Temple Open House experiences

Hi,
We just served the 2nd day at the Twin Falls Temple Open House.
I want to share some of the experiences that have happened.
Last Saturday, Our area had our first baptism from the open house of the Temple. There are a few more scheduled in the next few weeks.
One of the best stories just happened last week. There was a family visiting the Carthage jail and the Nauvoo Temple grounds. They are not members. They wanted to see inside the Temple and asked if there was any way that they could see the inside of the Temple without being members. They were told that during an Open House was the only time. This family asked if there was an Open House going on right now. Of course they were told about the Twin Falls Temple. They had never even heard of Twin Falls, Idaho. Needless to say, they made the trip out to Idaho last week. They went thru the Temple and asked if they could go thru again the same day. This time, Elder Brent Nielson (of the area seventy) took this family thru on a special tour.
This family was so impressed that they have made arrangements for the Missionaries to meet with them when they get back home.
Just this morning, Elder Nielson said that another neat situation happened. He had known the man-member for a long time. His dad and step-mom came to the Open House. Apparently, the younger man is a convert. His parents were not one bit happy about their son joining the Mormon Church. When the parents came, the mother was mad because she came to see the Temple- not that other church house also. I gathered she was throwing a fit. Anyhow, Elder Nielson was asked to take them on a personal tour also. It was at the end of the day and he could take as long as needed. He said that before they finished, the mother's attitude had softened deeply. She happened to be the mother-in-law of a friend's daughter. Therefore, I got the rest of the story. The mother-in-law called and said how grateful she was for this experience.
Yesterday, we had 20 self referrals. I believe that maybe we saw one of them. We had taken one of the gals that Rick Home Teaches. (His partner went with us.) I was watching this one particular man during the tour. He was "drinking in" everything. He purposely was the last one out of each room. As we were getting ready to leave sealing room, I asked him if he noticed the mirrors. (The tour guides did not bring that to our attention.) The man seemed impressed. Then as we were in the hosting center again, he was just about the last one. I visited with the Sister Missionary. I told her that he seemed very interested. She said she would visit with him. We were probably there for about 20 minutes. The 2 of them were still visiting as we left.
One of the first stories that I heard was about a family from Sweden that was visiting Sun Valley. They read in the paper that the Open House was going on and decided to come on down. Their native language isn't English. They did speak English, but preferred to have the tour in their own language. Luckily, someone that was helping with ushering that day had been on a mission in their area. He was their personal tour guide translator. All of us know that Heavenly Father had a hand in that happening.
I am so excited for our Temple to open.
I may not get to serve at the next scheduled Open House for our Stake, because I may be back to work. Other years, I would already be back to work. This year-work is starting late. I know that's just because Heavenly Father knows that I needed the time off to serve at the Open House. I need a few more days off between now and when it opens. I'm going on faith that a way will be provided that I can do what is asked off me and also work.

Listening to the promptings of the Spirit.

I need to share with you a neat experience. About a month ago when I was at the Temple, the session had just started. I got an inspiration from the Spirit. It was that Rick's Grandpa Todd wanted his Temple work finished-and if we get his work done, it will get Rick's Dad baptized. I first thought it was just my wishful thinking, but I asked Heavenly Father to help me shake the feeling if it was wrong. I could not shake this feeling. Thru out the session and all thru the Iniatory Session, I still had this feeling. When I got home, I asked Rick if his sister & her husband had finished the work. (They had said they were going to.) Rick didn't know. The next weekend, Terry was visiting. I asked her. She said they had not got around to finishing the work. Well, this last Saturday, they finished the work. They had Rick's grandparents sealed to each other. I was so excited about it, that I had to call Rick's folks. Rick's Dad answered the phone. He was o.k. with this. Most of the work had already been done on his grandma but only the baptisim on his Grandpa. So, Rick's siter and her husband really had a great day. Rick's dad is the only child. I'm sure his grandparents are anxiously waiting for Melvin to decide to be baptized. Melvin basically is a member. He supports us in everything. He lives the life of a member, but feels responsibility to his church. I think when they all die off-which is happening-he will decide to be baptized. Then, he won't feel a responsibility to them anymore.

(The picture is Rick's grandparents and his dad. George & Pearl Todd and Melvin Todd.)

Check out my Slide Show!

How we celebrated the 4th of July.

We had a picnic with Mom (Grandma Bodily) and the twins on the Monday before the 4th. She didn't want to be around the crowds. She thought it would be easier. We met at Niagra Springs about 1/2 way between Jerome and Buhl. It really is nice. A lot nicer than the last time we were there. Mom really enjoyed being outside and hearing the sounds of nature-birds, water flowing, etc. Ric & I and the twins played 2 games of sling ball while Mom watched.
Then on the 4th, Grant treated us to a float trip down the river near Hagerman. He wanted to take us up near Yellowstone, but we couldn't afford the extra gas. He said that river would have had rapids or about 3 miles solid-level 3. That would have been extremely fun. We still enjoyed the float trip. It had some fun times and a long, slow area also. It finished up with rapids. During the fun times, James was smiling from ear to ear. We packed a lunch and stopped about 1/2 way during the float to eat.
James absolutely loves Uncle Rick. They stayed the afternoon and early evening. We BBQ'd steaks and finshed off the potato salad. Thanks Grant for treating us to a fun day. (It was a lot more fun than the usual boring parade that Buhl provides.)

Our viewing of the Temple

Well, we were able to see the inside of the Temple on the 29th of June. It was actually a practice session for the tour guides. Since Diane is an officiator, we were included. It's very plain-compared to many Temples. It has the prettiest chandelier that I've ever seen. (It was neat going into the Celestial Room. The tour guide didn't speak in here. He just let everyone "drink in" the feeling.) It has the largest Sealing Room in a Temple that the church has. It has seating for either 70 or 75-with enough extra space for approxiamatley 30 more chairs.
We will be ushers for the Open House on the 14th and 30th of July and also on the 8th of August. We will serve for about 3-4 hours each day. We are not sure what we will be doing or what time.