I wasn't really excited about circling the Provo Temple. It is not that the distance was far, we've made longer trips to other temples. I think I just had it visualized as a dated silhouette - unapproachable behind black gates. Perhaps Matt would have a few missionary flashback moments, but beyond that I wasn't expecting much. Sad reasons for it being third from the end our Utah-Temples-Tour. Anyways, knowing its visit remained and knowing that I wanted a drive to see leaves, Matt suggested the Provo Temple along the Autumn route!
Turns out the yesterday afternoon was perfect sweater-weather. The kids were all happy. The parking lot was empty and accessible. The grounds were open and clean - completely inviting with pink roses in full bloom, petite lilies in think rows, and water fountains on. The mood was cheery and upbeat.
How could it not be cheery? Turns out we were visiting during peek "Sunday Temple Walk" time for CROWDS of missionaries that had walked across from the MTC. Crowds. Everywhere you turned were dark suits, name tags, and cameras clicking. Normally a crowd would turn both Matt and I around, but this time I enjoyed watching Paige meet "a real missionary for the first time." No hesitation on her part to approach a crowd of missionaries (heading to the Philippines in a week - first picture below). Meg and Tyler preferred the water for the first bit. But, it wasn't long before they were motioned over as a prop by three sisters (heading to Canada) at the doors of the temple. Gotta have a Utah blonde in the shot! Meg warmed up as we talked to three other sisters (heading to the Washington State and the West Indies). She certainly got a sense of how friendly missionaries are. It took Tyler a bit to warm up to the crowds. Who wouldn't be intimidated to walk through poking bushes and then through tall guys (the right crew heading to Bulgaria, and left off to Holland)? But, he made it through and quickly shared smiles and high fives!
We had a great time visiting the Provo Temple. Would have been completely different had the missionaries in mass not been a part of it. They gave the kids a chance to feel their happy enthusiasm. The family pictures among them gave Matt and I a chance to be grateful for this phase of life. Three kids past the long/"best two years" of writing letters! And, the quiet corners of the building gave us a chance to realize how beautiful this temple really is. It actually became one of my favorite visits of this whole experience! Certainly a sweet memory.
Utah Temples to Tour:
•Monticello
•St. George
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