Lucy was looking forward to getting to go to the temple for her first time to do baptisms for the dead. She wanted to go to the Ogden temple first since that's where she was born, but they were all booked on appointments until later. So we went with our assigned temple, which is the Star Valley temple. We scheduled a couple of weeks during January, but each week, the weather and roads were scary. So we finally made it on February 4. It was a lovely, sunny drive with lots of snow and it was even warm enough it was melting a teeny bit. On the way, we looked at pictures from and read excerpts from The Temple magazine, and Lucy even colored a picture of the temple. We found some names for her, mostly Canadian and English ancestors from the 1800s, including some Lovedays, which was fun since Lucy's birthday is near Valentine's day. Callahan got baptized for a Sidney Bennett. Grandma Di called a couple weeks ago and was so excited and told me that she had found a family member who lived and died in Scobey, MT! We knew we loved that place! And it's funny because Sydnie, our only Montana baby shares the same name. How cool is that? We walked around the temple grounds for a bit, and then we went inside. Lucy was a bit nervous, but between us and the temple workers, she was at ease and felt welcome and at home. She said she felt so good. We went in and got ready, then Lucy got to be a witness for Callahan, and then he was a witness for her. She got in the water and got baptized for her ancestors like a pro. Then we did confirmations. Although it is a pain to make appointments, I do have to admit that it makes it nicer to not have to generally wait a little or at all. It was a beautiful day to be in the temple! Also outside, someone wrote "welcome" with a heart in the snow by the doors of the temple. Everyone who makes themselves worthy and available to go to the temple is welcome. We welcome the Lord into our lives as we participate in temple work. And we welcome those who have been waiting for so long for their work to be done into the fold of God.
After we went to the temple, we went to Burger King (only so many choices) so the kids could run around and play. Lucy and some of the kids opted to wear a crown. I thought that was appropriate since it was her first time at the temple and she is a daughter of a King and therefore a princess. Then we went to some stores, including the Dog Eared Books book shop which Luce loved, then drove around, got some sodas and headed home. It was a beautiful day in the temple and to be together!
We got to go again about a month later with all the youth from our ward. We had a great turn out and had some kids going for their first time! Cal got sick so wasn't able to attend, but Lucy and Emma came. The prayer Calvin offered up was sweet and he said in it, "we are thankful we can go save lives". Literally, we save lives in the temple - our own and our deceased ancestors. The girls weren't too chatty in the car and many were sleepy and taking naps. We were grateful for good weather to make it there safe. The Spirit was so strong! President Dearden was there as four of his kids were there too, and he testified to us that of all the places we could've been that day, we were in the right place at the right time! I know this is true. The temple keeps us strong and we need its strength!
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