Anderson Goncalves and Michael Kelch
Michael Kelch was baptized this past weekend; but unlike most other people, he couldn't walk into the waters of baptism. Michael is confined to a wheelchair; and since there is no ramp leading into the baptismal font, he was carried down the few steps from the dressing room by the high priest group leader, Anderson Goncalves, and one of the young missionaries, Elder Petersen. After Michael was placed sideways in a chair, Brother Goncalves gently placed his hand under the man's back for support and then submersed him under the water to perform the baptismal ordinance.
Michael Kelch was first introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by several people who met him on the Internet. He was interested in what they had to say about the restoration of the gospel; and with his friends' encouragement, Michael soon became a self-referral and was taught missionary discussions by the full time elders who are assigned to the Chesapeake Ward.
As things turned out, one of those new friendships developed into something more when Tina, who is a registered nurse living in Moab, Utah, invited Michael to come visit her and her family. She came to Maryland for his baptism. He will be moving out west in the next few weeks where he and Tina will be married on March 9th. Michael Kelch has not only embraced the gospel, but he now has also found a special woman with whom he can share his life!
Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985), former President of the Church, taught "in selecting a companion for life and eternity, certainly the most careful planning and thinking and praying and fasting should be done to be sure that of all the decisions, this one must not be wrong. In true marriage there must be a union of minds as well as of hearts. Emotions must not wholly determine decisions, but the mind and the heart, strengthened by fasting and prayer and serious consideration, will give one a maximum chance of marital happiness. It brings with it sacrifice, sharing, and a demand for great selflessness."
Michael Kelch was first introduced to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by several people who met him on the Internet. He was interested in what they had to say about the restoration of the gospel; and with his friends' encouragement, Michael soon became a self-referral and was taught missionary discussions by the full time elders who are assigned to the Chesapeake Ward.
As things turned out, one of those new friendships developed into something more when Tina, who is a registered nurse living in Moab, Utah, invited Michael to come visit her and her family. She came to Maryland for his baptism. He will be moving out west in the next few weeks where he and Tina will be married on March 9th. Michael Kelch has not only embraced the gospel, but he now has also found a special woman with whom he can share his life!
Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985), former President of the Church, taught "in selecting a companion for life and eternity, certainly the most careful planning and thinking and praying and fasting should be done to be sure that of all the decisions, this one must not be wrong. In true marriage there must be a union of minds as well as of hearts. Emotions must not wholly determine decisions, but the mind and the heart, strengthened by fasting and prayer and serious consideration, will give one a maximum chance of marital happiness. It brings with it sacrifice, sharing, and a demand for great selflessness."
Happy is the man who finds a true friend,
and far happier is he who finds that true friend in his wife.
- Franz Schubert
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