1.18.15

HEY FAMILIA!!!!

This week was amazing!

President Smith gave me permission to go to Daniel's sealing! So I called Bishop Chilan to see if we could get some spots on the ward bus and he reserved us two spots, which means we were able to travel there with my old ward! There were mainly old people on the bus but still, I was able to talk to Daniel and Robert and a bunch of other old friends. Mi amigito Gayel was sleeping and when Luciana woke him up, he was looking up at me and gave me a hug and then fell asleep on me while I was sitting down. When we got to the temple, Bishop Chilan was there telling everyone where to go. He asked if Elder Rampton and I could do divisions. Bishop would be with Elder Rampton doing baptisms and I'd be with Daniel. Daniel asked me to be his escort so I was with him the entire time! It was incredible! I learned so much in the session this time because I wasn't as tired as the last time we went to the temple. Every time I go through a session, I think about my future wife, it sometimes bothers me. Is Conner going to the temple often? I set the goal to go once every two weeks MINIMUM when I'm home. Anyway, Daniel asked me to be a witness in his sealing and when I saw Daniel and Luciana walk in the room, I couldn't control myself. I was shaking with the spirit, and of course Bishop Chilan gave me some tissues. I’ve been to a sealing before and felt the spirit, but I didn't really know the people last time. This time was just so intense! Then, Ingrid and Gayel came in.  They were all in white to be sealed to Daniel and Luciana. I had no idea that that was going to happen, so when I saw the kids come in and get sealed to their parents who I loved so much, I was just bawling like a baby. The temple worker talked about the covenants and everything, and it was in that moment when I realized why I feel so close to my family every time that I'm in the temple praying for my family. I thought about how I wasn't able to see the sealing of Mom and Dad, but I know that I was there in spirit. I feel the bond between us every time I enter the temple doors and that's a bond that will NEVER EVER be broken if we are all loyal to our covenants. Daniel thanked me as we were hugging in the sealing room and said, ''Thank you for serving a mission...thank you so much for coming so far to change my life and the lives of my family. I'll never forget you Elder McRae. I will think of you every time I go to the temple. You will always be part of my family.'' Luciana thanked me for being an example to her kids. She said that since I was transferred, Gayel hasn't stopped putting my name in the family prayers that he says every night. It really was the greatest experience of my entire mission. I talked to Pres. Smith about it and he loved hearing about it. I'm SO blessed to have President Smith as my President. Not too many Mission Presidents would let their missionaries give up a day of work to go to a sealing. That experience with Daniel and his family in the temple changed my life and I never would have been able to have that experience if President Smith didn't let me go. I'm so grateful for him! He just knows exactly what his missionaries need to experience in order to reach their highest spiritual capacity. I wish I could have explained it better but I know that I'll never forget how I felt. 

I wish I could write more but there's just not enough time. I loved your email! Thank you so much! I forgot about the experience I had in September. Love you all!

Elder McRae