A TEMPLE! A TEMPLE! WE HAVE A TEMPLE!

Sept 26 is a day I've been waiting for for 5 years! It finally came that we got to go in our temple! That it would be open to the world to view. Oh it was a happy day. I was so eager to take friends and family inside. And to volunteer as much as I could during the Open House. 

Our friends Stacy and Hayley from our previous neighborhood asked if they could go with us. I was so happy they reached out and gladly went with them. They loved it and asked questions along the way. We made similar comparisons with their church and ours at the end of it. I know they felt the spirit and I was moved to tears many times. 

I got to volunteer several times but my first impression of the open house is worth sharing. As we pulled into the parking lot on a hot day, I looked at the faces of the parking team. They were joyful! You could see in their faces they were so happy. It would be easy to complain about doing the "lesser" job or standing on pavement in a dress or that it was hot and uncomfortable. It brought tears to my eyes to see this joyful service. 

When it was my time to volunteer I was an usher outside the celestial room at the top of the beautiful stair case. As I stood and watched the room fill with rainbows as sun broke through the stained glass, it was a glimpse into heaven, then as I watched patrons ascend each with a look of awe on their face. Some with tears, some reverence, some excitement that just ran up those stairs, I was sure this is what heaven would be like, each person joyfully making their way to the top. 

Chad did cart driving and had fun with that and getting to meet people and hear where they came from. We also got to do parking duty together one day and that was so nice to bask in the sun and direct traffic at the House of the Lord with my spouse. 

Later I got to be an usher near the sealing rooms on the third floor. Again, it was an incredible experience. 

I really wanted all my kids to be able to serve there but sadly bri and ry weren't quite old enough. Carter did parking duty a few times and I was sad when all the apts were taken to get my other kids there. One day while I was doing parking duty I had the impression to look again for volunteer spots. Surprisingly, there was an appointment for shoe coverings at 11am! (It was 10am). So I quickly went and got Mollie from school and let her change and she got to do shoe coverings! An apostle was visiting at the time she was there, can't remember who, but she did say she saw him. 

And my good friend Alex said she was just going to go show up and take her daughter and expect to volunteer. She wanted to take Brielle too. I was hesitant but I so badly wanted her to be involved in the open house of HER temple that she would be attending soon. I let her go and she did get to serve and had a wonderful time. 

 I know the Lord cares because he provided these opportunities for my children that I wanted so badly. Mollie took a few of her friends after school one day and they all loved it too. 

The grounds were stunning and everything was absolutely perfect and beautiful!

Panama and an Empty House

 Its been so great to watch my parents grown into their roles as missionaries and to watch them change and do hard things. We really enjoy watching for their weekly letters and pictures they send us of new experiences. Here are a few pics we've received. 

This is how panamanias take out the trash. 

Dad is doing awesome at the language and has many opportunities to use it. 

They come across new critters all the time, which I know my sight-seeing dad loves. 

Lots of new food experiences too. 

And amazement at these ladies and their beading and crafting skills!!

There are so many missionaries to love and i know my parents are treating these ones like their own kids. 

New places to explore and fun things to see. 

I sent them off with OPEN WHEN envelopes. My mom sent this to me to show me they are displayed and so she can remember them often. 

I know they are participating in God's great work and so it makes it easy for me to let them be there. Most days.....and then I see pictures like this and I feel all better again. 

They spend lots of time with the sisters and I know they are so spoiled!

They've been apart of many baptisms and it makes me so happy to watch. 

I know their hearts will forever be in Panama.

Meanwhile, back in the states, we miss them like crazy. We visit their empty home and realize that a home is just a house when they aren't there. Its weird to walk through the door and not be greeted by my moms smile or a wonderful aroma of whatever she's cooking, not to mention my dad's big bear hug. 

It's eerily quiet and the kids sense it too. No one wants to stay there very long since it just isn't the same. 

But the house is still standing and its just as they left it. 

And we will look forward again to when this house is filled with love and laughter and yummy food and my mom and dad are safe back home. 

The Zoo with Bri and Friends

I got to go with Bri on a field trip to kick off the school year. Its fun to watch her interact with her friends and the silly things they do. And because I know one day they will all look back and laugh at these pictures, here they are. 

 

#3 in State

Its always an exciting time when all the points are counted at the end of the season for BMX. Carter was absolutely stoked that he was #3 in the State in points. We are proud of him and the hard work he does and the dedication he has. Sure love this boy and that big happy smile! 

 

HOCO '24

It finally came! The anticipated HOCO dance! After a lot of planning and a lot of changing plans, it finally kicked off!

Corsages and pics were first up at the lake.

Cute matching shoes!

Dinner was hosted at home. We did Olive Garden and it tuned out pretty nice I think!

their day date wasn't super exciting because Carter had a race he couldn't miss. But we tried to make a nice picnic in the bed of the truck for them.

Gosh he cleans up nice!! He's so grown up!

 Enjoy the evening you 2!

Temple Fun Run

To help get everyone excited about the new temple in our neighborhood we hosted a temple fun run! It went from the stake center and down and around the temple and back. It was followed by a pancake breakfast and a freedom celebration and program. The weather was perfect and I even ran most of the way! Go me! (Right there in the red shirt).

The finish line was a cool balloon arch complete with music and cheerleaders!

Carter ran 3 laps around everyone I think and was awarded the largest pancake from Pres Johansan, who he beat! It was a fun morning and a fun way to come together as a stake. 

 

New Things

We've joined the music world! Brielle has begged us to play the violin and we finally caved and she is picking it up like a pro!

Carter was answered by his HOCO date.

Our stake put on a temple fun run and Carter won! The stake Pres made sure he got the biggest pancake!

ANNNND.......We have an official teen driver in the house. Chad took him down to Delta for his test and he passed! Ready or not, here we go!