temple openhouse

this past week we were able to go see the Draper Temple. wow. i was amazed at the decor. the furnishings. the upholstery. the colors. the carpets. the paintings. all temples are beautiful, but this one struck me in a different way. can you connect with decor? if so, i connected.

something about being able to be in the temple as a family. all of us. i reminded my boys that the next time we would be able to be all together in the celestial room was when they were going on their missions. seems like worlds away. (even thought it will be jake in a short 6 years.) it was so amazing to be all together in the temple and feel of the spirit that is there. even luke - a not-so-still 2 year old was surprisingly good. i'm sure he felt something there.

i knelt down to max's level on several occasions to explain things to him or to answer questions. my favorite was when in the celestial room. i knelt down and told him that this was one of the most important rooms in the entire temple. he asked, 'why?' me - 'because this is what heaven will feel like.' the calm 'oh.' from him made my heart smile.

what a treat to walk the walls of such an amazing building, knowing the work that will go on inside once it is dedicated. i feel so very blessed to live so close to temples. and that i have opportunities like this to take my kids to feel and see and hear.

one bit of humor - when max saw the oxen around the baptismal font in the video they were showing he leaned to me and asked, 'are those butter pigs?' one too many trips to the state fair to see the butter carvings, i suppose!