Witnessed Belated-Sealings!

Because of a typhoon warning with strong winds and rain, the temple was closed yesterday when three of these couples were scheduled to be sealed as families.  They had to wait one extra day,

 but what a wonderful day it was.

President Funk performed each of their sealings.  He was the mission president of the India Bangalore Mission, where he became acquainted with the Ramaraj family.

The Raju family had not met the Katuka and Ramaraj families before coming to the temple.

Bro. Devaraju Raju, his wife Sis. Bairavi Arumugam,

and their 11 and 9 year old sons, Dallin and Darwin.

These two boys were the most polite and well behaved boys we have seen here.
They have been taught well.
It was apparent that Sister Raju's heart was full of gratitude for the temple blessings she was receiving as she could not hold back the tears throughout the day.
The Rajus have waited 16 years to come.

This is Prabhakar Ramaraj and his bride, Timnah Katuka Ramaraj

Prabhakar and Timnah are students at BYU, and both have served missions.

They were also sealed to their families.

Timnah's mother, Sister Katuka is a delightful lady with a contagious smile.
She radiates genuine kindness.

 

 Ventakesh Alugu and his bride, Archana Vuppada (exclusively known as Lightening and Ava to the temple missionaries) who were married just one month ago on July 5th.

Venkatesh and Archana are the first members in their families.

Archana's parents died when she was 16.  She and her sister joined the church 4 years later. She was baptized one week before her sister.  Their brother eventually was baptized too.
That was 10 years ago.

Her sister married a nonmember who does not believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but
 Venkatesh has vowed to help his new brother-in-law see the light.
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Sister Judy Chan and I were able to attend these sealings, along with Sisters Hathaway and Masako.
A sealing is the crowning ordinance in the temple, and it is always a privilege to witness.

As we were all leaving the sealing room today, Sister Funk drew our attention to the Lotus Flower painting nearby. She explained how the flower grows in mud, then rises above as a pure and white blossom.  It is our temple covenants that help to make us pure.

I love that analogy!