Jan, 2011
“When we retire we should move to Arizona.”
“I don’t think so, lots of sand but where’s the beach?
Besides, I can only remember living in California.”
This conversation began a few months after my husband left
our California home for a work assignment in Arizona. He flew home every other
week and each time he came home he told me about the great people in his Ward and
then extol the beauty and affordability of Az. (I was not swayed nor did I
budge my opinion.)
After eight months he came home to Santa Clarita California.
We had already decided we did not like living apart and never do it again. I
guess our 47 years of marriage had molded us to accept and even love one
another’s shortcomings.
“Honey, I’m so glad your back home.”
“Well”, he said, “you missed the chance to move to a great
place while I was there.”
“That place is hot, hot, and the haboo that weekend I was
visiting was crazy. I don’t think Arizona is the place for me.”
October 2012
We were back in our
regular routine and were called to be ordinance workers at the Los Angeles
Temple. Then without warning Patrick came home in October to announce he had
been requested to return to Intel and work on another project. Much to my
chagrin, he left two days later and our back and forth California-Arizona life began
again. And my heart was sad when a week later his beautiful white suit arrived
in the mail from Mr. Mac. I continued on by myself to fulfill the assignment as
a temple ordinance worker and grew to love my service and the friends I made.
Our plan had been to retire in 2012, but somehow the year
came and went. By then all five of our children had left our state for jobs and
affordability.
“If you think we need to move; I want to be near the kids.”
I went on a search. Our 2 boys live near Seattle. I went to visit them and
found areas I liked but they were too expensive and the weather very gloomy. I
visited our daughter in Maryland. Homes were affordable, but the weather was humid
and very cold in the winter. I crossed it off my list. Where the oldest and
youngest daughters live in Utah it also is very cold in the winter. I began to
feel like Goldilocks, too hot, too cold, too expensive. “Am I being too picky?”
April 2013
Christmas 2012 came and went. New Years and the Rose Parade
passed. We were both tired of being apart and alone. Talking to him on the
phone while he shopped for groceries was not a fulfilling date. For the two weeks of spring break from my
teaching assignment I decided to keep Patrick company at his Chandler condo. On
days I wanted the car, I drove him to work. One morning after I dropped him off
I looked up the address of the new temple being built and took off toward
Gilbert to explore.
I turned onto Greenfield from Queen Creek and saw the temple
in the distance. I was immediately overcome with emotion. The closer I got, the
more I was touched by what I saw. I pulled into the tiny parking area near the
visitor trailer and sat for a long time letting my tears flow and the sweet
spirit wash over me. I pulled out my phone and called my husband.
“Okay, we’re moving to Arizona.”
“Who are you and where is my wife…What happened?”
“I’m supposed to work in the Gilbert Temple, we need to
move.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely!”
After hearing a quote that was shared during an ordinance
worker prayer meeting I was more motivated than ever to move 450 miles, away
from friends and find a home near the Gilbert Temple. I was determined to act
on the prompting I felt.
Pres. McConkie of the Temple Presidency presented this to
all Supervisors in the Salt Lake Temple in the fall of 1989;
"When we come to the temple, we are doing what we
were foreordained to do. I am sure you were foreordained and set apart to work
in this temple. You are a part of the "Handful" of sisters to receive
the authority under the hand of the Priesthood to wash, anoint, and clothe your
sisters. You were foreordained to this part and received this authority in the
pre-existence...only a "Handful" of sisters chosen from all of
Father's daughters to be given this privilege and responsibility...your sins
are forgiven you each day you come to serve...your happiness comes as you
serve...so it is immediate"
 Our Arizona Home |
Jan, 2014
I didn’t realize how close our house was to the temple until
after we began to move in. One afternoon I walked passed our next-door neighbor’s
home to the end of our Cul-de-sac. I looked through the wrought-iron fence that
ran along a walkway. I could see the temple just across an alfalfa field. It
was just as I had pictured it that spring day in the little parking lot by the
Gilbert Temple. It rose like a beacon and Moroni glinted in the bright sun. I
thought Okay, “We’re here are ready to do as the Lord desires.”
Gilbert Temple
Gilbert Temple
Jan, 2019 I am looking at what what I wrote five years ago and am amazed at what has happened since then.. We are now in the middle of our second construction mission, what an adventure we have had since we moved. Our kids have lived in our house more than we have but that's okay...it's what the Lord wanted us to do and I'm happy we had the faith and strength to do his will.
Right before we left on Mission #2 Patrick went on a fishing trip and I went to the Hollywood Beach with Megan, my surfer daughter, and her daughter Beth.
It is short bit of sand in Ventura. Not many people
go there as it does not have much parking. And that's just fine with me!
