I love to see the temple!

This month has been an exciting one for us with regards to temples! First at conference they announced the rebuilding of the Provo Tabernacle as a second temple in Provo. Amazing! I was so touched that I bawled as soon as they announced it. Then less than a week later we went to the groundbreaking for the Payson temple. Imagine that -- in a few years we'll have three temples within 20 minutes of our home. That just feels miraculous to me, even though we are in Utah. :)

Anyway, we are so thrilled about the Payson temple, which will be our temple as soon as it is built. The temple rendering is just gorgeous:

They announced at the groundbreaking that it will be one of the biggest temples built in recent years. It was amazing to hear from Elder Oaks, who has a history of attending school in Spanish Fork when he lived with his grandparents. (He attended Peteetneet Academy, which is now a museum it's so old.) Anyway, the thing I loved most about the speakers was the woman who said something to the effect that any time children are gathered around a table, that table becomes an altar. This means our dinner table becomes a sacred place if we are eating together as a family with our children. I had never thought of that before, but no wonder family dinner is emphasized so much!

Anyway, the day was cold and rainy, and I was worried about that. However, I'm hoping that it will make it even more memorable for my children who will remember WHY we sat out in the rain and cold.

Becca, Tyler, Austin, Paul, Zachary & Shayla

Dad, Mom, Heidi & James

Elder Oaks broke ground with all the stake presidents, then invited up dignitaries (local politicians and such), then the Aaronic Priesthood members. Elder Oaks had fun:

Then the coolest thing, which I wasn't expecting at all, was that we got to go up and break some ground where the temple is to be built! What an awesome and amazing opportunity for my kids! I was thrilled. It took us a bit to get up there, but the kids loved the golden shovels, and I'm hoping they remember this day forever.

Becca, Austin, Tyler, Shayla & Paul

Zachary

Me