Mauro's Sealing

When I was serving in Belgrano 2, San Pedro, there was a little outlying town called La Esparanza, where a member family lived called the Morenos, which consisted of three pretty, young women, two of whom had had a child as teenagers. Their mom and dad weren't members, but very supportive of missionaries coming over to visit and teach. Elder Draney and I made a very pointed effort to focus on the mom, Griselda, and not the daughters (who were about our age), and she eventually was baptized as well. As I understand it, Elder Lehman was the missionary that started this and baptized the daughters. Monica, the oldest, had a son, Mauro, who turned 8 while I was there, and he asked me to baptize him, which I was very happy to do, of course. Daniela had a daughter, Nadia, and Paula was 16.

Monica ended up marrying Eric Steffan, who served a few years after I did. I don't know their story very well, but they moved to Utah, and have since had two kids, Sophia and Bella. Mauro went to the states with them, but went back to Argentina where he fit in a little better. Daniela has since married somebody, but as far as I know isn't going to church. Paula married a missionary as well, and currently lives in Washington. (When I spoke to her yesterday, she told me that she had just had a miscarriage, but I didn't know that until then.) Griselda isn't going to church.

This is what I knew going into yesterday. A few months ago, Monica texted me (got my number from Draney) and invited me to plan on coming to Mauro's sealing. I didn't even know he was in the states,  let alone temple worthy. After discussing it with Julianne, I decided (and was very encouraged) to go.

I flew out earrrrrrrly from CR, and got to the temple by 10:30. The sealing was at 1:00. I went to all the possible visitor's centers, and then just sat in the waiting area for weddings in the temple. It was chaotic. The SLC Temple is closing soon enough that they are cramming the weddings in. I didn't realize that the room I was waiting in wasn't the "need to be reverent" room. It was just the waiting area. Mary Clark happened to be there, which was fun. I talked to her for a while and caught up a bit. She told me that I could show my recommend and go to the actual waiting chapel place and so I did. En route, I saw David Beck and his wife, which was also cool. We didn't talk long, but it was fun to see them.

So I got to the chapel area and just sat and waited. So many people came and went, and then finally I recognized Dave Lehman, so I chatted with him and his very kind wife. Monica and Paula showed up, and it was so fun to see them and try my best to understand them. I met Paula's husband, who I didn't know, and then we all went to the sealing room. There was almost nobody there from the Moreno side. Me, the Lehmans, Monica and her husband, Paula and her husband. On the other side of the room, there were about 10 young adults, and one older lady who seemed like the nicest person ever.

The witnesses were Gabi's dad, and a man I couldn't place, but assumed was their bishop or stake president.

The sealing was in spanish, and I'm thrilled to say I could understand it all. I had a thought that this was a very good use for the gift of tongues and interpretation of tongues. I hope I'm not being presumptuous to say this, but I don't want to seem ungrateful: I believe I experienced the latter. I understood everything, even though I think part of that ceremony was different than I remembered in English.

After the bride's side had congratulated them, we got up. I gave Gabi a hug, and then Mauro, and with huge tears in his eyes, he just said, "gracias por bautizarme" (Thank you for baptizing me). so many thoughts went through my head. I held it all in until I was alone and walking down the stairs to get my shoes on, but on those stairs I started to weep. I was so overwhelmed that 1. I had played a small part in his progress, 2. He remembered me at all, 3. He recognized the importance of that step well enough to be grateful for it, and 4. I had seen a fulfillment of some of my missionary work. I got to the bottom of the steps and a worker was pointing me where to go. He saw me and said, "wow, must have been a good sealing, huh?" and I said, "yes, it was a long time coming." I walked past the nice lady and the mystery witness man, and realized they were together, so I asked them who they were to Mauro. They told me they had been his mission president. That was the first I realized and understood that he had even been a missionary. They asked me who I was, and I just said, I baptized him on my mission.

