Temple Trips

In preparing for the first temple trip after our arrival, one of the sisters was talking about taking her 7 year old daughter.  I was surprised.  I said, how are you going to take care of her while you're in the temple?  I had never been on a temple trip that included children.  Boy did I have something to learn.

Children are some of the best parts of the temple trip now.  We've sort of gone through a cycle of trying to find the right balance between price and how many go. When we arrived, the cost to go on the temple trip was $15 for adults, $7 for youth and $5 for children.  The cost didn't even cover the price.  The budget covered part of the expenses. After a couple of trips, we were only getting youth who could go.  The reason:  people didn't have enough money for all to go so the parents wanted their youth to have the temple experience and would pay for them to go.

Unfortunately, we needed adults to go with them, so we ended up cancelling a bunch of trips.  In February of 2017 we really wanted to get a big groups to go to the temple.  There were many members who were coming back to church and had never seen the temple.  There were new members we wanted to share the temple with.

So we decided to get "families" to go we needed to discount the "family" price.  We charged: $25 for family, $10 for adults/youth.  There were 62 that went.  The largest group ever from Santiago.

This is our district.  The Chitre Branch had lots come too.

 The highlights from this trip.

• Estelda Machuco an early member of the branch has returned and had never been to the temple.  It was a special time for her to be here and set the goal to return.  We went in the entry and sat for a few minutes.  

 

• Raul y Juan Carlos Pimentel went for the first time.  Hermano Pimentel has been a member many years and this was his first visit to the temple.  He was so excited to be here.  He really enjoyed it.

• Jose and Elizabeth Gonzalez and their three daughters went to the temple.  Jose was baptized last year and they are preparing to go to the temple.

• Gabriel Camargo is not a member but he comes to church all the time and he has daughters who are members. (His daughter, Eria, is on the left.)

The temple is a sacred place for us.  It is the place where families are united together through Elijah's sealing power for all eternity.  This is the highest goal we can work towards. That our families can be forever.  There was a beautiful spirit at the temple all day.  Everyone felt it.  It is one of our most sacred memories from our mission.

One temple visit we met a man who served a misison with Jared in Argentina.

Another visit met former missionary companions from Michael's mission.

We love to bring others to the temple or share special experiences.

On this trip to Panama we went to the temple so Elmer and Digna could see the temple.

Our most recent trip:

We wanted another temple trip before we leave.  We worked with the prices again and this time charged $40 for family, $15 for adults and $10 for youth and children.  We had 49 attend.  It was totally covered by those going.  We were very excited.  This trip had it's special parts also.  Avidel and Evelin went for the first time to do baptisms.  Avidel was baptized a couple of months ago.  Evelin has returned to activity.

Maidalin was baptized last week.  This was her first trip to the temple to do baptisms.  (Maidalin is on the left)

• William is the son of Nelsa y Vitelio who are members.  He is taking the discussions with his wife Miriam.  This is there first trip to the temple.

The Chevaliers are a family that have been members for a long time.  This is the first time back to the temple for a little while.  So excited to have them with us.

There is a casa de huespedes (a place to stay the night if you have to travel)  There's a family history center where I worked with some people.  There is a cafeteria.  There are also sitting areas.

Some of our members ran into family members or friends who were also at the temple on Saturday.

Before we leave, we drag those who loaded on the bus early out for a picture.  I think we got most everyone.

The ride home.  Sweet.

Hermana Bernarda (above) is 86 years old.  Her daughter Maria accompanied us.

When William was trying to get permission for Miriam to get off to go on the trip, he chose a quote from a pamphlet on the temple....

En la casa del Señor sentimos la influencia del Espíritu Santo y nos acercamos más a Dios, Nuestro Padre Eterno, y a su amado hijo, Jesucristo.

In the House of the Lord we feel the influence of the Holy Spirit and we draw closer to God, Our Heavenly Father and to his Son, Jesus Christ.

My testimony is that the Temple is the House of the Lord.  His Spirit is there.  It is a most sacred and holy place where we can feel His presence and be united as eternal families.