Today was a national day of mourning for the victims of the earthquake that happened in L'Aquila earlier this week. Some have had private funerals while many others were part of a mass funeral ceremony yesterday. Our prayers are with their families. How grateful we are for the atonement of Jesus Christ that we celebrate this Easter Sunday which makes all things right and whole again and which gives us hope and comfort that we will all be redeemed and will live again. My favorite talk from Conference last Sunday morning was by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. (If you go to the BYU.TV site, click on Sunday Morning session, then click on Elder Jeffrey R. Holland.) What a beautiful message reminding us of our Savior's sacrifice and how it touches each of our lives.
Many of you have written or called and asked what you can do to help. We've even had many returned missionaries who served under past presidents ask if they could come over and help with the cleanup. How sweet everyone has been all around the world in wanting to come and help their fellow brothers and sisters in L'Aquila!
The stake has asked local members to donate goods that can be taken to the residents who now live in tent cities, hotels, and sleeper cars on trains. These items will be collected at the stake center this week. Because it is difficult and expensive to send items to Italy, members who are not in Italy can donate money instead to the church's humanitarian fund, give extra for fast offerings, or specify on the donation slip that you wish the funds to be used for L'Aquila. The church always does a beautiful job of assessing the needs of those who are in need and then helping them with the basic essentials. (I'm not asking for donations, just suggesting a way that you can help if you wish.)
The church will continue to meet with the members and those on the rebuilding team to see how we can best help. Thanks for the outpouring of love and concern.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Earthquake in L'Aquila
At 3:32 a.m. this morning, we awoke to a gentle shaking that lasted about a minute. It was my first earthquake, but not President Acerson's. He had experienced a couple of earthquakes while serving his mission in Udine, Italy over 30 years ago (one 6.9 and 7.4).
We received a call a few minutes later from the missionaries in L'Aquila who said that it had hit much harder there (we later found out that this was the epicenter of the quake) and was measured at 6.3. They were fine and visiting with other residents of the city. They later dashed back inside to get warm clothing then walked to the bus station to see if the buses were running (they aren't as they have closed all roads so they can check the stability of the many tunnels and bridges that surround that area).
We have been in contact with the parents of the four missionaries who serve there (Elder Wheeler, Elder Brothers, Elder Grigg, and Elder Brock) but cannot call all parents to reassure them that their missionaries are fine. We hope this will help reassure those who need more information.
These missionaries will have many service opportunities over the next several days. We ask you to join us in prayer for the residents of L'Aquila and the surrounding cities who have lost loved ones.
These are some of the pictures taken by my sister Ellen James last summer before any of the current damage. We will post pictures from our missionaries there when we receive them.
Click here to see more pictures of L'Aquila. It is a beautiful old city and we pray that there is minimal damage, death, or injury to the people who live there.
We received a call a few minutes later from the missionaries in L'Aquila who said that it had hit much harder there (we later found out that this was the epicenter of the quake) and was measured at 6.3. They were fine and visiting with other residents of the city. They later dashed back inside to get warm clothing then walked to the bus station to see if the buses were running (they aren't as they have closed all roads so they can check the stability of the many tunnels and bridges that surround that area).
We have been in contact with the parents of the four missionaries who serve there (Elder Wheeler, Elder Brothers, Elder Grigg, and Elder Brock) but cannot call all parents to reassure them that their missionaries are fine. We hope this will help reassure those who need more information.
These missionaries will have many service opportunities over the next several days. We ask you to join us in prayer for the residents of L'Aquila and the surrounding cities who have lost loved ones.
These are some of the pictures taken by my sister Ellen James last summer before any of the current damage. We will post pictures from our missionaries there when we receive them.
Click here to see more pictures of L'Aquila. It is a beautiful old city and we pray that there is minimal damage, death, or injury to the people who live there.
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