Provo Temple- The End of My Era

So many feelings swirling in my head this day... I don't even know where to start this post. Perhaps at the end. Today was the last shift I served as an ordinance worker in the Provo Temple. I've served for 10 years 7 months.

TODAY, 16 DECEMBER 2015

I was set apart on Amanda's birthday, May 19, 2005. I didn't realize then that I was embarking on a wonderful, healing journey.

JOANIE CIRCA 2005

I don't think I realized how much grieving I had just stuffed in a hole because life had to go on. I know that most of that healing is due to my service in the Temple. I've come to an understanding and peace on so many things that needed to be dealt with, but life was always too busy, until now! I've recorded many beautiful, sacred experiences in my journal that all happened in the Temple. Oh, I am so eternally grateful to my Heavenly Father for this great blessing.

As I've pondered on this post I remembered the first time I attended the Provo Temple.

It was the summer of 1975, my Mom and sisters, all avid genealogists, were going to attend a genealogy workshop in Provo Utah. I was so desperate to be with everyone else that I offered to come and be the resident day-care provider for all of the little cousins since I was not a genealogist! Mom flew me, Bekah and Tony from Priest River, Idaho (actually Spokane, WA to Salt Lake City via Denver with these two littles! Bekah, 22 months and Tony, 3) I came a few days early and stayed with Ann and Wayne in Elsinore.

BEKAH, JOANIE AND TONY

27 JULY 1975

ELSINORE, UT

We all met up in Provo and stayed in Helaman Halls. I was the Auntie day-care for 8 little Caraway cousins! It was lovely (if you don't count that we all got salmonella!!) but, truly, it was wonderful to be together as the Caraway girls again.

On one of the afternoons I was able to go to the  Provo Temple. I've always hungered to serve in the Temple.  My sweet Mama, always the photographer, recorded that event for me. She stood up on the balcony to get a picture of me as I left to walked up to the Temple.

And an wave for the camera.

So, after all of the photos I've posted of the Provo Temple over the last 10+ years, this is the last day I am officially an ordinance worker.

But you know what? I will be going back frequently even after I begin as an ordinance worker at the new Provo City Center Temple in March.

These Women... My Besties

About thirty years ago these two women moved to Palmdale CA and into my heart.

JOANIE, HOLLY, PAULINE

APRIL 4, 2014

Stuart & Stephanie's wedding

Pauline moved to Palmdale in March 1985. She found out I was pregnant with twins and decided right then that she wanted to be my friend. I'd never had anyone *choose* me for a friend before, let alone someone who was prepared to help me through a very difficult situation... three babies in 21 months.

Holly moved in before that in 1984. She had a tiny boy, Tom, just 3 months older than Spencer. She lived just around the corner and we were walking buddies.

We had our yearly Christmas Eve party at Auntie P's house, worked together at church and were there for each other through all of the highs and lows that come to everyone. We were the constant for each other in that changing sea of life. We've seen the good, the bad, the ugly... and everything else in between!

Pauline, Holly and Sonja all have birthdays at the end of the year and started having a yearly November girls-get-away. A couple of years later they invited me to come along. If our friendship needed more cement, this was where it was formed.

SONJA, PAULINE, HOLLY, JOANIE

NOVEMBER 1995

Fast forward to this last week. My besties, sans Sonja, came for our girls old-lady get together (we don't have to get AWAY anymore!). We had the most delightful time. These wonderful sisters-by-choice loved on my babies, who now have their own babies.

JOANIE, HOLLY, PAULINE

JULY 24, 2015

Provo Temple to Temple 5K WALK/run

Holly said it best just before she had to leave for home.

"We have history!" 

We GET IT! 

We love each other! 

Now and for the next 30 years!

OMSH! I am so blessed to have this once-in-a-lifetime sisterhood with these marvelous friends and SISTERS-BY-CHOICE!!

The Morning Breaks...

... the shadows flee.

That is how I feel this morning as I walked up to the Provo Temple. Seven weeks is just too long for it to be closed.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve here as a patron and an ordinance worker. What a wonderful blessing in my life.

The dawning of a brighter day...

The Lord, in His Goodness

Wednesdays are my Temple day. I love my service there. So many blessings have come as a result of that service in the last seven and a half years. Today was a particularly good day. It was one of those days where I knew that the Lord was aware of me; that He loves me and ALL who will seek Him. The Lord, in His goodness, delights to own and bless you.

As I was leaving I wanted to get some photos of the beautiful gardens before they are replanted for next spring. Come September I always know that the days are numbered and my next visit could be the one with naked flower beds. (Always a sad time for me... I leave my flowers in as long as I can.)

(DIGITALLY PAINTED IMAGE)

I was using my MPC (aka my iPhone), which can be difficult since I can't see the screen in the bright light. I'd just snapped a couple of photos when I saw movement from the corner of my eye. There was a sweet little hummingbird just feet from me supping at the zinnias!

I zoomed in and just kept blindly taking photos, hoping I would get something good.

