Velatorio

      Just wanted to share with you another custom that we have been part of this week. When Sister Alicia Colina passed away, we were invited to the "velatorio" the very night that she died, Friday the 8th. The dictionary says that this is a viewing or wake. We figure it is just a viewing and we will get to visit with the family so we are very happy to have a ride to the funeral home. We arrive around 7:30 pm and are in time to hear Brother Montepeque give a talk, then Marti, the husband, talks for about 15 minutes, we sing a hymn and have a prayer. A velatorio is more like a wake than a viewing. They served drinks and cookies and other pastels the entire evening. We left around 10:30 and there were still people sitting and visiting. They say that sometimes they are there all night.

     One of the hardest things here is not having a car so we can just go and visit or help someone. Monday morning, the 11th, was the funeral. We rode with Mariela Figueroa. The funeral was to start at 9:30. We arrived at the church at 9:20 and the gates were locked, all churches are surrounded by fences and are locked up when no meetings are taking place. We got in about 15 minutes later and found out that they had no piano player so I was fortunate to be able to actually DO something to add comfort and peace for the Colina family. I played prelude for 45 minutes before the family arrived and the three hymns in the service.

      When we returned home we found out that the sister of President Majano had passed away and her velatorio is that very night, Monday the 11th. President and Sister Petersen arrived home from the States at 8:00 pm and at 9:00 we all loaded into the van to go to the velatorio. President Lopez drove and the Alas's went with us, so we loaded 11 into our 8 passenger van. We got there as the son of President Majano was finishing his talk, then President Majano was to speak. Our Bishop came to me and asked if I would sing for them. I told him I didn't have a book and didn't know anything by heart. He found me a book and said pick a hymn. The book opened to "God be With you till we Meet again" so that is what I sang. Again I was fortunate to be able to DO something to add comfort and peace for the Majano Family.

 

      I am so thankful for the talents that My Heavenly Father has given me. I am so thankful for earthly parents who spent time and money to help me develop these talents. I am thankful for church leaders over the years who have given me callings to further develop these talents so I am able to share them without fear. Please don't think that I am bragging. I feel like Ammon when he said in Alma 26; " I do not boast in my own strength nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea my heart is brim with joy, and I rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things."

 

     What a joy it is to me to be able to share my testimony through music in a different language. Having only 5 minutes to prepare to sing for a funeral has to be a record. I am working on "O Divine Redeemer" and "The Lord's Prayer" in Spanish for this Sunday for the Easter Devotional. I know that it is only through His strength and help that I am able to do this.

 

      My dear family, thank you so much for all you do for us and for our children while we are away. We feel of your love and prayers daily and we love you all so much. We never know when it will be our time to return to our Heavenly Father so we just wanted to take the time to let you know of our love for our Savior and for all of you. May God bless you in all you do. Lon and Nancy, Dad and Mom, Grandpa and Grandma