Change, Cultural Celebration and Gilbert Temple Dedication Part II

Sunday Doodle at the Gilbert Temple Dedication

My Part I entry left off on the Cultural Celebration. I forgot to include this picture (below) of President Monson and President Eyring attending the celebration. They witnessed the dedication of our youth as the waters from heaven poured down and blessed our desert with rain.

The following day, Sunday March 2nd, was the official dedication of the Gilbert Temple. The tickets to attend at the temple (that we did not expect to receive a week earlier!) was for the 3pm session. We only had 2 tickets to attend there, so we sent Mikelle and Christian to our Stake Center that morning to watch the broadcast with our friends from the ward, Jared and JoElayne Jones. 

I sort of grew up with Jared in Gilbert. I say "sort of" because he was four years older than me (I guess he still is...lol), but his family lived just around the corner from us. He and his wife graciously picked up Mikelle and Christian that morning and took them to the broadcast, along with their youngest son, Hayden. Mikelle wasn't too pleased at dragging herself out of bed in time to be out the door just after 8am; especially after the Cultural Celebration the night before. However, we assured her it was one of those rare once in a lifetime weekends where you dance wet in front of our prophet and then have to arise early the next morning to participate with him again to dedicate this beautiful temple. 

Later, after Mikelle and Christian returned home, Chris wanted to leave early to stand in line for our 3pm session. I think it's funny that Chris, the most chronically late human on the planet, wanted to go early. I was okay with it, but when he wanted to go early, he really wanted to go early! He and I were in line by 12:30pm! Mikelle wasn't pleased about the babysitting she was doing at home, but we reminded her again that it was one of those rare occasions that do not come around very often. Who knows if Chris and I will ever have the opportunity to attend a temple dedication inside a temple ever again?

Almost perfect quirky picture if not for the weirdo face in between us....

Despite the temperatures in the upper 60s, the sun was out and I tried to hang out in line, but between the sunlight being so harsh as always, along with nowhere to sit, I went back to hang out in the car for about an hour. I read for awhile and then created the above Sunday doodle. I was frustrated that I didn't plan ahead for it, and there was no paper. I used the back of an envelope. 

By the time I returned to where we were originally in line, the amount of people wrapped to the back of the parking lot and looped around!

Around 2pm when we were brought inside, I brought the drawing with me to complete. 

I was disappointed that even though we had tickets to this wonderful event, we didn't have tickets to attend in the Celestial Room. That, of course, is where the actual Dedication was taking place. My friend Shantell and Jay were able to go in the Celestial Room, however! Lucky! 
Well, Shantell's parents were speaking at the dedication, so that probably had something to do with it. ;-) 

However, Chris and I were in line so early, that we were in the ordinance room right next to the Celestial Room. Right before the dedication began, we saw President Monson pass by our room.  After the Dedication, he stopped in the doorway of our room and waved to us. 

As we arrived back outside, following the dedication, the clouds had returned and the temperature had dropped. It was perfect. 

Being able to sit in the temple and attend this dedication was a once in a lifetime experience, as I already pointed out. I would imagine the Phoenix temple dedication is sometime this Fall. We'll be living in that temple district by then, but I'm pretty sure we'll be attending that dedication from the satellite locations at the Stake Centers. It's also a smaller temple, so the dedication wouldn't be able to accommodate as many people anyway.

Our view leaving that day - beautiful clouds. Temperatures dropped to 65...Perfection!

I need to return inside the Gilbert Temple. We need to take advantage of having it close by in these next couple of months before we move across town. 

The Phoenix Temple will be closer to Wickenburg than the Mesa Temple, but it's still going to be further away from us than the Gilbert Temple is from us now. We have a special blessing to have the Gilbert Temple near us for the time being!

Gilbert Temple Celestial Room

I need to sit in that Celestial Room. I realize I spoke about my "Temple Issues" in a recent entry, but I'm willing to give an Endowment Session a go in the next couple of weeks at the Gilbert Temple. I need to be in that Celestial Room. I know I said that already, but it bears repeating.

Until next time...
 

Phoenix Temple - Dedicated Fall? 2014

Leading news reports from mid-week through Saturday led with u
Read more at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765648873/President-Monson-and-President-Eyring-attend-Gilbert-Arizona-Temple-Cultural-Celebration.html?pg=all#Egw5aLDwse6hiYjH.99

The program's organizers said that the youth, upon hearing forecasts earlier in the week, made a plea that the show would go on despite the weather. It went on. Other than having wet hair and drenched clothing, the young people carried out their roles seemingly without missing a beat. Water streamed down their beaming faces. They performed as if the added moisture didn't bother them.
President Monson waved, applauded and cheered them on.
He gave his first counselor, President Henry B. Eyring, the opportunity to address the 12,000 youth before the performance began. President Eyring's grandparents and his father lived in Pima, Ariz.
President Eyring conveyed to the youth President Monson's love for them and for "these wonderful occasions" of cultural programs held in conjunction with temple dedications.
The reason for the program, President Eyring said, was for the youth to express their love and appreciation for all whose sacrifice and faithfulness "made it possible for the Lord to give us the blessing of a beautiful temple of God here."
"Tonight, you honor the heroes whose faith and sacrifice made it possible for us to receive such a blessing. They were pioneers who chose to follow the Lord wherever He needed them to serve and at whatever the cost. They were like the brave people who followed Captain Moroni among the children of Lehi. They were willing to give their all for God, their families, and for the freedom to worship God.
"And they did it with a smile, even when they had little to cheer them. Some were your ancestors who made music and danced as they struggled to build Zion in the desert for their families."

