ANOTHER SERIES OF "COINCIDENCES"

We really do spend most of our time working with Branch Members, but we (actually, Craig) had another experience in the Temple this week that we want to share.

For those who don't know, when you serve as ordinance workers in the Temple, you are given a list of assignments when you arrive for your shift.  When we arrived for our shift on Tuesday morning, Craig had inadvertently been left off the list of workers, so had no assignments.  Additionally, because of an unusual set of circumstances, he had to go to the Temple Office for something.  While he was there, he "happened" to pass by a desk and heard someone speaking Portuguese.  Because they were obviously struggling to communicate, Craig stopped and offered to help.  The Portuguese speaker had just arrived by himself from Cape Verde to spend a couple months with his sister (who is not a member), and had gotten a Temple Recommend before leaving so he could go through the Temple for the first time.  Because he had a new Bishop and/or Stake President, they had failed to activate the recommend and give him a "living ordinance recommend."  Craig was, of course, able to straighten everything out - interpreting for this wonderful young man, and helping the Temple President communicate with the Church Leaders in Cape Verde.  Since Craig hadn't been given assignments for Tuesday, he was able to officiate IN PORTUGUESE in some of the areas for this young man, while also being his escort.  It was such an honor for him to be able to do that.  It is so wonderful to see the Hand of the Lord enabling people who are really trying to do their best to obey His commandments.

Sadly, the timing didn't work out for us to get a picture of the young man, but we hope to see him at Church, and will get one.  Until then, here is a silly picture that shows how we try to help our missionaries without putting them in compromising situations.  This was after Church last Sunday - I had given four people a ride home while Craig stayed for meetings; then when I picked him up we gave the Sisters and a male member a ride home.  Because it was POURING rain, they just hopped in quickly, but Craig insisted he be in the back, between a Sister and the single man!  I'm glad Awesome Sister Dalton (who was transferred on Wednesday, and who we will greatly miss) took the picture!!!

Fortunately for Craig's legs, the ride wasn't too long!