APRIL YOUTH TEMPLE TRIP

Trevor, Christina and Amber at the Bountiful temple.  Afterwards we all went out to dinner at Applebees.

Museum of Art at BYU

At ten o’clock on Saturday morning James, Ali, Allan and I arrived at the Museum of Art at BYU. We planned to see the “Sacred Gifts” art exhibit. I knew it was an exhibit of the religious art of Carl Bloch, Heinrich Hofman and Frans Schwartz. All twenty plus paintings were of Christ. I didn’t understand that it was the actual paintings from the great cathedrals and museums in Europe that were on display at BYU. As much as I have been inspired by the prints of these paintings in books and on the walls in the church foyer, to see these actual paintings was extremely moving. The paintings were huge and amazing. We experienced the crowded exhibit in a very quiet, personal way. We each of us had an I-pad and headphones. We could study each painting as long as we wanted. Very quickly I learned how to find the music to each painting and then with the inspiring music playing I listened to the summary of each painting. The summary was the history, the motivation and artist of the painting. I figured how to use the “Perspectives” on the I-pad to see the painting (Some paintings were altar pieces from great Cathedrals in Europe) in its home in a famous Cathedral. It was like standing in front of the painting in its home place and turning slowly around and seeing the whole Cathedral all the way around, top to bottom. I will never get the chance to see those great Cathedrals, but now I feel like I have. Also under “Perspectives” were testimonies and comments from the church leaders and patrons of those Cathedrals. They told how the paintings touched their lives and why they were willing to share the paintings with us. I was so overcome with emotion looking at those great paintings of Christ that at times I just had to stop and gather myself before I wept all over the I-pad. It was a profound spiritual experience. One of my favorite paintings was painted by Heinrich Hofmann’s. It was a painting of the Resurrection with Christ standing in front of the tomb between two angels. Another favorite was an altar piece of five paintings called “The Mocking of Christ” by Frans Schwartz. I spent the most time studying this painting because the emotion in those five paintings…it was unbelievable. The painting by Carl Bloch , “Peter’s Denial”,personally touched me with a greater understanding about myself. I can’t convey the sacred insights I had standing in front of that painting, even though I have seen prints of that familiar painting many times in books. We spent over 2 hours studying the paintings and it wasn't enough time for me. I would love to go back.

Valentines Fun at Grandma's House

After dinner with the grandchildren, we did some valentine crafts. We made valentine cookies and decorated them. We finished the evening with a movie.

Moving Day for James and Ali K

This past Friday, Allan and I took off after work, driving an hour away to go to Draper temple. When we got there it was closed for cleaning. Thank goodness there are many temples south of SLC so we just drove to the Oquirrh temple. We spent a nice morning in the temple. We had dinner at Olive Garden together before continuing our drive south. We checked in to a hotel, we put on work clothes and we met our son at his apartment when he got home from school. My son and his wife had to move to a new home because the landlord sold their duplex. In the middle of a semester it was hard for them to find another apartment. James and Alicia are both going to school and working so moving now is not convenient. They decided to rent a home with the other couple in the duplex. James and Alicia had most everything packed. Allan and I helped do the last of the packing. We took a load over to their new home. It is a big home and in a nice neighborhood about 2 miles from BYU. After unloading the pickup, we had dinner at the BrickOven Pizza and called it a night. The next day we met Chantelle and Jeremy with their sweet girls. Jeremy brought his big enclosed trailer. At ten oclock we had the trailer and both pickups loaded, when Alicia's family came with a trailer and two trucks. There were eleven adults helping, so the work was done in a timely manner. I spent lots of the time playing with my very sweet granddaughters. By the afternoon, both couples were moved into their new home. It is great when families can work together and get it done! It was a good weekend.

Shaking the hand of an Apostle

On Sunday, January 26, we went to a large auditorium for Stake Conference. Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles was speaking. We went in a big car, all nine of us. We went early and parked in one of the last parking places in a nearby parking lot. We found a long row of seats and I sat on the end with Ruby. I was obliviously playing with Ruby and when a hand was offered with a greeting, "Welcome to Conference." I was so surprised to grasp the hand of Elder Oaks. All nine of us got to shake his hand. It was a tender mercy and I was so touched with the spirit even before the meeting started. Elder Oaks talked about how the Adversary tried to undermine the Kingdom of God. One way is to confuse us about who God is and what his mission is. He talked about the First Vision and the many things that we learn about God in just those few minutes. Elder Oaks talked about ways the Adversary tries to tear down the family and ways to overcome adversity. It was a powerful, spiritual feast. Even though I watched Ruby the whole three hours we were there, I didn't miss a word. She was such a good baby.

My Brother's Wedding

My brother, Rodney, was married in the Salt Lake Temple. I got to sit next to him in the temple. I had the honor because my mother was not well enough to be there. Aunt Jackie sat in the Grandmother's chair next to me. The ceremony was beautiful. Afterwards we got to meet Susan and her family. She had tons of friends that helped her with a beautiful reception. The reception was so much fun. I enjoyed seeing my nephews again. I haven't seen them since Alexander's wedding.