It was just one more Tender Mercy of the Lord... just one more witness that He is aware of me and gave me a chance to see one of His wonderful creations.

314- Temple Poppy

I mentioned about 6 weeks ago that it was only a matter of time before they gardeners at the Temple pulled up all the beautiful summer flowers to plant for next spring. It always kills me. Sure enough the next week they'd been replaced.

This year they planted mostly primroses; whereas previously they've planted mostly pansies. What I didn't know until they started poking up their happy little faces is there are also Icelandic Poppies! What a wonderful treat. Because of our temperate fall they've been tricked... and I love it.

I pulled out my mpc as I was leaving today and captured this beauty. It wasn't until I got home, uploaded and looked that I saw the words that I love so much. Holiness to the LORD The House of the LORD.

282- Temple Fountain Sunset

I missed Ward Temple Night on Thursday so I decided to go this afternoon after I'd worked in the yard for several hours. When I walked in the front door there was Sister Cutler, who works on the Wednesday shift with me but is an assistant Shift Coordinator on Saturday evening, was standing there at the front door looking slightly harrassed. I just felt impressed to ask her if she was short staffed. She got this relieved look on her face and told me that she would probably need me. I ended up staying for an extra hour longer than I would normally have been there. I was pleased to help out.

And it's not as if I need immediate blessing for doing a good thing... I'd already been blessed for serving. But look what awaited me when I walked outside!

Oh... what a beautiful sight.

251- Double-Duty Wednesday

By now you all know that I work as an ordinance worker at the Provo Temple on Wednesdays. I frequently get home absolutely bushed... but occasionally, like today, I get home with lots of energy. (more on that in a minute)

I love the Temple gardens this time of year! All the flowers and plants are in full bloom! They're mature and drinking the late summer sunshine. But I know that their days are numbered. One Wednesday I will walk up the hill and find that all of *my* beautiful summer flowers have been *ripped out* to make way for the spring planting. Yes, I know it is necessary... but that doesn't mean I have to like it.



In my gardens, and I'm sure I do it the wrong way, all of my plants and bulbs coexist all year long. The iris are still showing their beautiful fan foliage along with the late summer zinnias. If I dig too deep, or in the wrong place I will dig up my daffodil and tulip bulbs... but that's just the way I swing!

OK, now for the double duty part. I got home and my yard was crying for some attention! It has been so long since I edged my lawn that I can't even remember when it was (and I'm sure my neighbors can't remember either). So I drug out all of my power tools (ar-ar-arh) and went at it. I always love the look when I've finished and I've never been afraid of hard work.

But, as DeLoris would tell me, "I'm not 30 anymore!" I came in and made the mistake of laying down on the couch to watch America's Got Talent with Gordon and 2 hours later I could hardly get up. I was able to limp upstairs to a hot bath... I'll feel better tomorrow.

226- Temple Garden Watercolor

The minute I looked at this photo on my computer is just screamed *WATERCOLOR*... so of course, I had to oblige.



I thought you might like to see the original SOOC.

221- Lily Art

When I was at the Temple on Friday I wandered the gardens and got so many wonderful shots. I've decided that I'm going to deal them out slowly and savor them instead of OD-ing all at once!

I had fun playing with some filters on this photo. I love how it turned out.

(I learned this technique from a scrapbooking magazine article by Renee Pearson which I can't find online. If you are interested I will send you the tutorial that I cut and pasted in a Word document.)



By the way... August and September are my favorite garden months. All the plants are in full bloom and splendor.

176- At The Temple...

with my men!

What are the chances of getting to the Temple two days in a row with my loved ones? Tonight Gordon, Stuart and I went to the Mt Timpanogos Temple. What a blessing to have so many Temples so close.

175- At The Temple...

with my girls.



The Provo Temple is closed for 6 weeks for cleaning and some remodeling. I love to attend the Temple (and work there too) so today Camille, Desi and I went to the Temple. We started out for the Mt Timpanogos Temple but half way there changed our minds and went to the Draper Temple. Camille had never been to the Draper Temple.

It was a lovely session made that much better by being there with *my* girls. I'm so glad that they have each other AND that I have them. There is so much history and bonding, love and experiences that we share. What a blessing!

The grounds were decorated with all shades of purple... we took that as a good sign.

132- Marsupial Pocket...

What a glorious day! It's been raining off and on but then the sun breaks through to provide beautiful photo ops! As I left the Temple today this is what I saw.



Now, are you ready for this? This is what I used to take this awesome photo!



Yes, my marsupial pocket camera phone! Over a year ago my sister, Ann, asked me if I carried my camera around in my *marsupial pocket* and the name has just stuck!

When I finally upgraded my phone (well beyond the contract because it had to be something really cool for me to give up my pink Razr!) I knew I wanted a phone that had a decent camera. I've been very pleased with this one. It takes beautiful landscape and flora photos but I've been a bit disappointed with the quality for human photos.

