Saying Goodbye ~ Snow ~ Baptisms

February 8, 2010
A photo of our district before the transfer changes.

Sister Missionary's group hug - saying goodbye to Sisters' Gadd and Gambardella

Saying goodbye to Elder Steiner at the departing dinner. He was an exceptional elder! Since he was an assistant to President Acerson, we had the priviledge of serving with him daily.

We will miss him!

The departing missionaries getting ready to sing for the last time "The Hymn of Rome".
Elder Starkweather has his hand on the shoulder of Carlos who he baptized in November.
The 3 assistants to the president are on the back row, right.

February 12, 2010 - Snow! An unusual sight in Rome! There have been 9 baptisms in Rome since we arrived 6 months ago. We have attended them all. Louisa was baptized on Dec. 20th - she has adopted me as her mama.

Elder Billings preparing the baptismal program for Ernest at my computer.

Best for last! The baptism of Ernest Omogiade

The elders "found" Ernest on the Metro Line B.

In his strong African accent, he expressed over and over how happy he was. Light eminated from his whole being. The Spirit was strong as he bore a powerful testimony of his joy and gratitude to be "baptized into the Church of The Most High God."
When Leon performed the baptism, after saying, "amen", he paused and then slowly lowered Ernest into the waters of baptism as if savoring this sacred moment, knowing that it would mark a place in time forever and then slowly brought him up. Before climbing the stairs out of the font, Ernest pressed his hands together in a gesture that conveyed to me, pure gratitude and supreme joy.