Brigham City Temple

Even with the crazy events of this past week and moving my youngest daughter out, I had the opportunity to serve at the Brigham City Temple Open House.  We live in the area that is assigned to attend this Temple, therefore we had this wonderful opportunity opened up to us.  My youngest daughter also has had this opportunity.   What a choice experience it has been.  My husband and I served on the grounds this time.  We will be able to serve 2 more times also, but they will be in different places.  I think one is helping with the parking and the other will be inside this beautiful House of the Lord. 

On Friday evening when I was there, I was at the fountain in front of the Temple where people came out after having been able to tour the Temple.  I took pictures of single people, children, and families in front of the Temple and the fountain there. It was great that people wanted photos to remember what they felt and of time spent together. (I'm a people watcher anyway) But it was so interesting seeing how the Spirit of our Heavenly touched different people.  Some came out and you could tell that their hearts were full; that they had had a wonderful moving experience, while others let their children run unsupervised.  Most hung around for a bit feeling the sweetness there and conversing one with another.  I love being on the grounds and feeling the Spirit of the Temple.  Even though it has not been dedicated yet there is still a presence there.

Our family will have the opportunity to go together on a tour of the inside on Sept 12, and I can't wait.  I will write more then and let you know how it was.  But for now I will enjoy the opportunity to serve and enjoy the people that come and go. 

Crazy Day!

My youngest daughter has been living at home since she graduated from High School this Spring and had decided that she was going to stay at home during her first semester of college.  Her father and I were totally on board with this.  Until we talked to a neighbor that has lived here in our new area for years.  He told us that part of the area that she would be traveling through from work each night gets really bad during the winter and that several people have lost their lives in that area.  We decided that we should all discuss this and make a decision as college begins this Monday (late time to make this type of decision, I know). 

So after much discussion and prayer, Hannah decided that it would probably be best for her to move to the town her college was located in (20 to 30 min away) so as not to have to travel late at night through the dangerous area this winter.  So, she and I began our search on the internet this morning.  We carefully made a list of the ones we had called that still had openings and that looked clean and fairly well-kept.  We drove past a couple and they weren't what they had looked like on the internet. They were a little sketchy to say the least.  We went to the third one on the list.  Talked to the on-site manager and he took us to look at the room.  There was a girl there that wouldn't let us look at the bedroom that she would share with my daughter.  She said it was because she had just gotten up. (I think there was someone else in the room.)  Anyway, the apartment was a disaster and so we moved on.  At the next apartments we went to, there was a very uplifting feeling.  They were very clean and well kept.  My daughter decided that this was the place for her.  We signed a contract and she began moving her things out this evening.  She is so excited! 

It happened so fast.  I thought I was really ready for this, but I have to admit, I'm a little sad and I'm going to miss having her around to talk to and do things with.  She has kind of been my buddy for many years.  She and I have had a lot of time together.  She is six years younger than her closest siblings (my twins), and so while they are married and gone she and I have been able to do so many things together.  I'm starting to feel a little like I'm lost.  I'm happy for her, but I'm so sad at the same time.  I guess I knew this time was not far off, but wow this happend way to fast!! 

I'm happy to see my children grow up and move on with their lives.  I mean isn't that what we raise them for.  When my first son left home, it was on a 2-year mission for our church.  I missed him dearly and I cried each time I'd go into his room for  a week.  But then I had 3 other children at home and we moved on and got busy.  When my twins left home, my daughter to Moab to be a river guide and my other son on a 2-year mission I had 3 gone at once, but I still had Hannah that needed me to care for her and I kept busy.  Now Hannah is leaving and I have time - oodles of time.  I think I need to look for a way to be a force for good in our community.  Maybe I need to go read to the children at the local elementary.  I will have to let you all know what I decide to do - it'll be an exciting change and hopefully a challenge!!

Summer

This has been a very different summer.  Having all of our children now pretty much grown and adults has left me with the opportunity of making changes and new decisions. 

Hannah has been busy with a new job.  She is getting ready for college and so my time has been my own.

I have had grandma time with my little granddaughter and I've been able to spend time with my oldest daughter Maddi.  They came and lived with us for a week while Maddi's husband was a scout camp.  We all had a really fun time.  Little "L" is growing so much.  She is now walking and trying out new words. 

She really is learning to love books and loves to have them read to her.  I cherish this time with her.

Then Hannah's new employment changed her starting date from July 2 to July 17.  That gave us a week to spend together that we hadn't planned on so we spur-of-the-moment took a family trip.  We also told Hannah that this could count for a Graduation trip.  We had a ball together.  We went to Seattle, Washington.  We had never been there and wanted to see what was there. 

This was taken from the top of the Space Needle.  I know that is a tourist thing to do, but hey, we were tourists.  

The next day we were able to go to Port Townsend and went whale watching.  It was wonderful.  We went up to the San Juan Islands and spent the afternoon in Friday Harbor.  It was an incredibly beautiful island.  We also did see whales.



We also hiked to Lena Lake.  It's a lake that is not accessible by car and it was truly beautiful.  The hike was 3 miles up and 3 miles down.  I didn't think I would make it, but was really proud of myself for making the climb. 

These pictures were taken with my Iphone, so they aren't spectacular, but hey they are memories of our trip and I'm glad I have them. 

We made it home safely and are all back to our daily routine.  Now that I have some extra time, I am training to do more Loan  Originating on Mortgages.  I've been processing, but want to continue to grow in this industry.  So things are busy but I am enjoying this summer. 

We are also expecting our 2nd grand child this fall and I am getting so excited for that.  We are blessed!