Family Temple Trip

January 18, 2019

I am so glad we were able to go to the temple together as a family.  It turned out wonderfully even though it was rough getting there.   We found the first Friday everyone could go but the boys weren't on board.  There is a youth temple trip planned in early February and they didn't want to do both.  Brian and I had to give a little and let them choose which one they wanted to go to.  Both boys picked the youth temple trip.  I was disappointed.  Luckily they realized a youth dance was involved with the youth temple trip and they didn't want to go to that so they switched to the family trip.

It takes about 2.15 hours to get there and the kids don't get out of school until 4:30.  Temple baptisms begin at 7:00 so we were already going to be late.  We thought the kiddos would be hungry so Bri went to Chic Fil A  and had food ready.  We had temple names printed.  Aubrey had laid an outfit out the night before.  Brinley and I were dressed and ready....and no boys....  WHAT??????  WHY?????  Tanner's coach had randomly decided to have a Friday afternoon b-ball practice so Tanner never showed up at the after school carpool meeting spot.  So I took the carpool kids home and called Bri.  I needed his prayers added to mine as I headed back to Nimitz to pull Tanner from practice.  (There is nothing quite like the wrath of Tanner...and I didn't want sour attitudes to ruin the spirit of the temple.)  Prayers were answered and Tanner calmly came back home with me to get dressed.  I called Parker.  His ride had to take somebody else home...and it was a 20 minute out of the way trip.  UGH.  We left about 5:30 instead of 5:00 but we made it! 

The temple experience was amazing.  So peaceful.  I had forgotten that since Parker is a priest he could perform the baptisms.  This was his first time doing so.  Aubrey was beaming the entire time.  Brinley sat right next to her and held her hand.  It was so sweet watching them together.  Tanner had chosen a spot on the bench away from the girls...so I sat by him.  Brian was able to witness and help with confirmations.  I am glad I had decided to do baptisms rather than just watch.  Having my strong, handsome boy baptize me was wonderful.  He looked confident and at peace the whole night.  Grandpa Vore was working in the temple and managed to come give us all a hug and watch for a few minutes.  

The icing on the cake was running into the Ormsby family at the baptistry.  They are great.  Matthew is our bishop and is amazing with the youth.  Melanie is a YW leader, and Brinley and I also minister to her.  Trinity is 14 and is friends with both Brinley and Aubrey.  Tristan is 15 and in young men's with the boys. He was able to baptize for the first time that evening as well.   Emerson is Aub's age and was also at the temple for his first time.  Lillian, 8,  was waiting in the lobby.  It was joyful for me to be an outsider watching them have this amazing family experience together and simultaneously experiencing it as well.  I am grateful Heavenly Father has provided these opportunities for us to serve and be served in the temple.

I'll label this picture "Peace Amidst Chaos" (and Parker says I am weird.)
It was an extremely windy night.  Dirt was blowing in sheets.
Aub has her black jacket in front of her because she spilled Polynesian
sauce all over her skirt.  Tanner is making his usual camera face. 
But.We.Made.It.