Catching Up

The sweet baby who played "Baby Jesus."  Isn't she adorable?

 Savior of the World Part I

So many things have happened.  Before Christmas, our stake performed "Savior of the World Part I"  about Christ's birth.  It was a marvelous experience.  Again, I stood in the back and directed the music.  I also choreographed a simple dance number, which was really fun for me.  But everything was so well done; we had a wonderful director and I was amazed at the talent in our stake.  We did three performances. 

While naturally impressed with the story of our Savior's birth, I was particularly touched by the story of Zacharias and Elisabeth, the parents of John the Baptist.  It's not one I had ever thought much about.

Luke 1:6 says this about them:  “And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were not well stricken in years.

So our play portrayed the ache that particularly Elisabeth had in her heart to have a child and Zacharias’ desire to draw the lot to burn the incense in the holy temple. 

What an incredible blessing then, that both in one day received the desired blessings of their hearts!  Zacharias is so astonished at the amazing good news from the angel Gabriel that he can’t quite believe it and is struck dumb as a sign.

Elisabeth is, of course, thrilled that Zacharias has finally drawn the lot as he desired, but naturally is concerned that the experience was too much for him.  What I found most poignant about the story was how Zacharias tried so meaningfully to convey to Elisabeth that she was finally to be given the greatest desire of her heart--a child.  How amazed and overjoyed then, she must have felt when she finally understood the message!  How blessed and grateful they both must have felt! 

Perhaps it is because I am around the same age Elisabeth must have been; the age where children are no longer possible that  I somehow understood how she must have longed and ached for children.  I could picture in my mind's eye what it must have been like for her when she finally knew; I could never watch that tender, powerful scene without crying.  

Zacharias tries to show Elisabeth she will have a child.

 There is a quote from The Life and Teachings of Jesus and His Apostles,” which tells the rest of the story:

The Prophet Joseph Smith taught:

‘When Herod’s edict went forth to destroy the young children, John was about six months older than Jesus and came under this hellish edict, and Zacharias caused his mother to take him into the mountains, where he was raised on locusts and wild honey.  When his father refused to disclose his hiding place, and being the officiating high priest at the Temple that year, was slain by Herod’s order, between the porch and the altar, as Jesus said.’

“Zacharias died, then, to save his son: he died a noble martyr, perhaps the first of the Christian era.”

Zacharias sacrificed his life to protect his son, while Elisabeth sacrificed her life as she raised her son without a father.  Both made tremendous sacrifices for the one who would one day baptize the Son of God.

I’ll never think of Zacharias and Elisabeth quite the same way again.

"Savior of the World, Part I," also brought so many aspects of the story of Mary and Joseph; what they both must have gone through.  The part the shepherds played in Christ's birth; it has all added so much to my appreciation of what happened so very long ago.  I don't think Christmas will ever be quite the same for me again.  

It will be much more meaningful.  

Here are a few of my favorite moments in the production:

Dance number after Mary's engagement.

 

 

 

      

  

Gabriel tells Joseph not to be afraid to take Mary to wife.

We had a real baby for our "Baby Jesus."

 

I'm Back

It's been a very long time since I last wrote here.  So much has happened.

The last few months of 2012 I concentrated almost exclusively to finishing my BYU science class.  Because I procrastinated I needed to accomplish four lessons every week, plus three mid-terms and a final!  The day I took the final was a day of ups and downs.  I had three hours to complete 80 questions plus 8 essay questions.  It took me most of the time just to answer the 80 multiple choice questions.  When I read through the essay questions I started to cry.  I simply could not remember the things I had studied.  I did finally remember a few things, but I really worried I had failed my test and I probably went away with a red nose.

Later in the day I simply tried to have a good attitude and came to terms with the fact that if I failed the test I would be able to take it again.  (I really wanted to just be finished!)  By evening I was able to express gratitude for everything that is good in my life.  Mark and I were headed to the church for our ward Christmas party.  As I was feeling and expressing gratitude for all that I enjoy, I felt peace about my class.

I did try to study just in case I had to take the class again, but in the end I didn't study much.  You can imagine my joy when I got the results in the mail.  Even though I got a D on my test, the point is I PASSED!!!  And my overall grade for the class was a C!  I was ecstatic!  I was also incredibly grateful!

Angel Moroni

The temple spire is up.  It's time to put the Angel Moroni on.

Close up of the spire.

The statue was shipped in this crate from Salt Lake.

The cable is attached.

Three men were sent up in in a basket to set the Angel in properly.

 

        There is a hole in the spire, in which a rod will fit in just so.  Attached to the rod were two cables:  one was the lightning protection cable and the other was to secure the statue.  The cables are fed into the hole in the spire.  Someone was inside who could get the cables as they were lowered and then secured the statue from the inside.  The lightning cable is eventually taken all the way down into the ground.

A lightning spike will replace the cable after the statue is in place.

That was cool!  The Salt Lake office liked this picture.

Awesome!

President and Sister Anderson of the Fort Lauderdale Mission.

Our temple project missionaries, Elder and Sister DeGraffenreid from Kanosh, Utah.

