Guess Who's Coming...

Kenon's coming to Atlanta on Thursday...


I can't wait.

I miss my friends so much...

Atlanta Temple

The Atlanta Temple has been closed for two years for renovation. It's being rededicated on May 1st and George, Cambrie and I get to be in the temple for the dedication. The Open House started last week so we had the opportunity of being ushers yesterday. I've never had this experience before and it's something I'll never forget.

When we got to the temple yesterday, there were members of the church buzzing around everywhere. It was exciting, and a bit surreal. I kept thinking of the church produced movies about the building of various temples, specifically about the Salt Lake and Nauvoo temples. You know the movies, when the saints are anxiously serving in any capacity they can and they bear testimony to everyone they see because they simply cannot keep it to themselves. That's what it was like. The members here haven't had a temple for over two years and it was so exciting being there together. I can't tell you how many touching stories I've heard already, peoples lives are being transformed right before our eyes.

There was a lady there with a group yesterday who left the reception tent, and then came back in all by herself. She picked up a comment card, wrote something on it, and then left. One of the lead ushers picked it up and she had written, "How do I become a member of your church? I love the feeling I felt while in the Celestial Room." There have been reporters who have had to stop interviews because they've been overcome with emotion, many people on the VIP tours (mostly famous, big politicians, or religious leaders) were emotional in the Celestial Room. People are walking out of the temple with mouths open, completely shocked by the beauty and surprised because it was unlike anything they ever expected.

We are going as a family to the open house this Saturday, and we're taking a professor from Emory and his family with us. We are so excited to share this with them, and have threatened our children with their lives :) We are also going with a couple less active families next week, and have invited another non-member family to go with us next weekend. I can't get enough, my testimony has grown so much by seeing the Lord's hand in his work...it's miraculous.

By the way, I LOVE Elder Holland. In the movie guests see before the tour starts, he bears powerful testimony of eternal families. If you have ever seen an open house movie, it's the same clip they use in all of them. There's a reason they use it. I watched the movie about 15 times while volunteering yesterday, and I got teary eyed each time he spoke. It's genuine, and you can't deny the spirit testifying to you as he bears witness of eternal families and temple work.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church upon the earth today.

There is no doubt about it in my mind.

None.

Happy 7th Birthday Drew!

Drew turned 7 in March. It's funny how birthdays can't come fast enough when you're young. When people ask how old Drew is, they get a very accurate response such as 6 1/4, 6 1/2, and 6 3/4. Finally, for a few months, he will say just plain old 7.

A little trip down memory lane...










This year, Drew wanted a Tony Hawk hoodie, a Nintendo DS, Under Armour anything, and some Pumas. The child is very aware of what's "in" and he has more style than the rest of us combined.

Here is a picture of him before school the morning of his birthday, opening a couple gifts. Check out his hair, it's amazing in the morning! You can see his Tony Hawk hoodie on the table. He fell in love with this when he saw it in the store and remembered every detail. Cambrie said something to him about Tony Hawk and I said "Brie, I doubt he even knows who Tony Hawk is." Drew piped up and said "Mom, it's not a person, it's just a hawk."

Ha! So awesome.


This is at his party the night of his birthday opening his DS. He was so pumped. He had been asking for one for months and thought he'd never get one...


Mitch and I got to go have lunch with Drew at school on his birthday. We took doughnuts in for his class, the kids thought doughnuts were way better than cupcakes :)


Drew decided he wanted to play Rock Band for his birthday so I made him a guitar cake...


There are so many things I love about this boy. He is as honest as they come. He tells the complete truth no matter what, I love that about him. He isn't afraid to stand up for what he believes in, and isn't afraid to tell people what he thinks. He LOVES to answer questions in primary and FHE, and he bears his testimony EVERY fast Sunday. He is very protective of his family, and likes to be in charge :) He knows more about brand name clothing than I do, and he's the first to notice if someone is wearing something new...also the first to give compliments. He's a great conversationalist, those of you who have ever been lucky enough to talk to him on the phone know what I mean...it's hard to get him to hang up. Drew has a huge heart...we are all very lucky to have someone like him looking out for us.


Happy Birthday Bubba, We Love You!