Read more at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765648873/President-Monson-and-President-Eyring-attend-Gilbert-Arizona-Temple-Cultural-Celebration.html?pg=all#Egw5aLDwse6hiYjH.99

The program's organizers said that the youth, upon hearing forecasts earlier in the week, made a plea that the show would go on despite the weather. It went on. Other than having wet hair and drenched clothing, the young people carried out their roles seemingly without missing a beat. Water streamed down their beaming faces. They performed as if the added moisture didn't bother them.
President Monson waved, applauded and cheered them on.
He gave his first counselor, President Henry B. Eyring, the opportunity to address the 12,000 youth before the performance began. President Eyring's grandparents and his father lived in Pima, Ariz.
President Eyring conveyed to the youth President Monson's love for them and for "these wonderful occasions" of cultural programs held in conjunction with temple dedications.
The reason for the program, President Eyring said, was for the youth to express their love and appreciation for all whose sacrifice and faithfulness "made it possible for the Lord to give us the blessing of a beautiful temple of God here."
"Tonight, you honor the heroes whose faith and sacrifice made it possible for us to receive such a blessing. They were pioneers who chose to follow the Lord wherever He needed them to serve and at whatever the cost. They were like the brave people who followed Captain Moroni among the children of Lehi. They were willing to give their all for God, their families, and for the freedom to worship God.
"And they did it with a smile, even when they had little to cheer them. Some were your ancestors who made music and danced as they struggled to build Zion in the desert for their families."

Read more at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765648873/President-Monson-and-President-Eyring-attend-Gilbert-Arizona-Temple-Cultural-Celebration.html?pg=all#Egw5aLDwse6hiYjH.99

The program's organizers said that the youth, upon hearing forecasts earlier in the week, made a plea that the show would go on despite the weather. It went on. Other than having wet hair and drenched clothing, the young people carried out their roles seemingly without missing a beat. Water streamed down their beaming faces. They performed as if the added moisture didn't bother them.
President Monson waved, applauded and cheered them on.
He gave his first counselor, President Henry B. Eyring, the opportunity to address the 12,000 youth before the performance began. President Eyring's grandparents and his father lived in Pima, Ariz.
President Eyring conveyed to the youth President Monson's love for them and for "these wonderful occasions" of cultural programs held in conjunction with temple dedications.
The reason for the program, President Eyring said, was for the youth to express their love and appreciation for all whose sacrifice and faithfulness "made it possible for the Lord to give us the blessing of a beautiful temple of God here."
"Tonight, you honor the heroes whose faith and sacrifice made it possible for us to receive such a blessing. They were pioneers who chose to follow the Lord wherever He needed them to serve and at whatever the cost. They were like the brave people who followed Captain Moroni among the children of Lehi. They were willing to give their all for God, their families, and for the freedom to worship God.
"And they did it with a smile, even when they had little to cheer them. Some were your ancestors who made music and danced as they struggled to build Zion in the desert for their families."

Read more at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765648873/President-Monson-and-President-Eyring-attend-Gilbert-Arizona-Temple-Cultural-Celebration.html?pg=all#Egw5aLDwse6hiYjH.99

The program's organizers said that the youth, upon hearing forecasts earlier in the week, made a plea that the show would go on despite the weather. It went on. Other than having wet hair and drenched clothing, the young people carried out their roles seemingly without missing a beat. Water streamed down their beaming faces. They performed as if the added moisture didn't bother them.
President Monson waved, applauded and cheered them on.
He gave his first counselor, President Henry B. Eyring, the opportunity to address the 12,000 youth before the performance began. President Eyring's grandparents and his father lived in Pima, Ariz.
President Eyring conveyed to the youth President Monson's love for them and for "these wonderful occasions" of cultural programs held in conjunction with temple dedications.
The reason for the program, President Eyring said, was for the youth to express their love and appreciation for all whose sacrifice and faithfulness "made it possible for the Lord to give us the blessing of a beautiful temple of God here."
"Tonight, you honor the heroes whose faith and sacrifice made it possible for us to receive such a blessing. They were pioneers who chose to follow the Lord wherever He needed them to serve and at whatever the cost. They were like the brave people who followed Captain Moroni among the children of Lehi. They were willing to give their all for God, their families, and for the freedom to worship God.
"And they did it with a smile, even when they had little to cheer them. Some were your ancestors who made music and danced as they struggled to build Zion in the desert for their families."