               What a privilege it was to be able to witness the placing of the Angel Moroni on top of the temple.  There was some worry about an approaching hurricane.  In fact, the statue was placed on the temple a day early because of the impending storm.  It was originally scheduled for Thursday, October 25th, but instead was done on Wednesday.  Prayers were sent up so the weather would cooperate.  It was somewhat windy, but did calm down.  I love the picture of the clouds opening up right over the angel and the light shining through.  There was a little bit of work that needed to be done on the top of the spire so the Angel would fit on properly, but everything went very smoothly and it looks magnificent!

I love that the flight patterns for Fort Lauderdale airport fly directly over the temple!  And being close to the freeway, there are thousands and thousands of people who drive by every single day!  Wonderful things are happening here and lives are being touched!  It's difficult to express into words how blessed I feel that we are here doing this amazing work!  I couldn't ask for a better life than this.
              

Fun With the Missionaries

Our silly picture

Love this picture.  I've really enjoyed getting to know the senior missionaries and President and Sister Anderson.  We've enjoyed the dinners we've had at the mission home every second Monday.  Last week, President Anderson wanted pictures, so he set the camera and then ran back to sit next to his wife.  The first picture was straight with all of us smiling and then there was this one!  I liked this one best.  President and Sister Anderson are sitting in front of me.  Love it!

Making It Clear

Mark seems to think that everyone who reads my posts will think that all we do here in Florida is play.  So, I'm making it clear that these are the highlights of our stay here.  It's NOT what we do everyday.  We really do work most of the time.

Okay.  I hope that's cleared up now.

Epcot

Friday, July 27th, Mark and I went to Orlando.  We went first to the temple-he to help with baptisms for the dead for another ward and me to do an endowment session.

I was so grateful for this opportunity because when we were there a couple of weeks ago, my mind had been so preoccupied I wasn't paying attention and felt badly about that.  This was an opportunity to make up for that time.  It was a good experience.

We had decided that since we were coming to the temple that we would stay over and go to Epcot.  We were actually able to spend the evening there after going to our motel and changing.

It's been about 25 years since we've been there.  Naturally it's changed a lot!  So being there was like going for the first time.  There are actually two parts to Epcot.  The first is where that gi-normous golf-ball looking thing is.  It's all about innovations and progress, taking care of the earth and stuff like that.  It was neat and we enjoyed it.  That's where we spent most of our time.

The second part takes you through 11 or 12 different countries.  The buildings and areas around are built to look authentic to that part of the world.  Each person who works there is actually from the country.  Mark found out that Disney contracts with each individual to come over for a year.  Most spoke very good English.

Naturally there are gift shops at each place.  There are also restaurants or cafe's.  Most places have some kind of special presentation or ride that depicts that country.

Friday night we got over to see Canada.  There was a surround-view movie with Martin Short showing the beauties of Canada.  It's one of those that makes you feel that you're right there and it can make  you a bit queasy.  But it was enjoyable and very beautiful.

We stayed and watched the fireworks showing over the lake.  They were timed to music and  were amazing!

Saturday, we planned to spend the day going through all of the countries, but they didn't open until 11:00 so we went back to do some of the things we had missed the evening before.

Someone had told Mark we could get a passport and get it stamped at each of the countries so we bought one.  We thought that would be fun.  Like I said, the architecture is amazing and I loved learning about each of the countries.

With Donald in Mexico!

We had lunch in Norway-a sandwich with ham,cheese and apples, a combination I hadn't really thought of, but very good.  I enjoyed learning a bit about the Vikings and the Troll ride.

In Italy we each had a piece of chocolate with hazelnuts-delicious!

The fountain in Italy

Italian ears!

In China

Japan looking over the lake

 There was an amazing drummer group in Japan, two women and a man.  Wow!  What a workout!  We had a refreshing shaved ice in Japan.  I wish I could remember the name for it.  It hit the spot cause it was hot!

We enjoyed a beautiful a'cappella group in the United States and a wonderful, amazing production about America.  I felt so proud to be an American!

France

Mark next to the famous Spitting Gargoyle of Notre Dame.  Love this picture!

France

 I would have loved having an old fashioned English tea (herbal of course) with crumpets, cucumber sandwiches or biscuits (cookies), but we were running out of time.  Another time perhaps.  There was a band playing oldies from British bands from the 70's and 80's.

Had to take a picture with Tigger and Winnie the Pooh in England.  We're just big kids!

I got all of my countries stamped.  It was fun talking to the young people who are here for a year.  I also got a huge woven bag in one of the Moroccan bazaars.  Love it.

The last thing we did before heading home was to ride the mono rail to the Magic Kingdom and back again. We'll be able to park-hop the next time we come.

Long drive home, but what a fun weekend!

Temple Progress

View from the roof.  Imagine how many will see this beautiful temple every single day!

Elder DeGraffenreid

I took these pictures a couple of weeks ago.  More has been done since then.  It's so exciting to me to see the progress that is being made on the temple!  Mark took me around.  The panels are beautiful and the designs that have been stamped into them are unique.  I know Mark is proud of what's happening.  It's in his voice as he explains everything to me.  I know it pleases him when I express my enthusiasm and compliments. 

I even went up onto the roof. (there were stairs)  The view is amazing!  The temple is situated in a wonderfully strategic place close to the freeway.  It will be seen by millions of people who drive by.  It will be a beautiful landmark when it's done.

When the members here talk about the temple (and they talk about it often), I feel so blessed that Mark and I are here to help make that possible for them.  What a blessed life!