When Leticia received her mission call back in September, she announced her goal was to attend every temple in Utah before reporting to the MTC. I heard this and "thought what a fantastic goal Teesh, you go for it girl". I suggested she get on it as that was a doable but challenging goal. She agreed. A few dates were selected for different temples and I was lucky enough to go to the first few. In fact, many of the Hansen Clan joined in, that was extra special. Love Family Support
Leticia received her endowments on October 18th, in the Ogden Temple. She asked me to be her escort. What an honor! I must say being in the temple with Teesh is the cream on top of motherhood. I was on cloud nine the entire evening. I did not document (through pictures) the first few temples but after Ogden, we went to Jordan River, Bountiful, Oquirrh Mountain, and Brigham City. It was beautiful on so many levels. I loved helping Teesh in the temple. Oh, just a little glimpse of what life will be like in Heaven surrounded by all my loved ones.
Life got in the way and a few weeks went by without getting some of those long distance temples attended. Honestly, with only 2 weeks to the farewell I said good bye to the dream of attending all temples. This was not Teesh's plan though. She got on google maps and planned out the trip. She asked Grandma Hansen to accompany her to St. George. Kathleen agreed and I thought, whew, it will still happen.
The plans were made and phone calls were placed and the weekend before the farewell Teesh would hit the road and head South. Par for course Grandma bailed and Corby rearranged his work schedule and Teesh and I hit the road. We first made it to the Mt. Timp. Temple. We did baptisms, super fun. Then we headed to Manti and did initiatory work for the names we just baptized. We got to see the famous staircase.
We jumped in Henry and tried our very hardest to get to St. George before it closed. The drive was a little over 3 hours and we missed the temple by 20 minutes. It was OK. We were able to get dinner and visit with Allie, a friend of ours. Allie and her husband shared lots of their life experiences with us and fed us a little treat of ice cream. Just a little tender mercy for Teesh since ice cream is her fav.
We had to wake up at 5:45 to be ready to leave and get to St. George Temple. Allie and her husband got up and made french toast, bacon, and scrambled eggs. Are you kidding me? So nice and so early to serve us. Not necessary at all, but so appreciated. Allie hugged Teesh and said she could tell Teesh will be an amazing missionary. I couldn't agree more.
The theme for all our temple visits was "Wow, we have never been this busy, I am sorry it will be a little bit of a wait." I laughed when we heard that over and over. Maybe the Lord knows this momma needed more time to sit and enjoy the influence of the temple with Teesh. Seriously so priceless and so worth the wait each time we were told that.
After the St. George Temple, we headed to Monticello Temple. It was a 6.5 hour drive from St. George. The view was breathtaking. The company couldn't be beat. and the weather cooperated. It was picture perfect. Lots of these photos don't do the view justice. It was so gorgeous.
We arrived an hour earlier than our appointment at the Monticello Temple. With the temple being a small temple, it isn't crowded or heavily staffed. We were early but we almost couldn't get in early because one of the temple workers was experiencing low blood sugar. But orange juice did the trick an we were able to get started, whew!
Teesh laughed her silly head off with this shot. While she was getting stuff out of the car, I volunteered to take the picture. Well, apparently her camera was a lag shot because it took the ground instead of the temple. She insisted I upload this for memory.
We decided to head back to Moab for dinner before heading home. I was driving along, we were singing with Josh Groben, enjoying the scenery, and bam a truck flips a uey and tuns his lights on. I told Teesh, shoot I am going to get a speeding ticket. Sure enough, the cop pulled me over and said I was going 79 in a 65. I told him I thought my speedometer was off by 5 or so and really thought I was only 7 over the speed limit. He took my registration and license. I told Teesh, "visualize him only giving me a warning". In my heart I knew I would get a ticket, I have NEVER been given a warning.
When the officer came back he asked where I was going. We told him and he said I am only going to give you a warning but you really need to slow down. He said don't trust your speedometer and have a great day. Amazing! I did it. I visualized what I wanted. My mentoring class is working on so many levels. I never went more than 3 above the speed the entire drive home. Even Semi's passed me but I did not care.
We found a great little restaurant to eat dinner/lunch. We did not take time to eat after our french toast breakfast at 6:30. The food was delicious. Look at Teesh, she is glowing. What a priceless experience this has been. I am so grateful Grandma was unable to fulfill her commitment and I could go. I love you Teesh to the moon and back.
Teesh ate a pulled pork BBQ sandwich with amazing bread. It was so delish. I got the salmon dish with rice pilaf and steamed vegetables. The vegetables were the strangest combo ever, hash browns, zucchini, yellow squash, carrots and celery. It was yummy, just a bit strange. We split our dishes so it was a win/win for us both.
I am getting old in my eyes. I don't know if its the fact I drove over 1000 miles in a 30 hour window or if Henry's headlights need adjusting but the last little bit of driving was scary. I couldn't see on the two lane roads. The headlights coming to me were blinding and I started freaking out. Teesh patiently put up with my craziness and gently and calmly kept me on the road. She offered to drive and I should have let her but I didn't have a place to pull over. Teesh deserves a medal for all she endures from me. We got home and Corby gave me a massage for my tensed up body. We arrived home by 9:30. We made it alive. Win Win
On Wednesday, we were able to drop Ada off to school and head to the Draper Temple.
This Temple had such a calm feeling in it for me. I don't know what it was but while we waited for the extra busy day I just pondered on the love my Heavenly Father has for me and all his children. I felt his loving arms around me. I know he knows my heart and as it is so so heavy he is here for me. So many tender mercies! My Heavenly Father knows me, He knows you, He loves us with a love that is not understood by us as mortals. I am not alone. I am good enough. I am his literal daughter.
Friday, we headed to Vernal. It was a 3 hour drive and it was just so fun. Malia invited her friend Sarah. I loved listening to giggles and laughter the entire drive. Malia and Teesh are so close and I love seeing my daughters develop close relationships. We went to dinner and then went to the temple. It was so fun because the temple worker that helped Teesh had recently returned from a mission in the Philippines. See how the Lord works. She told Teesh some great info about the Philippines and I know it calmed Teesh's soul. Misty was a superhero and kept my Littles all day so this trip could happen. Boy, do I have a great group of friends I can rely on. Blessed through and through.
On Tuesday, my parents came to stay. They offered to take Ada to school so Teesh and I could head to Logan for our final temple. See blessing every turn. The Logan temple had been closed and this was the first day open so shocking it was extra busy ;) We hurried to get home because we had dinner, dance and set apart appointments.
As we walked out, I got teary eyed. I can't believe this goal has been completed. I am so fortunate that I attended every temple with Teesh except the Brigham City and Salt Lake.
Teesh went to Salt Lake with Corby, my parents and a few other family members. The memories that were created in the journey will forever be cherished. I loved the temple but now I truly love the temple for oh so many other reasons.
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