Sealing in Santiago

            This week was full of interviews (Tuesday through Friday) and other meetings, plus as always lots of travel time.  We know our section of Ruta 5 very well.  But we also enjoyed being part of a memorable experience on Thursday night.

            As I listed a couple of weeks ago, we have missionaries from various parts of Chile.  One elder from Santiago is a great missionary who has been serving as a commissary elder, which means he and his companion help to maintain apartments, and deliver supplies ranging from ironing boards and irons to pamphlets and Liahonas.  When we find a new apartment, they do the work of closing out the old one and returning it to the owner.

            While he has been serving, his family progressed to the point where they could be sealed in the temple.  It was a unique situation where the elder was close enough to return for this very special occasion.  We drove with him and a companion to the temple as the family had very kindly invited us also to be there.

            It was a wonderful experience to see the parents sealed in marriage and then the children sealed to the parents for eternity.  Sister ____ could not stop smiling; our elder told me she had been waiting for this day for 20 years.   Of course the other family members were also beaming.  This occasion has been a real example of hope for many of our missionaries who come from similar situations—hope that this could happen in their families also. 

            Among the routine and challenges of everyday life, it was a good opportunity for me to appreciate how the Lord has blessed this family and stands ready to bless me, my family and everyone who is willing to keep the commandments and commit to follow Him.  Other missionaries have experienced similar miracles:  a father was baptized, another father attended church again after many years, and siblings become interested in serving missions; missionary service is marvelous!  See you next week.

Very happy occasion!