un día especial

I flew out to Maryland this weekend for a very special experience. While serving in Winchester, VA I became very close to Salvador Flores and his family. He was baptized a few days before I got transferred there, and I got to teach him the recent convert lessons and watch him grow in the gospel. I participated in his ordination to the Aaronic Priesthood and watched him baptize his wife Sandra and daughter Fátima...I also got to teach him how to prepare and bless the sacrament...and then sat with him as he did it for the first time. I gave members of his family priesthood blessings, and was amazed by their faith....I ate many a delicious meals of carne asáda, frijoles negros, and ensalada on Saturday afternoons. And we played many a games of futbol together. I learned a lot from his family and greatly appreciate their example of humility and faith. They are an amazing family. Yesterday I was at the Washington D.C. Temple as Salvador and Sandra went through the temple together and then were sealed to their three little girls. It was an experience I'll cherish forever. I will never forget sitting there in the temple and looking over at Salvador and he just grinned at me and waved. I was filled with an overwhelming feeling I can only describe as a tender mercy of the Lord. As I hugged both of them they both said, "gracias por venir." I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Indeed my friends, there are a few times in life when you realize what good times really are...yesterday was one of those for me.