Visitors

Bill Smith, who is directly over Mark flew out in February to see how the progress was going on the temple.  We had him over to our home for dinner along with Elder and Sister DeGraffenried, and two of the project managers here from Utah working for Zwick Construction.  It was a lovely evening.  Bill is a great man, with such a great spirit.  I was helping Sister DeGraffenried at the temple site the next day and Bill came in to talk to us.  He reminded us of the importance of putting God first in our lives and when we do those things that aren't important would drop away.  I felt the Spirit so strongly.  It reminds me that these men who are over this great work are great spiritual men, who have proven themselves to the Lord in other ways, besides their construction abilities.

Bill was pleased with the way things are going on the temple site.  Mark has been essentially left alone to take care of everything concerning this job.  Anyone who knows Mark, knows that he is a self-starter and when he has a job to do he does it.  Of course there have been some challenges, but he just works through them.

Bill Smith and Mark

Bishop Dean Davies from the Presiding Bishopric visited the temple site on Saturday, May 4th.  It was to be a low-key visit, so not many knew about it.  He had driven down from Orlando with his assistant executive secretary, Dave McMillan. Tony Burns, who was recently released as the area authority was also invited to tour the temple with Bishop Davies.  Elder Burns has been instrumental in getting a temple here in South Florida.  The protocol has been that no one is allowed onto the temple site unless they are approved from Salt Lake.  Elder Burns has honored that protocol, so I'm sure he was thrilled to be invited to tour the site with Bishop Davies.

Everyone worked hard to clean everything up as much as possible (it is a construction site after all).  Bishop Davies was "very pleased" with their visit.  Before he left he gave Mark a special blessing.  He came home so happy.

Bishop Dean Davies and Mark

 Last week Cory Karl, who is Mark's boss and Brent Roberts, who is over the Special Projects Department (which includes temples), came out from Salt Lake to tour the temple site.  We met them for dinner Wednesday evening at Carraba's along with Elder and Sister DeGraffenried.  I had already met Cory from the interviews we had with them before we came here, but Brent is new to me.  He's a big burly guy.  They are both great men and they were also very pleased with how things are going at the temple.  Mark received some great priesthood counsel and some ideas on how members can become involved in their temple.  Loved it!

Cory Karl, Brent Roberts, Mark, President and Sister Anderson

Everyone has worked so hard to make this temple as beautiful as possible.  Mark always goes the extra mile when he does a job.  He has proved that he is more than capable.  We found out a couple of months ago that Mark has been hired on permanently full time with the Church, so we don't have to worry if there will be another temple for us to do.  I'm so proud of him, and so grateful to the Lord for blessing us in this tremendous way.