MEMORIES FROM THE TEMPLE

This is just a sample of the Missionary Photo's we took on Monday.  Thanks to Jon Neeley for taking these memories for us.  He had our names on the stairs so we stood where assigned.  Everyone including the Presidency showed for the photo shoot...Hurrah...we are looking forward to the finished products.

I had another memory to hold close from the experiences I see in the temple.  A sister missionary was to get home from her mission on a Wednesday evening.  Her whole family was awaiting her arrival.  The plane was delayed till early in the morning.  So the family left the airport and just her parents were there when she arrived at 4 AM.

They had an appointment to attend the temple the next morning.  The grandparents and aunt arrived early.  They went into the dressing room to change into their white clothing.  Meanwhile, the granddaughter and her parents arrived just before the meeting was to begin.  They hurried into the room to change. I was the Locker Room Assistant and so was able to watch this scene evolve.  As the granddaughter came out the grandmother was waiting for her.  She saw her grandmother, and her grandmother held out her arms.  The granddaughter ran to her...was embraced in her hug and sobbed. 

The grandmother hugged her tight and they both were crying tears of joy.

So, I'm watching this scene and tears are streaming down my face.  The coordinator steps into the locker room and sees me and says, "What is wrong?"  I answered, "I miss my grandmother and can't wait to see her when I get on the other side."  She looks down the aisle and sees this granddaughter and grandmother and says, "Oh, me too, I miss my grandmother".  Tears are now streaming down her face  too.

The coordinator tells the missionary that when she goes into the meeting and sees her grandfather to please get up and give him a hug too.  The grandfather is a slow dresser so is not in the meeting yet.  So the missionary, her mother, aunt and grandmother & dad are sitting in the room when grandpa enters.  He sees his granddaughter and holds out his arms and begins to cry.  The granddaughter gets up and runs into her grandpa's arms and begins to sob again.  By now every person in the room ...which was about 30 people are all crying.  It was a very tender moment for all of us.  

A special thank you to all the young missionaries who leave their homes and families to share the gospel with others.  I hope all can feel the love of their grandparents the way this young woman did.

"Where is Heaven?  Is it very far?  I would like to know if it is beyond the brightest star. I've a feeling that it's not so far.  When you're with the ones you love it's right where you are."  song by Janice Kapp Perry

Today August 21, 2014 is Our Prophet's 87th Birthday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT THOMAS S. MONSON.
"We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet".

Well, The temple is closing for the two week fall cleaning.  So Elder Bushman and I are headed up to Prince Edward Island in Canada and many other exciting places along the way.  We are going with the Christensen's and the Johnson's.  We are all so excited for this experience.  We will post a blog upon our return and perhaps, if we have the internet some pictures along the way.  We will so miss our stressful tasks in the temple for the next couple of weeks, boy do we need this break!
We will return home just in time to visit with the Bithell's who are coming to the BYU game in Connecticut....go BYU Cougars!  Exciting times...football season is upon us.

Guard the Palmyra Temple, Moroni, and bless those who clean that they may do their best efforts ever.  We will do our assigned part upon our return.

We are looking forward to apple season here in New York...with the fall comes the apples!  Also it will soon be General Conference time for the Church too.  Let's study the scriptures, especially The Book of Mormon so we can be prepared to learn..."I saw a mighty angel fly; To earth he bent his way, A message bearing from on high To cheer the sons of day.  Truth is the message which he bears, The gospel's joyful sound, To calm our doubts, to chase our fears, And make our joys abound....."

Stay safe everyone and remember you are loved.