This week was probably the most amazing of my
entire mission. Why you ask? Well, let me tell you...
This past week, on Saturday, the small little
branch of Rio Claro (my area almost a year ago) took a temple trip with the
whole branch up here to San Jose. A few youth came and did baptisms, a few
adults did endowment sessions, but something much more incredible happened. Two
families were sealed for time and all eternity. One of those families was Lewis
and his wife Silvia to their kids Paola, Gypsy, and Sebastian. When I was in
Rio Claro my companion and I helped Lewis and his wife come back to church
after 16 years of in-activity. In those 16 years they had 2 kids, Paola &
Gypsy. We baptized gypsy, and Paola was baptized a few months after I left the
area. I was invited and given permission to go with them to the temple. Lewis
asked me to be his escort while he received his endowments, and to be one of
the witnesses at their sealing.
I can't describe the peace, joy, and hope that I
felt this day. This has been my goal my entire mission. Every person I've
taught, I've imagined them in the temple. It was so incredible to see that
actually come true. I know and have the hope that these won't be my only
converts who go through the temple, I'm just so glad that I was still here in
Costa Rica to be a part of it. Such an honor, such a blessing.
I testify of the power of God's temples. They are
a piece of heaven here on the earth. I felt that on Saturday, I have felt it
every time I've entered the house of the Lord. My heavenly father loves me. He
loves each of you. Pretty cool to think about huh?
Keep On Keepin' On...
-Elder Willis
pics:
1. (left to right) Silvia, Paola, Lewis, baby
Sebastian, Gypsy
2. All the missionaries who served in Rio Claro
and were involved
in the activation of this whole family
3. Another family that got sealed.
They were
baptized a month before I got to Rio Claro.
4. (left to right) Ariel, Josepth, Licdania,
Graciela (mom), Juneizie, Jorge (dad)
5. Me and the boys.
6. Gypsy, the coolest 16-year-old ever.
Yes, she
did wear a t-shirt with a skirt to the temple.
7. Lewis wore the tie I gave him my last day in
the area.
("pinche vargo" is just an inside joke)
a few more pics from this week:
1. Good times with a good member, Luis Vargas
2. Last week we took the finishing missionaries
("the deads" as we call them) to the airport
3. Up before the sun... 2:00am
4. There they go
I haven't had time to send these ones... but here
are the last few groups of new missionaries that we've picked up and welcomed
in:
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