Read more at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765648873/President-Monson-and-President-Eyring-attend-Gilbert-Arizona-Temple-Cultural-Celebration.html?pg=all#Egw5aLDwse6hiYjH.99

The program's organizers said that the youth, upon hearing forecasts earlier in the week, made a plea that the show would go on despite the weather. It went on. Other than having wet hair and drenched clothing, the young people carried out their roles seemingly without missing a beat. Water streamed down their beaming faces. They performed as if the added moisture didn't bother them.
President Monson waved, applauded and cheered them on.
He gave his first counselor, President Henry B. Eyring, the opportunity to address the 12,000 youth before the performance began. President Eyring's grandparents and his father lived in Pima, Ariz.
President Eyring conveyed to the youth President Monson's love for them and for "these wonderful occasions" of cultural programs held in conjunction with temple dedications.
The reason for the program, President Eyring said, was for the youth to express their love and appreciation for all whose sacrifice and faithfulness "made it possible for the Lord to give us the blessing of a beautiful temple of God here."
"Tonight, you honor the heroes whose faith and sacrifice made it possible for us to receive such a blessing. They were pioneers who chose to follow the Lord wherever He needed them to serve and at whatever the cost. They were like the brave people who followed Captain Moroni among the children of Lehi. They were willing to give their all for God, their families, and for the freedom to worship God.
"And they did it with a smile, even when they had little to cheer them. Some were your ancestors who made music and danced as they struggled to build Zion in the desert for their families."

Read more at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765648873/President-Monson-and-President-Eyring-attend-Gilbert-Arizona-Temple-Cultural-Celebration.html?pg=all#Egw5aLDwse6hiYjH.99v

The program's organizers said that the youth, upon hearing forecasts earlier in the week, made a plea that the show would go on despite the weather. It went on. Other than having wet hair and drenched clothing, the young people carried out their roles seemingly without missing a beat. Water streamed down their beaming faces. They performed as if the added moisture didn't bother them.
President Monson waved, applauded and cheered them on.
He gave his first counselor, President Henry B. Eyring, the opportunity to address the 12,000 youth before the performance began. President Eyring's grandparents and his father lived in Pima, Ariz.
President Eyring conveyed to the youth President Monson's love for them and for "these wonderful occasions" of cultural programs held in conjunction with temple dedications.
The reason for the program, President Eyring said, was for the youth to express their love and appreciation for all whose sacrifice and faithfulness "made it possible for the Lord to give us the blessing of a beautiful temple of God here."
"Tonight, you honor the heroes whose faith and sacrifice made it possible for us to receive such a blessing. They were pioneers who chose to follow the Lord wherever He needed them to serve and at whatever the cost. They were like the brave people who followed Captain Moroni among the children of Lehi. They were willing to give their all for God, their families, and for the freedom to worship God.
"And they did it with a smile, even when they had little to cheer them. Some were your ancestors who made music and danced as they struggled to build Zion in the desert for their families."

Read more at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765648873/President-Monson-and-President-Eyring-attend-Gilbert-Arizona-Temple-Cultural-Celebration.html?pg=all#Egw5aLDwse6hiYjH.99

The program's organizers said that the youth, upon hearing forecasts earlier in the week, made a plea that the show would go on despite the weather. It went on. Other than having wet hair and drenched clothing, the young people carried out their roles seemingly without missing a beat. Water streamed down their beaming faces. They performed as if the added moisture didn't bother them.
President Monson waved, applauded and cheered them on.
He gave his first counselor, President Henry B. Eyring, the opportunity to address the 12,000 youth before the performance began. President Eyring's grandparents and his father lived in Pima, Ariz.
President Eyring conveyed to the youth President Monson's love for them and for "these wonderful occasions" of cultural programs held in conjunction with temple dedications.
The reason for the program, President Eyring said, was for the youth to express their love and appreciation for all whose sacrifice and faithfulness "made it possible for the Lord to give us the blessing of a beautiful temple of God here."
"Tonight, you honor the heroes whose faith and sacrifice made it possible for us to receive such a blessing. They were pioneers who chose to follow the Lord wherever He needed them to serve and at whatever the cost. They were like the brave people who followed Captain Moroni among the children of Lehi. They were willing to give their all for God, their families, and for the freedom to worship God.
"And they did it with a smile, even when they had little to cheer them. Some were your ancestors who made music and danced as they struggled to build Zion in the desert for their families."

