Two great things happened yesterday:

1. I got a very rare chance to tour the new Mormon temple in Gilbert, Arizona. Of course, normally, I’d never get that chance at all, since you can’t enter a temple unless you’re a member of the church in good standing. I am neither, so I have to wait for a new one to open or for an existing one to be remodeled.

As you can see from the line stretching out in front of us, this was a hot ticket. Unlike any of the other people standing in line, however, Dad, Interrupted and I had a bonus: the very kind and patient Mike, who is a knowledgeable member of the faith and who patiently answered my 463 questions and never commented on the irony.

It is a beautiful place, and obviously crafted by very reverent and loving hands. It was a privilege to be able to tour it.

2. I got to hold a baby! For quite a while, actually, as we waited for tours to begin and then during dinner. It’s been a while since I’ve had the honor, and I was a little worried I’d break him, but apparently holding a baby is a lot like riding a bicycle. Though I don’t recommend doing both at once. That can’t end well.

There is nothing like holding a baby. That being said, any of my children old enough to produce a baby should feel no pressure in this regard.

Side notes:

– Mike had reserved many tickets for the tour, and invited a former coworker, who had invited friends of his own. One of *those* friends was a woman I had worked with almost thirty years ago. That was awesome!

– Touring an 83,000 square foot facility will burn some steps.

– I am now so old (HOW OLD ARE YOU?) that touring churches is now what I call ‘date night.’

© E. Stocking Evans 2014