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Twin Falls Temple Youth Celebration and Temple Dedication

As you may know, this past weekend was the Twin Falls Temple Dedication.  In conjunction with that was a Youth Celebration.  This consisted of the youth from 14 Stakes preparing with song and dance a celebration of the development of this area and the fact that the Lord has blessed us with a "temple in our midst." 

The theme of the Celebration was Living Waters.  3500+ youth participated and have been working on it since January.  What a wonderful production it turned out to be!  The script told the story of our Magic Valley and how it was settled and turned into a "fruitful field".  It depicted faithful families (much like the Hilterbrands) who turned the desert into a rose and raised righteous children who now are privileged to drink of the living waters of the temple.

Three General Authorities attended:  Pres. Monson, Elder Erying and Elder Cook...plus I saw others from the 70's such as Elder Groberg, and Elder Walker.

Here's a few pictures I took.

Lots 'O youth!

The event was held at the Filer Fair grounds.  People donated their time and materials and created a smooth wood floor the size of the rodeo area for the kids to dance on. 

A man from Raft River Sod volunteered to put down sod (grass)around the edge of the arena...around the  wood floor. (Boy did that ever dress it up out there. After the Celebration, he would have to take it all up again.  ( I coudn't believe it!  it make it so nice!)

Then see to the left of this picture...that pile of big boulders to the left of the light pole.  Can't see it real good but it is a waterfall.  A man came in and build a gorgeous waterfall...like you might see in somebody's fancy yard...you could hear it running and it looked so refeshing!  Really added to atmosphere. 

Steve and I were really touched by all the work to make it so lovely.

They build a platform stand for the Prophet to talk to the youth from.

 

YOu can see Pres. Monson shielding his eyes as he greets them.  I want to tell you about when he came.  They brought him on a golf cart from the cow pie pasture where we park.  As soon as we could see him coming a hush fell ove the crowd and you could hear a pin drop.  (Those of you who have worked with youth...have you ever tried to hush them up...esp when they are with members of the opposite sex! CAN NOT DO IT!

But I kid you not...it went stone silent...the boys took their hats off and we all stood while he entered the arena.  He waved a big wave and said some comments like, "Oh!  you have on yellow!  that's my favorite color...its gives all other colors light!"

Here'a another pic I got to take of him when he moved over by us, to sit on the bleachers. You can see a little of Elder Eyring too.

Did you ever stop to think that the Prophet is the most important person on earth? He IS!

Here are the youth, in costume, looking at our Prophet.  They were one excited, respectful bunch of kids!  He told them..."Just have fun tonight, do your best and have fun!  You've worked hard, not enjoy it!" 

He said, "Some of the brethren think this is alot of unnecessary work"...but I say, "Oh, let them do it!  It's fun for them, they like being together and rubbing shoulder with other youth, it helps them to know that they are not alone in their fight for right."  

 

 

This is the Youth Choir:

Camera man...Bonneville Productions  recorded it.  There were people there from the Newspaper and Ensign and Church news, etc.

 

The kids did some impressive and beautiful routines using flags depicting "living waters."

Then Sunday, we had the opportunity to be in the temple when the Prophet dedicated it.  It was as close to heaven as one could be.  The music was so touching...when they sang "The Spirit of God, " I felt like I was going to be lifted up.  I feel certain that angels joined us!"  The Spirit was so strong in that room!

We were Was missing Redge and Cyndee this day!

 

 

Monday Steve and I got to go with the Stake Presidencies for a temple session.  It's customary to do that the Monday after it is dedicated.  Words can't describe the peace and warm we felt there...a brand new dedicated temple...close to us! OH!  I felt like I was in a dream! I LOVED IT!

Julie B Beck said, "You are treasured children of the promise.  If you will keep the Lords statutes and commandments and hearken to His voice, He has promised that He will make you high above the nations in name and honor and praise." 

I really like that thought and I believe it. Why can't I keep the Lords statutes and commandments and hearken to His voice so He will make me high above the nations in name and honor and praise?

I don't think He would ask me to do something I really couldn't do! I'll feel really bad if I don't accept His invitation and then miss out on  the blessings He has in store for me.

Certainly something for me to strive for.

Food Club

My calling is to help the sisters "get prepared!"  I thought it'd be fun to have a breakfast using basic food storage items, to encourage the sisters  to begin to incorporate their long term foods into their diets. 

This is beneficial in three ways:  a.   helps them practice with them before the "crunch" b.  helps their family get used to them and c. because it's healthy and economical eating, (saves money so they could buy more food storage).

It was a huge success!  46 women attended.  We served them, 7 grain waffles, german pancakes using powdered eggs and milk, rice mush, steel cut oats and apple oatmeal.  I made cinnamon rolls and granola for them to take home.   They samples cannery powdered milk and cocoa and Moo's milk.   I had some wheat sprouts too..."to throw on cold cereal!"  They talked and talked and seemed to have a good time. 

