I Love to See the Temple

The Provo Temple is not my favorite temple in outside appearance. Brent actually compares it to a birthday cupcake with a candle on top, which in my opinion, isn't that far off :). But the spirit here is no different. Just walking around the grounds, the same sweet and celestial spirit common to all temples is felt just as strongly.

This is where Brent and I spent 4 hours of our evening this past Tuesday. Yes, 4 hours. We arrived at 6:50 PM hoping to attend the 7:20 PM session and walked out of there at 11:00 PM.

Even though it was a long wait, we were happy to be there. It was the first evening the temple had opened after a scheduled 2-3 week maintenance closure. After some of our experiences at BYS, we had both made the decision to follow the example of some of the incredible youth in the Boise Area and make the temple a priority by attending frequently and regularly. So, Tuesday was our first chance to get there and we were excited to follow through on our goal! (Not to mention, we had heard through the grapevine that there was a new video and we couldn't wait to see it.)

It took about 35-40 minutes to get into the chapel because there was such a high volume of people. We sat in the chapel for about an hour. A member of the temple presidency spoke to us while we were waiting and informed us that the Provo Temple had not seen numbers quite like this in a very long time but that they were committed to serving us and stay as long as needed to ensure that we all could make it to a session. He estimated that the temple had about 1000 patrons since 4 PM that day!! 

I learned a lot while at the temple and even though I was there quite a bit longer than I expected to be, I am so grateful that we got to go--the new video was well worth the wait! It was a great start to the goals Brent and I have set for ourselves and I am excited to keep going back and to keep learning. I love the temple! :)

Boise Youth Spectacular!!

Brent and I had the blessing of being counselors again for this year's Boise Youth Spectacular and although it was exhausting, it was absolutely incredible. We got to work with 32 youth from the Boise area and were able to grow and learn with them throughout the week. We heard from many speakers and presenters and were taught so much. It really is unbelievable how close you can become to someone in just 48 hours. We spent a little under two days with our groups but because we shared so much together, I feel like I have know them for much longer.

The first session went great! Of course, there were a few hiccups, but luckily, I learned from Johnny Covey that dwelling on things that go wrong and obsessing about them is not something that comes from God. He taught us that we need to be in our heart, where we are free and comfortable and to get out of our heads, the place we dwell on bad things or feel awkward or uncomfortable and worry about what people think of us. It quickly became a catch phrase at the spectacular: Get out of your head and into your heart!! This helped me enjoy the experience so much more and helped me realize that all negativity comes from Satan. Just like our bodies react to vial or poisonous substances (i.e. food poisoning) and get it out of our systems, we need to get vial and poisonous thoughts out of our minds. Until we get it out (by expressing it and then refusing to dwell on it) we will feel awful. I always have the choice to be react in my heart and or in my head. To me, this concept was so simple but so profound. It literally changed the way I think about life and my reactions and attitudes, the way I view myself as a child of God and so much more.

Anyway, the first session we worked with 17 year olds all of whom were entering into their senior year. The first night, I was worried that there might be some obstacles to how well the group bonded, but they took each other in and I have no doubt the eternal relationships were formed. We felt like family and it was so cool! All of them were such an example to me! 

Here is the video for the first session. Our group is shown starting at 0:31s - 0:36s!! :)

Watching this video gives me chills. I love it so much and I know that Heavenly Father loves all of these youth so much, more than we can comprehend. 

The second session was different but still wonderful. All of the speakers were the same, but for the first time we were given a group of 14 year olds! We had a lot of fun with them throughout the event and when we asked who was coming back next year, all of them raised their hands. I love them all so much!! :)

Woot! Yellow 9!! (Don't mind that the sun is shining directly on my face)

One of the coolest experiences for me personally happened the second night of the second session. We were waiting for the Alex Boye concert to start and kids were dancing and singing along with the songs playing on the speakers. They were running up to one of the three stages that were set up and just having a ball. It was so fun to watch. I was sitting on the edge of one of the stages, swaying as I sat there and just looked over and saw these youth. I was totally overwhelmed by the love I felt for them and I knew that these feelings came from Heavenly Father. He loves them so much. Not only did I feel this immense love for them, I also felt as if I were sharing in Heavenly Father's joy in that moment. He was watching the same thing I was and I could feel how happy he was because he loves them. These kids were totally in their hearts during that moment. They knew their self worth and who they are and as their Father, he shared that joy with them. It was surreal. 

BYS is filled with moments like this. In my mind, all BYS is, is a compilation of these experiences occurring in different people in different ways.  I love it and am so grateful for the impact that this program has had in my life. Brother Spjute is an incredible man and I love him for putting this program together. I will be a part of this program for as long as I am able to!! The Church is true and I love it. I am so grateful for my Savior and all that he has done for me. 

GO YELLOW 9!!