Je Me Souviens

So for our birthday, christmas, anniversary and miscellaneous presents Brigham gifted us with a airplane trip to Montreal- the land of the Mission - Quebec Canada. Rindy and I haven't taken a trip with just the two of us since forever. Thanks to Brigham, and Mackey juggling some things here alone, and Blair & Julie coming down to help Mackey with others - we were excited to go. Our goal wasn't per-se to do any particular thing but to spend time together and see a few things I had never seen before, and for Rindy all of Quebec was a first.

traveling partner

We started with Sharon Vermont and visiting Joseph Smith's birth place. Its in the middle of nowhere; but a lovely nowhere. its a peaceful, reverential place. One of the highlights was a new church video about the family that is part of their presentation. As the world debates the nature and definition of families - the Lord is constant and this video teaches the simple doctrine.

it was a beautiful day for a road trip

Thanks to the Internet we drove through Montpelier and search for the top restaurants. As rindy drove I read aloud the reviews and we voted. SALT.  It is a tiny 16-seater with locally sourced ingredients and a menu that changes regularly. Dad would have loved the short ribs and we loved everything we ate. A delightful and tasty choice. Equally in the middle of nowhere. But if you find yourself there - we recommend it and give it a 5 star rating.

Back to Montreal. In candor we drove many a mile, but our goal was to spend time together talking and once you get your 'Road Warrior" mindset. Its as easy to talk in a car as any where.

Montreal - did it look the same? Its funny how much I remembered and how much I forgot. The french slide back easily, my conjugation reeked, but the core was there. Remembering streets and roads, and areas just didn't happen for me. I remembered the teaching highlights of the mission.

We stayed in a downtown Marriott on the 34th floor and had a panoramic view of the City. It provided a quick orientation of where what was. Saturday morning we arose early and went walking the old city of Montreal. There is no better fashion, at least in our view, to quickly get a feel for a city than to walk it. WE came across the shooting of a movie set in the 19th century and they had quite a few buggies going back and forth; went to the cathedral and out to the harbor and though the town.

Afterward we drove over to the Temple and enjoyed  a session together;  Clearly, there was no temple there back in 73.It is the same make and model as the St Paul, only done right, with added space for coats, waiting, eating - go figure - glad to see them apply the acquired wisdom. I visited with a few people that I knew and enjoyed reconnecting.

We followed the temple with a drive up to Mont Tremblant. (check the link out their photos are better than mine)I never knew Quebec and such hilly (small mountainous) terrain. It was beautiful. The city itself was about 2 - 2 1/2 hours north of Montreal. We stayed in a small  village reminiscent to a vail or a park city but quainter and more european.

Might as well fess up here and now. We thoroughly enjoyed Quebec and would go back. It has multiple enjoyable venues and  has the benefit of being foreign all the while being very close. The shops were as they should be a once again we were more than pleased with the food. We were guided right and simply enjoyed .

the next leg of the journey was to another place I had never been - Quebec City. Lots of one-way roads made navigation a bit tricky but we figured it out. We stayed in the heart of the town and walked the evening in a light mist while finding an outdoor skating rink which in turn led to us discovering another great restaurant _ we did remarkably well in the food department this trip. The morning was spent wondering the old city, over looking the St Laurence, cathedrals and forts. It was great.

The trip reminded us once again that we are first and foremost friends who enjoy each other's company, we are complementary travel companions, and still in love. 

Temple Visit

dale sally tim rindy

We drove down to Kansas City, MO to visit my sister Sally, her husband Dale and to visit the Kansas City Temple Open House. I've been to a number of them including: Provo, Chicago, Nauvoo, St Paul; and this did not disappoint it was a peaceful, spiritual, edifying visit to the  Temple; and one in which Mackey could share with us.

"The temple is the house of the Lord. The basis for every temple ordinance and covenant…is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Every activity, every lesson, all we do in the Church, point to the Lord and His holy house."

—Russell M. Nelson

"I know your lives are busy. I know that you have much to do. But I make you a promise that if you will go to the house of the Lord, you will be blessed; life will be better for you."

—Gordon B. Hinckley

We will receive inspiration sufficient for the challenges of life."

—Boyd K. Packer

"In a world filled with chaos, conflict and challenge the Temple is a safe haven. It is an island of peace and sweetness which brings calm to our spirit and clarity to our souls. When the clouds gather it brings the ray of hope; when things are well it amplifies the joy. Whether during an open house like this weekend; or with a youth baptismal trip, or Wednesday night when I serve in the Chicago Temple, or sitting next to my Rindy while attending the Temple together - The Temple is the House of God, a place of solace, guidance, and peace. Come join us at the Temple and feel the difference it makes.

—Tim 

kansas city temple

kansas city temple

mac tim rindy

Mission Prep

This week was the first time for Parker to go through the Temple. Though we missed Julie and Mackey we enjoyed the company of our Home Teacher, Bishop, Stake President and their wives along with Robert and Laura representing the extended family who were there in thought and spirit. Beyond being a sacred place the Temple is truly a place of love and beauty. There is a serenity and peace that are not easily replicated in the world. I'm grateful we were able to be there with the boys.

An additional highlight was being able to join with a couple Parker and I have home taught as they went through the Temple for the first time on the same session , which was followed by their Sealing and the Sealing of their three married sons to them as well. It was a total experience for Parker and made for a delightful day.

Legacy

We have interesting legacy moments that catch us in Chicago. This past week while in the study room at the Temple one brother dropped in with  peppermint lifesavers. I quickly commented that my father had been an addict and that I always enjoyed one thinking of him as I did. Another elderly brother commented that when he first started working in the Temple the President at the time use to put bowls of lifesavers in the worker's room for people to enjoy. I asked him when,where, and who. It was Chicago, 1992, and Dad. Life is fun. A great memory though small, of my Dad.

Quorum plus one

Let me state this
Plain and simple
You are never lost
When you have the temple

Lift your thoughts
And be a light
Offering hope
That's forever bright


Gary E. Stevenson

Temple Day

So today was family Temple Day. We gathered together and spent a couple of hours in the Temple as a family. Great activity to do together. Everyone participated at their level. A bonus today was having Rindy's brother John in town to be with us for the weekend and join us at the Temple.


Dean and Eden hug out with the baby sitter

Tulips

I love tulips.

There isn’t a particular color that I fancy over others it is tulips.

The book Tulip Mania

(Tulipomania presents a fascinating look at the tulip frenzy that took place in Holland in the mid-1600s.) helped contextualize the global appeal of tulips and I enjoyed the historic read, yet mine is more personal affinity. . Though I always enjoyed them as a youth I think it was, no I am sure it was that May 1^st several, ok many, years back when I married Rindy in the Salt Lake Temple that linked my love of Rindy to my love of Tulips., My favorite piece of art in our home is an image of the Temple with tulips in bloom . not unlike his photo.

My favorite garden display is that of tulips.

And so I wasn’t surprised when Rindy, Brigham and Evan drove to Nauvoo for Ben’s wedding that Rindy would run into the grounds keeper as he was unplanting the tulips, getting ready to jettison them, that she would volunteer to take them and re-plant them at our home in Naperville.

Temple Tulips – how nice.