The look on their face set me off on another round of bawling, which wasn't helpful. They told me how great a missionary he had been, and how wonderful that I could be there. I was really starting to understand that I had been given an enormous privilege in being invited and able to attend. I arrived at the shoe room, and just went off in a corner alone and cried and cried and cried. And that was enough. I went back out and spoke with the Johnsons now that I was in control of my self, and that was nice. I was totally right, she was the nicest lady ever, and he was probably the most wonderful mission president. The told me that seven of those young men on Gabi's side of the room were Mauro's companions or at least knew him well on his mission. I could have talked to them all day.

We all went outside and milled around waiting for them to come out. I chatted with Paula, Facetime with Griselda (I very deliberately told her how grateful I was to know her and her family, how proud I was of Mauro, and how much I loved her and her family), and then Sister Johnson pulled me over to meet all those missionaries and had me explain who I was, which was fun. They were all properly excited and glad to hear about it. I was present for the pictures, and just kept pulling a few people aside to take their pictures. I hugged a lot of people, spoke kind words and expressed way more love to people than I normally would have done, and just did my best to let Mauro and Moni know how pleased and honored and grateful I felt.

Then I left. I met up with Mike Peterson and we went to the BYU bookstore after I re-met all of his kids and saw Melissa again. It was not a very purposeful shopping experience, but it was ridiculously fun to just chat and catch up with Mike. What a spectacular person. And he's just one of the many I grew up with (although probably one of the brighter and better ones) who were also great.

I dropped him back off at his house and chatted with Melissa and him for a little bit, then drove back up to the reception. This was straight out of Argentina. Loud Cumbia music, tons of Cafe Rio food, an authentic argentinean cake curtesy of Monica, and then dancing. I elected to not dance, and just toted around Monica's little baby, Bella. She was like an Argentinean version of Moana, except not as interested in the sea. Mostly just interested in being held and staring peacefully at whoever was holding her.

Dave had brought an album of photos, and I saw those girls as I remembered them, teenagers with two teeny little kids, and a Mom who needed more light in her life. That was fun. I met Dave's kids, which was also fun, they are a great family.

I'm so glad I went. So grateful. I can't say enough how grateful. I am still processing how the small part Draney and I played back then has very much come full circle. Mauro is in the right way, his wife is strong and good, and Monica is doing well. I couldn't have just heard about that and had it be as meaningful or powerful.

Judas and Apostasy

Matthew 26: 9-15

This is when Jesus is anointed by the woman, and some of the disciples (John specifically mentioned Judas in chapter 12-ish) complain about the perceived waste of expensive goods; they considered it frivolous.  Then Judas went to the priests, and from that time forth, sought an opportunity to betray him.

I don't know, but I wonder if Judas became slowly disenchanted with the Savior. Maybe it was actually just about the money, but if not, I wonder if he grew more and more distant from the intent and purpose of the Savior's actions, to the point that he could see something like a woman doing such a profound and pointed act of love and sacrifice for her master and only focus on the money that was wasted.

It feels like Judas got to the point where he considered Jesus to be wrong, or fallen, or something on those lines. This is common in church service. We see some failing in a leader, or slowly become disenchanted with the things he or she says, and we can be tempted to stop sustaining them, and even act out against them (See life of Joseph Smith, age 20-44).

This even happened to Judas: eventually, he realized that he was in the wrong. Too late for him, but not too late for us, usually.

I'm saying 'us' but I'm not sure if i've ever done this. I hope not.

Special Stake Conference

Saturday, I had an interview with Elder Hallstrom and Elder Eyring of the 70. It was such a shock to see the son of President Eyring, and man, they look a lot alike. I didn't think the interview amounted to much, and the feeling I had was one of, "ah, well, it won't be me." when I left, so I left. They (president Hodgman) warned me that I needed to keep my phone with me, and be ready just in case, which I did, but I didn't really believe him.

We went on a date, Julianne and I, and we ate a little food and bought a suit for me, and just didn't really plan on coming to the Stake Center again. But at around 3:30, my phone went off and sure enough, it was Nick Hodgman on the screen. He said they needed us down there at 4:45, so we called Lexie to babysit, got dressed (in my new suit!) and away we went.

