General Conference Sunday - Miracle Lunch

April 5  Easter Sunday

When I went to bed last night (after 2:00 a.m. because we were searching for possible flights home), I wasn't sure if Ann and I were going to make the trip home - cost and schedules here were a concern. When I woke up, Ann had pulled out her suitcases and had started packing.  I guess my question was answered then.  Merl also started packing with the idea that he could take back much of what we didn't need for the last few weeks.   It was a surreal Easter. . .

I busied myself with preparing food for the lunch at the church between the sessions.  I made a big pan of cornbread, sliced apples and bananas, and prepared peppers and tomatoes to be used for sandwiches or for dipping in the Ranch dip that April had so kindly sent. Sister Copa was making sandwiches and drinks.  Others had volunteered to bring cake, fruit, etc.  Elder Gallardo said he was planning on about 20 people needing lunch.

David, Ann, and I caught the bus to Gramado again this morning.  Traffic flow was still in our favor. We met the missionaries and Gabriella on the bus and had a nice walk to the church.

Again, we watched General Conference - Merl stayed home as he has come down with a nasty cold, and he didn't want to share it.

Right after the first session, we started to get the food ready; then found out that there were going to be five baptisms before we had lunch.  The other thing I found out was that instead of 20 people to feed, it was more like 80.  A little panic set in.  Sister Copa cut the sandwiches in quarters, and we used small plates.  With extra people from the other Branches slipping in, we fed well over 100 people before the second session started.  Sister Copa and I cleaned the kitchen while David and Ann mopped the floors.

My attention was diverted from taking photos of the baptisms, but I did make an observation.  Three of the five baptisms were boys/young men.  They were in their regular street clothes (jeans and t-shirts), changed into white baptismal clothing, and then came back into the Relief Society for closing remarks with white shirts and ties on.  They looked (and probably felt) amazing!  Thank you again for everyone who helped make this all possible.  Our White Shirt Project has been a great success!

Easter tree across from the church

I was sad to inform Clara that the four of us would not be at the District meeting next Sunday as we will be back in Idaho for Grandpa's funeral.  The choir had been asked to sing (with David, Ann, and Merl), and I was to accompany them.

The conference messages were again wonderful.  I am grateful we have a living prophet, apostles, and other leaders who receive revelation and guide us in these latter days.

The evening was spent packing and working on flight arrangements.  For some reason, it was 2:00 a.m. again when David and I went to bed.  Getting the right flight connections has been a big challenge - and very expensive.