Utah in October

In October we went to Utah to receive three days of training for our new callings as Nashville Temple President and Matron.  Our temple president’s seminar took place in the Salt Lake Temple and our meals were all on Temple Square, with our hotel a short walk away.

 

The seminar was an incredible experience that we will never forget.  We were able to receive instruction from each member of the First Presidency, several Apostles, and members of the Seventy and Temple Department.  A highlight was going on a temple session with the other 52 new Temple Presidents and Matrons.  It was truly a special spiritual experience.  We came back to Tennessee feeling better prepared for our new callings. 

We spent most our time attending the seminar, but we were able to squeeze in many other things: 

--Visit to Syracuse to see Russ’s sisters and various family members

--Cristy Valentine took us on a personal tour of President Monson’s office

--Lunch with Joel and Jenica in downtown Salt Lake City

--Dinner with Sharlene's cousins: Paul and Bonnie Oscarson, Judith Nielsen, Bob and Chris Brown, followed by visiting and dessert at Oscarson’s home

--Taking care of Andrew and Sam while their parents were in Arizona where Brad received his second Regional Emmy.

--Shopping in City Creek and the BYU Bookstore

--Delicious home-made breakfast at Sue and Ramon Sanft’s

--Picnic at Olympic Park with Cara and Will Dahlquist’s family, Randy Thorpe, Zach and Aunalisa Thorpe, Angela Christensen and family, Allie Sexton, Eric and Heidi Thorpe’s family, Joel and Jenica’s family, Brad and Susan’s family.  All braved the cold.

--Visiting the Lehi Barbers

--Visiting the Provo Barbers including lunch in the Harris Fine Arts building with Brad

--Visiting an old friend from Knoxville (Mike Gibson)

--Visiting Provo Bakery, the building of the new Provo Temple, BYU campus, etc.

--Celebrated Sam's 4th Birthday

 

 

Our welcome gifts & seminar packets at the Hotel Raddison

The Tabernacle Choir sang for us

Handcart Statue

Lunch with the Griffins

Lunch at the Church Office Building



Salt Lake Temple



On Campus with Brad



Cousins Allie and Ashley



Picnic at Olympic Park

Russ with Angy and Christian



Eric and Heidi Thorpe and boys



Sam, Spencer, and Lincoln



Susan, Angy, and Jenica



Allie, Cara, and baby Connor

Go BYU!!



Jonah, Hale, Koen, & Silas in Lehi

Happy 4th Birthday, Sam!



Home-grown pumpkins

 



Table cloth crocheted by Elaine gifted to us on this trip