Redlands, California
116th operating temple
Dedicated: 14 Sept 2003
By: Gordon B. Hinckley
Jesus Christ, Second Coming
Isaiah 45:23
I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Book of Mormon
Alma 7:14-27
"Come Follow Me"
Judges 2:13 Who were Baal and Ashtaroth? Judges 6
AprGenCon
"Come Into the Fold of God"
Elder Randy D. Funk
Of the Seventy
Alma's baptismal covenant invitation to those gathered at the Waters of Mormon begins with this phrase: "Now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God."
A fold, or sheepfold, is a large enclosure, often constructed with stone wall, where the sheep are protected at night. It has only one opening. At the end of the day, the shepherd calls the sheep. They know his voice, and through the gate they enter the safety of the fold.
We left for our temple shift at 5:30 this morning. Our goal was to leave by 5:20. We still made it in plenty of time for preparation meeting. President and Sister Perkins are presiding today. President Perkins is very soft spoken. I remember President Seaman saying one time that he is the humblest man that he knows. He seems very kind.
We were short-handed today and it was a very busy day. All three endowment sessions were full, there were sealings and several own endowees. I am not sure who all works our shift anymore but I have not seen Sister Kayla Whiting, Sister Crandall, or Sister Cochran for a long time.
I was the first follower in the 9:30 session. We had two own endowees in this session, a brother and a sister. I was the presenter for 8 sisters at the veil. President Van Winkle was our receiver. I know him because he was in the stake presidency when we were in the Show Low stake.
The Hamblin's are such awesome coordinators. Today they allowed the Cureton's to go home early. The Cureton's live on the other side of Williams and it takes about two and a half hours for them to get here.
When I was working in initiatory I asked one of the sisters where she was from. She said, California and then she added: "Wherever I am, I always go to my temple." I loved this.
Here are some of the sisters and brothers I worked with today: The Hamblin's, the Elmer's, the Reidhead's, the Cureton's, Sis Darolyn DeWitt, Sister Wilkins, Sister Neff, Brother Nichols, Cory Webb, the Scotts' who are subbing in the baptistry for the Frei's who are camping near Vernon with their grandchildren. The Willis's who are subs. Kerry Ballard, an old friend from high school who works on the afternoon shift came over and spoke to me this afternoon before his shift started. He said his granddaughter graduated from Snowflake High School this week and he attended her graduation. He said our pictures were still up on the wall in the gym. I asked him what he meant and he said they have been up there since we graduated. I guess they put up the graduating classes photos for all to see. I feel sad for Kerry. He has skin cancer and his face is very scarred. He has very little hair, just a few long strands randomly on his head.
On the way home we stopped at Sonic, got a hamburger and shared it on the way home. James complained of a stomachache. He is not feeling very well. When we get home he goes straight into the bedroom to take a nap. I settle in to the recliner in the family room.
After an hour or so, James came out of the bedroom and announced that he was going to go to the hospital emergency room. He said his stomach was bloated and it was very tender to the touch and he was miserable. I told him that if he was going, I was going too. I went into the bedroom and got ready to go. I drove because James was so uncomfortable that he did not feel like driving. We arrived at the hospital and got James registered and then we had to sit and waiting for almost an hour. He was finally called back and assigned a room, Room 11. A P.A. came in and asked him several questions as James laid on a very uncomfortable bed. While we were waiting for someone to come in and give James some pain meds, the phlebotomist came in and drew some blood. She did not seem very proficient and I was a little worried. Someone had to come in and help her enter the information into the hospital computer. I left at this time to go wash my car. I went across the street to Circle K and bought the $15 wash. James would not approve but I want my car to be clean when I go to the valley on Monday. I also went to Walmart and got some snacks to take with me on Monday since I am driving down by myself. All this, of course, is based on the fact that James will be okay and they will be able to help him get over this pain.
When I returned to the hospital, he had an IV and he seemed so much happier. They had given him some pain meds and they definitely worked. They did a CT scan and while they were gone the kids were asking me how he was doing. I did not know how to explain what was going on so I asked James. This is what he said:
The swelling from the ulcer caused by the radiation treatments for cancer, caused an obstruction that trapped gas in his system, which caused serious pain. The pain killer allowed him to relax and everything is back to normal and he can go home.
What a relief, in more ways than one.
It was around 11:30 when we settled in to bed. I could not sleep. I got up and went to the recliner in the family room but I couldn't sleep there either. I was pretty miserable most of the night. I read some of the history of the Basha family in Arizona. I read an article about The Ostrich where Jared Ammon works. The author interviewed Jared and it was interesting to read his answers regarding why he likes being a bartender. I listened to the song "More" which James and I call our song. I listened to Nathan Pacheco and I also watched a movie all designed to help me fall asleep. I also listened to Bobby Vinton's love songs and it reminded me of when I was in high school. I finally got a couple of hours sleep before it was time to get up.
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Lola and Ivy
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Lola and Minnie
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Polaris
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