The Nelapati's Request! *

We definitely wanted to attend the temple while we were visiting Kristin, and made plans to do so today.  She made arrangements for the kids to stay at a friends near by while the three of us went to serve as proxy for six sealings needed in our family line.

Coincidentally, early this morning before getting ready to go, we received an e-mail from Kiran Nelapati from New Delhi, India.  We had met him and his new bride, Sidharthi when they came to the Hong Kong Temple last month to be sealed.  He was asking if we could help them complete the sealing for one of Sidharthi's ancestors, which they weren't able to complete in the short time they had in Hong Kong.

 We e-mailed him back to tell him his message was quite timely, because we were in fact, going to the temple this very day to do none other than sealings.

A special feeling was present as the three of us knelt at the altar to seal Santhi Devi Chadda to her parents Asha Kagda and Surupi Kagda.

We were happy to be able to help the Nelapatis, and know this was not a coincidence, but rather the Lord's perfect timing.

Kiran Nelapati and Sidharthi Chadda Nelapati

Added thought:  It was nice to hear the brother performing the sealing expressing appreciation to our daughter for her faithful attendance at the temple.  It pleases us as parents, to know our children are on the right path.

We also learned today that Brother Taylor who was one of the witnesses, knows Elder and Sister Coffey who recently served here in the Asia Area Office.  Small world especially within the church.

Last Days Before The Temple Closes

I spoke with one of the beautiful women from India who have been here this past week. 

 Sister Amy Paul is single and longs to be married.  She asked me to pray for her that when she comes to the temple again, she will have a companion to come with her. 

 Unfortunately, we have no photo of her.

 Varaprasad Chilumula and his wife Navaneetha Chintha Chilumula

Their daughters Ananya Charitha Chilumula (6) and Alissia Hanney Chilumula (11mos)

Sister Chilumula received her own endowment and their family was sealed

Sister Rancie helped get the girls ready for their family sealing,
 and Alissia surprised her with a damp skirt.

 Both Sister Chilumula and Sister Madhura Bathula shared a wedding dress.
  The Bathulas are newlyweds.

 Alissia's grandfather

 Aradhana Samuel and her husband.  They are from New Delhi, India

He approached the Ordinance Room in all white with the exception of a red tie.

 Brother Chan was the President of the Hong Kong Mission two presidency's ago.

He has also served in the Hong Kong Temple Presidency

He is a great example of living the gospel with full purpose of heart. 

We will not see him again as he is going to the states to see two of his children in L.A. and Dallas.

He will not return until December.

 This is Gracie.  She joined the church not many years ago.  She received her own endowment today.

She says her conversion story is a lengthy one, and hopes to tell me about it when we see each other again.

Sister Judy Chan, Navaneetha Chintha Chilumula and her daughters,  

and Sister Madhura Bathula
Our group of beautiful women (present and future) on the steps of the temple.

Now it will be six weeks before we enter these doors again.
The temple is normally closed for two weeks twice a year for cleaning.
However, the Hong Kong Temple is in need of some renovating, and since it is the temple for so much of Asia, it would be difficult to close it for an extended length of time, as has been done with other temples.
 The solution seems to be to close the temple for six weeks for the next few scheduled closings,
 and renovate an area at a time.
We will anxiously wait to see what changes have been made when we return on July 19th.

Caught the Chaitans at TASTE!

Stopped at the grocery store on the way to our 'flat' (also known as apartment),

 and guess who we saw?

Bindu Manisha Chaitan & her husband Kumar