President Monson has spoken several times about the importance of our children touching and feeling the temple. Though I couldn't find the direct quote, his words played in my mind and served as motivation for our Utah trip.I wanted to impress upon my children the significance of the temple, even though they are small. I wanted them to feel of the reverence and peace you can find there, particularly at Temple Square. I wanted them to connect with and appreciate their family members who live by the temples we were visiting. So even though this trip meant we would be going again just days after recovering from our cross country one and that I would be flying alone with my little ones (Dan was gone on a High Adventure activity with the scouts), we went away. We went because family and the temple mean that much.
We were caught off guard with torrential rain, Luke slept terribly and the sacred grounds often appeared to be playgrounds, but I still think the trip was a success. (This is largely in part to my mom and sister who were immensely helpful and patient.) I think that my children can look back on these pictures and remember and know what is important.
I was deeply impressed as I walked around the temple where Dan and I were married. Just a few years after the fact, now with my precious children. My heart just swelled and overflowed with love almost more so than I can describe. I was warm, calm and happy. I felt our family was an eternal unit, that this is what it was all about. Truly, my joy was full.
The rain...
Temple Square...
Riding horses at Heritage Park... Can you see the fear on her face?
Checking out BYU...
Ice cream at Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma's...
These pictures in order crack me up!
Calli talking about fairies and such to Uncle Ryan for a solid 45 minutes...
Pretty sure he tolerated it because he was texting???
Zonked in the hotel...
7 comments:
These pictures on the temple grounds are beautiful. I try to let my kids touch the temple as often as we can, too. How special that you took them to more than one temple on this visit as well!
And the ice cream cone shots are priceless indeed:)
I love these pictures!
We went to Sac Temple & took lots of pictures, it was fun. The best part, a few weeks later Eli pointed to a picture and said he wanted to go there again.
wait luke actually slept in the hotel? where was i. :D just kidding! i was so glad and grateful you guys came over and visited. you should definitely think about another provo trip sometime soon :)
How could I have missed this post! I'm sure your kiddos will look back on this trip with grateful hearts because you took the time to share something that is precious to you with them! We love going to the temples around us... I often feel guilty since we can see 3 of them from our front door and so many other members have to travel hours to their "assigned" one! We love the Temple too... I know my little boys will go there someday! Beautiful post! Thanks for sharing!
Just got done catching up on your blog. As always, love your posts. Reading your blog always makes me miss you!
ps--too bad we aren't in utah anymore! i would have loved to see you!
You are such a great Mom, traveling by yourself in hopes to give your children a memorable experience. It looks like it was just that! I'm in love with the first and last photo. :)
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