Richard and Gloria’s Adventures

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

So Grateful for Family both Near and Far

We love Thanksgiving, the holiday of gratitude. Our hearts are full of gratitude for family both near and far. We were lucky enough to celebrate in person with the Dave Ballard Family. Luke had his birthday party here with grandma and grandpa. Bonus!

We miss all our family and are grateful for their love and attention. They have kept us informed and included.

We are grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and all the blessings the atonement brings to our lives. We have had many opportunities to serve while on shift and away from the center, and see the tender mercies of the Lord in action. Many new friendships enrich our lives. We are humbled by the needs and struggles of many.

Christmas lights at the Mesa Temple & Visitors' Center with David, Leslie, Layla, Isaiah
and Lucas.

Isaiah writing like the statue of Isaiah behind him.

Posing in front of the camels and wisemen.

The international nativities are so beautiful and inspiring.

Turkey day! Yum!

Took lunch to the Riverview park and played.

Upside down Isaiah

Lovely Layla

Climbing Lucas

Happy boy

Dave got them swinging pretty good.

Splash park in November, can you believe it! Temperature was 84 degrees.

These three are pretty funny. They like action pictures.

Hatching out of a prehistoric egg

Luke was fascinated by this guy.

Touching the starfish

Loving the underwater bubbles

Layla hands on!

We took a lot of pictures because the kids were having so much fun!

On to the Rainforest Cafe, being the frog.

Luke enjoyed the gorillas, the coloring, the frog hat and his food.
He was starving!

Present time

Cake and candles to top things off.

Dave loading up the truck with some of our things to make our trip home easier.

All loaded up and headed home!

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Christmas Light Excitement 2014

Christmas Lights are amazing. They take a lot of man hours and dedication to put on such a show of lights! Volunteers work year round. We have had three Super Saturdays with volunteers from 50 Stakes working in their areas.

Some interesting facts: this is the 35th year for Temple lights, 10,000 lights on the star, 100,000 lights in the palm trees, camels have new LED lights this year and new blankets added, almost 1 mile of draped lights around the walk-ways, lights start going up on Oct 1st, over a million visitors come every year, the VC sisters helped with the wisemen and some other projects, over 1500 volunteers which are not all members of our church participate.

Lights remind us that Jesus Christ is the Light of the World! He is the real gift of Christmas. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Hard at work

Mary and Joseph got new clothes this year. They look very real!

Families work together

Many helping hands

We noticed this chart which shows the stakes and wards their areas, it is very well organized by Brother and Sister Jackson who have been doing this for three years.

This is a delicate job, getting the star up

The first night of testing the lights

So bright and beautiful

They turned on the star, I love it.

The camel and wisemen are placed on the front lawn.

Sister Susan Fuller is directing the inside decorating. She has a great committee.

We are all excited to see the finished room.

November Story Times

We have been sharing story time at the Mesa Temple Visitors' Center for the community. We have shared Bible Stories and Book of Mormon Stories to teach and testify of our Savior Jesus Christ. Many parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, babysitters, neighbors, bring the little children to feel the great spirit and truths these missionary sisters share with them. We sing together and participate to make it an enjoyable adventure.

November 7th