Sunday, October 22, 2017

Sundays are busy, even for seniors like us.  Between home teaching, visiting teaching, a separate trip to the church for choir practice, closing up the building after church, and attending the block—where we gave the prayers in Sacrament Meeting—there was little time for personal study and family history. 

I’m trying to organize the remaining family names we found and printed in St. George to take to the temple here for help in getting them finished before the two-year mark is up.  The temple won’t take them after that until you print new cards.  The names go back into the system or become “temple names” and anyone can do the work unless you reserve the names again.

One brother who is leaving this mission soon spoke in Sacrament meeting today and shared the concept that we are always an example by the way we live and who we are—either an example for good or an example of bad choices.  That’s a given, but the context in which he gave examples was very impressionable and made me realize how important our example really is.  We may never know the impact we have had on someone’s life because of the way our example impressed him or her.  Maybe someone was impressed to look into the Church and hear the missionaries because of our integrity and devotion to being a follower of Christ.  Or, maybe someone’s faith was weakened because of something even small and thoughtless that we may have done that belied our beliefs and appeared hypocritical.  My prayer is to always be that example for good so that if it comes back to haunt me, I will love the haunt!!  😊     

The ducks lifted off the water before I could capture a photo this morning, but the deer were cooperative and let me get a couple of pics before they disappeared into the trees.  They are beautiful and the early morning setting remains wonderfully serene although punctuated by waves of scampering squirrels.

Glade and I led the 8:00 p.m. session tonight and were nearly the last ones out of the temple.  I was able to do some Spanish and that was fun.  It is a lot of work but we are loving it!  

There are two deer just left of center in the above photo.

This is so fun--like having them live in our back yard!

Friday, October 20, 2017

This Friday was a restful day as compared to the last few Fridays and we were grateful.  Our early walk was cool enough that we could see our breath, but it was still so beautiful and we will be sad when the trees are all bare and it is winter-y.

There was a couple from Idaho Falls in the temple today who were vacationing here and visiting a son who lives in the area.  It was quite a coincidence to run into them.  They were trying to find their way out of the temple 😊

Last week we found a kind of glue trap for spiders, etc., and I put several in my closet.  I have been leaving the light on in the closet—it is a large walk-in closet—all the time, except for sleeping; and we bought a small fan that runs in the closet, too, to keep it a little dryer in hopes that it will discourage those creepy camel crickets!  I did find one in a trap this morning, but other than that, and one I saw tonight in the bathroom, we haven’t seen so many.  Maybe all the efforts plus the Raid I spray periodically are helping. 

Good Night, Everyone.   

Thursday, October 19, 2017

Thursdays are our longest days and we arrive home tired.  Friday and Saturday are late-starting days, so we have some restful mornings on the horizon.

The afternoon was rather quiet with only a few patrons in the temple, but attendance really picked up later.  There can be lots and lots of people there, but it is so big that hallways and ordinance areas are never really teaming with activity--at least not usually.  There are six large ordinance rooms and they are all on the fourth floor.  It takes forever to walk the perimeter.  The rooms all feed into a large central celestial room that is amazing. 

We are loving our work, all the great people here, and the feeling that pervades the walls of the House of the Lord.  Good night everyone.  Sending hugs and all our love.    

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

The two most intimidating responsibilities on a shift for me are 1) working in the office answering the phone, and 2) acting as Endowment Director.  Those were both on my schedule this morning!  Practice makes perfect, however; and hard things make us better and stronger, right?  It all worked out great, and does get easier each time. 

Pres. Folger called us into his office at noon and asked us if we would be Assistant Shift Coordinators for Wednesday mornings.  We’re not sure we are ready for this and don’t know exactly what we have said “yes” to; but, of course, we did say yes.  There is always more to learn, more training to do, and new experiences waiting in the wings.  Our brains have just got to keep functioning because there is more to do!!!  We are counting on your prayers!  Thanks.

The following information on the Washington DC Temple was in a binder I was looking through in the office and thought it might be of interest to you.

1.    The temple grounds cover 57 acres.

2.    Ground-breaking took place December 7, 1968.

3.    The temple was dedicated by Pres. Kimball on November 19, 1974.

4.    The temple exterior is constructed of 175,000 square feet of Alabama marble and 23,000 square feet of granite.

5.    The windows are of marble planed to 5/8-inch thickness which allows light to be visible from both inside and outside the temple.

