District Conference With an Apostle

Imagine how absolutely delighted these people (and we as well) were to have a member of the Quorum of the Twelve come to their District Conference. It just doesn't happen very often at all and they appreciated fully the privilege. It seems an indication to me of the faith of The First Presidency that India is a place that is opening its heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. Members are so small in number compared to the population but they are strong and humble and full of faith and a forerunner to many who will no doubt join the fold. We had four wonderful and inspiring meetings about nine hours worth(one was Priesthood and one was with just the missionaries). The latter was very intimate and personal--an experience we are blessed to have had as we have never had such a one before. I took notes in that meeting and will record them--just not on this blog. One of the first things Elder Christofferson said was that people are excited and honor him because of the office that he holds and that the office is very important. "As for me," he said, "I'm no big deal." And yet we partook of the results of his life-long preparation for this very special calling. If we had not known, we would have believed he had been in the Quorum of the Twelve for many years instead of a few months. We saw his personal preparation and we felt the Lord working through him.

President Halstrom (Seventy and Area President) and both their wives as well as President and Sister Nichols (mission president) also gave very inspiring messages. President Halstrom is very competent and uplifting. He and his wife are starting their seventh year in Asia. I can hardly imagine such sacrifice as that. So many are so willing to do the Lord's work and the world is blessed because of it.

Rajeesh (spelled the way we say it--not necessarily correctly--see picture below) is the District executive secretary and in our branch with his sweet wife Mary. Mary grabbed Elder Christofferson just as he was about to get in his taxi and asked me to take their picture. I didn't have my glasses on so didn't catch that her eyes were closed or I would have snapped another one. Elder Christofferson was happy to do so as you can see and thanked Rajeesh for all his good work to prepare for the conference. This couple is very special. Rajeesh has been to our apartment a couple times, the last bringing bananas, which we can't find, at the urging of Mary.

The following pictures are after our missionary meeting and show Elder Christofferson next to his wife and President and Sister Halstrom. Unfortunately, they aren't the best focused pictures. The young woman in the background of the top pic is Srivali who converted from Hinduism eight years ago. She is beautiful, very intelligent and a great teacher. She made a card to give to Elder Christofferson and asked me to help her with what to say. I gave her general ideas but deferred to Noel (male) for the words so that it would come from them rather than me. (Noel is the best English speaker we have found. One Sunday morning after a horrific, record setting rain, we were crossing the street and hailing an auto when a car pulled up and Noel, whom we'd never seen before, got out and called out, "Elder, Sister, I can take you to church." He had to stay at work all night because of the storm and was on his way home when he saw us. More than a coincidence I believe.)