Sunday Morning

It's chill, it's cool.

In things worth note.

GrandmaH and GrandpaH have set a goal to attend every temple in Utah- there are currently seventeen- and to make this happen, we're having a family temple day on the third Saturday of every month. Everyone who can come is invited. So yesterday was the first go, and we went to the Provo City Center Temple. GrandmaH and GrandpaH were of course there, and Est and Zap came to do baptisms and hang out, big brother and I also made it for the session, and we were joined by our cousin Cer and his girlfriend Ver.

Provo City Center is new- opened while I was on my mission, and I'd never been, and WOW is it gorgeous. I love being in the house of the Lord.

And it was extra special to me to be going through with people I love and care about so much. What was particularly interesting for me this time was things I've learned in my German culture and history class and in my Book of Mormon class that really coloured my temple experience. I'm learning to think so much more deeply about everything that happens, everything I learn, to look for symbolism in it all. I have so much to learn.

And a cool thought from my Book of Mormon teacher. He told us a story of attending a sealing, how they were waiting on the sealer, and he was looking around thinking how beautiful it all was, then the sealer walked in and said, "Brothers and sisters, welcome to the temple."

He went on to explain how he'd recently been back to visit the Holy Land, and briefly shared some of his experiences. "It is a holy thing to walk where Jesus walked," he said, "but it is a holier thing to walk where He walks."

"Brothers and sisters, welcome to the temple."




I've been thinking about that all week. And it was wonderful to be in the temple.

We finished up the day with lunch at a great pizza place, TwoJack's (10/10, would recommend), where we were joined by our cousin Taw and her year-old baby Saw. That brought the party up to 10, and it was just a good old time. We ended up discussing funny stories about spicy things that we'd experienced, mostly from the mission. My brother went to Mexico, where EVERYTHING is spicy, Cer went to Russia, where nothing is, my Germany is likewise, and Ver was just glad she'd been in Colorado where such spicy things didn't happen. Est had a really good one that involved her little brother Set and a spicy chicken wings challenge. I just love my cousins so much, and it is so wonderful to spend time with them.

After parting ways, I dragged the brother, Zap, and Est, on a thrift shopping adventure with me, as I was searching the perfect articles of clothing to make up a Halloween costume of Sophie, from Howl's Moving Castle. Studio Ghibli is my favourite. This costume is important because I actually have things to wear it for- a work party, a concert my sister is in, Halloween itself. I'm stoked.

In other things, Est and our roommate Mel, started this club, Barnacle Cobra, a while ago, where once a week we eat dinner in the elevator in our residence hall. This week, as part of our efforts to introduce Mel to the wonders of Studio Ghibli (we did Howl's Moving Castle at Aunt Jo and Uncle Ro's house a few weeks ago), we added a movie to our elevator dinner- Whisper of the Heart. Zap also joined us- it was a regular party. We finished the film back in our apartment, but MAN, do I love Whisper of the Heart. It is, quite possibly, the cutest movie in the world.

Also, I got a calling this week- I should be sustained and set apart today, and I'm super excited. Also, church starts in two hours and I haven't eaten breakfast or got dressed yet, so I should maybe get a move on.

Bis spaeter!