Read more at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765648873/President-Monson-and-President-Eyring-attend-Gilbert-Arizona-Temple-Cultural-Celebration.html?pg=all#Egw5aLDwse6hiYjH.99

The program's organizers said that the youth, upon hearing forecasts earlier in the week, made a plea that the show would go on despite the weather. It went on. Other than having wet hair and drenched clothing, the young people carried out their roles seemingly without missing a beat. Water streamed down their beaming faces. They performed as if the added moisture didn't bother them.
President Monson waved, applauded and cheered them on.
He gave his first counselor, President Henry B. Eyring, the opportunity to address the 12,000 youth before the performance began. President Eyring's grandparents and his father lived in Pima, Ariz.
President Eyring conveyed to the youth President Monson's love for them and for "these wonderful occasions" of cultural programs held in conjunction with temple dedications.
The reason for the program, President Eyring said, was for the youth to express their love and appreciation for all whose sacrifice and faithfulness "made it possible for the Lord to give us the blessing of a beautiful temple of God here."
"Tonight, you honor the heroes whose faith and sacrifice made it possible for us to receive such a blessing. They were pioneers who chose to follow the Lord wherever He needed them to serve and at whatever the cost. They were like the brave people who followed Captain Moroni among the children of Lehi. They were willing to give their all for God, their families, and for the freedom to worship God.
"And they did it with a smile, even when they had little to cheer them. Some were your ancestors who made music and danced as they struggled to build Zion in the desert for their families."

Read more at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765648873/President-Monson-and-President-Eyring-attend-Gilbert-Arizona-Temple-Cultural-Celebration.html?pg=all#Egw5aLDwse6hiYjH.99

The program's organizers said that the youth, upon hearing forecasts earlier in the week, made a plea that the show would go on despite the weather. It went on. Other than having wet hair and drenched clothing, the young people carried out their roles seemingly without missing a beat. Water streamed down their beaming faces. They performed as if the added moisture didn't bother them.
President Monson waved, applauded and cheered them on.
He gave his first counselor, President Henry B. Eyring, the opportunity to address the 12,000 youth before the performance began. President Eyring's grandparents and his father lived in Pima, Ariz.
President Eyring conveyed to the youth President Monson's love for them and for "these wonderful occasions" of cultural programs held in conjunction with temple dedications.
The reason for the program, President Eyring said, was for the youth to express their love and appreciation for all whose sacrifice and faithfulness "made it possible for the Lord to give us the blessing of a beautiful temple of God here."
"Tonight, you honor the heroes whose faith and sacrifice made it possible for us to receive such a blessing. They were pioneers who chose to follow the Lord wherever He needed them to serve and at whatever the cost. They were like the brave people who followed Captain Moroni among the children of Lehi. They were willing to give their all for God, their families, and for the freedom to worship God.
"And they did it with a smile, even when they had little to cheer them. Some were your ancestors who made music and danced as they struggled to build Zion in the desert for their families."

Read more at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765648873/President-Monson-and-President-Eyring-attend-Gilbert-Arizona-Temple-Cultural-Celebration.html?pg=all#Egw5aLDwse6hiYjH.99

The program's organizers said that the youth, upon hearing forecasts earlier in the week, made a plea that the show would go on despite the weather. It went on. Other than having wet hair and drenched clothing, the young people carried out their roles seemingly without missing a beat. Water streamed down their beaming faces. They performed as if the added moisture didn't bother them.
President Monson waved, applauded and cheered them on.
He gave his first counselor, President Henry B. Eyring, the opportunity to address the 12,000 youth before the performance began. President Eyring's grandparents and his father lived in Pima, Ariz.
President Eyring conveyed to the youth President Monson's love for them and for "these wonderful occasions" of cultural programs held in conjunction with temple dedications.
The reason for the program, President Eyring said, was for the youth to express their love and appreciation for all whose sacrifice and faithfulness "made it possible for the Lord to give us the blessing of a beautiful temple of God here."
"Tonight, you honor the heroes whose faith and sacrifice made it possible for us to receive such a blessing. They were pioneers who chose to follow the Lord wherever He needed them to serve and at whatever the cost. They were like the brave people who followed Captain Moroni among the children of Lehi. They were willing to give their all for God, their families, and for the freedom to worship God.
"And they did it with a smile, even when they had little to cheer them. Some were your ancestors who made music and danced as they struggled to build Zion in the desert for their families."

Read more at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765648873/President-Monson-and-President-Eyring-attend-Gilbert-Arizona-Temple-Cultural-Celebration.html?pg=all#Egw5aLDwse6hiYjH.99

The program's organizers said that the youth, upon hearing forecasts earlier in the week, made a plea that the show would go on despite the weather. It went on. Other than having wet hair and drenched clothing, the young people carried out their roles seemingly without missing a beat. Water streamed down their beaming faces. They performed as if the added moisture didn't bother them.
President Monson waved, applauded and cheered them on.
He gave his first counselor, President Henry B. Eyring, the opportunity to address the 12,000 youth before the performance began. President Eyring's grandparents and his father lived in Pima, Ariz.
President Eyring conveyed to the youth President Monson's love for them and for "these wonderful occasions" of cultural programs held in conjunction with temple dedications.
The reason for the program, President Eyring said, was for the youth to express their love and appreciation for all whose sacrifice and faithfulness "made it possible for the Lord to give us the blessing of a beautiful temple of God here."
"Tonight, you honor the heroes whose faith and sacrifice made it possible for us to receive such a blessing. They were pioneers who chose to follow the Lord wherever He needed them to serve and at whatever the cost. They were like the brave people who followed Captain Moroni among the children of Lehi. They were willing to give their all for God, their families, and for the freedom to worship God.
"And they did it with a smile, even when they had little to cheer them. Some were your ancestors who made music and danced as they struggled to build Zion in the desert for their families."

