Kansas City Temple Celebration and Dedication

What a wonderful weekend we had last week as we traveled to Kansas to visit Amy and Scott and their children.  When we heard that the Kansas City Temple was going to be dedicated on May 6th, we knew that it would be a wonderful opportunity to go visit family and be included in some of the festivities and dedication of the temple.  So, we arrived on Friday afternoon.  That evening, we got to watch Elle play soccer and score a goal.  She is a great little player and that was fun.  On Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m., Ashlynn and Sam were off to an all-day practice for the big celebration to be held Saturday night. 

As usual, when we go to Kansas, we always have brunch with Bob Kimball at Lake Quivira.  On Saturday morninb, we enjoyed visiting with Bob and having a yummy breakfast.  It's always a pleasant experience.

Below are Sam and Ashlynn in their temple celebration shirts.  Aren't they two cute kids!

After being with Bob, we went to downtown Kansas and spent the afternoon waiting to get into the Municipal Auditorium, where 3,100 young people performed for parents and President Monson.  We got there about 2:00 p.m. and waited until 4:45 p.m. to get in.  During the practice in the afternoon, there was a technilogocal  glitch and the jumbotron was not working properly, so the kids couldn't continue practicing.  They all knelt in prayer and prayed that the technitians would be able to fix the problem.  Shortly thereafter, the jumbotron was fixed.  When someone asked the technician how he fixed it, he said it was "dumb luck."  The person then told him that all the youth had knelt in prayer and asked Heavenly Father to help him fix it.  I don't think it was "dumb luck."  It was truly a spiritually uplifting and fun production.  Hats off to those who skillfully organized the event and and helped it run so smoothly. Ashlynn and Sam had a great time dancing

and singing for the audience, but especially for  President Monson.  The above picture shows Sam's and Ashlynn's group doing a country hoedown, hats and all.

Each stake had different colored shirts.  These are most of the youth singing Primary songs, and the one they were singing in this picture was "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree."  They all popped up and down on different counts.  It was so fun.

Another three stakes did missionary songs and dressed up like missionaries.  Then, all the full-time missionaries, led by the Mission President, marched down the middle of the youth.  You should have heard the hoops and hollers and applause.  The youth sang:  "I Hope They Call Me On a Mission and "We'll Bring the World His Truth."  It was impressive.

President Monson on the jumbotron

The next day, Sunday, we were all able to attend the temple dedication at Amy's and Scott's ward.  That was a very special experience.  President Monson spoke, Elder Holland and Elder Walker, as well as the 1st counselor and wife, the Eddys, also spoke.  Because of the history of this area, LDS people hold this as sacred ground.  Elder Holland said that even when Joseph Smith was in Liberty Jail (not far from the temple), he had his own trials and struggles.  But, he also had his own temple, as it was in Liberty Jail that he received sections 121 and 122 of the Doctrine Covenants.

SOCCER AND MORE SOCCER.  Elle scored a point in her game.

We were also able to attend Ashlynn's high school game.  Their team won 4-1.  Ashlynn played very well.

We got to see Sam at a practice for soccer but didn't get to see him in a game, as he skipped his games to participate in the cultural celebration,.  He's a good kid.  We love all these grandchildren. 

The icing on the cake was when Scott and Amy and Dick and I were able to attend the Kansas City Temple the first day it was opened.  We had a great time in Kansas and came home with a greater appreciation for the Kansas area and the history that took place there.  We loved being with the Kimball family.  Thanks for letting us come.