Vaction in Utah

I wrote back in my very first post on this blog about an individual I met back in Junior High (his name is Scott). Well I finally had the chance to go visit him this past weekend, and it was truly awesome!

I not only got to see him, but I also met his wife, and his five beautiful children. They invited me into their home to stay with them for the duration of my trip (which was just the weekend), and it was very enjoyable. We did a lot of talking and hanging out. Catching up, even went over the old Junior High yearbook, talking about people from our past. I couldn't believe how many people Scott knew from Junior High and High School!

I got to see another friend of mine and his wife (Karl and MJ) while I was there as well. We ate at the Cheesecake Factory, where I had to use some EXTREME restraint to not overeat. In the end, it worked out awesome, we also got caught up and the only thing I regret is not getting to see their kiddo - Max. He had RSV, so he was too sick to be with them (poor guy!). I understand he is doing better now, which is really good news.

Scott was kind enough to take me to the Draper Temple before the dedication ceremony. I believe we were there on the very last possible day to see it as just visitors without a "Recommend" (I'm still learning terminology). The Temple was absolutely BEAUTIFUL! The murals and artwork and architecture were absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed my time there. I think my favorites were the Celestial and Sealing rooms as well as the Baptismal Font. I learned a lot and I am really glad to know that Gilbert will have a Temple eventually as well.

I also visited Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. I met a couple of extremely nice sisters that showed me around on a guided tour. There was so much to see! I took in all I could in the time I had. I never realized how many historic structures there were there aside from just the Temple itself!

I got to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing on Sunday morning, which was awesome! I might have even ended up in a music video that they shot immediately after the normal session. Getting to hear them do another song (twice!) after the normal session was really nice.

I went to Church with Scott and his family - his ward was really welcoming and friendly. Everyone that spoke delivered an excellent message, and I heard a great many things I truly needed to hear. I missed my own ward certainly, but I was glad to have the benefit of Church, and Scott's ward made it very nice. Hearing Scott speak to the 17 and 18 year olds was neat as well. Scott has such a talent for knowing and remembering all the myriad details in people's lives - he touched base with everyone there, asking them how things were going, taking real personal interest in each of them. His lesson was excellent and was equally relevant to myself as I am sure it was to the young men in the class.

And my visit ended with a trip to Scott's in-law's home where we visited and had a really nice dinner. My thanks to everyone that was there, they were all extremely nice and the food was amazing! I only tried two of the jams while I was there and if I hadn't been completely stuffed I would have tried the rest, perhaps several times over! :)