Read more at http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765648873/President-Monson-and-President-Eyring-attend-Gilbert-Arizona-Temple-Cultural-Celebration.html?pg=all#Egw5aLDwse6hiYjH.99

Change, Cultural Celebration and Gilbert Temple Dedication Part I

I couldn't help it. I had to make this meme.

Somehow I blinked and now it's Tuesday and it's three days into March. I am already mourning our "winter" (or lack of, this year). The awful heat is just around the corner. Hopefully we can stay busy preparing for this move that it won't be noticed as much. 

Took down my awesome Frosty yesterday...He usually stays up after Halloween to the end of February. I'm sad that another Winter is almost over...

At least it was cool and cloudy this morning. I usually don't run on Tuesdays, but I had to take advantage of the ideal conditions. I put Alexander in the jogging stroller and off we went. I also only reserve some sacred music on my run for temperatures in the 60s and below. "Just Like Heaven" as a mentioned in a recent previous post isn't worthy enough for the treadmill. It's for the clouds and cool air and the running freedom that comes with it.  Man, I need to move to Oregon! 

Speaking of the move (sadly, NOT to Oregon...), we went to Wickenburg on Saturday. Well, the boys came with us. Mikelle was involved in the huge Cultural Celebration (more on that in a second). 

We sat with Kevin, our contractor, and tried to trim the cost breakdown. I was quiet (seriously, I was) as Chris was doing the engineer thing and discussing every nook and cranny. I was filled with emotion, however. It was a combination of worry, stress about the cost, the move itself and what it will involve, thinking of Mikelle who is not pleased about the move, and those are just the big things I can remember. I was praying too. 

I've been meaning to also pick up some lottery tickets! Haha

Some concrete good news is, we are pretty much good on a rental so we can move in July for sure, as school starts August 6th - the day before Mikelle turns 14! The rental belongs to a friend of a friend. However, the description of it, while kind of cool along the Hassayampa River Preserve is smaller than expected and a little quirky. The Hippie adventurous side of me loves the description, but the practical tired Mom part of me isn't so sure. If it was just Chris and I or we had only one kid, it would be fine. However, that's not our reality. We'll have to go take a look at it. But if our new house is already in the process of being built when we move, I can see making the rental work. However, if we still haven't broken ground by July (please please please don't let that be the case!), I'm not too sure about the rental situation.
 

Goofing around at our land site.

Saturday was also beautiful day in the 60s and the valley received rain after 60+ days of nothing (remember what I said about this disappointing winter?). We visited our land to see how the wash in the back of the 5 acres was doing. We also looked at possibly changing the location of the house on the land. We originally had the home planned a little far back up on a higher part that was flat for the top/main level, and the hillside/walkout would sit below on the slope. However, it's looking like a lot of the cost is what it'll take to have everything transported back in there from the road in order to start the building in the first place. Plus, the long driveway would be a huge cost. 

Yep - Welcome to Wickenburg! :face palm:

Therefore, even though it's not ideal and not our first choice, we'll probably move the home closer to the street, but lower than the higher spot that is further back in the land. Therefore, that also means more excavation for the lower hillside/walkout area.  But hopefully this change will lower the cost.  *Crossing fingers*

In one of my nephew's correspondence from his mission in Africa, it reads:

Even if it's not how we want it,

I'm glad that it always works out in the end.

Even if it seems like it's not going to,

I'm glad that it always works out in the end.

Even though it's hard to remember,

It always works out in the end.

We need to remember that. Always. It's just tough for "over-thinkers" like me. 

2014 Gilbert Temple Youth Cultural Celebration

Despite the beautiful day of rain and more winter-like temperatures, the blessing of rain also proved to be a challenge for the Cultural Celebration back in Gilbert at Discovery Park across the street from the Gilbert Temple. 

We were driving home from Wickenburg when we began to watch it streaming live on one of the news websites. It was raining very hard in Surprise (where we were when the celebration began), but as we watched Mikelle's number with the Firedance (the Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego story from the Book of Daniel), the rain there in Gilbert didn't look too bad.

However, after that, it began to come down very heavy.  I knew these 12,000 kids didn't have any shelter other than maybe rain ponchos or the occasional lucky umbrella. 

