Stripling Warriors' Mom: Provo Temple Family Photo

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Time Well Spent with a Friend and Lunch Together

I met my friend Jan today at the Provo Temple. We each did one of my family names, with two more names toward my goal.. It was a sweet experience. The Provo Temple has been refurbished since I have been there. The Celestial room has a beautiful new crystal chandlelier that rivals the most elegant one in the Mt. Timpanogos Temple.

Each one is lovely in its own right. I just happened to notice it today and must say it adds so much to the room. Jan & I went to Pizza Factory afterward for our late lunch.

The Spring flowers are all in bloom on the grounds and took some snap shots of them. I will post them soon. There were some of the bulbs, the daffodils, the white ones along with the hyacinths and pansies of course in bloom. I can't help but to remember how our family saw the construction of the Provo Temple from our living room window when we lived on BYU Married Student Housing in the early 1970s. My, how time flies by.

Photo below is the McIntire's when we lived at BYU housing. This was taken in our living room, and during the same time the Provo Temple was constructed and dedicated.

Footnote: I made each of the girls' dresses and the ties too,the purple paisley one and the wild orange/brown number that young Hank's wearing!! This was the Family Christmas card that year 1972--

Power to Act in God's Name

I believe and know very strongly that, " A man, young or old never stands taller than when he is doing his priesthood duties or responsibilities. Be it station as a Deacon, Teacher, Priest, Elder, High Priest, Home teacher, priesthood holder husband, father, son or grandfather, Bishop, or Prophet of God. He has a mantle about him that emanates and gives him the authority to act in God's name, and uses it in righteousness. It is a blessing to him and his family. To this I know that he raises the bar in doing his duty to God and his fellow man.”

" I stand in awe of the goodness that pervades within that soul who honors and lives up to his priesthood calling with a pure heart. It is evident to me and cannot be hidden. I believe that quality shines in their countenances and His image is radiated in their face's.

Insights by Anna 11.22.09

Touch of The Master's Hand

And the auctioneer thought it
hardly worth his while
To waste his time on the old violin,
but he held it up with a smile.

"What am I bid, good people", he cried,
" It was battered and scarred,
Who starts the bidding for me?"
"One dollar, one dollar, Do I hear two?"
"Two dollars, who makes it three?"
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice, going for three,"

But, No,
From the room far back a gray bearded man
Came forward and picked up the bow,
Then wiping the dust from the old violin
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody, pure and sweet
As sweet as the angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said "What now am I bid for this old violin?"
As he held it aloft with its' bow.

"One thousand, one thousand, Do I hear two?"
"Two thousand, Who makes it three?"
"Three thousand once, three thousand twice,
Going and gone", said he.

The audience cheered,
But some of them cried,
"We just don't understand."
"What changed its' worth?"
Swift came the reply.
"The Touch of the Masters Hand."

And many a man with life out of tune
All battered with bourbon and gin
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd
Much like that old violin

A mess of pottage, a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on.
He is going once, he is going twice,
He is going and almost gone.

But the Master comes,
And the foolish crowd never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul and the change that is wrought
By the Touch of the Masters' Hand.

Myra Brooks Welch