They interviewed Julianne, first, and then me. My questions this time were much more in depth, and less about the three men I had recommended and much more about my worthiness. Do I keep my covenants. Is there anything that would embarrass the church. Any legal troubles. Any thing with pornography (yes, no, no, and no). They had also asked Julianne about some of those things, and it was relieving for both of us to be able to answer them well.

At this point, we both were seriously worried that maybe they HADN'T called a Stake President yet, and it would be me. It wasn't. They had called Joseph Miller, whom we both had felt good about before hand. I had put his name down on my recommended list, and spoke for him to the two brethren.

They asked me to be the second counselor, and I said I accept, and Julianne said she would support it.  I'm still the Bishop until further notice.

Elder Hallstrom is very business-like, very to the point. Elder Eyring is much more calming and like his dad. It crossed our minds that pH was more like Elder Hallstrom, and Joseph Miller is probably more like Elder Eyring.

On our drive home, I told Julianne some of the things that have been bothering me for so many years, past things that I know I've repented of, but have always weighed on my mind. She was exactly what I expected: understanding, but willing and able to tell me where to stop worrying and where to focus, and I left that piece of our conversation with a much lighter heart.

We didn't tell our kids, but last night we called my parents and texted Julianne's. That was fun to tell them. I felt like I had reason for my mother to be proud, which at that moment meant a lot to me.

WE got up early, left as early as we could, raced the choir members from our ward for the good seats, and managed to find one in the middle of the pews in the chapel. Mack was already shaping up to be a monster.

It was so nice to shake hands with and hug some friends. The Oneals, whom we love very much. Julianne told him how much I had recommended him and the good things I said about him. They are good people, good friends. The Oesterle's, etc.

They read a letter from the First Presidency, releasing the current Stake Presidency. To see those three men stand up and be released was very emotional. I cried quite a lot. I have learned at the feet of President Hodgman for seven solid years. I have very dutifully tried to follow that man as my stake president. It was fitting to hear his release be read from the man both of us have been trying to follow, in the name of The Man ALL of us are trying to follow.

They called the three of us, and we were sustained. It appeared to be unanimous, but I was mostly looking forward at the presiding authority and the thirty members of Cedar Falls Ward in the choir.

Then we got up. First, pH spoke, Melissa, then Rick ONeal, John Sullivan, then me. It was very weird to be called President Weaver. then President Earnest, then President Miller's wife, Heidi, then him. Then the temple president's wife (President Nelson's Daughter) then him. then Elder Eyring, who gave a very personal history of his ancestor and shared a letter written by his father that was so touching and personal. What a remarkable insight. Then Elder Hallstrom spoke at length about reverence, and about providing spiritual experience for our children. Specifically about taking them to the temple to do baptism, preparing family names with them.

My first note from my new stake president: the connection that matters most, regardless of our calling or position, is the personal connection we make with the Lord.

Then we adjourned to the RS room and were set apart.

Elder Eyring called me his brother, and set me apart. He promised that there would be unity in our family. And that I would have love for and notice those on the sidelines, and that the Lord has made every needed preparation for this.

We were counseled that this calling had not better be a burden on our families, but a blessing. And we were promised that it would be. it would take work, but it would be.

There is so much more. I can't remember everything.

Annie's first Sacrament Talk

Today, in sacrament meeting, we had one speaker, and it was a three minute talk by a youth. So I asked the sister missionaries to bear their testimonies, and then Benjamin Forsyth. While he was speaking, I looked at Annie, and I felt like she was the one who ought to come up and speak. All I could think about was how scared she would be.

So I said a prayer and asked Heavenly Father that if it was that she should speak, to help her. I got up and looked at her again, and felt again like I ought to ask her. So I asked her to come help me. She got up and I whispered to her that I wanted her to share how we can prepare soil for planting seeds. She did. She said we should loosen the dirt, and water it and plant the seed. I asked her what we do with the rocks. She said you can't plant on rocky soil because the roots won't have anywhere to go and the plant will die. I asked her what we need to do to prepare our hearts to hear God's word. She said we need to pray and read the scriptures and fast.

