Indianapolis Temple!

We had a very exciting summer here in Indiana--our beautiful temple was dedicated!!  Way back in October 2010 it was announced that Indiana would be FINALLY getting a temple!  Five years later that dream came true!   Growing up the temple that was closest to us was in Louisville, Kentucky (about 2 1/2 hours away).  Attending the temple was an ALL DAY event, and quite a sacrifice of time (though of course there are others who sacrifice much, much more to attend the temple in other parts of the world).  This new temple (located in Carmel) is only 12 MINUTES from our house!  So unbelievable.

An open house was held for three weeks of the summer to allow anyone and everyone to come take a tour of the temple, see what it's like/about, and learn some more about the Mormons.  Close to 90,000 people went through!  Amazing.

Our little family of four went through the open house on Saturday August 1st.   It had already been opened a couple weeks before that, but that was our first available Saturday, and we knew it'd be too tricky to make it on a weeknight.  The tour lasted an hour, and Clara definitely couldn't have lasted longer than that.  She was very wiggly throughout it, and I had to hold her most of the time to keep her from running away or touching something she shouldn't.  Even so, it was a wonderful, spiritual experience that I was thrilled and touched to share with my family.  It meant so much to take my children through the temple with David and me, the place that sealed us as an eternal family.

It was noon when our tour finished, so the sun caused for lots of squinting!  When trying to get a picture of our family taken, both kids insisted on me holding them.  :/ Those goobers!

 

There was a large tent set up outside with more information about the temple.  It also held this beautiful Christus statue.  The kids both went straight over to stand at His feet (even doing some shoving to get a good spot).  We all definitely felt closer to Jesus when we were in and by the temple.

Our usually easy-to-smile Clara would NOT smile for a picture!  She was ready to finally go eat!

The temple has a large and beautiful fountain right out front, which Eli made a beeline to immediately after we exited the open house.  He doesn't see it any differently than water at spray parks, and he dunked his head right in.

We attended the dedication on August 23rd.  (Dedicated by Henry B. Eyring, 1st Counselor in the First Presidency of the Church.)  Only certain invited guests were able to watch it in the temple, we watched it broadcasted at church.  It was for baptized members only (8 and up) so my parents were able to watch our kids, since they were attending the first session AT the temple (and coincidentally, so were David's parents.  They ended up in the same room!)

Right next to the temple a new church building was built and dedicated, which is OUR new building!  Eeek!  It is so surreal to go to church every week and have the temple right next to us.  I hope that never becomes anything less than extraordinary to me.

A few weeks ago after Stake Conference, we were able to walk around the temple grounds with the kids.  So many other families did the same, and such a wonderful feeling was present.  David and I were also able to attend a session at the temple last week!  His parents work there on Saturday mornings, so it looks like they'll be able to watch our kids for us to attend the 1st Saturday morning session once a month.  Hooray!

Poor Clara. I was talking to some friends, then when I came to her and David she had a bloody knee and dirt all over her shoe,  She's doing the injured waddle in this picture.  :)

Eli was racing a car back and forth with a new friend.

"I Love to See the Temple"

Having a temple in our midst is a tremendous blessing to us Latter-day Saints in Indiana.  I know that its holiness and the service that will be performed in its walls will make a world of difference in the lives of those who partake of its Spirit.