Sunday, June 25, 2006

A Visit with Autumn

Wow! The Florida gang seems to be adding their two cents worth lately. That's cool, right?
Well, Autumn found her way to Sunshine State and we had the opporutinity to go see her. It was just Audrea, Lyndsey & Brad (and of course myself) but we had a fun time. I am still amazed that other people's children can grow up so fast. It makes me feel so incredibly old!
Autumn was staying out in the tourists areas and it was a bit of a drive for us to meet up with her.... but well worth it. She was probably a bit overwhelmed by the chit-chat and enthusiasim of all of us but we were just happy to see her. She says that she's coming back out this way in August and we can't wait to see her again.
She shared photos of her handsome son and we exchanged silly photos of the weird boys that couldn't be there. Thank heavens for the technology of digital cameras and cell phones that take pictures. Funny thing though... no one thought to take pictures while we were all together.
I just wanted to share our joy of seeing Autumn and tell the rest of you... Come on down y'all.... we'd love to see you too.
Linda

Just a thought

I thought I would share take a minute to share an understanding I recently had. I have always wondered why God would give Adam and Eve two commandments knowing that they would have to break one to keep the other one. I have never completely understood this concept, but over the years I have just come to accept that the Lord knew they would break one and that there was no way around it. When we went through the temple, this same question kept coming to me and I just did not understand. Why would the Lord give Adam and Eve commandments that they could not keep? It wasn't until I was talking with a friend that I finally understood. All he said was "What was the purpose of the Savior?" It finally clicked with me that the plan of Salvation was established prior to Adam and Eve coming to the earth. Jesus Christ was already going to come to this earth as the Savior through the Atonement. Had Adam and Eve not ate of the fruit, then there would be no need for a Savior. This understanding is very simple and basic. But at the same time it has a deep, personal meaning for all of us. Had Adam and Eve not choosen to eat of the fruit, none of us would be here on this earth and none of us would have the opportunity to return to our father in heaven. For this new understanding, I am eternally grateful not only for my Savior, but for Adam and Eve. They made it possible for me to be born to this earth, to live my life, fulfill my Father's will and one day be worthy to return to him through my Savior Jesus Christ.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Some more temple pictures

I thought I would put up a few more pictures.


This picture reminds

me of that Greg Olsen picture























Our Sealing Day

Well...it looks like mom beat me at posting pictures. I am glad she did because it has taken me a couple of days to get a chance to get on. I was sick this weekend with a stomach virus that is going around and once this week started I got caught up in work and school.

Going to the temple was overall wonderful, spiritual, and exciting, but we did have some worries beforehand. I will share my side of the story with you and then maybe mom can share hers.

Okay... here it goes. (I like to talk so I hope that it is not too long )