6.    The stained-glass windows at either end of the temple are 132 feet high, seven feet wide, and are of one-inch faceted pieces of glass.

7.    The temple has seven floors and a total of 160,000 square feet.

8.    The highest of the spires is 288 feet high.

9.    The 2 ½ ton figure of the Angel Moroni stands 18 feet tall and is covered with gold leaf.

10  The temple faces East in accordance with the scripture in Matt 24:27, “For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”

You can't see the beauty of the stained-glass because it is so small in the photo posted here, but the narrow dark line going all the way from bottom to top of the far-right side of the temple in the photo is where the glass is.  It has very bright colors at the bottom including reds and blues, and gradually changes colors towards the top until it is all light blues and whites at the top—symbolic, of course.  You can see the glass up close from the inside in the stair wells and can actually lean over and view it from top to bottom!  It just makes you dizzy, but is so beautiful.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Working in the temple was great today.  We love being busy and love our work.  Our goal is to become proficient in all of the ordinance workers' responsibilities, and we’re getting there a step at a time.

There are beautiful deer in our neighborhood and we have come upon them two different times but haven’t been able to act fast enough to get a photo.  Glade saw some today, but a couple walking their dog couldn’t keep it contained and the deer bolted!  Maybe another time. 

We have home teachers!  And they came to our apartment tonight.  We haven’t had any for a really long time and it was delightful to visit with them and hear their message.  As per our discussion, I encourage each of you to record your personal experiences, especially spiritual experiences, to at some point in time share with your children and grandchildren.  The faith and testimony you express could impact and change the life of a family member.  With a little focus, time, and soul-searching, you will be able to recall important things to share.   :) 

These are our home teachers:  Brother Chin and Brother Stowers  

Monday, October 16, 2017

Lots of housekeeping things kept us busy after our walk—shopping, laundry, and cleaning.  Since we worked six days last week and had church responsibilities to take care of, we were really behind. 

We went back to the mall where I bought Wal-flowers—plug-in air fresheners—because we learned that we can’t burn candles in a Church-owned building which includes our apartment.  Did I write that already?  Sorry to be redundant if I did.  The fragrance is “Leaves” and smells wonderful.  

The collector in me took over this morning and I started picking up leaves along the walking path—just couldn’t help myself.  I have collected leaves in Cleveland, in New England, in Honduras, and every place else where they are beautiful.  Not many of the trees are in full color yet and I'm a little worried about what I'll do when they are!!

Good night all—sent with love.  😊

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Glade went to choir practice this morning while I finished preparations for my Relief Society lesson and finalized prelude music.  I figured out how to make copies from my printer, but couldn’t get them centered or enlarged just right.  That will wait for another day. 

The organ playing went well and after getting over the initial stage fright, I actually enjoyed playing.  However, when I started the introduction for the closing song, no sound would come from the pipes.  I checked everything, and all seemed to be in order.  The other organist was sitting fairly close to the front of the chapel and we exchanged a knowing glance that something was wrong.  She had experienced this one other time while practicing and knew that a circuit breaker had tripped.  Luckily, she had the key to the closet on the rostrum, opened the door, turned on the light, reset the breaker, and we were good to go!  It was a little peculiar, but expedited without confusion or fuss.  I was so glad she was there with the key and knew what to do.  Piano accompaniment would have worked just fine, but the organ was better.

Glade sang with the choir today and it was beautiful.  There seemed to be more men than women and their section was very strong.  Loved it!! 

The RS lesson went pretty well.  I didn’t have to bribe anyone with the Hershey treats but shared them after the lesson anyway.  I’m just so relieved tonight that it is finished.  It has been a very long time since I have taught a class. 

Two single senior missionary sisters invited us and another couple to dinner after our meetings.  It was so kind of them and it really helped to not have to worry about dinner after our busy day.  We ate brownies and ice cream for dessert so had to take a bit of a walk in the dark afterward to help us sleep tonight.  It is so pleasant and beautiful outside in spite of the humidity.  That still challenges me!

Tons of love to our incredible family whom we both love so much!

