It is an exciting time for us here in the Magic Valley as we see the end of the long anticipated wait for our temple coming to a close. Dale and I were able to go through the temple on Sunday with other tour guides from our stake and it was breathtaking. As I walked in, tears began to flow because the spirit was there so strong...it is the Lord's house! The original artwork from Idaho artists on the walls are amazing, especially the mural in the first instruction room painted by the same artist that did the Rexsburg Temple. Large falls and springs indigenous to our area are beautifully depicted on the mural. 
Patterned in the carpet, on walls, and in the stained-glass windows is Idaho's state's flower, the syringa, which definately defines the temple as our own. The oval-shaped baptismal font is patterned after the font in the Nauvoo Temple and made with exquisite marble. Jerome Stake has July 16 and August 2nd as our tour dates. Dale and I will be doing shifts on the 16th from 8am to 12 noon and then again from 4pm to 8pm. Saturday, August 2nd we will be there from 12 noon to 8pm. Collette and other young single adults from our branch will be serving as ushers on those days and some will be helping with the foot coverings on the July 8th for the first VIP tour given by members of the Seventy.
Collette and I are enjoying our choir rehearsals, our 3-stake choir will perform for the 4th dedicatory session on August 24th. We will be able to go in the celestial room the week of August 18th to practice with the organ. We know for sure that Elder Costa, President of the Idaho Area, Elder Quentin Cook, President Eyring and President Monson will be here. We have given open house tickets to co-workers and have some for our neighbors. Experiencing the missionary zeal is very rewarding. Looking forward to going to this beautiful temple with you all.
