ago." He then shared the story of his conversion and of course, the man was taken in and accepted the B of M. Elder Torjesen is from Norway, going to serve in Sweden. He is one of those tall, handsome Scandinavians with a smile that lights up the world! I don't know how anyone could turn him away.
Meet Sisters Carson and Herrera. Sister Carson is our lone American. She is from Lindon, Utah and her favorite pastime is calf roping in rodeos. She stepped off a horse and into the mission field and is doing missionary work with the gusto of a rodeo champ.Sister Herrera is from Costa Rica. She is a convert to the church -- the only member in her family. She is as sweet and happy and full of the spirit as I have ever seen.
Meet Elders Atkinson and Mahendran. Elder Atkinson is from England, the quiet steady type, and Elder Mahendren is from Germany. His family is from Sri Lanka and was Islam. They joined the church 7 years ago. People are always surprised that German is is native tongue. He is the epitomy of tall, dark and handsome. He is always happy. He smiles continually. There is an air of quite dignity about him. And he is fearless. He will be a wonderful missionary.
Elder Tabakace is from Figi. When he arrived he was so soft spoken -- feeling a bit out of his element. But all that has changed. When we are out on the streets, he is so bold!!! He talks with everyone. And I mean everyone! He went with one of our instructors who could hardly keep up with him. He received his patriarcial blessing while he was here and was given some promises regarding missionary work -- and since then, wow! Look out world.....here he comes!
Meet Sister Louis from Bangalore, India. She is a convert and the first missionary to come from her little branch. She learned English by going to an English class taught by the missionaries. And she loves to use it. She talks and talks and talks. And you are rivited by everything she says. She arrived with no coat. She just could not imagine it could be THAT cold here! So right off, we had to run her to the market where we bought the only coat that fit her (sort of). But she loves it. We call her "Pretty in pink!" and she wears it most of the time. She is simply overwhelmed with the entire experience -- the gospel in her life, being in England, being around these other wonderful young people, receiving her patriarcial blessing, receiving her endowment. She brought with her the names of her grandparents so she could have their temple work done while she is here. The first week she went to the temple for the first time. She then wanted to do the work for her grandmother(whose name she has). But the preliminary ordinances needed to be done so we made special arrangements for her to be baptised for 4 of her grandmothers. She asked President Walker if he would do the baptisms. I wish you could have seen it......The two of them in the water performing the sacred ordinance for her grandmothers. We were all so emotional Richard had a hard time getting the words out. As I watched, there flashed through my mind the remarkable gift this young girl from Bangalore India has given to her family -- on both sides of the veil.
Meet Elders Atkinson and Mahendran. Elder Atkinson is from England, the quiet steady type, and Elder Mahendren is from Germany. His family is from Sri Lanka and was Islam. They joined the church 7 years ago. People are always surprised that German is is native tongue. He is the epitomy of tall, dark and handsome. He is always happy. He smiles continually. There is an air of quite dignity about him. And he is fearless. He will be a wonderful missionary.
Elder Tabakace is from Figi. When he arrived he was so soft spoken -- feeling a bit out of his element. But all that has changed. When we are out on the streets, he is so bold!!! He talks with everyone. And I mean everyone! He went with one of our instructors who could hardly keep up with him. He received his patriarcial blessing while he was here and was given some promises regarding missionary work -- and since then, wow! Look out world.....here he comes!
Meet Sister Louis from Bangalore, India. She is a convert and the first missionary to come from her little branch. She learned English by going to an English class taught by the missionaries. And she loves to use it. She talks and talks and talks. And you are rivited by everything she says. She arrived with no coat. She just could not imagine it could be THAT cold here! So right off, we had to run her to the market where we bought the only coat that fit her (sort of). But she loves it. We call her "Pretty in pink!" and she wears it most of the time. She is simply overwhelmed with the entire experience -- the gospel in her life, being in England, being around these other wonderful young people, receiving her patriarcial blessing, receiving her endowment. She brought with her the names of her grandparents so she could have their temple work done while she is here. The first week she went to the temple for the first time. She then wanted to do the work for her grandmother(whose name she has). But the preliminary ordinances needed to be done so we made special arrangements for her to be baptised for 4 of her grandmothers. She asked President Walker if he would do the baptisms. I wish you could have seen it......The two of them in the water performing the sacred ordinance for her grandmothers. We were all so emotional Richard had a hard time getting the words out. As I watched, there flashed through my mind the remarkable gift this young girl from Bangalore India has given to her family -- on both sides of the veil.And now, the frosting on the cake.....Today we took her to the temple to have her great grandparents sealed (Richard and I were proxy) and then she was proxy for her grandmother who was sealed to parents.
We took all 4 of the sisters with us and they did sealings for temple names. None of them had ever been in a sealing room and they were loving every minute of it.
Sometimes there is more emotion than you can contain.
We took all 4 of the sisters with us and they did sealings for temple names. None of them had ever been in a sealing room and they were loving every minute of it.
Sometimes there is more emotion than you can contain.
Thank you for sharing the joy!
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