Saturday, October 14, 2017

Busy, busy day, but it was a great one.  We walked our three miles, stopped at Safeway to get little chocolate treats for the sisters after my Relief Society lesson tomorrow so that they might overlook my inadequacies, went to the Farmer's Market to get Great Harvest bread and a fresh tomato, had a long organ practice at the Church, reviewed my lesson, and then worked the night shift at the temple.  

We are just loving our work here in the temple.  They needed me to help with Spanish ordinances and I loved it.  Then Glade and I helped in a session together again.  Last night, we were patrons and were able to do endowments for two of our family names.  We meet so many people from Utah and Idaho and often have a connection to people we both know.

It is amazing to me that so many people know the endowment session process so well and need very little help to finish it.  That, to me, means they are regular attenders and many are young couples!  I am impressed that they take time to travel great distances in awful traffic to come often.  One sister last night said that it took her over an hour and a half in the traffic to get to the temple.  Then, when she was finished, she had to return home late; and I so hoped that the traffic was lighter and she made better time.  Many of the district workers travel great distances to serve.  And sometimes it is not the distance that is the issue so much as it is the crazy traffic.  Scott is right.  It is unbelievable.  Many take their turn being late--ordinance workers, temple presidency members, patrons, and everyone else except the temple missionaries.

We see a few young kids on our walks as parents accompany them to bus stops, and I realized that we don’t see kids very often and haven’t for quite a while, and I miss them!  But there must be a few around who are going to celebrate Halloween as evidenced by a few decorated yards.  So I took a couple of pictures for kids.  There are also a few from the Farmer's Market.

This is a little corner strip mall with a garden shop that we pass everyday.  

I'll be so sad when fall turns to winter and the pumpkins and gorgeous fall flowers are gone!

  

Friday, October 13, 2017

I came across this post on Facebook that just happened to feature our Washington DC Temple and wanted to share it.  Tons of love to my family.  I miss everyone--especially this time of year which is my favorite.  We would love to get an email from you letting us know about your "happenings" and how you all are doing.

Blessings from attending the temple

"In addition to being a place where sacred priesthood ordinances are performed, the temple is a place of peace and revelation. When you are troubled or when crucial decisions weigh heavily on your mind, you may take your cares to the temple. There you can receive spiritual guidance.

"Sometimes you may feel that you cannot think clearly because your mind is so burdened with problems and the many things clamoring for attention. In the temple, the dust of these distractions can settle, the fog and haze can lift, and you can understand things that you have not understood before. You can find new ways to deal with the challenges you face.
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"The Lord will bless you as you attend to the sacred ordinance work in the temple. And the blessings He gives you will not be limited to your time in the temple. He will bless you in all aspects of your life. Your labors in the temple will strengthen you and refine you spiritually." - LDS.ORG

Thursday, October 12, 2017

It was a beautiful fall morning and so fun to walk first thing in the morning on our Thursday schedule.  It was still very overcast and there was just enough occasional breeze to sift a few ready leaves from their branches.  There isn’t striking color yet, but the comfort of trees and bushes feels cozy and they are still so beautiful.

We returned to the temple at 1:00 p.m. and had a great shift.  Glade and I led our first session together without mentors, and we felt right at home and loved it.  There is really no down time here and there is a pretty regular flow of patrons that increases over the course of the day. Like other temples, the baptistry schedules groups to come often.  It’s wonderful to see all of these people come and so impressive that they are well-rehearsed in the ordinances. 

Here are a couple of photos from our walk.  I tried to video the leaves falling—it was gorgeous—but when I was ready, the breeze just stopped.  Maybe I can catch some another day.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

Our shift started extra early again today and we worked long and hard.  There are so many more responsibilities here for me to learn that weren’t part of the Tegucigalpa experience.  It’s all good—I just hope I can remember everything so when there is no mentor I get it right!!  

The attendance is picking up since the closing is only about 20 ½ weeks away.  Patrons are getting anxious to get as much done as they possible can before that happens.  We went back to the temple tonight at 7:00 p.m. for a special meeting with Pres. Colton.  He is a great man and always wears a genuine smile.  He seems very good natured—even when he is making corrections and giving directives.

