Esther's Funeral, Blessings of Service in Temple

What a grand farewell, send off for Bestamor! I attended her funeral and was filled with fond memories her family shared of her life with them. It was precious to see each of her children pay such a tribute to a queen, wife and mother. Her example and legacy lives on in each of her posterity and those who knew her are better for it.

I am so grateful for the opportunity I had to know her, love her and see her as the center of her family circle. Pete will miss her and surely looks forward to the time when they shall be together again. Don't we all? God bless you dear Esther.

I had to come home and shift gears to get to the temple for my Saturday evening regular assignment as ordinance worker. I surely find joy in serving each day that I am there. I was given several assignments that I don't normally have and are seldom needed. One of those was to be in the prayer circle when there are too few sisters to fill it. Two other sisters and I were asked to participate as well as three brethren from our shift since we were not needed to participate at the veil. We were escorted into the room and were able to fill our assignment.

Then the next one was to do the veil in Spanish! It was kind of 'thrown' at me to study the words for the veil for a Spanish session. They said I would have about three sisters. I crammed my brain and prayed a lot for the fifteen minutes I had before to actually study it. I read it the first time or two, then two more came to the veil. I had by then been able to wing it well enough to say it without the card help. It was a tender mercy to have the Spirit help me do it without the card and not me that was so good at memorizing.

The words became easier to say and put together. I think knowing the translation's meaning helped too. There ended up being nine sisters who needed help through in Spanish. But, they had other help who knew it in Spanish besides me. It gave me the opportunity to stretch myself beyond my own ability. I know God's hand was on my shoulder helping through this experience that I really was not prepared to do but HE made it so I could do it and for that I am grateful. It must have been a small gift of tongues in the moment.

I know my prayer was answered and the Spirit helped me through.

It was an incredible experience. I felt the Spirit so strongly and was touched to hear the sisters say it in Spanish without my help besides! Somehow for the lack of better words, that is what it felt like! It was like being at home again kind of feeling.

I know I am blessed at this time in my life to enjoy these tender mercies that make up for the time I am alone. The Lord is there for me and the Holy Ghost is indeed a comforter. What more can anyone ask? My joy is full.