kansas city

With a Mormon running for President of the United States this year, it seems like news outlets and media sources are all about Mormons lately.

I like to read what people are saying about my religion - I usually find myself shaking my head in disagreement, laughing at how far-fetched portrayals are, or feel my face flushing of embarrassment for something "one of those Mormons" did. But rarely, am I compelled to share any of those stories.

{via}

But this morning, I was reading about the recently dedicated temple in Kansas City, Missouri. I love new temples. I believe my love for temples stemmed from, in part, Gordon B. Hinckley as the prophet of my youth. He [along with my parents] helped instill the reverent, sacred respect for temples in my young soul, as well as curing my excitement for each temple, new and old. And, as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I found the timing and location of this most recent temple dedication quite interesting. [Members of the Church were run out of Missouri in the early years, so a temple dedicated in such a place was amusing to me.]

I found an article written about the open house of the Kansas City temple that was super intriguing. An Episcopal Priest was invited to the open house and wrote her review of the experience. It's a super interesting article.


A Female Episcopal Priest Visits a Mormon Temple

Read it.

elder bash

I'm a few days late in posting this, but over the weekend, Bryson opened his mission call!

On Saturday morning, Brans and I drove up to Logan to pick Bryson up and bring him home for the weekend. He's been up at Utah State going to school, and needed a ride home so he could open that big white envelope. He was so excited and antsy - it was fun to see his enthusiasm.

We got home and gathered in the front room. We all had varying guesses, but no one even came close to where he was called.

(I apologize for the crappy cell phone pictures...)

Bash was so cute - as soon as he opened the letter, he covered over each line so he couldn't cheat. And he read word by word...

You can see his face light up when he read the call...

MICRONESIA GUAM!

Micronesia

Guam

We were all so excited! Tears and laughter filled the room.
My mom literally jumped when he read "Guam." It was quite a shock. But a good shock. A peaceful shock. A shock that felt... right.

There were some tender moments afterward, when I think the magnitude of what and where sank in. The Spirit was strong. It's moments like these that are some of my most favorite family memories.

I'm so grateful for my family. I know I say it a lot... but each time I say it, I mean it more and more. They are the best. My family is the very best. I love them so much!

Bash is going to be an extraordinary missionary. He's so prepared. And so worthy. The people on the Islands of Guam and Micronesia are going to be so blessed to have him serve them for two years.