After working on my Relief Society lesson for a while I decided to take my walk.  I changed clothes, grabbed my step tracker and a key, and headed out the door—where I stopped right in my tracks.  It was raining!  There was no way to walk, get drenched, and still get ready for our meeting, so I sadly had to skip it.  The rain is strange here.  It is more like a fine misty drizzle with no big raindrops and it is very humid.  It reminds me a little of Oregon—the mist, not the humidity.

A brother here shared a couple of temple photos with us and I have posted them here.  Sorry, you all are going to get tired of temple pictures.  But, oh well---😊 At least there haven’t been any squirrel pics lately!!

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

Our assignment started early again—that mean’s pre-shift early to be prepared for the first arrivals to the temple.  Students from SVU, Southern Virginia University, came this morning and filled several sessions and ordinance areas.  SVU, we understand, is patterned after BYU and mostly LDS students attend; but it is not Church sponsored and is quite small.  

There was a sealing for a Latin couple just after our shift ended and Glade and I stayed to help them with the part that comes before the sealing.   They had two young sons with them and were so happy as they prepared to become an eternal family.  We loved being able to help a little.  Of course, there was a Spanish-speaking sealer who took care of them, but we helped where we could.

Counsel from our Temple Presidency includes focusing on the patrons and assisting them in having a wonderful experience in the temple.  We notice that as we don’t rush the ordinances but take time to feel the Spirit as we share them, we can recognize the spiritual moments so often felt by the patrons.  It really touches our hearts.  Participation in the temple is not just to checkoff an item on our “to-do” list or to fulfill an obligation, but to give service, to feel the personal influence of the Holy Ghost, and to feel closer to our Savior.  We pray that you will each have special experiences in the temple as well.    

This is the photo that was taken Sunday after Church.  It is so remarkable how many people we know by name already and count them as great friends

Monday, October 9, 2017

Monday holidays are a great opportunity for working patrons to attend the temple, and it was open until 2:00 p.m. today--Columbus Day.  We had early assignments and had to be dressed and ready by 6:10 a.m.   It was a busy day and the sessions were fuller than we have seen since being here.  At the beginning of each shift—and often the night before via email—we receive a printout of our assignments.  I love knowing exactly where to go and how much time I’ll be spending in each situation. 

My assignment ended earlier than Glade’s which gave me a chance to go to the stake center and do some organ practice for Sunday.  I happened to be talking to Tracen on the phone and was standing near a window for better reception when I saw Glade walking up the hill.  I waved him inside and then finished my practice.

  

As we were leaving the parking lot, a young Latino named Saul approached us asking for help with his car.  He was doing his best to speak in English, but Glade finally started talking to him in Spanish so we could understand exactly what he needed.  It turns out that he was actually from Honduras and was here living with his brother and driving his car for Uber.

[Glade is writing now] His car battery was dead and his jumper cable was no good so I used ours and the car started.  (That’s the second time we have used our new jumper cables in the last two weeks!)  I talked to him about the Church and the temple. He knew some Mormons in Honduras and had visited both the church by the temple and the Temple Visitors Center here. He gave me his name, address and phone number and agreed to talk to the missionaries.  I called the Washington DC North Mission, gave them the referral, and told them to call and make sure that he was home before going to see him because his brother was “kind of a bad dude and would probably slam the door in their faces.”

I know the Lord wants to use us in His work in more ways than just in the temple. He provided the way for our paths to cross with Saul from Honduras through a series of unusual events today.  There are a lot of Spanish-speaking people here.  Saturday was Spanish day in the temple.  In the priesthood room on the seventh floor more the 600 Latinos met and, either before or after the meeting, participated in ordinances.     

[Back to Bev] It was rainy and very humid again today so we didn’t walk this afternoon/evening.  Glade did go to “The Sweat Shop” for a while, however; and then we stopped for a few groceries.  It seems like we need something different every day.  Groceries are very expensive here!  We are glad we are not shopping for a large family right now, or everyone would have to get jobs and we would definitely have to depend on a garden!

We have to serve early again tomorrow--and Wednesday, so it's off to bed!  

 

   

Sunday, October 8, 2017

One senior missionary couple is leaving next week and we were able to purchase their printer.  Hooray!  Our next-door neighbor is a computer expert and came to our rescue when we needed help connecting!  So, we are set.  