Brad and I were supposed to be at the temple at 9am and our sealing session started at 10am. We were planning on meeting my parents at the temple around 8:30 since they had ordered a temple dress for me. We were supposed to meet them at Beehive Clothing so that I could try on the dress before our sealing. Brad and I were running a few minutes late. It was about 8:15am when I called my mom to tell her that we were on our way. She said okay and that they were already there so they would see us when we got there. Brad and I had stayed at his parents house the night before to house sit while they were away for the weekend so we were taking a new way to the temple. We had gotten the directions from Audrea and she had given a different road name. We missed the road we were supposed to turn on and ended up going in the wrong direction for about 10 minutes. We finally figured out what road we missed and we turned around. I tried to call my mom to tell her that we missed the road so we would be a few minutes later than what we already were. She did not answer her cell phone so we just figured that they left them in the car. When we finally got to the temple it was about 8:45. We parked right next to their car by Beehive clothing. We ran into Beehive clothing but I did not see them. I told Brad that because we were supposed to be at the temple at 9 and it was so late they might have just gone over to the temple to wait for us there. As we walked to the temple Brad said that they might be behind the counter trying stuff on and I asked him why they would be trying clothes on when they already had them. We went inside the temple and starting looking around the waiting area for them. We didn't see them and the temple workers at the recommend desk asked if they could help us since we looked very lost and confused. I told them that we were supposed to be meeting my parents here to try on my dress but that I could not find them. I told them their car was outside but I didn't see them at Beehive clothing and was wondering if they had already come over. The workers asked to see our recommends before they answered us. We gave them our recommends and they "Oh, your here for your sealing. Wait just a minute and a worker would be right there to take us back to records. I tried to tell them again that we needed to find my parents first and I was just wondering if they had been here. The worker came to the desk and took us back to records. She kept saying let's just go get the records done and it would be okay because my parents would be there. I finally said okay and we went back. Inside we saw a lady who used to be in our ward with my parents (her name is Sis. Priesser) and she told me that she had not seen them come in. She told me that she would watch for them and tell them where we were. After we finished going over our records, we saw Sis. Priesser again and she said that she had not seen my parents yet. The temple coordinator said that we coudl wait a few minutes for them, but they its was okay and that they would be here. By this time I am starting to get worked up and worried since I can not figure out why the car was outside but no body had seen them. Meanwhile, Brad keeps telling me to calm down that they were probably trying stuff on or something. Around 9:15, Brad's mom' best friend (Sis. Douberley) shows up. I quickly asked her to do me a huge favor and walk over to the clothing store to see if my parents are there. When she gets back she tells me that they told her that they were there but that they left about 15 minutes ago. Sis. Douberley also told me that their car was still parked next to ours. Just as she got back, the temple coordinator came back and said that we needed to go get dressed. I kept trying to tell them I needed to find my parents but they kept telling me it would be okay that they would be there.

Well....Brad got changed and went to wait for me in the Celestal room. Meanwhile, I am up in the Bride's room now. The lady up there asked me if I had a dress and I told her again that my mom had it and that is why I needed to find her first. She said okay and brought me a dress anyways. She told me that not many people like this dress but she did and told me to just put it on. She said that was all they had and to just wear it. Now I am dressed and I am sitting in the Brides room and I have no idea where my parents could be. There were two other women in there and they just told me it would be okay. I kept telling them I didn't know where my mom was. Well Sis. Douberley ended up coming to the Brides room to be with me until we figured out where my mom was. She told me that she didn't want me waiting by myself. After what seemed like an eternity, the temple worker came back and said guess who I found. I said "MY MOM!" I was almost in tears to finally see my mom. I immediately started askign where she was and telling her that I was trying to find her but the temple workers kept pushing us through saying that she would eventually be there. She told me that they had been in Beehive clothing behind the counter so that my dad could try on his ordiance worker clothes. She said they had waited until ten minutes after 9 and that is when they started worrying. They thought I would have called when we got to the temple. We we didn't show up they thought we had been in a accident or something. They looked all over the parking lot but didn't see our car. They were looking for Brad's truck instead of my car because we are usually in his truck. They ended up driving all the way back towards the house to see if we were mangled in the road somewhere. Brad and I must have had 20 missed messages from them trying to call us. And of course we weren't answering because our phones were in the car. They had called my sister, my aunt and Brad's parents looking for us. The two ladies in the brides room kept looking back and forth between my mom and I as we went on and on about where each other had been. I am sure they thought we were extremely weird. It must have seemed like we hadn't seen each other in forever.

Now that my mom was finally there it was time for us to get going to the sealing room. My mom went up to the room and I went to the Celestial room for Brad. He had been waiting in there for me the whole time. When I got in there I started crying. I told him that they had thought we were in an accident and they drove all the way home and I kept trying to tell everyone I needed to find my mom. He just gave me hug and said calm down, that things were fine now and it was time for us to go get sealed.

After everything that went on and my parents and us trying to "find" each other, we were not even late for our session!

For those of you that are still reading....I hope my longwindedness was not too much to endure.

