Delayed Photos

When Derek and I went to Washington, DC this last time Derek was a part of a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington at the tomb of the unknown soldier. It was an honor to be there and to watch and participate. Derek is this year's president of the Arizona Association of Counties, the other people with him are the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Vice Presidents, they will all take a turn as President. We went in March, but just received these photos.

Benefits of Having a Temple so close.

I want to tell some great experiences we've had since the The Gila Valley Temple has opened for sessions. The blessings of having a Temple so close:
1. A week ago today Jennie Lou woke up feeling like she should go to the Temple, I couldn't go I had some work to do in Duncan. The feeling kept nagging at her, then another thought came to her mind, about a deceased cousin she had done some research on and realized that none of her work had been done. She had stopped her work when she wasn't able to get her computer to print out the temple form. But that day it came to her clear, just go down to the family history center here in Safford. She did that and they were able to print her form. She called the Temple and asked when she could get her baptism done. They told her if she would come down right then she could do it herself. So she got ready and went and was baptized in her behalf. She said the she felt her cousin spirit so strong, that it was a very emotional time for her. With that done she thought, maybe I could go and get her endowment done. As she walked into the temple she remembered that she needed to have her iniatory work done first, but there wasn't much time before the session was going to start. She went to the iniatory place and they took her right in, then she did her endowment for her. Everything just clicked right into place, it was a banner day. With that work done, her cousin was ready to be sealed to her husband.
2. We had another one today. I had not been to a session in The Gila Valley Temple yet. So I decided today would be a good time to go. Jennie Lou asked if I would mind doing the iniatory work for the son of the cousin she had done the work for last week, I said sure. So I got ready and went down and was there when the Temple opened for the evening sessions. I got right in took the name of Stephen Carl McComas and while there I did 5 other names. I got out, rushed home picked up Jennie Lou and we made the 5:30 PM session. My name for the session was McComas, I did his endowment work. After our session we asked what would be the chance of doing the sealing for her cousin. We were in luck, they said we could do it. Jennie lou acted as proxy for her cousin and I acted as proxy for the husband and they were sealed. Then I acted as proxy for the son, Jennie Lou for her cousin as the mother and they ask another man to be proxy for the husband and we got the family sealed together. What a banner day. I was envolved as proxy in a iniatory, as proxy for the endowment, they for the sealings.
3. All that and we were out before Casa Manana closed and I had their Thursday special (enchilada, tostado and taco), Jennie Lou had their new Hawiian pork taco.
Earlier in the day I was able to sharpin the lawn mower blades, mow the lawn, trim the lawn's edge and repair a sprinkler head. Came in and took a short nap and went to the Temple.
What a good day.
Dad.