Glade went to choir practice this morning and enjoyed it.  His mother would be proud of him.  I had to stay at home and prepare a Relief Society lesson for next Sunday.  Our block of meetings starts at 2:30 p.m. which makes for a very late schedule.  After the meetings today, the entire ward went to the temple grounds where someone had arranged for a ward photo session in front of the temple.

It is cloudy and a little rainy and the humidity is so heavy it is hard to breathe.  We hope it doesn’t last too long.  We are so not used to that.

And I learned today that I can’t burn a scented candle in our apartment—or anything else with a flame.  It is a church-owned building and the same rules apply apparently as to meeting houses in that one cannot have an open flame at any time.  So, we’ll make a trip to Bath and Body Works and get some fragrance plug-ins—oh, they’re Wal-flowers!  They will work just as well and probably last longer.  We only have an inch in the bottom of our big candle since we have to burn it every day.

The temple is open tomorrow, Columbus Day, and we have an early schedule.  Time to “hit the hay” and try to sleep.

Love and hugs to everyone in our fantastic family!!!

Our beautiful temple one this overcast Sunday evening.  It took a while for me to notice that the spires are gold.  On sunny days it's harder to identify.

Saturday, October 7, 2017

The temple was flooded today with members of two Spanish-speaking stakes.  We served a long shift, but it was so good to help with the Spanish ordinances.  It felt so comfortable and took us right back to Tegucigalpa and the temple and people there we loved.  English work is great, too, but we loved the Spanish tonight.

It’s really warm and muggy outside—I guess “humid” would be a better description.  It’s supposed to rain this week.  We heard there is another tropical storm on the East coast some place, but we don’t get any news so we are definitely out of all the loops and hope that if there is a big storm, it misses us.

It’s Eloise’s birthday today!   

Friday, October 6, 2017

Nothing extraordinary today, but we are getting into a sort of comfortable routine.  Walk—perhaps some laundry--maybe practice at the church—work on Relief Society lesson—study a little—and then get ready and go to the temple.  The weather is just beautiful and I realize that it will eventually change and we won’t be prepared for that.

We both were able to help with Spanish ordinances in the temple today and it was really fun.  Many Spanish-speaking people are expected tomorrow and we have been asked to go from 2:00 until 10:00-10:30. We hope to maintain our stamina and hope to rejuvenate on Sunday.  The temple will be open Monday, Columbus Day, until 1:00 p.m. and it is expected to be a very busy day.

I love this beautiful temple and all the great, great people we are meeting and getting to know.  The temple presidency members are very spiritual leaders who are overtly patron-oriented and determined that each one who comes to the temple has the best possible positive experience.  We are all striving to become more Christ-like and feel His presence in the temple.  Our prayer is that our family members will make time when possible amidst busy family, work, and school schedules to attend each of their respective temples and search for spiritual knowledge, confirmation of truths, and personal direction.  Love to each one!!        

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Another great day is behind us and it was filled with new experiences, more training, and the opportunity to meet more temple workers and sweet patrons.  Each day has a different shift coordinator and they all do things just a little differently.   The secret to success is to focus on each one and then REMEMBER how they want things done.  😊

I briefly helped a sister today who spoke Portuguese and since there was no card there at the time in her language, she listened to me present in Spanish and we seemed to connect just great.  

We had an invigorating walk this morning and took a little different route.  There is a long leg of the original walk that goes along a very busy street which makes for lots of noise and makes it less safe.  It’s just beautiful everywhere we go, however; so, we adjusted.  Here is a picture of another gorgeous house.  I tried to imagine what it looked like when it was new and wished I knew the story of who lived there and its place in history.

  

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Today was the first full day of working our assigned shift and we were assigned to a variety of areas, really getting an initiation!  The best part of the day was when Glade and I got to work together to help some Spanish patrons finish their session.  I loved it and it brought back so many memories.  I presented in Spanish and English from memory and felt that I had filled a need.  There is so much more to learn, but we’re in the boat and paddling fast!

