Happy Memorial Day

 Several days this week as we walked home for lunch we could see a crew power washing the conference center. In the second picture below you can see the line where they have cleaned and not cleaned.  It didn't look bad before but it looks even nicer now that it is all cleaned off.

Power washing of the Conference Center

Notice the line where the cleaning has already been done

 One of the Falcon eggs hatched on May 22.  If you go to the blog listed below you can see the current progress.  There are 3 eggs left to hatch.

http://slcfalcons.blogspot.com

It has been cold ever since we arrived in Salt Lake on February 27 but it appears that Spring has decided to arrive.  We noticed as we were out and about this weekend that people were finally wearing summer clothes. We are enjoying the nice warm days and the cool nights and know that the folks at home in the Phoenix area are already running their air conditioning to survive the heat.

Conference Center Theater where devotional was held

Conference Center Theater on Northwest End of Conference Center across the street from our apartment

On Wednesday we attended the annual Mission Devotional with special guest speaker, Richard G. Scott. It was a little out of character for him when he started his talk with a joke which he started by telling us that we all looked very somber. Then he said, "Let me tell you a secret.  Do you want to know a sure-fire way to wake up with a smile on your face every morning?  You go to bed with a coat hanger in your mouth." He emphasized the importance of Family History Work stating “It’s all about Family.” He encouraged to share what we are doing with our families to help them to appreciate the importance of serving and helping others in finding their ancestors. He said that it is good to go to the Temple but so much better when you can go and take a family name. He also stressed the importance of paying tithing saying that  it "teaches us to control our desire for worldly things; it shows you are worthy for Heavenly Father's blessings."

This week was Hail and Farewell in the Mission Zone which means we had a potluck lunch to honor any missionaries who are entering the mission or going home.  The British Zone held the potluck along with the awarding of any certificates for completion of either the Apprentice or Journeyman.  We received certificates for England and Scotland and next month when we have completed Ireland we will get the certificate for that as well as a certificate for completing all of the Journeyman Book.

On Thursday we were privileged to go to Sister Francis Monson’s funeral which was held in the tabernacle.  It was humbling to see the prophet come in and sit with his family in the front row and see the empty chair between Presidents Eyring and Uchtdorf.  Almost all of the 12 were in attendance as well as many of the other brethren. I am sure that this is a very difficult time for the prophet; he and Sister Monson have been married for 65 years.

As we were walking by Temple Square the other night we saw this unusual bike parked by the side of the road waiting for "customers".  We stopped and talked to the young man who was sitting at the wheel.  He said the "bike" was engineered by someone in Germany and they have used them in Salt Lake for several years (just for fun). In addition to the "driver" there are seats for 6 people surrounding the middle basket (where he told us you can fit a small child). There are pedals for all 6 "riders" to pump.  Looked like it would be lots of fun for a group of kids.  So when you're in Salt Lake this summer you might allow time for a fun bike ride.

6-seater bike

 

Thursday night we attended a flute choir presented by a group from Snow College. There were 15 flautists in the group along with several other small groups and soloists who  performed. It was a fun evening. I had never seen anything but a "straight" flute. In the second picture below you can see the flute that is shaped like a shepherds stick - I had not seen one before.

Notice the different shaped flute

We usually attend the Tabernacle Broadcast on Sunday Morning and have always gotten excellent seats.  This Sunday morning when we left our apartment building we could 6 big buses parked along West Temple so we expected there to be a big crowd.  When we got to the Tabernacle they had already closed the doors because it was full.  Apparently because of the Memorial Day Holiday there were extra tour groups and they had to open up the Assembly Hall and the Theatre in the North Visitor's Center to accommodate the crowd.  We actually had theatre seats and a big screen so it was still a delightful experience. There will not be a broadcast for a month as the choir is going on tour. When they return the Broadcast will be held in the Conference Center to allow seating for the summer crowds.

And of course I can't post a blog without posting some of the flowers that are currently blooming on Temple Square which have replaced many of the beautiful beds.