Saturday mornings are used for many different things. There are garages to clear out, youth games to attend, cars to wash, lessons to finalize, groceries to be purchased, and a myriad of multiple things in which to use these precious weekend mornings. Brooke and I woke early this past Saturday and headed to something special...a groundbreaking for our new church building. Who would have thought that the scene below would be a place for the Spirit to attend, hearts to be softened, thoughts to be shared, and a dream of families long ago to be fulfilled...a building to call their own.
The program was perfectly planned. Equal dignitaries were given time to share their thoughts, beautiful music was shared, shivers from the cold morning could be heard, and friends and families could see the vision of this future spot being the very place where these families would grow and worship.
When I was a little girl, I lived in Parker for nine short months. This was a brief time in one place, but one that held beautiful memories for my siblings and myself. I remember summer mornings riding my bike down to swim team practice, followed by quick trips to Mountain Man for penny candy. We lived in the little subdivision of Rowley Downs, in the house at the very top with the barn-like roof. We crowded around a tiny, borrowed television and watched with awe as we witnessed the '84 Olympics, and practiced for hours to improve our own skills. We camped in the backyard, wandered the fields in back of our home, and played board games until wee hours of those summer nights. But on Sunday, we got in the car and we drove. Not down the street or a couple neighborhoods over, but all the way to Castle Rock on dirt roads to the chapel nestled in a quiet community.
That was two decades ago. I have grown into a 40-year-old mother of seven, seen more trials and joy than one person deserves in a lifetime, and now have the privilege of watching this beautiful building be built brick by brick just a few minutes from my home.
I love this gospel. I love the joy and peace it brings to my heart. I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and I am blessed to live in Parker, Colorado at this time. One of the speakers spoke about the opportunity to increase my spiritual commitment as I watch this building be built, and I accept. I accept an opportunity to represent Him. To raise my family in such a way that we can return to Him. To have His Spirit penetrate our hearts.
It was a beautiful way to spend a frigid Saturday morning...