"Dancing in the Rain" by Contraltissimo

As I sat in the passenger seat holding Chris's iPhone and watching the streaming video on that small screen (and holding it where he could occasionally glance over - safely and steal a look), I was overcome with more emotion than I expected. Watching our 12,000 youths singing and dancing created my own deluge of tears as the camera panned over them smiling in the pouring rain. You could see the rain pouring down, but it was more apparent on shots of the stage as the heavy rain splashed onto it. 

Not only were these youths so tenacious to not allow the rain drown their spirits - but it gave them more of a reason to smile. That's how it felt to me. The spirit I felt and my own rainstorm of tears can only be explained by the love and devotion I felt from seeing it on 12,000 wet and beautiful faces.

The artwork to the right is by Connie on DeviantArt titled "Dancing in the Rain" and this is her description of the artwork in reference to the Cultural Celebration:

Singing in the Rain

When Mormons dedicate a new temple, first they gather all the youth ages 12-18 in the district, and have them put on a cultural celebration for the prophet, honoring and expressing through music and dance the traditions and heritage of the land where the temple has been built.

Gilbert, AZ just got a beautiful new temple, and this evening was the cultural celebration.  I just watched about twelve thousand youth perform these numbers of mass choreography in the rain.  (Arizona.  Ha!  What are the odds?)  What a bunch of troopers!  Agh.  Everybody got muddy shoes and feet, costumes and props were sullied, eight-ish violins, a handful of guitars and some four hundred ukeleles might need some sweet-lovin' care tonight but dang.  Those kids sang and danced their hearts out.

And then Connie got an art-itch and actually made a speed-painting, and she is so happy about that.  

Way to go, Gilbert Temple District Youth!   

Soaked to the bone and smiling!

This artwork is also featured in a blog post from the Stake Chair/Producers for the Gilbert Temple Cultural Celebration. It contains images and words about that night and a message to the youth and puts my thoughts together more than I could have. There is also a video linked with the entire performance. Especially this excerpt:

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

Your hardships in practices, and the performance in bad weather, your presentation of testimony in this way to Jesus Christ will be historical and noted among the spirits.  I would not have felt as I did thru the entire program, had I not witnessed it in the rain. Your performance added something of such worth to the subsequent dedication of the temple. Those reading of it down thru the decades will add it to such accounts of other temples, and what it took to build, dedicate and attend them.   

As featured in Open Letter to the Youth of the Gilbert Temple Cultural Celebration – THANK YOU - Entry

The following day was the Dedication of the Gilbert Temple. Part II of this entry covering that wonderful experience will be posted tomorrow.  This entry alone conveys enough emotion and it's overwhelming, and it's only about half of what was experienced. 

Until tomorrow...

Cultural Celebration - Most likely from Practice Day February 22nd. Mikelle is spotted "Where's Waldo" style with the arrow! lol

 

Flashback Friday in a Forest

"A Forest" Copyright 2014 Jill Henrichsen

An abbreviated post for the Friday. Good news coming down the pike! Happenings at work for Chris show that the planets are aligned. 

We haven't broken ground yet on the house, but we're getting closer and closer. The bank of course is holding things up, but at least we're at this point in the process. We are looking into where we can rent because school starts the first week of August and I want the kids to have a clean transition and start school there, and the house won't be finished being built by then. I don't necessarily want to rent in a palace, but I'm hoping it's just a little bigger than our current house.

Anyway, "A Forest" is complete. If I mess with the color anymore, it'll turn into a muddy mess!

FLASHBACK FRIDAY

As promised, I hope to do one of these flashback posts once a week.

I'm pretty sure this is sometime in 1995. The Phoenix Zoo. Man, it was hard prying myself out of that turtle shell. I mean, that's an oyster shell! Haha! There's a picture of Chris goofing around in the turtle shell you can see behind me. I wonder where that picture is?

Phoenix Zoo - Age 20?

11 Years Later! Ugh...I was losing weight when this picture was taken, but I wasn't "there" yet. I love 2 year old Christian's chubby cheeks and I miss Mikelle at that age (2 months from turning 6). And I LOVE the way Chris looks in this picture!  Rawrrrrr.....

June 2006 - Durango, Colorado

Busy weekend ahead! Another trip over to Wickenburg, Mikelle has the Gilbert Temple Cultural Celebration, and the Gilbert Temple Dedication on Sunday!

What...the....What? In a Forest...

It has been a roller coaster ride of emotions lately. Can I just say, that if we make it through this house building process without me killing someone (or myself) or ending up in the nut house, it'll be a miracle. Therefore, if my blog posts completely stop, it's clear that one of those three likely occurred. Or at the very least, I'm in a padded room and not allowed around any sharp objects.
And if the house stuff isn't enough, there's day by day life "fun". Have you ever been in a situation with multiple parties ('people' being the parties - not the good kind of parties that have cake and pizza) that became uncomfortable and then hurtful, but in the beginning of the discomfort and hurt, if simple human COMMUNICATION was used from all parties involved, the level of hurt and anger would not have been anything close to the ridiculous calamity that it became? 


