February 6th through February 12th

 February 6^th through February 12^th: Tuesday we had a long day at the temple, presidency meeting and then the afternoon shift, finishing up about 10:00pm.  But we were busy and the time flew by.  Wednesday we traded with the Rosales so we could go to our paint class.  It was fun and we are learning a lot.  

After fourth class.

After fifth class.

After second class.

After third class.

Friday after our shift, we went to dinner with President and Sister Faundez from Coban and Elder and Sister Fillmore.  

Dinner at Applebees.

Saturday we went over to the temple and welcomed Bishop Davies of the Presiding Bishopric and Elder Ochoa.  They were here to look at all the properties around the temple.  Mom and I then had the opportunity to have lunch with Elder Rasband, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Elder Christensen, one of the 7 presidents of the Seventy and his wife, Bishop Davies, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric and his wife, Elder Duncan, the area President and his wife, Elder Camay, an area Seventy and his wife, 2 mission presidents and their wives, the MTC president and his wife and about 20 stake and district presidents and their wives.  Elder Rasband took the time to walk around the room and shake hands and say hello to everyone.  

Some of the guests at the luncheon.

Elder Rasband welcomed us and thanked us for our service.

Lunch with Elder Rasband, Elder Christensen and Bishop Davies,  I sat next to Bishop Davies during the luncheon.

I then had the opportunity to sit on the stand with them during a Priesthood Leadership Conference.  Elder Rasband was the first speaker and his message to the leaders was that they needed to help the members increase their faith in Jesus Christ.  He invited me to bear my testimony about how the temple can help us to have greater faith in Christ.  As I stood next to him, he had his arm in mine and was holding me close. I felt his love and our Savior’s love.  I was surprised and a little nervous, but it was a subject that I have used in other talks so I didn’t make a fool of myself.  I was the only person invited to share their testimony.  Elder Christensen spoke next.  When he was done, they excused Elder Rasband.  He had been going all day and had an area-wide broadcast for all the young single adults in the evening.  He also had not been feeling well.  Bishop Davies, Elder Duncan and Elder Camay spoke and then they invited the stake presidents and bishops to ask questions.  They assigned different people to answer questions.  I gave a few comments about how returned missionaries could serve as ordinances workers to help them stay active and faithful.  

President and Sister Faundez stayed at our home Friday and Saturday night.

Sunday we went to a special stake conference in the Palmita stake.  Elder Rasband was presiding.  He asked me to take 5 minutes and talk about the temple.  I really felt the Spirit and with my nose running and tears in my eyes, I talked about how the temple can help increase our faith in Jesus Christ, adding on what I had said the day before.  I used a quote that I have to translate back into English because I’m not sure where I read it.  It says, “As you contribute to this great work, talking about temple work, your knowledge and faith in the Savior will increase and you will receive a testimony of the certainty that life continues on the other side of the veil. You will receive protection from the temptations that surround you and you will prepare yourself, as well as prepare the world in which you live for the second coming of the Lord.”  I talked about the need to not only know about Christ, but that we need to come to know Him, as taught by Elder Bednar. Quoting John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” I said that I did not know of a better place, not only to learn about Jesus Christ, but to come to know Him, than in His house.  During Elder Rasband’s closing talk, he complimented me on my testimony of yesterday and today.  He said he could tell that I was a servant of God and that I had a great love of the temple.  He spoke a lot about the temple and that it needs to be the focus of our lives.  After the meeting he walked by me and stopped, said thanks and then said “I hope what I said helps.” I know he was talking about the temple and attendance, but his kind words about me lifted my spirit and made me feel like my service is of value and recognized.  

Palmita Stake Conference.

Everyone is standing so Elder and Sister Rasband can leave.

It is the first time in my life that I have spoken in a meeting and rubbed shoulders with an Apostle of the Lord.  I will never forget the feelings of this last weekend.  I told you last week it just keeps getting better and better. We are so blessed.