Temple Trip #4 - Draper Temple Dedication via Castle Dale Utah

Temple in Castle Dale?  Not as of yet but for one day we felt as if that were the case.  After spending much time discussing and finalizing logistics for a babysitter we were fortunate to have our great friends the Jeffs watch Parker as we participated in the Draper Temple dedication.  It was nice to join our neighbors and friends right here at home for this sacred experience.  In the spirit of responding to President Monson's request to always remember this experience we will forever remember this experience as one where we felt to rededicate our lives to living a Christlike life.

To top off the experience the Jeffs treated us to some tin roof ice cream.

Miles traveled:  4

Temple Babysitter - Oh so close!!!!

One of the great challenges of getting to the temple just might be finding a babysitter.  It isn't due to the fact that there aren't any willing, its the parents willing to give their son to somebody else.  So after a few successful babysitting experiences we ventured twice to get young women in the ward to baby sit for us as we went to the Manti temple this month.  When success seemed eminent something came up or in Melissa's case literally came up (from her stomach) that prevented us from having a couple of more temple experiences.  Despite these few setbacks we continue to muster up enough courage to continue to ask for babysitters, though at this point it feels as if we are the boy that cried wolf.  All in all we are grateful for willing babysitters who are eager to serve.

Temple Trip #3 - Draper Temple Open House

Valentines was appropriately spent where Love has no bounds and where families are eternal.  This Valentines was spent with Devin's parents, his brother Scott and his daughter McKenna.  This trip also was Parker's first temple experience.  Feeling of the solace and serenity of the temple and having seen the baptistry, Parker was soon fast asleep in the stroller he "borrowed" from his cousin McKenna.  Truly he is already catching the spirit of the temple!  This trip was highlighted by watching a video at a nearby church building and a bus trip up to the temple.  Being in this house of the Lord led to awe and wonder at the beautiful paintings, murals, and wood work that filled the temple.  The Celestial room left us with a sense of wonder and amazement at the beauty and reality of eternal families.  The completion of the open house taunted sugarless parents with refreshments in the cultural hall of a nearby church.  Luckily for us they also had water.

Just waiting and waiting...

Wahoo!  No car seat!

Preparing for future temple trips!

 

One happy family!

The trip was only complete with a Valentines shopping trip and a night with our friends Chris & Ali, Dan & Laura, and Emily.

Total Miles:  190 Miles

Temple Trip #2 -Salt Lake Temple

It took the pioneers sacrifice, hard work, and patience for them to witness the completion of this sacred edifice.  After 40 years the doors were opened for worship and completion of sacred ordinances.  We were the beneficiaries of these faithful pioneers as we entered the doors of the Salt Lake Temple on February 13, 2009.  As a symbol of eternal families, it was only fitting that we spend time in the temple with family.  Thanks to the convenience of Melissa's dad's new apartment we were able to walk the short distance to the temple on this cool night with Melissa's parents.  Desiring to do a session but unable to due to overflow and timing, we resorted to doing initiatory.  We are grateful for this experience because it allowed us to do work that we don't frequently participate in as often as we should.

Parker was left in the trusted hands of her Aunt Brittany at the apartment.  This brought much peace and solace to mom who was still in hearing distance.  Upon arriving home after the temple experience her peace was realized finding Parker fast asleep in her arms with a full belly.

We completed the night by filling "our" bellies with Cafe Rio at 10 PM.

Total miles = 150 fun filled miles driven by Melissa 

 

Temple Trip #1 - Manti Utah

Following in the footsteps of the pioneers and beginning where it all began for us, took us to our first temple destination . . . .  the Manti Temple.

Leaving right after work and strapping in Parker for the 103 mile trek we joined our stake for Stake Temple night.  Upon arriving in Manti, we dropped Parker off at our friends the Christensen's where he was taken under watchful parental care.  The session was jam packed only getting in by playing the "I have a baby" card.  Relieved at the kindness of the temple president we enjoyed a "cozy" session.  After the session was over, we rescued the Christensen's from a screaming Parker which ceased at first sight of mom.  We had an enjoyable visit with them and are grateful for their generosity.  

The trip home was fueled by a stop in Salina at "Holly's Pantry" where we picked up some corn nuts (Ranch and BBQ).  Not being able to fill up the precious "water bottles" due to their closing up we quenched our thirst at the next gas station.  Another 103 miles and we found ourselves in the comforts of our home only to be welcomed by having six deer eating our lawn.

One down!  Twelve more to go!  Next up, Salt Lake Temple!

Total miles: 206 miles

Temple Tour 2009

As we began the new year we decided that we wanted to spend more time in the temple.  We also wanted to tour the state by seeing its many vistas and splendors.  We combined these ideas and decided to visit each temple in the state of Utah.  With great eagerness we went to work on planning each trip.  Realizing the limits and difficulties that could arise during such a venture we go forward knowing that this will be a great experience that will create memories and strengthen testimonies.  We look forward to worshipping in the Lord's house as well as typical road trip memories that will be inevitable.