Monday, August 24, 2009

Tara's Temple Trip


On August 15 my dear friend, Tara Sullivan, entered the House of the Lord in St. George, UT to receive her own endowment.  I love this girl and was so ecstatic to hear of the news.  I wouldn't have missed this session for the world.  She is one amazing sister and I love her.  She is so true and faithful and has made it top priority to be back to church and serve!  It was a gorgeous day and so amazing to see her in white.  I love the purity and equality of the temple.  We are all children of our loving Father in Heaven!  Each time I attend I am reminded of the worth of our souls in His sight and I want to strive to be with Him and my family and friends forever!

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Temple Trip #12 - Oqirrih Mountain Temple Dedication


What do you do on a rainy August Sunday?  If you are Dr. Seuss you invite The Cat in the Hat to play.  If you are a baseball fan, you sit in a rain delay.  But if there is a temple dedication with all of Utah invited you put on your Sunday best and make a trip to the dedication.

And so it was today.  There was no rain delay and there was no cat in the house to play.  The gloom of rain hovered most of the day but didn't dampen the spirit of this sacred occasion.  Our friends the Eden's brought their kids over in the morning so that they could go to the dedication.  Parker was in heaven as he colored and ate graham  crackers with them.  The favor was returned as we participated in the afternoon and final dedication in the church house in Orangeville.

The dedication was uplifting and enlightening as Sister Allred, Elders Zwick and Ballard, as well as President Monson each addressed us.  President Eyring's reading of the dedicatory prayer sealed the session as Elder Ballard led us in the hosanna shout.  Coming out of the building and out into a drizzle of rain reminded us of many valuable lessons that the gospel and rain bring.  
1.  A sense of freshness and a new beginning
2.  Heaven's open with bounteous blessings
3.  There is always a refuge from the storm
4. The Lord is the source of all blessings 

Fittingly as we drove home we saw in the distance a rainbow, another reminder of God's love for His children.  And so it was that on this rainy Sunday the heavens were opened in many wonderful ways.  

Sunday, August 2, 2009

Why Temples???

Why temples?  Need we say more?
Attending Mia's blessing was just another reminder of the importance of temples and covenants in our lives.  Thanks Mia for the reminder!

Temple Trip #11 - Vernal Utah Temple - July 31



As a seminary teacher it is our hope that all of our students have their eyes fixed on the temple and achieve that goal.  It isn't always possible to know the outcome of all of our students but know and trust that they are in good hands.

So what happens when one is able to see their students go to the temple?  Well this trip was one of those experiences.  While Melissa was a senior at Carbon High School she had a seminary teacher that influenced her greatly by teaching her the the power of the atonement.  

Brother Walton's influence continues as he teaches in the same area as us in Vernal.  So, while on our way to Green River, WY to attend Mia's baby blessing, we stopped and visited the Walton's.  We went to dinner to a Chinese restaurant followed by a sealing session with the Walton's in the Vernal temple.  On our way home to rescue the baby-sitter's from Parker's madness  we picked up some yogurt from Maverick.  By the time we got home it had become soup.  This was the least we could do for the brave baby sitters Rachel and Emily.  They had discovered that the "only thing" that worked for Parker was a ride in the stroller.  The night was topped off as Brother Walton and Melissa reminisced of their seminary days in Price as he pulled out old photographs.

We are grateful for those that have an influence in our lives and point us to the temple, and then pay them back by finding ourselves there (ironically we are the one's that are rewarded!).

Total Miles:  286 Temple Miles
504 Round Trip Miles