On Sundays from five to nine o’clock there are a set of sister Missionaries who give tours of the Temple grounds. They usually start at the chapel and explain things there. They compare it to a high school. Then as they come back out they talk about the Temple being a higher place of learning such as a university. So since we have been here almost a year we decided to take the tour! The sisters there that night were Sister Balden and Sister Jensen.
It just so happens that this was the last day of Sister Jensen’s mission. Sister Balden asked if we wanted the tour in Spanish or English.. We said English. She started out saying I am Hermana Balden and this is my companion Hermana Jensen. To which I responded, you both have the same first name ? It had sounded to me like they had said Ramona Balden and Ramona Jensen. They laughed thinking I meant Hermana being the same which I should have left it at that but of course I had to say is both your first names Ramona. You can all imagine the look I caught from Dad ! Anyway they took us to the statue of the Mom and Dad with out stretched arms and the little girl walking from one to the other. 
It is called the circle of safety. They mentioned that the Lord always has his arms outstretched to us. He wants to help and guide us. They then moved on to one of the fir trees. Where if you stand behind it you cannot see the Temple. They said there are temptations and Satan who try to block our path-just as this particular tree blocked out the beautiful Temple. Then we went to a corner of the grounds where you can look out and see the busy, noisy street, the other buildings and a running track all symbolizing the World. Then as you turn back in and walk a few steps the feeling is totally different. 
You feel peace and tranquility there by the fountain. 
They then both bore their testimonies about the church and the joy that we can receive from it. About the importance of the family and the true gospel. 
They asked if we wanted to share our thoughts as well. As we have mentioned so many times these grounds are so beautiful and peaceful. 
I’m sure it has touched many, many people who have been here.
The Temple was slower this week. Of course we just happened to have more workers show up than the norm! It seems that the weeks that are the busiest is when we have fewer workers! The weather for about the last three weeks has been amazing. It has been in the seventies and so beautiful. We keep thinking that it will be like Utah and turn around and be winter again! We have taken advantage of spending time outdoors and taking walks.
Yesterday, we had our movie night and showed “Amazing Grace“. It was centered around England in a time when slavery was rampid and how they tried to change that law. A man who had been a slave ship owner had brought slaves from Jamaica. In the course of doing so he knew what a horrible thing it was to do. So he sold his ship and became a preacher. He is the one who wrote the words to the song Amazing Grace. It was a great show.
Today we had two girls over for dinner who were here yesterday to do baptisms at the Temple. One, Camille Kalkman (Idaho) is studying Spanish in Spain and the other one, Ashley Swensen (Taylorsville)was visiting her for a week.
They both attend Utah State and met there three years ago. We happened to be assigned to the baptistery yesterday and so we met them there. They stayed with a family in our ward last night and came to church with them. So we met up with them at church again and asked them to come to lunch. We had a great time getting better acquainted. Ashley was going back home tomorrow and Camille was taking a bus back to where she is studying later today. These girls are a lot braver than I would be traveling around but they have done great!
Last Sunday we had our first beef roast, the beef here in Spain has a funny taste to it, so we hadn’t tried on before then. We used some Lipton Onion soup mix and slow cooked it….it was wonderful, it was just like we were at our house with all of you. Mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, fresh bread and of course, dessert. It really made us think of home and remembering some great times together.
All of you back home have so much going. We pray that everything you are planning and accomplishing goes well. We love to hear from you and keep in touch. Our life here is a lot less busy so I’m sure we should be drinking it all in, because it will change back to the fast pace life when we return. How fortunate we all are to have the gospel the center of our lives. What would we do with out that knowledge? I’m so thankful for the plan of salvation and for the knowledge that we can be together forever. We love all of you and are concerned for all of you. We hope you feel of our love daily. Love Mom and Dad / Nana and Papa
No comments:
Post a Comment