I don't even have the words for this week. This was just a week full of miracles and absolutely astounding opportunities. This week, all the sisters in our mission were brought up for a special tour of the temple, and training for when we help with the open house. We had sisters who were 15 hours away by train come. (Although I think they might have flown them in.) On Thursday night, Sorella Harmon and I took the metros and traveled to the Rome 2 Sorelle to stay the night. We are only 2 hours away from the temple, but they wanted to make things easier so we wouldn't have to leave at 6 to be in time for the training Friday. Friday morning, we set out to the temple. Let me tell you, it is absolutely stunning. We were allowed to take pictures on the grounds for the first time, however we aren't allowed to send them until the 28th of this month. But there are pictures available online as of this morning. So go check it out!! But get ready for when the 28th roles around... I got some beautiful pictures.
But all of the sisters were able to go though the temple. There is no doubt that once it is dedicated, it will be the house of the Lord. When we got to the Celestial room, no one spoke. I cannot describe how it felt. The Spirit was so so strong and tangible. I am so so shocked that I get to be part of the open house for this beautiful building to our Lord. On Saturday, they did a special tour for all those who helped on the temple and their families. Sorella Harmon and I were stationed in the video room, so we started the tour groups with the video about the temple and then send them with their tour guides. We were the first to host a group. It blew our minds to realize we started the first tour for the Italy Rome Temple, the first temple to be built in the biblical lands. There were so many people in these tours who did so much to build this temple, but didn't really know what it was. These families were finally able to find out what this magnificent building was for. There were so many people touched by the video, and I am so grateful to witness it.
There is this huge stain glass piece of artwork in the visitor's center. It has a piece representing every parable/story from the life of the Savior. We were blessed to host the tour group with the creator of the stain glass piece. I will send photos as soon as I am allowed! Near the end of they day, we were pulled from the video room and were instructed to rush to the Visitor's Center. Elder Bednar was there and President Pickerd wanted all of us to be able to shake his hand. So we went over. We couldn't see Elder Bednar anywhere, and then one of President Pickerd's counselors gestured for Sorella Harmon and I to come into this room. It was empty. He told us Elder Bednar would be coming here and to wait for him. So we were expecting to have all the sisters gather in there. But no other missionaries came. And then Elder Bednar, his wife, Anziano DeFeo and his wife and a few other people came in. Then they shut the door behind them. Elder Bednar came and shook our hands and talked a bit with us-the two sister missionaries standing awkwardly in the middle of this empty room. And then we were able to speak with his wife. She is so so sweet, and has a best friend (who now lives in Iowa) who has the maiden name Thorup. So that was a bonding moment. But it was just amazing to stand in that room as they conversed and figured out plans for Sunday. It sounded like they were going to be in Ladispoli, which is in my district. So we were excited for them. It was a little awkward just us being there but it was very magical.
When we finally got home in Ostia, we received a text from our bishop asking us to come be seated half an hour before church starts. I don't know what we did to deserve this, but our sweet little ward in Ostia had Elder and Sister Bednar, Elder and Sister DeFeo, and Elder Wilson who is over all temples, all came to our ward. We have just a little ward, that probably should be called a branch, but that little chapel was packed. They all spoke. And it was so so beautiful. Then when we thought they would leave, Elder Bednar gets to the pulpit and says, "As presiding authority, I am taking over this meeting. I don't know who was supposed to be teaching, but you get the day off!" He then proceeded to do a Q&A. At the end, he went though and shook everyone's hand. My. Heart. Watching that ward was so beautiful. They may be small in number, but you could see the love they had for this gospel. They were so very excited. It was such a tender mercy for them.
I wanted to share a couple of the highlights that Elder Bednar talked about; he stressed that the gospel has not BEEN restored, but is BEING restored. He said to buckle up, because there is so much more coming. President Hinkley stressed to Elder Bednar that there has been no time better than this. That this is "The greatest season in the history of the Restored Church." This come follow me program is so important now, but will be even more so in the future, so we have to start preparing today. He talked about the parable of the Ten Virgins, the Talents, and the Sheep and Goats. He said that how we respond to this new program will determine what we will be in these parables. This is important. He also stressed the importance of going to the temple. How when it's easy to go, people stop going. They say "I can go tomorrow, or next week." We can't have that happen. Temples are so vital. Don't let them go forgotten. Attend as much as you can. Make plans to go. Don't put it off.
There were so many more miracles this week. Way too many to fit into a weekly email. We are so blessed to live in the time of the history of the restored church. I want to testify that I know God is moving His work along in these days. He is hastening His work. Don't wait to prepare yourself. Great things are happening and we all have the wonderful opportunity to be a big part of it. And I am so so grateful to be playing a role here in Italy.
I love you all so much!
Sorella Thorup
No comments:
Post a Comment