I have gained a lot of respect for visitor's center sisters this week. Those girls have stamina. It takes a lot of energy to be smiley, welcoming, cheerful, and answer gospel questions all day.
As probably many of you have seen on social media, the Rome Temple is officially completed and ready to be shown to the public. It is one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen. I can't wait to watch the italians as they walk through it and finally learn about what it actually is.
This past friday we had an all sisters conference in the temple chapel. Every sister from Sicily to Sassari met in Rome and it was the coolest reunion ever. I got to see lots of my old companions and all the sisters I've done exchanges with. It was like a big family reunion without any of the awkward 7th cousins you've never met before. On top of all the excitement, President asked me to play prelude on the brand new, never been touched, baby grand piano. After playing on electric pianos with only 85% of they keys working, it was amazing. We all just sat in the chapel for 30 minutes and listened to the music before our speaker arrived.
After a run down of all the logistics, we took a tour of temple all together. Even though it isn't a dedicated temple yet, it was filled with peace. We walked through all the rooms, taking our time, and then all sat in the largest sealing room. President and Sorella PIckerd bore their testimonies about the importance of a temple sealing. Watching them hand in hand talk about their deep love for each other and for their Heavenly Father is not something that I will ever forget.
The next morning we all got up bright and early for the contractors tour, only to sit at a bus stop for 30 minutes waiting for bus that wasn't passing. After a lot of prayers, phone calls, and more prayers, we were able to make it to the temple before the tours started and we all got into our places. Sorella Brooks and I manned the Visitors Center along with 6 other sisters, and like I said. It was exhausting. But in a good way. Here are some of the things that went on during the day:
1. I got the head architect of the temple a snack because his blood sugar was low and consequently got to talk to him and his family for a good amount of time.
2. We got a full description of the stained glass mural presented by the artist and his team.
3. A family from our english course went through and I got to bear my testimony on eternal families and explain the significance of the sealing room to them. The mom then told me that her son is terminally ill and the doctors told them this week that they didn't know what to try next to cure him. She cried and told me how great of a spirit she had felt while in the sealing room. We hope we get to meet with them this week to explain more.
4. A dad and his son were walking back from their soccer game (for those who don't know, the temple is right by a set of soccer fields) and they decided to just walk in with all the contractors. After watching the introductory video he went up to the sisters and said "I've been looking for God for years and I know that He is here. This is my address and phone number. We'll be back to our house at 7, and I want to meet with your missionaries at 7.30"
5. I learned that the reason our church became a recognized religion in Italy was because the assistant to the woman in charge of all that, had visited Temple Square. While he was there, two italian sisters took him around the square and showed him everything. He said that if our members were as eloquent, charitable, and spiritual as those two italian sisters in Temple Square, than to have that religion in Italy would be a blessing. After officially recognizing the religion, the assistant asked if Italy would one day have it's own center like the one he had visited...
6. Elder Bednar came. And he shook our hands. and it was incredible. He came to look through the temple and visitor's center, and we were just there, trying to go about and do normal visitor's center things while he looked at the statues and art work.
This temple here, and all temples every where, have such an amazing spirit. And I know that's because they are literally the house of God. I'm so excited for the people here in Italy. This temple is already bringing miracles and I know that it will continue to do so.
I love you all!!
Sorella Maxfield
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