February 17, 2008
Dear Family,
Even though it was a pretty quick trip, it was great to be with most of you for the dedication weekend. We left from Spanish Fork right after Isaac’s 9:00 am basketball game and enjoyed good roads the whole way. We were amazed to see the snow piled so high when we arrived. The snow tunnel was pretty impressive, and Becky and I were regretting that we hadn’t packed the kids’ snow stuff. The Cultural Celebration was wonderful. Becky and I were both surprised at the emotions it created in each of us. I was particularly touched with the love and testimony that was being expressed by each participant as they each gave their best throughout the performance. I could feel the love they had for President Hinckley, and maybe a bit of angst that he wasn’t able to be there in person, but also a strong faith that he was there in spirit. It was neat to see how that love and respect was redirected to Elder Nelson and Elder Bednar. I could feel the pride they had in their heritage, their gratitude for that legacy, and their excitement for the future with the new temple. Seeing all those children coming in at the end all dressed in white was really powerful. There was definitely power in the purity of those children and what they represented.
Thanks Mom and Dad, for letting us into your home on one of the busiest weekends of your lives. Soon after we arrived, Auriana asked if we could just skip school on Monday and stay longer. She said, “I just love being here.” The rest of us would have to agree – we love being in Grandma and Grandpa’s home. It was fun to see the cousins pick up right where they left off, spending every possible minute together and having a blast.
It was nice to have a relatively lazy Sunday morning as we waited for our turn to go to the dedication. When the time finally did come, the excitement in the air was energizing. The picture that was in my mind of how things would work out once we got in the temple was based on my experience going to the Bountiful temple dedication where we were in an ordinance room all seated together. So when we ended up in the front foyer and were separated into three different groups, I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed, and several times considered rounding everyone up and finding a different place where we could all sit together. But as the service started, that feeling quickly disappeared as the Spirit took its place and I considered how lucky I was to be in the temple at all, and how wonderful it was to have my immediate family – Becky, Auriana, Isaac, and Natalie – right around me and participating in this historic and sacred event. Each of the talks and the singing were wonderful, and I was so proud (excuse me, I mean well pleased) when Dad and Mom gave their talks and Alan sang, but I’d have to say that Mom’s talk touched me the most as she mentioned her children and grandchildren and expressed her testimony of eternal families.
We left in a flurry, as we were trying to catch the tail end of a birthday gathering my family was having in Layton. I hope I didn’t offend anyone with my pushiness to say good-byes and get out the door and on our way. It was fun drag-racing Matt on the freeway between Idaho Falls and Pocatello. ☺ It was a quick trip, but so worth it. We missed having Jenny and Chad and kids, and Barbie and Mikayla there.
The kids enjoyed Valentines Day on Thursday. I think we’re still getting over our sugar highs. They’re looking forward to the day off school tomorrow for President’s Day. Isaac has been asking to go ice skating for quite a while, so we’re going to try and fit that in as a family activity. Isaac has been getting better and better at basketball. He scored seven points in his game yesterday, including an “and one” foul shot. He’s a quick player and scrambles after the ball really well – he even got three jump-ball tie-ups. Natalie has started basketball too, and got three baskets in her last scrimmage. Its more of a skills training league at this age, so they don’t play real games. We’ve had to switch to another music teacher for the 3 older kids. They’ll have their first lesson with him this week. We’re trying to work it out so he comes here, since he works in this area anyway. We just found out that our good friends, the Shumways, will be moving to Dallas, Texas in June for his new assignment. He’ll teach institute and coordinate all the seminaries in the area. We knew they would be going, but the kids are still pretty devastated. They will be sure to enjoy these last few months with them. On the night we found out, Isaac asked Becky if she and I would pray to know if we were supposed to move too.
As far as other big news – Ellie is almost potty-trained, and Miriam is doing great at not sucking her finger anymore. We’re just holding our breath hoping it will become permanent. I’m looking forward to an overnight snowmobile trip with my brothers up to our family cabin this coming weekend – as long as the weather cooperates. The two new business ventures are still in transition or startup mode and I’m just trying to keep my head from spinning too fast. Becky and I are still looking into the possibility of joining Truman Madsen and the film crew on a trip to the Holy Land to film his next “On Sacred Ground” series. Other than that, our lives are pretty normal . . . yeah, right! But we love it. And we love each of you.
Bjorn, Becky, Auriana, Isaac, Natalie, Enoch, Miriam, Ellie