Seriously, if I'm not receiving the communication that I deserve as a member of the human race (this can be in any situation - home, family, friends, work, church, etc....) my overly stimulated creative mind begins to move into directions of possible reasons for that lack of communication, and that's not a good place for my head to be.  Trust me on this. 

Seriously, please communicate up front! This doesn't just apply to me. It applies to everyone!

And then... during all that, the weirdest surprise came out of left field. So I'm at church at Sunday and I'm in the little classroom about to start the lesson to my small group of 10-11 year old girls, and one of the counselors in the Stake* Presidency asks to see me for a second. 

*The STAKE is a group of wards and the Stake Presidency is over that group of wards. Think of it like a school district: The schools are the wards and the stake is the district office. 

He wants to see me? Remember what I said about my overly stimulated creative mind? So of course I'm thinking, Uh oh...what did I do now? Or worse... No, I do not want my husband in the bishopric... or even worse than that!.... I had to find Chris as the stake counselor wanted to speak with the both of us. Finding Chris took some doing and in addition, my poor 10-11 year old girls were left alone without a teacher.

I wish I could remember exactly how it was said, but basically, the counselor said to both of us that the Stake President felt that Chris and I should be able to attend the Gilbert Temple Dedication at the temple on Sunday, and would we be able to attend? 

(The Dedication is going to be broadcast to various satellite locations around the area due to amount of people...the temple itself couldn't possibly hold that many people for the dedication there on site, so only limited people would be able to attend at the temple)

Maybe my reaction sitting right there looked calm and collected as if he was just telling us about his day. However, inside we were both something like:

OR

OR

OR

OMG...isn't this baby so adorable? I want to gnaw on that face!

OR

Oh yeah right, as if I looked THAT good with my gobsmacked expression....lol

OR

I am still confused as to why we were extended this special invitation. I think President Monson is going to be there! Great, what stupid thing am I going to end up doing in front of him? Then again, there will still be quite a crowd at the temple, so maybe I can still hide in the back. And if you're reading this and thinking, "Those two get to go? THOSE TWO?" My response is:

"I know! Right?!"

I would love to know why we have received this amazing privilege. In fact, I want all the answers in life, and clearly, I know I won't receive all of them, or even some of them. Or I won't receive them in the time table I want. Therefore, I'll just be thankful to receive such a wonderful opportunity.  Plus, in this past decade since we've been in this stake, I haven't exactly made the Stake President's job very easy. But if he felt Chris and I should be able to attend, then he's obviously not holding any grudges or reservations even though I've been a real pain in the patootie on a few occasions. 

I try to remember these 7 rules (at right), but I fail miserably on most of them (right now, the #6 is my biggest offendee). Then I try again tomorrow.

Speaking of the temple dedication, the youth has been a part of HUGE Cultural Celebration they're preparing for. It's this Saturday and yes, President Monson will be there as well. Last weekend, Mikelle, as well as the rest of the youth were at an all-day practice preparing for it. There are over 12,000 youths in this region. Here are some pictures from that rehearsal day:

Mikelle's group is in the Dark Blue

Hot Dog Time

See Mikelle? She's in the Dark Blue. :-)

And from the sky! Amazing, isn't it?

ART UPDATE

Whole Skin with Keyboard

Her Custom Artwork from December 2012

Outer Skin Art

I haven't had an art update in a while. My awesome return customer who lives near Toronto wanted me to use the artwork I made for her back in 2012 and have a skin made for Mac Book Pro. These were the results. It's en route to her now, and I hope she loves it!

 
Regarding the image shown at left, I was challenged by a friend to mix certain art styles into a concept and I've been very frustrated with it. We'll see how it comes out, but at this point, it's one of those things that I'm just sick of dealing with!

Next, as I deal with finishing the above, I've been working on a piece called A Forest. I know I could have just done a fun design with trees, but music is such an influential part of me, that it just had to be a tribute to A Forest by The Cure.  I love the video to A Forest (click on link) because it shows a very young Robert Smith before he donned his trademark hair and make-up.  

I would have loved to include more Cure song tributes within the trees in "A Forest", but I had to limit to the obvious, and also "The Walk", "In Between Days", and a shout out to "Lullaby".  Otherwise, it would become to crowded.

"A Forest" Pre Make-up, if you will...

"A Forest" as the make-up application begins....

A video that is a great example to Robert Smith's look of the more well-known hair and make-up is this one, Just Like Heaven.

I would love to create a tribute piece to Just Like Heaven, but I'm still not sure how I would approach it. Remember that post some weeks back about favorite songs? I didn't really choose my official favorites then because there are too many. However, Just Like Heaven would be there for sure. If there was a soundtrack for how young love felt before reality, heartbreak, and arrogant elitist selfishness eventually succeeded in smashing it into a million pieces, it would be that one. 

