As some of you know, I have been on the road, and kind of quiet on Social Media the last couple of days. Here’s why:
Pilgrimage #1: Immediately upon arrival at the Phoenix airport, I began my search. By the way, the Phoenix Airport is named “Sky Harbor.” How cool is that? Much better than being named ofter some famous person. I digress…
A few weeks ago I blogged about people seeing images of Jesus in strange places. (Link here.) One of them happened to be in the very terminal where I was standing. This image, embedded in a floor tile at PHX, next to the security line.
My ever-so-patient EC and kids stood waiting while I tried to find it. To no avail. Finally, I gave up the search and asked the man sitting behind the information desk. He looked at me like I was an idiot. (Rightfully so.) He knew nothing about it.
As we were leaving, a security guard hurried up to me and told me that the airport had removed the tile, because too many news crews and people kept showing up to see it, and it worried security.
So, I left disappointed.
Pilgrimage #2: Have you ever been to a QuikTrip? The first time I ever had was outside of Worlds of Fun amusement park in Kansas City. QuikTrip, or QT, is beverage nirvana. So many choices, and about a dozen flavors of slushes, which my kids admire.
But the best part, is that in Arizona, there is an ongoing price-war between another chain of convenience stores, that leads to prices like this, all year round. I see a 69¢ 32 ounce soda, and it makes me kinda wish I hadn’t given up Mountain Dew.
You might ask why people are buying slushes and sodas in February. Remember, these people are also wearing shorts and t-shirts.
Oh, and we ate lunch at a great restaurant called “Sauce.” Great pizza and salads, never seen it except in Arizona. This was not a pilgrimage, just good fortune.
Pilgrimage #3: The Gilbert Temple.
Majestic. Beautiful. Peaceful. Meticulous. Gorgeous. Powerful. Magnificent. Perfect.
It is truly everything you have been hearing. I love to take my kids through temple open houses. Sure, they can see go to any temple and visit the baptistry when they are 12, but for my youngest, it will still be 6+ years before he can walk through the entire temple. Besides, if I have the resources to take them to where Mickey lives, I should be able to justify taking them to where the Lord dwells – right?
I’ve been through many temples. This one is the most beautiful I have ever seen. It is huge. Every detail is perfect. The thing that I was most impressed with, besides the peace and serenity, was the glass work. It was amazing. It is all based around the theme of an agave plant – some sort of cactus?
Truly the most beautiful stained glass I have seen outside of Catholic cathedrals. And the Catholic couple walking behind me agreed.
I ended up being a sort of “tour guide” for that couple. They had lots of questions, and I had lots of answers. Sharing the experience with someone outside our faith made it even more wonderful. I might write about it later.
LDS Newsroom has posted some amazing pictures of the temple that a far better than those I took with my iPhone. Check them out here.
Three pilgrimages, but only one mattered. How blessed I feel to live in a time where temples dot the landscape, and the kingdom of God is rolling forward.
Oh DUH! I totally missed thispost until today!! Had I known you were coming to our corner of Paradise, Marlin and I would have invited you to lunch at THE best restaurant around – Joe’s Farm Grill (garlic fries, BBQ from heaven and . I am just curious what day you came through – if you toured on Thursday the 30th or Monday the 3rd – chances are one or both of us smiled at you.
We LOVE Worlds of Fun!!! I end up in MO often and my kids love when I have to go in the summer. We stay there – and end up planning on a day or two of the park. There are perks for being drug along to your Mom’s boring speaking engagements.
We toured the temple a week ago. It was such a great experience. I can’t wait to go back after it’s been dedicated. I see you found one of my favorite lunch spots. Now it’s going to be even busier! 🙂
Isn’t it the most beautiful?! I thought it was better than San Diego inside- (sorry to those that love the San Diego). I was able to take my Non member parents through and couldn’t be more thrilled with its Majesty! The agave plant in everything was so perfect- in the ceiling- floors, carpets. wonderful!
I’m in Cache Valley, where it’s dumping snow, and I’m drinking slurpees like they’re going out of style. Why is it wrong to buy a frozen drink in the dead of winter? 🙂
I loved the windows in the Brigham City Temple — they based a lot of its design on peach trees, so the windows have peach blossoms. Absolutely lovely. I love that a lot of the design of the temples include elements from the area that surrounds them.
PS What an awesome opportunity to have someone ask you questions!
When you were in Gilbert you were about ten minutes away from my home – Southern and Higley – NE .
That would have been pilgrimage #4, but you would have to decide its status.
Next time, eh?
The Agave symbolism is awesome. Agave are also called century plants. They grow and grow over the years — a big rosette of succulent leaves –often with serrated or toothed edges — on the ground, sometimes 5 feet in diameter or more — they are beautiful but tough and resilient. hen, at some point it’s long life span, and no one is sure exactly what determines the timing, a TALL stalk sudden grows up from the middle of the rosette and displays numerous umbels of flowers, usually 8-15 feet off the ground, or maybe higher (at least the agave species in Arizona are this tall) — and then dies. Often leaving little descendants growing in ring around old parent plant. Are famous for being pollinated by long-nosed and long-tongued bats, but also feed hummingbirds, lots of bees, etc. Were a major food resource for Native Americans. There are so many cool analogies that could be drawn here. Looking forward to visiting it some day.
I mean visit that temple some day. Visiting with agave is great, too — but much less rewarding.
I flew into Phoenix a couple weeks ago. I made the mistake of taking a jacket (I live in St. George). For the 6 hours I was there, and walking around, I was sweating way too much for January. I know what J Golden thought of the heat in St. George, but I kind of think that is paradise, not so sure about Phoenix.
More on topic. I wonder how many people actually consider “temple vacations” My EC and I have managed to attend the temple in every country that we have lived in, which had one, and try to at least walk the grounds of the temples in the countries we visit. the same goes for cities here in the USA. Sadly, one that we missed was the open house of the Hague temple. We were not paying attention and didn’t realize that it was the same weekend that we were in Holland….and seeing the temple would have made the $$$ we spent on hotels a little more worth it. Heaven knows we saw a lot that we didn’t want to and would never want to pay for.
Welcome to AZ! That’s our temple and we are in awe of it’s beauty and have enjoyed being “tour guides” for so many in our community! Enjoy your stay and the beautiful weather..oh..and QT is ok…but the ice at that other chain convenience store is much better..and you get a 44 oz year round for .79 in a nice earth non friendly styrofoam cup that keeps that ice fresh all day..even in the AZ heat. We live in paradise.
Lot of symbolism with the Agave plant but not the fact it’s used in tequila. The leaves leave an impression on the older and younger leaves that stay with them forever. Hopefully you can see a plant while you’re here in AZ. You lucked out with Sauce, great restaurant. Thanks for your columns.
I agree – it is the most beautiful temple I have ever seen. I wish we hadn’t had to move at such a fast clip with the rest of the tour since my young children were with me, but I hope they will remember the feelings they felt and want to come back when they are of age.
I really loved your point about if you are able to afford taking your kids to Disneyland, then it is good to afford to take them to a temple open house or dedication. Thanks for sharing.
Makes me want to go to Gilbert…..not that I didn’t want to already. Yesterday, the clerk at the market, told me that when she got up to shower her shampoo and conditioner were frozen. Where are Al Gore’s prophecies when I need them?
I’m glad you didn’t turn back when you couldn’t find the pic of Jesus in the floor tile.