With the new Oquirrh Mountain Temple recently completed and the fact that our stake is part of the new temple district, it means that we’ve had the opportunity to provide service for the temple open house. There’s lots of different assignments available, but a couple weeks ago I got the opportunity to do security. This mostly consisted of just standing around and making sure nothing “went down”, but it was a unique opportunity to stroll around the temple grounds after dark by myself. I had the 7pm – 11pm shift so I was there for the last hour of public tours and then for a couple hours after that.

While the temple was open I got to stand just outside the front doors near the fountain and watch all the people go by as they started their tour. After they were done with the tour, they’d all tend to come and stand around the fountain and take pictures so it got a little busy, but I just stood around and smiled to everyone as they passed. As I was standing near the fountain I looked up several times to gaze at the temple and on one of these occasions I actually saw a dove lift off from the south side of the spire, fly a complete circuit of the temple grounds and then land back atop the north side of the spire. My immediate thought was “no way that just happened…” and I spent the next 10 minutes trying to spot it again, but it had apparently either nested down or flew off in another direction. Either way it was pretty cool though.

After the public was ushered off the temple grounds, I got to walk around for another couple hours and just keep an eye on the place. I walked around the open house tents and spent a lot of time just looking towards the temple as the lights began to come on and bathe it in a soft white glow. It seems crazy how most of the time we go to the temple it’s always a rush to get there on time and then you have to rush home to get the kids and that’s when you even find the time to go. So it was a unique treat to be able to just stroll around the temple grounds and enjoy the spirit (and I even snapped a couple cruddy pictures with my phone). I’m sure I won’t have that chance again anytime soon (if ever), but I’m glad I got the opportunity to serve.

So I’m a slacker and haven’t posted anything for over a month, but I thought I’d say congratulations to Mallory on her pre-school graduation. She actually graduated on May 20th so I’m a bit late, but better late than never, right? Anyway, they had a fun performance for their graduation ceremony where they got to sing all the songs they learned for us parents. Then each of the kids got to go up to the front of the stage and receive their diploma in their caps.

Mallory is a very smart girl and she enjoyed pre-school. She can be a bit stubborn at times, but hopefully that will be to her advantage as she grows up. She’s very excited for kindergarten and I can’t believe she’s already 5.

Congratulations Mallory!!!