Beautiful Temple fireside - Baptism - Graduation - Miracle Calls

We went to a Temple and Family History fireside. It is such a rare opportunity for someone to be able to go to the temple from Ethiopia. Currently the closest temple that will accommodate families is in Ghana, over 3,000 miles away. 

 

They showed a little video presentation with pictures of the families that went.

We had the opportunity to sing a song, "Come Unto Christ". It's a beautiful song and I loved singing it.

The best part was they had each member that recently went to the Ghana temple stand up and tell about their experiences. 

I had met the Waji family several months ago when they were being interviewed by President Cowley. Some of it was translated so we could hear what they said. Brother Waji said he had been waiting 24 years to go to the temple and he may not ever be able to go again. He said the temple will fill your heart. He reminded members that they don't need to wait 24 years. They can make plans to go as soon as they have been a member at least a year and are worthy to go. 

All that spoke were literally glowing with the spirit of God. The joy they portrayed penetrated our hearts with peace and God's love. 

One brother shared that he promised the Lord that if he ever got to attend the temple that he would fall down upon his knees and praise the Lord and that is exactly what he did in the temple.

Then the District President Efrem stood up with his beautiful family and introduced each one and expressed his love for them and how he was grateful that they can live together forever because of temple covenants. 

His wife, Sister Efrem said, 

"You can feel love when you enter the temple... The Lord changed our lives...the experience we had transforms our lives...The spirit has helped me know what to do...I could feel the presence of my parents in the temple. I encourage you to go to the temple and partake of the blessings." 

The Efrem family attended our branch that Sunday; one daughter led the music and two of the daughters bore their testimonies in Sacrament meeting. They are a beautiful family!

One of the little boys that attended Primary with Sister Martin had to move and is now attending another branch. 

We were so grateful to see this picture of him going to the new class in another church branch. He's the boy with glasses sitting in the middle. Hope he get's use to the new class soon.

We were preparing to go to a baptism for a this sister but then we heard there was not enough water to fill the font. So they changed it to go to Megenagna branch instead. This kind of thing happens a lot but the missionaries just move forward with plan B and things carry on. 

It was another wonderful baptism for this sweet sister. We went to church with her the next day and she said she was so grateful for the guiding influence of the Holy Ghost. 

 

Our relief society president was graduating from college and invited us to attend a gathering after. So many came showing their support to her. There was a religious program to bless her as she continues her life.

Her mother said a few words which we couldn't understand but she is so kind and delightful.

They gave us some traditional Ethiopian food which we enjoyed as well.  

We don't have a picture, but our Relief Society president does not have any counselors. She asked sister Martin to come with her to visit a sick sister. The missionaries were invited to come to to give her a priesthood blessing for the sick. When they got there they discovered that this young single mother had been in the hospital for 15 days. She lives in the most humble dwelling without running water, only one lightbulb and limited phone service. It was so sad to see this dear sister in great need of loving care and a blessing.

So many miracles...