So I spoke on that about the parable of the sower for a while. i'm glad Annie and I have been talking about that, and that the Spirit was there to direct things.

Two interviews, two promptings

Tonight I had two interviews.

In the first one, there was a youth that was trying to overcome some struggles preparatory to serving a mission. I had the parents come in, and we all had a candid conversation about it. I was just listening, and to my mind came the phrase, "if ye have desires to serve, ye are called to the work." That scripture had come to my mind on Monday, and I had spent a few minutes thinking about how interesting it was that a Testimony wasn't what called someone to the work, just Desire to Serve. But, I wonder if a testimony differentiates the called and the chosen. side note.

Anyway, we read that scripture, but the previous two verses were much more applicable to our particular scenario. So we read those, too. It was neat to have the Holy Ghost bring a scripture to my remembrance. Just as promised in John 14.

Second interview was much more up in the air. I had a clear idea of what I wanted to say to the youth, but was much less sure how it was going to be received. Again, I spent a fair amount of time listening and trying to understand, and once I did, scriptures just came to my mind. 2 Corinthians 12:6-7, 2 Nephi 4:15-18. We even got into 3 Nephi 18:26-27-ish. This interview didn't go as well, at least I didn't feel like the outcome was as concise, but it was still nice to have the Holy Ghost present.

Those scenarios are difficult. I felt an obligation to warn and teach. I can just imagine that youth taking our conversation back to their friends and twisting it to sound like the mean old Bishop and his ultra-conservative views.

Luke 1:17

17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of ^aElias, to turn the hearts of the ^bfathers to the children, and the ^cdisobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people ^dprepared for the Lord.

Meaning, I assume, that the Holy Ghost, which is the Spirit of Elias (greek form of Elijah) can not only turn the heart of a grumpy father to his children, it can turn the heart of a grumpy rebellious child to the wisdom of his father, provided that father's wisdom is just. (3 Nephi 27:27 might be helpful)

David the recurring dream

Every so often, I have a dream about a weird guy named David. The setting is always the same. I'm a single man, a student at some college with brown buildings. David and some other people come visit and throw rocks at people. He always throws a rock at somebody I know at least in passing and who doesn't deserve it and hits them on the head. He's clearly trying to prove a point. Then he comes to talk to me. He's very ugly. wispy blond hair that is about chin length. it just falls limply around his greasy, grumpy face.  Blue vest, dark short-sleeve shirt, pants, no glasses, or maybe thin black glasses. He has the most infuriating low monotone voice. It is instantly apparent he has no friends, was bullied, and is trying to get back at all the popular or successful people like the ones who have wronged him.  He always has a bucket, which with he caries his big black rock that he throws at people, and then upon which he stands to tell me his message. This time, when standing on the 5-gallon bucket, he was still a couple inches shorter than me; I know because I got right in his face and folded my arms as if to let him know I thought he and his message were dirt.

I let him tell me what he wants to say, which always ends up being a very stupid message. I always reluctantly and very arrogantly give him time to tell me his message. This time, after much preamble and after making sure everybody around us (usually they're chaos because people are throwing rocks) is quiet and listening, he said, "Sometimes we want to help people, but we don't", which in this dream apparently was the same thing he had told me the dream before. Then I yelled at him for a while about how maybe he shouldn't expect so much from people in college who have zero money, maybe he could consider that we're trying to help in whatever ways we can. He never seems to listen to me. I told him that he had already told me that, and that if he didn't have something new to say, he should just go home and leave people alone. He appeared to have followers and cronies who were around to protect him.

And at some point, I always lose my temper and bop him on the head as hard as I possibly can in retaliation for what he did to that guy. I can never hit him very squarely, though, which is extremely frustrating, and i never phases him. I always yell at him for thinking it's okay to throw rocks; maybe he would get more people to listen to him if he didn't try to hurt them first. I would be more interested in what he has to say if he would stop throwing rocks at people.

Hopefully by writing this out, i will learn whatever it is Im suppose to learn from this, and then never have this stupid dream again.