Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010
Tere Parra is a sweet young temple worker who has been serving for the past three months until she goes on her mission to Los Angeles. Initially she was to leave Feb. 17th, so she invited Smiths and us to come to her ward conference to hear her testimony. Her visa hasn't arrived yet, so she will not go until March 30--but the invitation was still good, so we went to Quintero Ward.
A young man with Downs syndrome passed the sacrament to us. He was very careful to do everything just right. Before and after the meetings we saw how the young people and the missionaries are kind and loving to him, and how happily he responds.
The theme for the conference was service. Tere told the experiences that led her to feel that she should serve a mission. A young man who hasn't received his call yet but expects it soon also bore his testimony and encouraged the young men and their leaders to focus on preparation for a mission. Bishop Brito began his talk with a story of a Chihuahua dog, a leopard and a monkey to show how we should be wise, not easily fooled, and not talk too much--Gerhard really liked that, then he encouraged us to serve in our families. Pres. Aguilar told how he felt when he was able to be involved in the conversion of a friend.
There are several temple workers from the ward and many who are regular patrons, so it felt like coming home. Even the young people and children made us feel welcome. One little girl brought her hymn book to us for our signatures as temple missionaries, so we encouraged her to love and serve in her family.
After the meeting we met Tere's family and took pictures. She is one of 10 children, all but three are married and 6 of the children have served missions. There are currently 11 grandchildren.