Took me 2 days to get ready but worth it all, cuz it turned out!

(Bad picture cuz I'm looking into my window...but you can see..."if you feed them...they will come!")

Here's the recipe for 7 grain waffles..they are hearty, no sugar! and absolutely delicious.

Basic 7 Grain Mix:

5 cups wheat, 1 cup oat groats, 1 cup hulled barley, 1 cup rye, 1cup brown rice, 1 cup millet, 1 cup corn.  Mix all the grains together...this about stores in a #10 can.  After grinding grains into flour, store remaining flour in the freezer. (1 cup grain grind to appox 2 cups flour)

(I don't know if the already prepared 7 grain mix you can buy at Winco would work or not...I'm going to try it before I buy each grain separately.)

Manti House In Waffles:

2 eggs separated, 1 tsp bake powder, 1tsp salt, 2 cups water, 1/4 cup melted butter, 2 cups grain mix flour

Mix dry ingredients. Mix egg yolks, water and melted butter.  Whip egg whites till stiff.  Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients.  (Batter will be thin).  Fold egg white into batter.  Cook on hot waffle iron.  Serves 6-8.

This was their take home....

Twin Falls Temple

 

We are excited to have a temple near us!  Our Stake hosted the open house last week and what a wonderful experience it was!  500 workers arrived in the chapel of the adjacent Stake house at 7:00 a.m.  That alone touched me.  The site of so many faithful Saints willing to serve and be part of "the temple!"

We received instructions from Elder Brent Nielson, area authority.  He told us how positive everything had been so far...such as the number of interested people now being taught by missionaries because of how they felt as they walked through his Holy House.   One or two will be baptized by the time it is dedicated. 

He helped us feel the responsibility to make it a wonderful experience by our pleasant serving attitude, afterall, this might be the only time some people ever have contact with a Mormon...and some members are bringing their "golden" friend...to have you help him testify of this marvelous work.

He said that with a group of  30 guests going through every 5 minutes, the most we could get through would be 4800 people in a 12 hour day.  Yesterday, 6000 people went through! It's building momenum as people come and feel...they go home and get their friends and come back.

I was helping with the tour guides and was able to help take a few groups through.  It was so touching to be able to see a crusty old cowboy, whose wife MADE him come, (I could tell) turn into a soft marshmellow as he felt the Spirit and love of his Heavenly Father. 

The Spirit in the Celestial room...when no words were spoken...was so tangible!  "You could cut it with a knife!  And to be able to see a worldly person who probably had never had the opportunity to be in such a setting Stop and Feel...it brought a tear to my eye.

I felt like Heavenly Father was reaching down to that 'ole cowboy's spirit and said..."Hey Crusty, remember me...it's Father...this is your way home."

I loved watching little Mormon families talking to their little kids about "this is where you will come to be married!" too.  We appreciate and feel the responsibility and trust that comes with this blessing.

Steve walked the temple for 12 hours straight...keeping things going.  He felt such a weight to be in charge of what happened in the Lords house that day. His collapsed when we were done...but wow! what a privilege!

Here's some pics of the Hosting Center where we took the guest to have refreshments and questions answered by the missionaries.

A wall display showing other temples throughout the World.

We took our friends the Mooneys through a tour.

 

A beautiful wall display of pictures of Jesus.

Afterall, We ARE Christians you know!

This display showed the history of temples through the ages.

Stake Conference and Missionaries

I wanted to show you a picture of Grandma with her cousin Elder Gary Walker from the Area 70's.  He was our visiting General Authority and such a wonderful man.  We really enjoyed him.  He comes through a different polyagamy wife than mom did, but they share the same great grandpa, William Holmes Walker.  Our Grandma has a great heritage! 

Elder Walker challenged us to prepare for the Open House/dedication of the Twin Falls Temple next Spring by "being a friend" to some people so we can take them with us to it.  I have a list of 10...hope I can keep my momentum up.

He also inspired me to get up earlier every day and for an hour, have "time with the Lord."  I've done it everyday this week and must say...it has been great!  I honestly feel a difference...I'm learning alot too.  Lately I've just been nibbling at the scriptures, but now I am feasting!   There is a "price to pay" for drawing near to Him and receiving revelation and I'm desiring that blessing. 

Big News! Grandma Lois is going to house the missionaries.  That's right, from now on, church wide, the members will be housing the local full time missionaries.  (new policy--to save the rising cost of rent). Mom prayed about it and feel like it's the right thing to do.

There is a wonderful promise given in the letter to the Stake President who carefully selects the place where they could live.  The promise says something like... those who "receive them...will be receiving me! "  Mom said, "President, I want that blessing!"

  So we are doing some re-arranging and getting ready for her star boarders!  They will be using her downstairs bedroom/ bathrrom/front room,  also sharing her kitchen and laundry. 