Two friendly couples invited us to go to lunch with them as we were leaving the temple.  The drive was delightful and wound through narrow tree-lined streets bringing us to a Chinese Restaurant.  We saw two beautiful young deer grazing in someone’s yard very close to the street.  They were too big to be fawns (and it isn't spring) but were too small to be full adults.  They seemed really content and very tame.  I was sad that I couldn’t get to my phone fast enough to take a picture.  It would have been a much warmer and more pleasant photo than yesterday’s catch of the spricket!!

The temple grounds are so beautiful and it was hard to walk by the flower beds without taking more another photos.  

Tuesday, October 3, 2017

There was more training today so we didn’t start our regular morning shift.  After we walked, we went to the temple early to study the ordinances in English 😊 and then spent the afternoon in more training meetings.  The experience is much more complex here than our temple in Honduras because it is so big!  We’ll get comfortable eventually, but it will take a while.  Glade helped with some baptisms and a couple of other things, and then we finished our day with a session to see firsthand how it is done here.  We are meeting new people and making lots of special friends.  It was a great day!

Alas, we have unwelcome critters in our apartment that have caused me to shriek and scramble!  I looked them up and discovered that these leaping long-legged skinny-feelered insects are jumping spiders, also known as camel crickets or sprikets!  They look like a cross between a spider and a cricket and they are not little!  They jump at least a foot high and a foot forward when you try to smash or whap them.  Ugh!!  And we have mostly seen them when it is or has been dark.  Just what you don’t want to encounter when you get up in the night for a drink.  You can imagine my reaction. 

We stopped at Safeway on the way home on our walk looking for Ortho indoor spray and sticky traps, but came home with only a can of Raid!  Hope it works until we can find some sticky traps.  I took this picture but didn't have anything for a size reference.  It is like encountering a giant hobo spider.  I'm probably going to see this image in my sleep now.  

Monday, October 2, 2017

After a beautiful, chilly walk first thing this morning, (we try to go about three miles each time) I went to the church to practice the organ and Glade went to “The Sweat Shop” to sign up for a membership so he can get more cardio and have access to muscle building machines!

There was an activity this afternoon and evening for all the missionary couples, temple presidency, and full time regional temple workers at a place called Foulger’s (folger) Barn.  Another couple invited us to go with them for which we were grateful since we don’t know our way around very well.  Anyway, it took just under an hour’s drive from here and was located in a farm reserve.  A counselor in the temple presidency built it for his family and now includes invitations to Scout groups, all sizes of church groups, firesides, etc.  There are sleeping areas in a loft and It was never used as an animal barn.  It sits out in the middle of a big field, but has trees around it and is in a beautiful setting close to Sugar Loaf Mountain—only in the East can they call a hill a mountain!

Grilled chicken, pulled pork, and ribs were provided and the missionaries brought pot luck to round out a very nice meal which followed a “hayride,” games, and lots of visiting.  This outing is a traditional activity called a “Hail and Farewell” and newly arrived missionaries and those who are leaving to go home are invited to introduce themselves, or to say their good-byes.  It is not always at the Foulger’s Barn, but it was a treat for us tonight. 

Now, the fun is done and the work in the temple begins.   We will train again tomorrow and then start working in our shifts.  Saturday is expected to be a big day for Spanish speakers in the temple and we will probably work more than one shift.  Monday is Columbus Day and the temple will be open as it usually is on Monday holidays, so the next two weeks are going to be very busy. 

Here are a few pictures from our “Hail and Farewell” activity.  

 Sugar Loaf Mountain

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Kensington presented a beautiful Fall day for General Conference although we heard there was snow in Rigby!!  We took a long walk this morning while we waited for Conference and actually needed our sweatshirts.  It is such a blessing to just turn on the computer and have these meetings come right up at our finger tips since we don’t have cable TV.  Conference was definitely spiritually invigorating.

Between paragraphs here, the Relief Society Secretary called and asked me to teach the Pres. Hinckley lesson on October 15, so preparation will fill any spare time that may have lurked in corners after organ practice and extra study hours at the temple.  It’s good to participate, but I haven’t taught for so long that I’ll be pretty rusty.

Another couple arrived last evening from Gilmore, AZ; and they know friends of ours from dental school days.  It is amazing how many connections we have with the missionaries here even though we are so far away from home.  It’s awesome.

Below are a few photos of our apartment.