Elijah and I were so excited to show our children Provo. This is a place with lots of great memories for us. Elijah and I met and fell in love while attending Ricks College (now BYU-Idaho). Ricks was a two year college then, so Elijah and I got married in between finishing Ricks and starting BYU in Provo. We lived in Provo for three years. (I decided while finishing one degree to get a teaching certificate as well, so I had to extend my stay.) Toward our last year, we decided to have an addition to our family. Gillian was born in Provo two weeks before we left for Georgia. For Gillian, who loves church history more than any one I know, the fact that she was born in Utah, the pioneer state, is very special.
We showed our children our first apartment that Elijah and I lived as a married couple. It was within walking distance to a grocery store, the Senior MTC where I worked, and BYU, which we both attended. We lived there for a whole year, and it was very fancy for a newly wed couple.
We took the kids for a drive around campus, and of course showed them the buildings we most frequently attended.
The second house we lived in was very close to the Provo Temple and the MTC. I remember being a temple worker for over a year and walking there through snow and heat. To this day, Elijah is amazed that a night owl such as I am would wake up early every Saturday to be on time for my 5:00 a.m. shift. To tell the truth, I personally don't have an answer to that except that the Lord helped me to be awake and alert. I enjoyed working at the temple, and especially having it so close to home.
We also made a stop at the hospital (Utah Valley Regional Medical Center) where Gillian was delivered, and then after that it was time for lunch. Of course, Cafe Rio, where Elijah and I would eat very often while living in Provo, was the no-competition choice.
Leaving Provo behind, we headed toward Idaho. The weather was good, the lunch delicious, and the drive relaxing. When we got to Rexburg, we were greeted by the Rexburg Temple situated right on top of the hill. White and majestic, it absolutely felt as if a piece of heaven was placed on earth. Very beautiful indeed! What a blessing for those students to have such a spiritual edifice right on campus.
While in Rexburg, we were going to stay with Elijah's sister, Sarah and her husband, Jacob. Elijah's other sister, Rebekah, who is attending BYU-Idaho at the moment, was at Sarah's house when we got there. We were all excited to see each other, and the children couldn't have enough of their aunts and uncle.
After an awesome evening with delicious food and wonderful company, we decided to call it a day. I have to say that I was absolutely impressed that we got our own private room. Sarah and Jacob had done a fantastic job decorating their home, and had it more together than when Elijah and I were newly weds. Thank you guys for showing us a good time! Those steaks were just unbelievably tasty!