Mom is "pretending" that SHE is on a misson.  She said, "I can't go on a mission so I'll help the boys who are on missions."  Isn't she something?  Pure gold!  Do you know very many older people with this kind of attitude and unselfishness?  I swear Mom has angels that live with her there and help her...and now she is going to entitle herself even more!  We all know how mindful the Lord is of his missionaries!  Won't they an added measure of the Spirit to that home! I AM PROUD of our mother!

We'll tell you more .... as things proceed.  They will move in on July 1st. It's a 1 or 2 year calling for Mom. 
   

Stake Conference time...

It June, that means it's Stake Conference time.  The pressure is on.  Not just the house and food but Steve has 3 talks to get ready.  Kinda not fun.  It's kinda not fun to sit in your office for hours and have to think and think and read and feel the pressure of "speaking on behalf" of ....(7 years now...2 to go!)

  Don't get me wrong, we feel privileged to host a General Authority...Elder Gary Walker this time....but it's just consuming till it's over.  Can't really do anything else but get ready-er and ready-er! Wish us good luck with everything.  Can you smell my cinnamon rolls?

I've been working hard to do all I can to help. get ready.   I even defrosted the freezer.  Steve said, "The freezer?  Like Elder Walker is going to look in our freezer?"  Well, no...but it's an excuse to get it done.  It really is good to have a deadline to make yourself get things done that you have been wanting to.

I'm growing a little garden this year.  I love where it is...right outside my back door.  I keep watching it!  I back out my car to go to town, look over at it and imagine my carrots are saying..."give me a little drink"...so I stop. get out. and mist them down with a little hose.  (It's fun!)  I want it to grow!  I try not to compare my "attempt" to Andrea Jolleys "master gardner award." Then to add to  my anxiety, the wind whipped us to death on Memorial day, so we're a little set back.   

Ty and Channie left for Brasil tonight on their dental humanitarian mission.   They were excited.  They were happy to have Bro. Bates going with them too.   I hope all goes well. 

Just wanted to do a catch up...life is good.

 

sunday....

So today was the Primary Program. I play the piano, you know.  Been in this calling a year.  Played those same piece all year!  They are as close to memorized as an old brained, stiff fingered person can do.  But I gotta tell you I was SCARED TO DEATH.  I can play them good at home, but put me in fron of a chapel full of people with a grand piano that I'm not used to and I could barely find middle C.  I'm not exaggerating this....I was shaking all over...may heart was racing...my hands ice cold and sweaty.  I looked up at that first piece and with all eyes on me and I thought, "Oh please Heavenly fAther , let me just drop out of sight into some trap door or something.  I can't do this!"

All week,  I've been praying MOST INTENTLY for his help to guide my shaky fingers.  I knew I had honestly done all I could to prepare.  I went to the church several times, even...to try to get used to that big honking piano.

Anyway..thankfully I got through it and didn't do anything majorly wrong.  I didn't ruin the program anyway.  WHOOSH!  what a relief.  I thanked Heavenly fAther through the whole closing prayer! 

When we got back into the primary room, everyone was so relieved that we just shut the doors and let the kids wiggle and be noisy.  I could just felt he tension leave all our bodies.  I hope next year, I'm more comfortable with it.  I've improved in my ability, but being in front of adults like that really stretched me. 

I've found in life, church calling in particular, the if you honestly do all you part, to the best of your ability...the Lord can and does make up the difference.  He has never let me down.  I love and appreciate Him so much.  I bargained aand promised bout everything I could think of before I got to the bench.  I must remember how humble I felt and keep my promises.

After on sundays, I go to moms and we work on geneology.  There is this family.  It's  Grandpa Guy Hilterbrands, mother's brother's family. (I sound like Gr-ma huh!)   Her brother's name is Edward Watson.

There are 10 kids in that family!  One of the kids are married to a Blankenship.  One member of that family has sent mom the most wonderful information.  She has kept immaculate records, even obits, marriage, newpaper articles,  and other valuable records.  She is very neat and accurate and everything we have researched matches what she has records.  It's trustworthy! With all of her information, we have also found information on the extended Blankenship families. 

It's so exciting.  I think Dad's up there teaching them!  why not? 

Moms said that this Blankenship daughter said, "I was going to throw all this stuff (the records) of  moms away, but I just couldn't...so I'm sending it to you.  (Can you believe it?  She was going to chuck that gold mine! but instead, she sent it to mom. ) Now we all know why! 

We are putting the puzzle together, its so fun.  Mom has done most the research, I'm just helping her get it organized and temple ready.  Like I said, It is so thrilling.  They were religious people.  Mom really feels like they would accept the Gospel.

Geneology is addicting you know.   It's what you do when you should be in bed asleep. 

That's my day...

Oh, one more thing.  Pam and John Mooney have a temple recommend!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Target temple date, November 18th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One more thing...how do you like this 'fall back' time?  I enjoyed that extra hour...but now it's 9:30 and it feels like midnight! 

YAWN!