I would like to insert a recent experience, which adds to my testimony that God and Jesus Christ know each of us, are aware of events in our lives, and often reward our efforts to keep the commandments by providing "Tender Mercies." These subtle, often-forgotten mini-miracles enrich our lives and help strengthen our assurance that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I shared this as part of my testimony in Sacrament Meeting yesterday. Three weeks ago, Nino and Anna (first picture on the left) had been married civilly, had been baptized, and were preparing for their ring ceremony and reception. As I was about to leave to catch our ride to Guaraitúba, a thought came to me: "Take your music." What? That's strange--Why would I take my prelude music to a wedding? Then I remembered that I had brought a binder of easy classical music--just in case I needed it for a wedding or something. I hadn't thought of it since leaving the States, but I recognized right away that it was a prompting. Okay, I'll take it--but no one has asked me to play for the wedding, and they probably have recorded music or something else. Surprisingly, the binder was right where it should be, not requiring a search. As I helped set up for the reception in the Relief Society room, Taci Rau (Grupo leader's wife) asked me if I could play the piano, and would I start playing right away, because everything was ready to begin. I was not at all surprised, and was able to say, "Sim, posso" (Yes, I can.) I knew instantly what had happened and why. Had I not followed the prompting of the Spirit, Nino and Anna would not have had music, or would have had to settle for hymns, for their wedding. I know that Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ love music. And they love Nino and Anna, and wanted them to have nice music at their wedding, as a reward for their willingness to obey commandments and be married and baptized in the Church. Saturday evening, another couple, Eryvelt and Marilda, parents of two little girls, were to have their ring ceremony and reception on Saturday, after having been married civilly on Thursday, and baptized on Friday. Because of the craziness of the weekend, I forgot my music, and we were in Curitiba. We asked Elder Pereira to find and bring my music--just in case they wanted me to play, and gave him our apartment keys. Again, the binder was exactly where I told him it would be (a rare event, believe me). Velt and Marilda had obeyed God's commandments also. They had a very nice wedding. . . with music. They are loved by Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ also, and were rewarded for their faithfulness with this simple "Tender Mercy" mini-miracle.
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