Friday, June 27, 2014

         Katia called this morning and asked me if I would play for her since she was singing at a baptism in our building tonight.  Of course, permission was required to leave the temple early, but Sister Amado said it would be fine.   So I worked full-speed ahead up until about 6:20 and then left to get ready.

         The baptism was for a family and the couple was married in a ceremony at 6:00 p.m. just ahead of the baptism.  I don’t know why they weren’t married already, but it seems to be a fairly common situation here among people with few means.  The missionaries have to make sure a couple gets legally married before they are baptized.  They have six daughters, five of whom were old enough to be baptized.  The youngest looked like she was about a year old.

         Everything went according to Latin American procedure and timing.  I arrived about 6:45 to make sure there was time to find the right place and see what song Katia was singing, etc., etc.  The wedding was still going on and the font was filling but it looked like a wait was in store.  It seems that so many preparations are made as needed and on the spot, or after arriving for an event.  So I just relaxed and tried not to think too much about the down time.  Long story shortened—the baptism, scheduled for 7:00, started about 8:10.  In the mean time, they asked me to play prelude, which I was happy to do, and play for an opening and closing song—if I planned to stay.  Of course I did! J  Clothes had to be found, people had to dress, a video was prepared, and missionaries and visitors milled in and out during the hour-plus wait. 

         I visited with Katia and her friend (I forgot her name already but it was something like Marisha).  They both speak very good English.  Beautiful Katia is a returned missionary and will graduate next year from a university here.  Marisha is studying medicine and wants to be an oncologist or a pediatrician.  She is tall and beautiful and is learning Italian because she loves learning languages.  She is 21 years old and said that in her country/culture, she was nearly past the “marrying” age.   She wants to get married and have a family, but feels like her time for that is passing her by.  Wow! 

         Her grandmother was a pioneer in the Gospel in Honduras and was baptized when she was 17 years old.  The Church has only been in Honduras for about 55 or 60 years (I didn’t look that up, so don’t quote me; but it is close) so her heritage is rare.  She said “I was born and raised in the Church” and not many people can say that—at least for another generation. 

         All in all it was a great night and such an inspiration to see this beautiful family go into the waters of baptism and begin their covenant journey.  I was happy to be a small part of their special night.