From all of this, like my mom said, the temple workers were right when they kept telling me that everything would be alright and that my parents would be there. Also, I must admit I should have listened to my husband when he told me the first time that maybe I should ask to see if they are behind the counter. Had I listened to his promptings none of this would have happened.

Regardless, it was a wonderful, memorable day in more than one way that I will never forget.










Sunday, June 18, 2006

A Wonderful Day at the House of the Lord










We had the wonderful experience of being with Lyndsey and Brad at the temple yesterday as they were sealed. It was a day long awaited for and we feel blessed that it has arrived. Yes... we are so proud of our children.


Last week (6-10-06) they went to the temple to receive their own endowments. This week (6-17-06) was their sealing date. They did their best to go to the temple as near as their one year anniversary as possible. (06-11-05)

It was so peaceful in the temple being surrounded by many friends and family. I will save the crazy events and mishaps for Lyndsey to tell but I will give the hint the we were "lost souls" from each other for a while. Yet... in the end it was just as the temple workers said, "She'll be here. Don't worry." It all came together as it should and the Lord's word went forward with a challenge.

Being the mother, waiting for this day... I am thankful for the blessings of the journey. We have had many opportunities as a family to grow in our knowledge and teachings of the gospel. Our testimonies have been strengthened and our relationships improved. We have much to rejoice over. I don't know how to put into words the peace and joy that I felt sharing in the ordinances, of these days, with Lyndsey & Brad. So I will share the words that our previous stake president and his counselor expressed to us about them a few weeks ago... (They are still L & B's stake leaders.) They said that Brad and Lyndsey are worthy and faithful and we should rejoice in this knowledge. As the "mom" these are beautiful words to my ears. It is my prayer that each of us will experience these days of priesthood blessings and joy with each of our own children.

I hope that Lydnsey will get on soon and share from her point of view. I didn't want to steal her thunder but still get some photos out to all of you as quickly as possible. I think this "blogger" is a blessing to me because it's quick & easy and I actually feel inspired to get on and write and I am even plan to get those pictures taken so that I can share. (I am sure that all of you have heard the reason why I don't have a "testimony of photos" any more.... but I working to rebuild that "testimony".)

Love to all,

Linda



Wednesday, June 14, 2006

Dear Lyndsey & Bradley,
I just wanted to let you both know how proud of you we are. It is a great accomplishment to go to the temple. I am sorry that we could not be there for you but bad timing as Reuben is getting ready for his mission. Great things will come your way as you follow the teaching of our Savior, and serve others for him. Congrulation again on your new and everlasting marriage. Love Aunt Nancy and Family

Monday, June 12, 2006

Haupt Family Dancers

The Haupt family put on a show of their dancing talents while at the baby blessing festivities in Utah.


Nancy, Rebekah and Hannah displaying their moves.






Dad and Jordan showing ther stuff.

Wednesday, June 07, 2006

Thank You Aunt Karen...

Karen I wanted to thank you for letting us use your home for the get together after the blessing. You have done much for our family. Thank you for feeding us, moving the big boys and the millions of other things you have done without my noticing. You and your family are wonderful.

Love,
David, Nancy and the Family

Sunday, June 04, 2006

Haupt Weekend Fun

Happy Haupt moments Memorial Weekend. Reuben goes to the temple and Levi and Torie Bless Emma Haupt. Busy, happy times!

David and Jordan dancing...and we didn't even know David could dance.

Cousins by the dozens..sitting on the stairs.


Grandma and Grandpa Haupt- 55 years married. Taken at Temple Square, Salt Lake City, UT



The Whole Gang....after the Joseph Smith movie, at the Joseph Smith Building
72 + 1 + 11=???? Happpy Birthday Grandpa and Tony.


Can you name the bald guy? Another Haupt.







Great Grandma Haupt and Emma, and Great Grandma and Grandpa Haupt with Emma.


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