Temple Open House - April 11, 2012

This past week was amazing and a little crazy at the same time. Wednesday was the highlight of the week because we got to go through the temple! We had our all sisters meeting on Wednesday to be trained about what we are to say in the church building when people come through and what we are in charge of doing. Elder Walker from the seventy came in and trained us, he is the executive director for all the temples! He is a really amazing person and a fun guy at the same time. He told us that Elder Holland will be coming with Pres Monson to dedicate the temple on May 6th!! Whoop! Then Pres Keyes told us that ALL of the missionaries in the mission get to participate in the cultural event the night before by singing Armies of Helaman as we walk into the big theater where the event will be!! It was so amazing because originally it was going to be those missionaries who lived close to the temple, but now it will be EVERYONE...even my far away friends Sister Dodd and Sister Hall who are serving in never never land Kansas can come! After he announced it, we sang the song and tears of joy streamed down many faces. What a fun and wonderful night that will be for all of us missionaries :)

Going through the temple was a surprise to all of us, the sisters not in visitor centers went through with Pres and Sis Keyes. I got to have my two sisters, Dodd and Hall by me and of course the lovely Sis Barnum through the temple. Walking into the temple, you see a stain glass window with a beautiful tree on it. The theme throughout the temple is the Olive Branch tree. The stairs have bronze like leafing on the railings and carved into the carpet is vines and flowers. My favorite part was the creation room. The mural on the wall was done in two parts, one side represented Kansas and the other Missouri. Before we went through the temple, I saw a picture of this room and I told Sister Barnum it looks like the Sperry's (who we live with) backyard! The moment I walked in, the spirit was so strong and amazing. I felt such a deep love for serving in this amazing mission, to have wonderful memories in Missouri and knowing that I am truly serving people and making a difference. A feeling of gratitude from that moment still rests in my heart. I cant use words to even explain that feeling. As we continued on, the celestial room was of course the most amazing place. Our mission president told us to look at the main chandelier because at the top, it looked like a crown....fitting for a queen and king. The spirit was incredible in the celestial room and it was the most beautiful celestial room I have ever been in. There is nothing more amazing that being back inside a temple. I have missed being in the temple! Its been over a year since I have had that amazing opportunity and I am so grateful to be a missionary here at this time.

Sadly the rest of the week was not so amazing, its were the crazy comes in. I had what I thought was allergies turn into the most waring cold I have had and it took over. We went out teaching on Thursday for 2 appts but had to go back home before I got anyone sick. Then home was where we stayed till Sunday for church and back home we went. We attempted to go out on Saturday but while walking up to an investigators house, I almost fainted. Luckily my companion was there to hold me up and we loaded up in the truck back to our house. Lucky for Sis Barnum, momma Sperry was home on Friday so she had someone to play with while I slept. Our Sunday was a fun day, the Sperry clan came up to play and it was a good time as I watched them all shoot some fun looking guns into their never ending property! They promised to take us shooting when we come back to visit...I can't wait!!

Yesterday, Monday, we had our first of many shifts at the temple! We work every Mon, Wed and Fri from 12-5pm in the cookie area answering questions or in the beginning where people come in and we turn on their movie for them. It was pretty fun and a little chaotic like most big events but so fun! At the end of our shift, I was talking to some sisters I haven't seen in awhile when I see Jodie and Todd Reid come from around the corner!!!!!!!!! My family from Odessa!!! It was the BEST surprise!!! They had NO idea that I was even working but they came through and I was SOOOO happy to see them!! Jodie's daughter is coming home from her mission next week which is so fun and Todd is still not baptized but I of course gave him a hard time about it like usual. I have missed them so much!! Aww I just love them :) It was fun answering questions for people and really seeing how some people had such a positive glow to them! I know that there will be many people who will join the church just because of the temple and I am excited to see who they all are...many missionaries will have lots of successes :)

It was a wonderful week and I am looking forward to another wonderful one :) Transfers are this week and the calls come tonight whether we will be staying or going....I am praying we both stay which I think will be happening. Thank you all for keeping me in your prayers and for your support!! I LOVE YOU ALL!!

Love

Sistaa Steph