Sunshine In My Soul

Thankful {Day 7}....

Maybe I can get at least 15 days of "Thankfulness" this month. I have SO much to be grateful for! What I could really use is a bit more time, though. I know, I'm dreaming!

Today I'm thankful for photography and for the chance I had to do this...

Oh, and looky there...NO BRACES! I cannot even BEGIN to tell you how thankful I am to have those puppies off!

I felt like the luckiest girl on the planet to be invited to take pictures at the groundbreaking for the new Gilbert, AZ temple, to have front row seats, and a "back-stage" pass.

At choir last week, I overheard a group of sisters planning their visit to the groundbreaking for the temple. Their plan was to arrive at 7:00 in the morning, when the priesthood was to arrive to start setting up chairs, so that they could be as close to the front as possible. People stood in line a really long time, just to get a picture of their family with a large framed picture of the temple. They estimate that 7,500 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony.

As I was taking pictures, Elder Walker, a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy - who I didn't know, walked over to me, shook my hand, introduced himself, and asked if there was a certain picture that I'd like. I could hardly get the words out that I'd like a picture of him and Elder Costa, a member of the Presidency of the Seventy who was presiding at the meeting, together. He said, "Sure! Let me get him for you!"

And then Elder Costa and his wife posed for me...

I loved listening to President Garn, the President of the Mesa, AZ Temple, bear his tender testimony of the gospel...

Sister Walker was just as cute as could be...

Sister Costa shared some sweet experiences and stories about the temple...

And Elder Costa shared his powerful testimony, as well...

After the land was dedicated by Elder Costa, the shovels were passed out...

Maybe my favorite part of the day was when President Barney was invited to come and take a turn. Elder Costa looked down at their shovels and joked about how it was obvious that President Barney was a REAL worker, that he was ready to get something accomplished, and compared it to his shovel. Those close enough to hear him had a good laugh...

Once the local leaders - congressmen, mayors, local stake presidents, etc had each had a turn, Elder Costa invited this darling girl, who happened to remind me of my Little Miss, to take a turn and then let each and every person who wanted to have a turn, dig a bit with their a golden shovel...

I'm grateful that I was able to take pictures with my friend, Jacque, and to be so close to the general authorities of the church. The Spirit felt there was something I simply will never be able to forget!!!