I Love To See the Gilbert Temple!!!

On January 18, 2014 my family went through the Open House of the Gilbert Temple.  Tom had to work because it was a school holiday and those are really busy days for him.  But he was able to go through the temple several times afterwards.  It was a VERY crowded day but it was SO worth the wait!

My sister MaryKay and her sweet family joined us too!

The temple was more beautiful that we could ever describe.  The beautiful agave plant theme was woven so intricately throughout the temple's interior and exterior design.  The architect chose the agave plant because it represents the desert where we live. But it also represents families---when the new young agave leaves grow, the older, more mature leaves leave an impression on the younger ones--just like our ancestors leave impressions on each generation that comes after them.  I love the symbolism in this plant to eternal families.  It's so inspired!

Rehearsals soon began in January for our Cultural Celebration.  Here are some fun pics of our kids learning their dance called, "Toma Mi Mano" which means, "take my hand" in Spanish.  It was the cha-cha!!

Tom and I were called to be the Stake Music Directors so we were able to be at all the rehearsals and help lead the music.  Another blessed calling that we were extremely humbled and grateful to receive.  

I had also been praying for weeks that somehow, I would get an opportunity to serve in the Open House.  Nothing seemed to come my way---I would hear of other people getting asked to do certain things but no ushering opportunities came around to me.  So, I figured that I had better ask around if I could help to whomever I saw.  One night, at a wedding reception, I talked to a good friend who knew of a need for more people to push people in wheelchairs through the tour of the temple.  I quickly called the coordinator the very next day and sure enough, she needed another volunteer.  My prayers were answered and I was completely overjoyed.  

I was able to tour the temple 15 times during that month long open house and help the sweetest people in wheelchairs view the Lord's House.  I got to know 15 different people and their stories about their conversion or non-members and why they were visiting the temple.  I was able to talk to them, teach them about the temple, and become friends with them.  It was something I looked forward to every Tuesday and Friday from 10:45-2:30 for 4 weeks.

So, we weren't allowed to have our cameras (phones) out while we were serving as an usher, so I had to take a "selfie." But, I just wanted to remember these 4 weeks and what it felt like and looked like. 

Here is a close-up view of the tag so you can see the picture of the temple on it.  What a wonderful opportunity that was to serve!

Moroni has made it to Gilbert!

I see the Gilbert Arizona Temple almost every day.  It's central to the errands I am running.  When I gas up my car at Costco, I see the temple.  When I take my kids to play at their friend's home, I see the temple.  When I drive my kids to school we can see the temple across the fields. Next year, we will have all four of our kids going to school on Quartz Street where both Campo Verde High School and Quartz Hill Elementary School are located. They are within walking distance of each other.  If you step outside the school entrances, you can see the temple.  It is super cool!  

 Yesterday, May 15, 2012 was the day that the Angel Moroni was placed on top of the temple.  What a beautiful thing it is to see him up there all shiny and gold - beckoning people to come to the temple!

I have always loved Moroni and thought of him as a true hero.  He was the last Nephite of the Book of Mormon who sacrificed so much to preserve those sacred plates.  I think of him, all alone, writing the plain and precious words that challenge us to find out for ourselves if the Book of Mormon is true.  I am so happy to see his figure up on the temple.  It makes the temple more complete and makes us all feel "at home" seeing a familiar icon placed for all to see.  

I waited at the bus stop and grabbed Spencer and Hailey so we could go and see it.  I didn't tell them where we were going but after a few stoplights, I said, "Hey guys - do you notice anything different on the temple?"  Spencer noticed it right away and then Hailey saw Moroni too!  We all were so excited and there were many other families who had the same idea and were all stopping to take pictures of this memorable day!

Of course, afterwards I took the kids to McDonalds for some after school treats.  This was a very long-awaited day for me.  I think each of us living close to this temple feel like this is "our" temple and we feel a real sense of ownership to it.  This is the temple where Kohler most likely will receive his endowments.  This is the temple where Kelsey might be married.  In a way, it feels like we are building our own house because we are so excited to watch the progress each week----but of course, it's not ours . . . it's the Lord's house . . . and I just feel so privileged to be a member of the church and have a temple recommend so I can go inside someday and participate in those marvelous blessings of service for our dead, SO close to home.  

Temple Days

Thursdays are my "temple" days.  It's my most favorite day of the week.  Today I took a new friend with me to the temple.  She just moved in our ward from Florida and we found out that we have so much in common.  We had such a great time talking and getting to know each other.  When I asked her what made her choose Gilbert over Chandler or Mesa to move to, she said a huge factor was the new Gilbert temple being built.  She loved the idea of living close to a temple . . . and so do I!  It is so much fun to watch the temple's construction progress and see it change on a daily basis.  We are truly so blessed to live so close to a temple like this and I can't wait for it to be completed.  Their estimated completion date is not until late 2013.  So, I'll just have to wait.  In the meantime, it is such a blessing to even drive by and feel the spirit of that holy place.  

Kelsey's friend, Hailee Hoover, took this photo with her I-Phone and just edited it a bit for coloring.  Pretty cool, huh!

Temple FHE

Last night we drove to the  Gilbert Temple site for our family home evening.  It has been such an exciting process to watch the construction and see the temple develop week by week.  There was a missionary couple in the small visitor's trailer that helped explain some of the design features of the temple.  It is going to be SO beautiful!  They are planning on completing the temple by late 2013.   

This is a view from the south looking north.  The front of the temple faces east and there is a basement (baptistry) and 3 levels above that.  There will be 3 endowment rooms and a large marriage waiting room for families up on the third floor.  The exciting thing for me was that they are building much larger sealing rooms.  There will be 2 sealing rooms that will be able to hold 80-100 people!  So awesome!  They also told us that the angel Moroni will probably be placed sometime in February!  I can't wait . . .

Here's  Tom, Kohler, and Spencer listening to Elder Miller, a missionary who serves with his wife at the temple site.

This is an artist's rendering of what the temple will look like.  It is absolutely breathtaking.

I came to the site earlier to check it out and see if we needed an appointment to visit the site.  As I drove up, it was my first time getting that close to the temple.  The most peaceful, warm feeling came over me and I truly felt the spirit--right there in the parking area.  That land has been dedicated and I know with all my heart that the Lord is watching over this temple.  How I love the temple!

This is where Kohler will most likely receive his endowments for his mission.  Kelsey may be married here.  What a privilege it is for us to have a temple within 2 miles of our home.  I just can't believe how blessed we are.