The Gila Valley Temple Contractor's Open House

Well, we received an invitation to the "contractor's open house" for the temple, and even though our "contractor" isn't here, we jumped on the chance to go! What a wonderful experience. We talked about our very favorite part on the way home. As you can imagine, the bride's room was at the top of the list in our family favs, but my favorite part was being in the celestial room with all my kids. I told them, isn't it amazing to think in 15 years we will all be back in here together when Hugh Reed is getting ready for his mission! It's not an IF, .....it's a WHEN! :) (And of course the bride's room made me cry!)
We also got to meet the famous, Bro. Nielsen. We have heard so much about him, and it was so nice to meet him. When he found out who our daddy is he was so kind to us, and so interested in meeting us. He had me point out each of our children to him, and shook their hands and told them they had a great dad. He was very nice and has done an incredible job seeing this building through.
It was so fun to go on the tour with Mike, Kim, Livvie, and Sean. We didn't plan it, but pulled into the parking lot at exactly the same time. One of the best parts of the tour is the video they show you in the chapel before you go over to the temple. Mike helped to write the script and it was so well done. They picked a gorgeous spring to video our valley. A quote from the video said, "The desert will rejoice!" I can tell you, that it is! Even the "old timers" are saying they can't remember when the mountains and hills have been so covered with wild flowers. The mine across the river glows from my house with orange poppies. The creosotes that we thought were all dead behind our house are all leafed out, and now blooming yellow. They haven't had leaves for four years! The sister that began the tour asked for a show of hands how many had actually worked on the temple and then asked them what part they had worked on. We had a man in our group that had worked with the decorative painting crew. It was neat to be in the temple with him and have him point out what he had done. It was also neat to have KatieAnn raise her hand. When the sister asked what she had worked on she mentioned she had dusted all the wood work. That was neat for her. She failed to mention being a "rod man" and driving a back hoe! :)
It was also neat to have mom and dad right there at nearly every turn, watching us and helping us. I failed to mention that HR's fav part was seeing Grandpa. I guess that is what temples are about anyway, right? It was also a neat surprise to see Cheri, Carrie, and Alliene inside as tour guides and hostesses. Dad has the prettiest large painting of Mt. Graham in his office. He told me to notice it as I passed him in the hall during the tour, but didn't get to ask him afterward who painted it.
Great day! Can't wait for you all to come and see it.