Thursdays With Ella Rose
Of why out of the 800 births in the world, why my third baby? Why Ela Rose?
Issue Number 22
My mission is to unearth, compile, and share hidden treasures of knowledge from Church-approved libraries, to inspire your full-time or member missionary efforts. I am a convert from the Philippines circa 1969, a returned missionary, a former stake president, a musician, and now currently teaching youth Sunday School class with my wife in Provo Utah Edgemont North Stake, Provo River Ward.
by Maria Evelyn Quilla Soleta
We schedule Thursdays for our temple visits as on other days she is working at Shakey’s. “Can you do 12 proxy baptisms and 12 confirmations today, Ela Rose?” Her dad asks her as soon as we reach the temple's gate. “No, Dad. Only 5,” is her definite, stern reply while unfastening her seatbelt. “These 12 names are our own family file. We must do proxy baptisms and confirmations for them,” says her dad for the second time. “Just 5, Dad… Five.” To emphasize her point, Ela Rose repulsively spreads her five cute fingers for us to see. “Oh, okay, 5 names.” Through the front mirror, I see my husband’s amused face. This morning the sun is partly hiding through the clouds, but the Philippines Manila Temple’s gate is wide open~ the white edifice so elegant to behold, and the grounds a verdant green sight. How we love Thursdays such as this! Who is Ela Rose? Ela Rose is our 30-year-old special needs daughter, and she has Down Syndrome, but no matter what her impediment in life is, she is as lovely as any girl there is. Ela Rose does not only perform proxy baptism and confirmation temple ordinances. She is also a bubbly music chorister who always looks forward to leading the members of Noveleta Ward, Cavite Philippines Stake, in its singing during sacrament meetings. She sings the hymns with gusto in words she finds difficult to pronounce. On the second Saturday of each month, Ela Rose goes with us to voluntarily clean the chapel, for it is the day scheduled and assigned for our family. As a mother watching this beautiful soul dusting the chapel's pulpit and stacking chairs, my thoughts go back to the day I learned of Ela Rose's disability. I was shocked and frustrated beyond words! With a heart filled with resentment and fear, I questioned my Heavenly Father why it had to be me.
The short drive from the pediatrician's clinic to our house seemed an eternity away the moment my husband and I learned of the heart-rending news. He was at a loss for words himself, but I will never forget his comforting words to me, spoken clearer than the bright white clouds of that morning. He quoted what the Lord said to the Prophet Jeremiah, "Before I formed thee in the womb, I knew thee; before thou were born, I sanctified thee; and I ordained thee..." (Jeremiah 1:5). Until now, these words always sustain me. This Thursday, we look like a bride and groom in our best selves. With Ela Rose’s left hand clamped under my arm, we walk along the temple annex’s aisle that leads to the temple doors. Many of the temple greeters and workers already recognize and know her. There is always a deep, special hush that is felt every time we enter and approach the reception area. We are fortunate today (most often we are) because there is a scheduled proxy youth baptism and confirmation, and Ela Rose could join them; otherwise, a special one would have to be done for her alone. We cannot go home without Ela Rose’s participation in these sacred ordinances because we know it will disappoint her.
Several years ago, my husband and I were set apart as temple ordinance workers. We were privileged to be called as couple service missionaries and committed to serving the house of the Lord every Friday afternoon. It was many years ago, but we remember our temple missionary service with fondness. It was always a day well spent in a spiritual feast while performing sacred ordinances for our deceased kindred inside His holy house. The temple is more than just a Thursday visit for us as a family. It is the House of the Lord. His house where we are welcomed with love and ease, where we can converse with Him from the deepest recesses of our hearts, and where our departed ones can receive the promised blessings from our Heavenly Father. This reminds me of the Pharisee named Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.” And Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." (John 3:2) As I put back Ela Rose's and my own temple recommend cards inside my wallet and drop the piece of paper for the prayer roll into the prayer box, I feel Ela Rose's right hand clasping my arm. Once more we look like a bride and groom in our best selves! While heading toward the exit door, I hear the sound of heavy rain. Cleansing rains bringing hope and peace to a Thursday like this.
This newsletter is my heartfelt tribute to my mother, Mamie F. Rubio, who dedicatedly mailed missionary letters from the moment she was baptized in 1969 until her passing at the age of eighty-six in 2014. Previous posts at https://missionarymail.substack.com