Gila Valley Temple

Last Saturday we were able to go and see AZ's 3rd temple, the Gila Valley Temple.
First of all the car ride was amazing!
The wildflowers were in bloom and I was enjoying the breathtaking scenery.
Wildflowers are beautiful wherever you go, but in the desert, their colors seem even more vibrant.
We are all about the DVD player when it comes to traveling in the car.
Since it was only about a 2 1/2 hour drive I didn't get any new DVDs because I figured they could handle the drive movie free if they really wanted to.
On the way to the temple, they chose to drive the old fashioned way.
Kate hitched a ride with the Ferrells.
Taylor and Jacob read books and then would share with each other the exciting parts.
Joshua looked out the window and pointed out everything to us.
I loved it when we were on the 2 way highway.  He watched ever car that passed us.
"There's a car.  And another car.  And another car."  the whole last 30 minutes of the drive.
Summer drew, napped, chit-chatted.
Looking at the desert mountains reminded me of all my drawings in first grade.
I would draw a brown mountain with cactus and little green bushes.

I was reminded of my 1st grade inspiration during the drive and shared that funny little memory with my kidos.

The temple was of course amazing!
My dad's company supplied the steel structures and they had a special open house for all the people and their families who contributed to the building of the temple.
It was neat to go with most of my extended family and share the experience.
Before we went inside the temple they showed us a DVD about the temple.
At the end Joshua loudly says-
"That was so cool!  Can we watch it again?"
I think he expressed what we all feel about the temple.
That was a great moment.
The inside of the temple is simple and beautiful.
It was such a sweet experience to go inside with my children and makes me excited for the day when they will be able to receive temple ordinances and make sacred covenants.
Summer loved the bridal room. 
Kate loved all the mirrors and she wanted to touch everything because it was so pretty.
Taylor and Jacob thought the chandeliers were cool.
Taylor also noticed a lot of symbols in the woodwork and on the walls, even on the outside gate.
Joshua asked jokingly if we could go swimming in the baptismal fountain and his eyes lit up in the celestial room.
I just loved the beauty and the spirit of it.

I am so grateful for temples on the earth and to know that my family can be together for eternity and return to live with our Heavenly Father and Savior again, means everything to me.
I feel blessed to live close to a temple and we are getting 2 more temples in the near future.
There is so much work to be done.
Saturday was such a special day and a great way to spend time together as a family.

I missed you Rachael, Andrew, Michelle, and Drew.  Whenever we get together as a family, I wonder where you all are.  Oh yeah-you're in UT.