Long weekend with grandkids

Our two oldest grandkids flew into Provo using their birthday gifts.

These Arizona kids were in awe over Spring.  Blooming trees and snow on the mountains is indeed stunning.

These two are close siblings and each was looking forward to a special event.

TJ would be going to Prom.

Heather was looking forward to a special writing conference.  I was just happy to have them in town.

Provo City Center Temple visitors

In December 2010, this historic building erupted in flames during the night and soon all that was left was a brick shell.  It broke the heart of the Provo community as well as the hearts of those who once lived here but still held memories.

Later in October of 2011 it was announced that the building would be rebuilt but for another use.  It would become a holy temple to the Lord.

The brick walls were stabilized and and steel girders placed under those walls so that the earth might be removed so that additional construction could take place on the lower level.

It has been a miracle to watch over the years as what was mostly ashes has been restored according to this plan.

What had stood as a ruin with the light shining through lost window spaces . . .

was now a beautiful edifice fully renewed six years later.  It has been magical to watch this process.

Once again it looked much as the original tabernacle had looked in the 1890's with its center tower soon removed as it was too heavy for the roof.  This building has been reconstructed and is ready for use for at least another 100 years.  In the beginning weeks of January it opened for viewing by the general public before its dedication to the Lord on March 20, 2016.  It has been a great experience to share this beautiful building with family and friends.

The first Saturday the temple was open, we braved the morning chill of temperatures in the teens to go inside this building we had been watching for the last five years.  It did not disappoint.

Joining us in this early morning adventure were my sisters with one husband and a son.

A month later, we were back with our local grandchildren.  That sweet little girl called it "grandma's castle."

The oldest, who is ten, was fascinated to learn about the history of this building.

A couple of weeks later I was back for a third time.  My great Mesa friend, Kathy, was in Provo for training at the MTC before leaving for Virginia on her mission.  She was finished with her training so we braved the Friday afternoon lines while we talked and walked.  It was so fun to experience the beautiful interiors with her and now I felt almost like I could be temple guide.

It was also a joy to be able to walk right up next to the building after viewing the progress from the post office parking lot on the southwest corner of the temple lot.

I feel so privileged to live in this temple district with a view of this tower and Angel Moroni from my Provo home.

I look at the brick work and marvel at the restored brick and art glass windows.

I feel like it honors all those workers who first sacrificed to build the tabernacle all those years ago.

I'm sure that they never imagined that their work would become the impetus for a  "The House of the Lord."

This statue honoring the family is on the north side. It is most appropriate because that is what temples are about, the linking of families for eternity.

 The background is the buildings of historic Provo, many being built in the 1880's.

This is my last  photo from the post office parking lot.  This glorious building has been worth the wait and it has been so rewarding to share it with others.

A tree grows in Provo

A dozen years ago we purchased this lovely town home in Provo, Utah.  My husband loved it because all those east facing windows gave us views of the Wasatch Mountains just like he had enjoyed as a boy at his grandmother's home in Draper. My daughter took this picture near the time of purchase. Just look at those little trees out front.

Twelve years does make a difference.  Look at those tree now.  They are as tall as the house!

Now when we look out our windows in summer, we feel like we are living in a tree house.

It provides shade from the morning sun and feels charming.  Luckily, there are also still views of the mountains.  This morning I noticed that the trees are starting to turn yellow.

Historical home part of our family history

Yesterday I was reading a blog entry about the historical details of the old Provo Tabernacle soon to be Provo City Center Temple.  As the blogger discussed ornamental details she mentioned one of Provo's old historic homes and I recognized it.  It played an important part in our younger life and our own family history.

When we were newly married, this home had been renovated into an office space which Glen and a partner leased.  Soon after, our first son was born and we used the home for an open house after Eric received his name and a blessing at the Manavu Ward building.  It was on July 4, 1976 which was also the bicentennial anniversary of the United States of America and we felt there were more than enough reasons to celebrate.  At that point the house had been refurbished but there was not a kitchen.  The outside was painted a light brown color with a creamy white trim.  We loved it!

On that day we had the honor of hosting many generations of family including grandparents, great grandparents, and even great, great grandparents along with their siblings allowing for this wonderful five generation photo.  There were also five generations standing in the circle blessing our new son. These pictures were taken on the historic front porch.

I learned from the blog post that this was the George Taylor home. 

At some point during the almost 40 years since we had stood on the porch with our brand new baby, it had been painted blue with white trim and then allowed to go to ruin.

I am so delighted that this home has recently been brought to life again.  Habitat for Humanity has helped a young family with five children make this their new home with a kitchen, two bathrooms, and enough bedrooms.  First built in 1885, it once again shines and has officially been placed on the Register of Historic Homes.

Historic Provo home tour

Part of the Freedom Festival is a walking historic home tour for two evenings in July.  This year it was in the Maeser Neighborhood south of Center Street between 100 East and 400 East.

Here are just a few of the homes on the first day.  Left my camera at home on the second.

I love the character of older homes and it is always fun to see how the owners personality and style are displayed on the inside.

We were asked to wear footies over our shoes.  Great idea.

The great big trees and gardens were also inspiring.

Most of the lots were also large, unlike many new builds today.

I loved this glass collection.  I may need to look for more blue glass for my window ledge.

Many of the homes had been bumped out on the back of the house, mostly to accommodate a larger kitchen/family room area.  This little house appeared smaller from the front but was actually quite spacious.  All of the beautiful old neighborhoods is one of the reasons I love Provo.

Provo City Center Temple

A week ago I took some pictures of the progress on the Provo City Center Temple when I went to the post office.  The post office parking lot is a great spot for taking pictures of this amazing construction project.

As you can see, they have dug the earth out to basement level and there is so much happening underneath and to the south of the old tabernacle building.

This will be a giant outdoor space with water features.

It has been so interesting to watch the progress of creating new from the old that was so loved.

Now I left the post office and have made my way to the north side.

I'm not sure about the purpose of wrapping the building in plastic, but I can tell you that the middle spire changed dramatically last Tuesday.

The Angel Moroni was placed on the very peak of that spire.

The Angel Moroni is found on many LDS temples.  It was the Angel Moroni who appeared to Joseph Smith and gave him instruction as well as showed him where to find the buried gold plates which were translated and printed as The Book of Mormon.  He symbolizes the restoration of the gospel and the preaching of it to the world with the horn held to his lips.

The placing of the Angel Moroni is never a formal event nor widely announced.  I felt so bad when I discovered that I had missed it by just a few minutes.  But I soon discovered that that new middle and taller spire is visible from the south facing windows of our town home in Provo.  There it is, dead center in the above picture near the crane.  You can't see it in the photo, but I could see the golden gleam as the sun shone on Angel Moroni this morning.  This temple has become very precious to me.