Temple work and play

Another awesome trip to the temple!  We worked really hard all week to get ready for this one.  First we had to remind the Bishop to ordain Luke a priest on Sunday, then we had to make sure he got his temple recommend after that. Oh and we had to get one of the office staff to go in to the office an extra day to get his membership record entered, so that he had a member number!

Monday we had a great FHE with the Allen family and Luke.  It was awesome because Luke had to testify right along with the missionaries about every point.  At one point Tammy, who is getting baptized Friday the 7th at 7:00 pm asked Luke if he's afraid that the old Luke will come back and the New Luke will disappear just as suddenly as the new one came.  He said no, because I'm expecting trials.  I'm going to keep close to the Spirit so that I'm ready and can overcome them!  Just what Tammy needed to hear! 

Wednesday we met with Luke and Sonya to get their names for the temple trip.  We got Luke's LDS account set up and found his grandpa and discovered he needs his mom's permission to be baptized for him.  We did get names for Sonya and Ashley to take on Friday though. 

Our Book of Mormon class was the best yet!  There is just such a great spirit there and everyone is so involved and loving and caring for each other! 

Thursday morning Luke came early for a blessing.  He'd had a tough night. 

Thursday was one of those magic days were we find everyone home.  We visited 14 people that day!  And were able to be there at the right moment to help 3 of them with some service!

Friday Luke came after work and with his mom's permission we printed off his grandpa's card.  We showed him how to iron his shirt by putting it in the dryer with a damp cloth and Elder Quincy printed off instructions on tying a tie.  He went home to shower and we picked up hamburgers for all of us to eat on the way.  Picked up Luke, then went to Kingwood to get Elder Taylor and his comp and drove to the temple.  Ashley and Sonya brought the Sisters.  And we got picture and had a wonderful experience!  Elder Quincy baptized and confirmed them all.  I handed out towels.  It amazed the temple president that Luke had only be a member for 13 days. 

The sun is suddenly at the angle that we actually have shadows on our walks.

The trees are all leafed out and beautiful here.

We took dinner to the Masons on Monday.  We went to the viewing for their sweet Sophia on Tuesday night.  It was sweet to see her dressed in a tiara and a Sophia the First dress.  Sad day for the family, but Sophia is in a much better place. 

Saturday we watched conference and had our second biannual Chili cook off before Priesthood meeting.  We had about 50 people there!  While the men watched priesthood session, I helped Angela Graham get an LDS account and found 3 generations of her family on Family Search.  We fixed breakfast for the members and missionaries between sessions Sunday and we had lots more to feed than 6 months ago. Then we had the Bradleys over for dinner after conference.  Way too much cooking this week-end! 
Firsts; Shannon Watson had her patriarchal blessing and she said it answered every question she had about her life!  So cool!  She and Ashley Evans and the Grahams are going to take the Temple Prep classes!  The other first was that little Laney gave the prayer for us at the Preschool lesson this week.  I can't tell you how big a change that is for her!  We got 2 new great missionaries!  Elder Brinkerhoff from Mesa, Arizona, and Sister Gray from Boise, Idaho.