Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission

August 31, 2014

We had a wonderful discussion with Diane on Thursday.  She has had so many deep questions that we wondered where was her faith.  She hangs on to doctrine that is hard for us to explain and may never understand ourselves until the afterlife.  So this week we were going to stop her in her tracks with these constant queries, but she told us she had been guided to this church and should be more believing.  She understands that she may not know all now but gaining knowledge is a lifelong process.  She still has issues but is certainly mellowing and speaks about baptism in a positive light.  It would be beyond our wildest dreams if she was baptized.  Definitely we would take a trip to New York to witness this tremendous event.  

 Below is an email we received from her on Friday which really touched us.

It's a lovely night here. Just came back from a late evening stroll. Took the time to relax and pray. My thoughts ran to you. Whatever I have become or will become is down, in very large part, to you. Your example inspires me to dig deeper and deeper. Your selflessness is divinely bestowed and I am truly blessed to have you as my guides on this overwhelming and life-changing journey which Heavenly Father has chosen for me. I love you!

The Costleys/Good Friends

We have had several friends visit the Square this week.  Our friends the Costleys came to the organ recital and then we had lunch with them.  Just a few weeks ago they left their mission in Puerto Rico.  How fun it was to see them again and our friendship remains constant over these many years.  Then on Friday our son-in-law’s mother and new husband visited us.  They were on their way home to California.

Ken, Dagmar, Mike, and Becky after "Music and the Spoken Word"

Serving on thirty-five acres can get a little claustrophobic for the sisters.  They long to visit a real home.  This week we had a zone meeting at Elder and Sister Howell’s house.  (They are our office couple.)  They are so willing to open up the door to their home so the sisters might experience a change from the routine and different scenery.  Elder Howell is a collector of everything and anything, so it was fun for them to play with his various items.

Becky and Kimm in front of the Ogden Temple

We had an opportunity this week to go to the Ogden Temple Open House with Becky.  The décor was simplistic and beautiful with dark wood and a green pallet.  The stained glass windows were amazing and complimented the whole structure.  We are excited to have this as our temple and look forward to attending regularly.