Gordon upgraded his phone as well and I knew that with identical phones it was only a matter of time before he picked up the wrong phone. In order to avert disaster I designed and ordered a skin from UniqueSkins. I used one of my last year's POTD photos for the skin and the wallpaper. With careful placement you'll notice I was able to keep my Joanie's Balonie logo for easy identification (of course, the orange gerbera daisies also serve that purpose.)

So as Ann says... I am rarely without my camera in my little *marsupial pocket*!

117- Pink Tulip

083- Hyacinths

As I walked up to the Temple today I saw that the hyacinths were doing what they do best... looking beautiful and smelling like heaven! As I left I pulled out my little *marsupial-pocket-camera-phone* and captured this. And since I can't seem to leave well enough alone I added some of my favorite filters and textures.

Hyacinths=Spring!


FONT- Albemarle Swash, ACTION- DPMoms Perfect Workflow, BRUSH- RhonnaFarrer_2ps_SnapShot_Horizontal6, St Patrick Day brushes by ObsidianDawn.com TEXTURE- pollution, FILTERS- watercolor, stylize-find edges

055- Come in from the Storm

Today is Temple Day; also a snow/rainy day. When I arrived this morning it was snowing so I grabbed my umbrella from the Beatrix' *boot*. As I trekked my way up the hill I was anxious to get inside where it was warm and dry; I was anxious to get out of the storm.

As I was editing my photo I thought about how, even on a sunny day, going to the Temple is like Coming in from the Storm. What a blessing to be able to go and worship our Savior and leave the cares of the world outside. How comforting to be able to warm our souls and rest our hearts. And when we are finished we are better able to brave the elements, once more, refreshed and rejuvenated.

051- Reflected Glory

When I was leaving the Temple on Wednesday I saw things I wanted photos of... but no Rebel! So when I went to do baptisms on Thursday I tucked my non-marsupial-pocket-camera into my very large purse (I changed purses especially to accommodate this) so I could click away.

I love this photo of reflected [Old] Glory!

002- Salt Lake Temple

For over a year Camille has wanted to attend the Salt Lake Temple. We were going to go last year during her Christmas break but never got there and somehow it just kept getting put off (with the Provo Temple so close it is hard to take a whole day to go to Salt Lake).

Today we finally managed our trip. It was a beautiful cold, clear winter day and being Saturday there were lots of brides in their beautiful dresses.

What a beautiful temple! The craftsmanship is superb! When I think of the dedication and sacrifice of the early saints working for 40 years to build this House of the Lord I am overwhelmed. We had a beautiful day together serving in the Temple.



I love the shape of the windows then as I was "framing up" I saw the flag reflected in the window. Love this shot.


FRAME- RhonnaFarrer_2ps_BlackFrame FONT- Albemarle Swash, ACTION- DPMoms Perfect Workflow, CoffeeShop Sweet Bakery Glazes

235- Oquirrh Mountain Temple Dedication

This morning I attended the seventh of nine dedication sessions for the Oquirrh Mountain Utah Temple. I found it very telling that no regular church meetings were held today (in much of Utah) in order to allow as many worthy members to participate in one of the sessions. Two of the sessions, the seventh and ninth, were televised to meeting houses; in our case our Stake Center. It was a wonderful experience to be able to attend.

This brings the number of operating Temples to 130 with 13 of those being located in Utah. President Dieter F Uchtdorf told of the early pioneers who had to travel days or weeks in order to attend the Temple. Now, for residents of Utah, it is measured in minutes or hours. What a glorious time to be on the earth!



This is not the first televised dedicatory service I have attended. When the Palmyra, Winter Quarters and Nauvoo Temples were dedicated we went to the Stake Center in Palmdale. I'm grateful for this blessing.

177- Oquirrh Mountain Temple

Rebekah and her men/boys are in Utah on vacation. They brought Tadhg up for BYU basketball camp Monday and then continued on up to Malad, ID to visit with Curt's folks.

Laster-night, when they got back down this way, we kidnapped Bek while the boys did boy things (to earn man-points?)

Today we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple Open House. What a wonderful experience for the boys! And what fun for Grammie to get to see them, even if it was just for a short time.



Just as we were leaving I remembered that I heard that Moroni had been struck by lightning in one of our recent storms. The boys got a big kick out of it. Poor Ranoni!



FONTS- Problem Secretary, CK Cursive, BRUSH- KPertiet_LedgerFrames, DP Moms Perfect Workflow action, OVERLAY- Into the frying pan, Night Faux (the Artist formerly known as GhostBones at Flickr)

Bwahahahahaha... I thought it was funny that one of the textures I used on this photo is called Into the Frying Pan!!

070- Primrose

Oohh, oohh... I find myself in such a fix today! I have so many awesome photos that I want to use! But I'm going to pace myself because they are all very unrelated. But what a wonderful fix to be in!

As I left the Temple today I noticed that many of the bedraggled-from-winter-snows primroses (and fewer pansies) were starting to perk up. I just love the angle on this little beauty.

We had only a partial cloud cover today but it is still cold. Most of Provo and Orem don't even have any snow left, but here in our neck of the woods we have a full covering on all the yards. Who knows what the weather will bring tomorrow.