Yesterday was a day that I hope to always remember.
All weekend, I followed closely the events surrounding the dedication of the Rome, Italy temple. Todd and I visited that temple site in 2001. At the time there wasn't even a stake in Rome and I remember thinking, "I hope I see a temple here in my lifetime."
It is amazing to me that only 22 years after my mission, that hope has become a reality.
As part of the temple dedication events, President Nelson met with the Pope.
This photo holds special significance for me because I was good friends with Alessandro DiniCiacci (far left) while I served in Caserta, Italy. He was the only member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his family at that time. My companion and I spent many hours teaching his mom. His family was very good to us. I don't know if his family ever joined the church. The DiniCiacci's are wonderful people.
On Thursday, March 7, Todd and I met with the Stake President.
In that meeting, Todd was asked to serve as a counselor in the Stake Presidency.
Of course my dear husband accepted the call.
Neither of us slept much on Thursday night. We had many thoughts about Todd not being a Bishop anymore after only 3 years of service. We also thought a lot about the responsibilities associated with this new calling. It was humbling for both of us.
Todd's parents got in the car on Friday morning to start the long and snowy drive to Utah to be here for Todd's setting apart.
Michael was asked a couple of weeks ago to speak in Stake Conference. When Sunday morning came, and after my husband was sustained, my cup was truly running over to see Michael and Todd sitting on the stand in Stake Conference. They are both good men and I feel blessed to be a wife and mother to them.
Todd has the opportunity to serve with two other good men- President Frank and President Drummond.
It was wonderful to have family there to support Todd and Michael on this special day.
We went back to our unfinished kitchen after the setting apart where I was able to use my new counter tops and sinks for the first time. Thankfully, my water was hooked up on Friday night.
It was fun to celebrate Michael's 17th birthday with family.
Michael did an amazing job on his talk. He said he was nervous but we in the congregation couldn't tell. I appreciated his testimony.
We have had so much love and support from ward and stake members.
We feel truly blessed to have this opportunity to serve.
I will miss having Todd on the stand in our ward every Sunday but I know that this call to serve in the stake presidency has come from the Lord and the blessings of service far outweigh any sacrifices.
