Temple Trip

Every six months the missionaries are able to make a chaperoned trip to the Manhattan temple.  There are two senior missionaries couples who serve as chaperons and we are blessed to be one of the two.  We had been looking forward to this experience for some time.

We all met at 10:00 at the mission office, some missionaries traveling since 6:30 am.  That meant getting up at 4:30 to start their journey by car, train, or bus.

At 10:00, we all met in a conference room to have a short devotional and then enjoy fresh New York bagels.  What a treat.  There is something about a New York bagels...never again Einstein or Costco bagels!

We all bundled up and walked to the subway, which was about 4 blocks away.  It was very cold and windy and felt good once we were inside the subway station. What  marvel traveling by subway.  After riding on the subway for about one hours, we disembarked and waked to a train station.  We rode the train for about 20 minutes.

It was amazing when we climbed the stairs and looked in front of us and there was the temple.  So beautiful.

The amazing part of the journey was the transformation inside the subway car. Looking around the car when we first got on, we saw people with their heads down; not a smile to be found.  And then, the missionaries began talking to people.  The spirit of the car changed!  We saw smiles and heard conversations. We saw who the people were...children of our Heavenly Father.  The missionaries spoke in all different language, English, Spanish, Chinese, and sign language.  The missionaries are righteous young men and women who are doing the Lord's work.  They are an example of what we should all strive to be.  They leave their carefree life behind and serve their Heavenly Father.  We are so blessed to be able to serve them!

The temple is simply beautiful.  It was wonderful to feel the excitment of the young missionaries as they entered the house of the Lord.  Each time we attend the temple, we know that the Lord's church is here upon the earth today.  We are so blessed to have the gospel and the love of our Heavenly Father.  Look around....how can anyone doubt that the earth was created for us?   We are here to be tested to see if we will follow His commandments and if we are worthy, we can live with Heavenly Father again?  The gospel is true!

Here are a few pictures:

I have to include this picture of Elder Duke, who was our fearless leader. We always knew where he was....can you guess why?