Yesterday events...I thought it would be a fun family outing to attend the new Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House together. I was so happy to have Randy & Danette attend and Grandma & Grandpa Suker come with us. It was a special experience to be in the temple as an extended family. The weather was SUPER HOT and so it made picture taking moments very quick.
This was Alayna's 3rd time going to the open house and so knowing her personality I needed to give her something to pay extra attention too. Since we are hanging up pictures VERY slowly in our new house we have yet to pick picture for her room. I told her to recognize all the pictures in the temple, and she could pick anyone she wanted and we'd go get it to hang up in her room. I thought two things, one this was a great memory for her of attending the temple and second it would give me another excuse to hang up some pictures.
As we walked around I kept reminding her and she'd say, "I know mom...I am looking!" in her very I'm doing my own thing way. As the tour was ending we were walking down the very long stairway and she stopped dead in her tracks..."Mom, that is the one I want!" I looked up and here was a HUGE picture of the Savior. Later on I asked her why she picked this picture and she said, "It makes me feel happy...because it's of heaven. When I see it...it will help me remember we can see each other again when we are gone...and I won't miss you anymore...I love the angels...and being with Jesus again!" She has been blessed with a keen ability in recognizing sacred things. I am grateful for her sweet spirit and wanting to live with our Heavenly Father again.
As I walked around the temple holding my sweet little boy Caleb and following behind my little Jacob I couldn't be more thankful for them. Jacob from the very beginning of his life has been very keenly aware of the Savior, our Prophet and the Temples. Though he's still learning reverence during sacrament meeting he over all has a special reverence for sacred things. Several weeks ago he was in the back seat of the car driving with me on bangerter highway as we passed by the Oquirrh Mountain temple. He had been to the open house a few days before and said, "Mom..Jakey see it...Temple...Special...so special!" It brought instant tears of gratitude to my eyes thinking of how the temple has already touched the heart of my little boy. So as I walked around watching him fold his arms on his own walking around the temple halls, even while we walked up the stairs, I couldn't help but notice this picture several times. My thoughts were of the Savior as a young child, being found in the temple teaching others. I love the youth of my children and how much they teach me of spiritual things. This very same morning Jake sat on the couch next to me as I was feeding Caleb, "Mom, read me Book Normon to me..." I am thankful to have helped remind these special children of the things they once new in heaven. So this picture we have picked for Jacob's room.
I must admit it was a wonderful experience, once again to have attended the open house. We followed the great afternoon by YUMMY food at the Texas Roadhouse...if anyone wants to go, just give me a call...ANYTIME!
