2014-2026

It is with sadness in our hearts we announce the passing of Omarcito.

Between the week we scheduled our visit to Andorra and our departure, a twelve-year-old boy named Omarcito passed away. A valiant young deacon who came faithfully to church with his dad and passed the sacrament. We aren’t sure of the exact details, other than that his young body succumbed to illness. A young woman named Arianny, who used to live in the branch but has since moved to Valencia, called us the Friday before last to share the news. Our hearts broke for the family; it must be an incredibly difficult trial to endure. We considered it a tender mercy that Arianny thought to call and tell us.

Instead of doing a game night, the coordination began with the missionaries and Jonathan to do service for the family. When we arrived in La Seu on Friday, we went straight to the church—a "bajo," or a converted ground-floor space. It’s a modest building with three classrooms, a sacrament room, one office, and a small hallway area with a mini-fridge and microwave. Despite its size, the members feel so blessed to have it. The building is a true tender mercy. It felt wonderful to be there among such faithful Saints who strive so hard to support one another in their love for the Savior. We dropped off our dinner supplies, setting the enchilada filling in a crockpot and tucking the rest into the mini-fridge.

The weekend was being filled with tender mercies for everyone involved in trying to comfort Omarcito’s family.

Finding a hotel in this small town can be difficult during the winter, as it’s a popular spot for skiers heading to Andorra. However, we were blessed to book a room at the beautiful, historic three-star Hotel Andria, located right on the town's Rambla. This also was a tender Mercy.

As the elders and YAs gathered at the church, we filled two gift baskets . Everyone found something to gift. Another tender mercy for many with so little. We sat together, making cards and cutting out paper hearts. The elders had previously reached out to the father, Omar, to let him know we wanted to stop by, but the Lord provided another tender mercy. Omar “happened” to come by the church to drop off some key fobs he had been given. We invited him in to eat dinner with us, and the YAs presented him with one of the baskets. We spent time talking about Omarcito and sports. Omar shared his grief and tears, and we expressed our deepest love, compassion and our testimonies of faith in Jesus Christ.

Omar then decided to join us to drop off the second basket to Omarcito’s mother (they are no longer together, so having him join us was a special mercy). As the YAs and missionaries were taping paper hearts to her door, she opened it, surprised to see us all. When she received the basket, she too expressed her gratitude through tears. We hugged her tightly. Losing a child is an unimaginable pain that only the Savior can truly soothe through his atonement. Though she is not a member of the Church, she shared that she feels Omarcito is close by and that he is okay.

When we left, she had a small smile on her face, clearly feeling loved and remembered. The hand of the Lord was so visible in that gathering. Their older daughter arrived and stood close to her father. It is clear that Heavenly Father is mindful of this family. We pray that they continue to find peace and strength through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the support of their friends and ward family.

I am so grateful for my Savior Jesus Christ that knows our grief and our pain and gives us hope, understanding and love.