A VERY SMALL WORLD

Wednesday, 16th July, 1997. At the family history center the Mayburys showed me how to use the IGI. Using one of the computers fitted with an ancestral program I was able to find someone who had my name: Jean Borde around the 15th century in France. I also saw names of ancestors which I had previously submitted years ago. I was once again amazed at the diligence of the Mayburys in doing this part of the three fold mission of the Church. They told me that sometimes they get so lost in the work that they unknowingly stay in the family history center for fifteen hours and more. Once, they started at 7:00pm one day and did not finish until 5:00am the next day.

Sunday, 20th July, 1997. After partaking of the sacrament at the Montebello Branch, the visiting high councilman gave a wonderful talk. He made the point that all his success in life has been due to his decision to serve a full-time mission. His words focused on using our free agency to choose good things that would please the Lord and in fact will also make us happy as we obey. He mentioned that he is now the number one salesman in America for Black and Decker and he owed it all because of what he learned on his mission not his studies at school or any degrees. Later in the day I visited the Essex ward where I met old friends and my Bishop. I remember those moving interviews with him when I was a teacher in the Aaronic priesthood. He had these great big blue eyes that looked at you like the seven oceans of judgment. I was introduced to a young woman called Leela, from Chaguanas, Trinidad. She lives in Maryland now and was baptized here. I told her about the growth of the Church in Trinidad. She was surprised to know that there was a Branch in Couva. I heard a good statement today,

"Good things come to those who wait, but in a comfort zone, good things come to those who refuse to wait !"

This reminded me of those who have the opportunity to experience all the joy I am now soaking up into my spirit, but choose to put other temporal or worldly matters in front of that which can enable them to elevate their souls.

Monday, 21st July, 1997. I started an in depth study of after life experiences starting with a book called, ' Life After Life' by Dr. Raymond A. Moody Jr. It gave a synopsis of after death experiences by varying persons who were of no specific nor unrelenting religious background, but who be came spiritually enchanted by their short view of the after life.

"I had a floating sensation ... and I looked back and could see myself on the bed below."
"I went through this dark black vacuum at super speed."
"From the moment the light spoke to me, I felt really good -- secure and loved."
"I heard a voice telling me what I had to do -- go back -- and I felt no fear."
" ...Since this experience, I don't fear death. Those feelings vanished. I don't feel bad at funerals anymore. I kind of rejoice at them, because I know what the dead person has been through."
"...I realized that all these people were there, almost in multitudes it seems, hovering around the ceiling of the room. They were all people I had known in my past life, but who had passed on before. I recognized my grandmother and a girl I had known when I was in school, and many other relatives and friends. It seems that I mainly saw their faces and felt their presence. They all seemed pleased. It was a very happy occasion, and I felt that they had come to protect or to guide me. It was almost as if I were coming home, and they where there to greet or welcome me. All this time, I had the feeling of everything light and beautiful. It was a beautiful and glorious moment."

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--From the book called, 'Life After Life' by Dr. Raymond A. Moody, Jr.
(Quotes come from various parts of the book - each describing the individual's feelings on their outer body experience.)

"For for this cause was the Gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
-- 1 Peter 4:6, KJV Bible
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is also given to those who have passed on to the next life.

Tuesday, 22nd July, 1997. Mom, Anna and I journeyed to the temple. Mom left earlier with the Wessels and I went down later with Anna. Using a map I navigated our passage through same secondary roads towards Washington as there was a major accident on the beltway. At the temple I met Pres. Smith, the new Mission President of the Baltimore Maryland mission, I had spoken with him prior to our meeting about Sr. Ann Marie Regis. He was there with some new missionaries. Mom, Anna and I went to the family file after my visit with Pres. Smith.

Today would be a special occasion for mom as she would be sealed to her parents and Anna to mom and my dad. Many of our ancestors would also be sealed together. What a blessing of great magnitude. Mom then left with the Wessels and Anna and I remained to help a Brother from Finland do the work for his ancestors. Needless to say that these Finnish names were very difficult to pronounce, but we got through okay, although the sealer had to wipe his brow and wet his tongue a few times in order to articulate the names properly. Anna never acted as proxy in the baptistery so we went there. We then met a room full of Spanish members. They thought we were also Spanish and could not understand why we chose to speak to them in English. After some explanation we became acquainted and they told us they resided in Washington and went to a Spanish speaking ward. What a fulfilling day. I entered the dates of the ordinances performed for my ancestors in the family Book of Remembrance.

Thursday 24th July, 1997. Mom and I went to the Washington temple with the Wessels. I will never forget the smile on Mom's face when she was sealed to her parents last Tuesday. Afterwards, the Wessels took us sight seeing around Washington, it is a beautiful place. Anna had the missionaries over for dinner. The menu was curry with bus-up-shut and judging from the number of times the Elders filled their plates I guessed they enjoyed the bounty..

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