However, I'm veering off the beaten path again and I have to focus! (that's a common problem I encounter when it comes to listening to too many Cure songs at once....)


Until next time...

Throwback Thursday

The overwhelming feeling with preparing for this move has splintered into other emotions, because I've been going through a lot of stuff in our garage while the weather is more permissible to do so. 

However, let me just get this out of the way NOW.... this Winter has been the biggest disappointment to us desert dwellers. 

While the rest of the country is being pelted with snow and a term that is being overused on all news outlets as "The Polar Vortex", Arizona didn't even get the memo to have our nice winter temps of the 60s with some clouds and rain. The other day it almost hit 90. That was depressing for February. No, that doesn't mean I want the "Polar Vortex". But having our regular winters would be nice.

Okay. I got that out of the way. 

I've been trying to work in the garage to organize, decide what can be donated or thrown out, and otherwise try not to feel too overwhelmed. I found where I stashed a lot of photos. It was no surprise to me that these pictures were pretty much 1990s and earlier. When I had Mikelle in 2000, it was as if anything that happened before then was forgotten. From 2000 on, it seemed every picture and every scrapbook layout and everything I carried with me, had to do with my children. That's great, and I'll always do that (they're adorable! What can I say?), but these "lost photos" need to be re-visited. No, I'm not going to post all of them. But I'll include some highlights. 

Plus, having them scanned in helps with record keeping (yes, pre-digital camera days! They did exist, and not very long ago. Kids, ask your parents....) and by having them in a Facebook album and blog entry here and there, it'll remind me of what needs to be done to continue to organize, document and make sense of it all.  I'm a "visual" person. Without visual reminders, I'll forget completely.

In 1996, Chris and I hiked the Havasupai Trail (that has the most beautiful waterfalls and places that the modern world should never touch! I love it down there!) with some co-workers of mine from Wells Fargo. I can't remember what month we went, but I think it was most likely in October. I had done the hike previously in 1989 just before high school. This 1996 trip was the second time I did the hike. It's been too long now, and I really want to do it again! Let's just say, if you plan to do it, obtain the CORRECT shoes. Common sense, right? Yeah, you'd think so! 

Havasupai Trail - 1996 (ages 21 and 26)

Jenny's Wedding
In August of 1996, my cousin was married in Salt Lake City. I was happy to grab, what was then a very affordable airline ticket, and head on up there. Plus, going somewhere where you can be outside in August and not die? Even better. 

My baby hunger is showing in these pictures below. I had been married almost 2 years when these were taken, but it was not time yet for us to have kids. First of all, I was only 21. I know I married young (19), but it didn't mean we needed to start having kids that young.  I knew we were going to wait quite awhile and I don't regret it for one second. But it didn't mean I didn't want to "steal" all the babies I could! I certainly did that with baby Alyssa!

My cousin Lori and I, with our cousin Jana's baby Alyssa. 8/2/96

Myself with my cousin Jana's baby Alyssa. 8/2/96

At the reception later that evening, with yes, baby Alyssa again. 8/2/96

Yes, I love Goats. I had them when I was little when we lived in Laveen. I miss having Goats.

1997
This photo on the left was taken 7 months later on a nice more wintery February day that Chris and I went to the Renaissance Festival east of town. I love the Renaissance Festival. I haven't gone for a few years. It's going on right now, as a matter of fact, but with this ridiculous warmer weather AND trying to get this house building started, I don't have any desire to head there this year. But I still love going there.

A couple of months after the goat loving (I know, that sounds so wrong...), Chris was able to pull off a surprise birthday party for me. He was acting rather strange right before (and so was my friend Hilary, now that I recall), but I seriously had no idea what was going on. It was pretty awesome. 

Chris and I and then Bruce and Liz. Bruce is doing what Bruce does. We should re-create this picture...

I don't know why my eyes look blue in that picture. I don't have blue eyes. I think they had the "red eye" effect and I tried to use a red eye pen that didn't quite work out well.

My high school friend, Randall, and my Rio Salado College, friend, Cassandra...I've lost touch with both of them! :-(

Mark Cherry and my friend Hilary

Omigosh...I can totally see Mikelle in my face in this picture...poor kid!

And to the left is a couple of weeks later....Hil and Jill on Mill! (Mill Avenue in Tempe, that is. And yes, it's Mark again!) What is up with the "Mom Jeans" I'm wearing?!

It's hard to believe that these pictures were 17 to 18 years ago. I admit I'm having a difficult time with how fast time seems to move forward.  In childhood, it seemed time moved slow and we had so much of it. Now, the same amount of time moves 3 times as fast, or at least that's how it feels. However, we are lucky to live in a time where we can remember things so easily with photos and videos.

My goal is to post something like this every Thursday or Friday. Because if I miss Throwback Thursday, there is always Flashback Friday. Or, if I'm really on the ball, there may be Way-back Wednesday.

Until next time...