Louise's story

Well, my computer skills continue to amaze (and disappoint) me. I DID write in January, vowing to start off this new year with more blog entries--I went to my blog this morning and the last post there was Dec. 2013. So I'll give it a try again! Hopefully this time it will TAKE!

It is hard to believe it is already March--here we go again, with another year flying by! I wonder at the things I don't accomplish, and continue to bemoan the fact that I waste way too much time. Hopefully, I can improve on that this year also.

This is our most beautiful time of year in Arizona--beautiful sunny and warm (but not hot) days, and cool nights and mornings. I actually have to admit I like fall better--when the days are cooling down again. I like it better because I know that cooler weather is coming, whereas in spring, I unfortunately anticipate those days when it will get super hot!! But I love the flowers and the green and the smell of citrus blossoms in the air--it is awesome.

We just had the most wonderful weekend here--and a very momentous one for us who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, here in Arizona. The Church has built its biggest temple in 20 years, right here in Gilbert, Arizona, and it is magnificent. It is so beautiful and inspiring to everyone who has seen it. We had 4 opportunities to take friends and family members to see it during its open house...and that was such an incredible blessing. It was wonderful to be there, and it was wonderful to share it with people we have known (at work and in our neighborhood, etc.) so they could see something that means so much to us. It truly made the whole month super special for us. Then this past weekend, the youth in that temple district, performed in a cultural celebration. That happened on Saturday night in a park right by the temple. We had not had rain here in several months, and are in dire need of it--and Saturday is when it rained. I was sure that with the prophet (the leader of our church, Thomas S. Monson) here to watch, it that the weather would be tempered, and it wouldn't rain. However, that didn't happen--it rained, and those 12,000 kids who were participating, performed dances and songs in pouring rain. It was incredible to watch--it was an awesome performance in many ways, but it was especially great to watch the attitudes of those kids, who joyfully performed, even with rain pouring down on them. Their smiles were amazing, and it was a great performance. We watched it on TV, and were totally uplifted. Then on Sunday, in three different services, the temple was dedicated by the prophet and his first counselor, Henry B. Eyring. There were different choirs and different speakers at each session, and each one was so filled with the Spirit. Each of our stake centers (Church buildings) were considered an extension to the temple...so we gathered there to participate by satellite in the dedications. It was wonderful--so uplifting. What a wonderful time for Arizona to have another beautiful House of the Lord, where these ordinances which we feel are so important in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father, can be performed. I am grateful I could be there with members of my family, and to enjoy that beautiful spirit.