It was a bit busy getting off, as travel always is, but it was worth every stress, every penny (or pence), and every worry. The temple is always worth it.
We left the Centre this morning at 6:50 and I miraculously made it out of my room without waking anyone up. Apparently they were a bit concerned that I wasn't there and that I'd made my bed all before seven o'clock. They figured it out though, no worries.
As for my part, I bought a train ticket that I didn't use correctly which ultimately resulted in me being charged an extra 1.30 pounds. But it's all good. My ticket wasn't that expensive. :)
When the taxi dropped us off at the temple I couldn't help but smile. We were here! I'd finally made it to the temple! Whatever else happened, I made it to the temple. And that is a wonderful thing.
Our appointment was at ten and we had about forty-five minutes to spare when we got there, so we went to the visitor's center. There was a senior missionary couple working there and they were the happiest people I've met in a while. They were so excited to see us (they didn't have any appointments for that day so they thought nobody would come) and we chatted for some time. Then the sister missionaries joined us and talked about how much they love their mission and how we should all think about serving. It's nice to see missionaries who love what they do so much. Missionaries are wonderful.
As soon as I walked into the Visitor's Center I was enveloped with peace. I knew I missed going to the temple often, but I hadn't realized just how intense that missing-of-it was until I found the peace that only the temple can bring once more.
I am so thankful that I live so close to the temple back home. In fact, I live next to several and I don't think I've ever fully realized what an enormous blessing that is. I hope not to take it for granted again.
The temple itself was beautiful inside and out (the grounds were magnificent). Because it's a smaller temple and it wasn't busy, we had a devotional of sorts before doing any baptisms. We sang "I Believe in Christ," one of the girls prayed, and another gave a brief spiritual thought. It was nice being able to get into the right mindset before the baptisms. I love that I was given that opportunity to serve.
After we had all changed back into our church clothes we were shown the restaurant and were invited to come back at noon (forty minutes from when we were done) if we were hungry. We took them up on the offer and I was glad we did.
In the in-between time we went out and sat on the grass, chatted, and most of the girls fell asleep. Shelby and I got up and wandered around the grounds, and I loved every minute of it.
This trip took all day, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. The temple is always worth it.
The temple group. Dr. Durham began referring to us as "The Templars." From left to right: Me, Amy, Lauren, Shelby, Claire, Gabby, Hannah
The London Temple
And me. The sun was really harsh, but it's a memory :)
Rhododendron bushes. I can't ever remember the name of these. . . I know what they are, I've read about them, and every time I read the word it resembles something like, "rodendron" or "rohedron." Struggles.
Some of the grounds. There were ponds, bridges, so many trees, and a rhododendron forest.
I spy with my little eye the happiest place.
Shelby found a bench in one corner of the grounds. I don't think we made it all the way through them.
Rhododendron bushes (just so you know, I looked up the flower so I could spell it correctly and then I just copied and pasted. So I still have no idea how it's really spelled).
Oh. So it was approximately one million and three degrees today and we're on the top floor of the Centre. Without air conditioning. For reasons not entirely clear to me we've only been using one fan this whole time, but today we couldn't take that anymore. So we opened the door (which we were told not to do because an alarm would sound. . . it didn't) and turned both fans on. And then Kenna found a bit of peace.
And that was today. I have a final tomorrow morning, and I have to finish the last assignment for Dr. Talbot's class, but then I'll be done. And I'm done with studying so. . . here goes nothing. Wish me luck!
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