Too Many To Count 2: Temple and pizza

The sun was in my face...that explains the even goofier than normal look I'm sporting. Anyway, last night we spent the night at Grams and Papas. We had a nice evening together after everyone left and had plans to spend the day at the temple today. I will tell you what, these Utah residents are spoiled! The pedestrian foot traffic in the parking lot of the temple was heavier than the traffic on our drive! We got to the temple at about 8am and were done around 3. During that time we were able to do initiatories, endowments, sealings and baptisms and go home for lunch in between. At home we could have driven there and back and done one thing while there in the same amount of time!

We had a very special, sacred time. I often wish we could share more, particularly here on the blog since someday my grandkids may read it. I would want them to know how much I love the temple and about the sacred, special, testimony strengthening, joy giving, marriage building, sweet experiences that we have there. But I have to be satisfied with just saying we went.

Ethan and Hannah were both looking forward to going to do baptisms. We had a very special time doing that. I was amazed at how many youth were there. We signed in at the "walk in youth baptism" line and they were numbers 155 and 156 and it was early in the afternoon. The place was packed but so reverent and quiet. I sat and watched as Papa and Dad and the two kids did the work. While I was waiting for their turn I picked up a Book of Mormon and read in Mosiah 18-21(ish) about Alma, who had heard Abinidi preach and felt the spirit prick his heart and was converted. He then fled and hid in the wilderness and began to teach the people who sought him out. He baptized over 450 people while "on the lamb" and his words touched me as I thought of the contrast my own children enjoy. They can worship in public the way they choose. No one is hunting them or killing them for their beliefs. What a wonderful blessing.

From Mosiah chapter 18:

7 And it came to pass after many days there were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Mormon, to hear the words of Alma. Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his word, to hear him. And he did ^ateach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord.

8 And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are^adesirous to come into the ^bfold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are ^awilling to mourn with those that ^bmourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as^cwitnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the ^dfirst resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being ^abaptized in the ^bname of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a ^ccovenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?

11 And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts.

I love the wonderful words he taught them. Really this is being Christ like in a nutshell.

20 Yea, even he commanded them that they should ^apreachnothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people.

21 And he commanded them that there should be no ^acontentionone with another, but that they should look forward with ^bone eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts ^cknittogether in unity and in love one towards another.

22 And thus he commanded them to preach. And thus they became the ^achildren of God.

23 And he commanded them that they should observe the^asabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God.

24 And he also commanded them that the priests whom he had ordained ^ashould ^blabor with their own hands for their support.

25 And there was ^aone day in every week that was set apart that they should ^bgather themselves together to teach the people, and to worship the Lord their God, and also, as often as it was in their power, to ^cassemble themselves together.

26 And the priests were not to depend upon the people for their support; but for their labor they were to receive the ^agrace of God, that they might wax strong in the Spirit, having the ^bknowledge of God, that they might teach with power and authority from God.

27 And again Alma commanded that the people of the church should impart of their substance, ^aevery one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given.

28 And thus they should impart of their ^asubstance of their own free will and good desires towards God, and to those priests that stood in need, yea, and to every needy, naked soul.

29 And this he said unto them, having been commanded of God; and they did ^awalk uprightly before God, imparting to one another both temporally and spiritually according to their needs and their wants.

After our temple work time it was time for "Grandparents night". Hannah, Ethan and Grace stayed with Papa and Grandma. The were planning on dinner and a movie, don't know how that went but I'm assuming they stuck to their plans.

Grandpa and I got to take Penny and Tate out. We went first to Chuck E Cheese, which was fun. The pizza was fine, the girls loved the rides and games and we loved watching them!

Then we went to the mall. Since both girls have birthdays coming up we went to a toy store to pick a special present and then went to JCP to buy an outfit each. We tried out lots of toys and tried on lots of princess shoes!