Gilbert Temple Cornerstone Ceremony

So, Talin was the only one in our family who wasn't old enough to attend the actual Dedication of the Gilbert Temple.  Lafe decided to take him down there so he could be there for the Cornerstone Ceremony.  They left just after 6am (we live 2 min. away) to get a spot.

Dad and Talin, soon after they go there.

Talin by the Cornerstone

Because they were there so early, the workers let him help set up the platform for the ceremony.

 

He got to see the Prophet!!!!  He wasn't in the group of kids the Prophet talked to, but he was pretty close and could see him.

I'm so glad Lafe thought to do this for him.  We wanted him to have a memory of this amazing experience we have all had in watching the Temple be built.  I want him to remember seeing the Prophet and gain his own testimony that he is Heavenly Father's prophet on the earth today.

This is it! Gilbert Arizona Temple Cultural Celebration

The day was finally here!!!!!  All week long the weather forecast kept showing more and more chance of rain on Saturday………We live in Arizona - we don't usually have to plan for "in case it rains".  It hadn't rained since the very beginning of December!  When I checked on Thursday, I saw this:

99% chance of rain - are you sure you have the right place?  We NEVER see this!!!

It started raining about 3:00 in the morning, but stopped at about 7:00 and just threatened for a while.  It would sprinkle now and then, but didn't really rain.

All day long, we saw radar like this - see that hole?  That's where the kids were practicing.

So, all day long I'd get pictures from the kids' captains - it was so fun!  Lafe was down there ushering, too, so he sent me some.  Ethan's captain was…….well, a guy…….so I don't have any pictures of him.

Jamie's group waiting on the hill.
Corben, Jessica, Cheyenne, Kaylee, Audrey, Alex,
Jamie, Karter, Michelle (?)

Another one of Jamie's group

Erin's group on the hill
Erin, Ally, Ansley, Annalee...

At dinner time, Lafe sent me these two pictures.  One is facing north, the other is facing south.  Storm was going all around them - Mesa was getting hit hard!

Laura's group - cute girls!
Captain Kim Herring, Maddie, Katelynn, Katie
Hailey, Justyce, Lexie, Kenley, Autumn, Sophie, Laura

Justyce, Autumn, and Laura

Just getting there (not in order) - Jamie's group

Erin with our Stake's flag.  At the beginning, all 26 stakes had a flag and they marched them through and around the kids.

Dress Rehearsal - at the end all the kids went out with their Titles of Liberty and it was an AWESOME sight!!!

Lafe sent me this one - see the rainbow?

Our kids practicing - The Lucky Ones

Our region on the hill - there were six regions and we were dark green.

So, it started raining about 30-40 minutes before it was supposed to start.  It didn't' stop them at all!!!  It was pretty ironic performing about culture in Arizona and having it rain.  It was so neat to see these kids faces when the Prophet came and how excited they were to perform despite the rain.  They were so…….. valiant.  Somebody posted this on Facebook and I thought it was so neat - it's Captain Moroni with his Title of Liberty riding through the rain.

Someone captured the Temple that day like this!  My favorite is to see the Temple with dark clouds behind it.  It's so beautiful.

SOOOOOOOO grateful my kids could be a part of this!!!  I loved telling people I had four kids participating!!!  It was such a great experience I don't think they'll ever forget.  In case you want to watch it: http://youtu.be/quBKSbpqpUE

Look for Jamie in the Pioneer Scene - she's beating the rug in the back.  She's also in the choir for the soundtrack. :)