15+ Hours at the Temple and Counting

We jokingly call it "Bootie Duty". Unfortunately that's kind of ah...not as appropriate as other names so I'm just calling it "Foot Covering Patrol". My first day volunteering at the temple open house, April 16, I was on the afternoon shift and I was doing this job. That is, putting pieces of plastic that look like shower caps on everyones feet as they were going into the temple for the tour. A basket of shoe covers looks something like this:

Sometimes there was some waiting that happened. Actually, a quite a bit of the time. Monday afternoon isn't the busiest of times.

 Just a lot of hurry up and wait for five hours. But it was totally worth it! But don't imagine the wrong picture ether. There was plenty of busyness too.

I didn't get any pictures of us in action because...well we were a little busy. Sometimes I only saw feet for a while. Feet. Lots and lots of feet! Well, shoes really. In some ways that's all those five hours revolved around. From toddler shoes to shoes that...just...didn't...quite...fit into the covers. When those shoes didn't fit, we would ask if he (there wasn't ever a woman that had this problem I don't think) could remove his shoes and put the covers on his feet. Then we would take his shoes to the exit at the back of the temple where he could get them back when the tour was finished. That was always a little awkward.

After awhile, some of us started to hear a pattern. There were some lines that it seemed as if every other person would say and we would just laugh politely. Here is the "Top 5" list that we finally came up with:

Top Five Things Not to Say to the "Foot Covering Patrol"

because we get tired of hearing them. (Trust me...it's not as original as you think.)

1. "Wow you're going to do this for me?"
2. "My feet are so big..."
3. "Can I take you home with me? It would be so helpful to have someone to help me with my shoes."
4.  "What a great service!"
5.  *screaming little kid that refused to have anything on their feet* "AAAAAAHHHHH!!! NOOOO!!!"

But my favorite line I heard was "I should have brought smaller feet!". Something different like that was quite refreshing.

Remember, this list is simply for humor (although an accurate observation) and I'm not making fun of anyone who said any of the above. We were somewhat bored and those little things were what amused us.

The second day I went to help, April 26, I was expecting to go back and do the whole thing over again. Just for two consecutive shifts this time. I ended up staying at friends house the night before so we could get up bright and early and be there for training that started at 7am.

 This is my friend and her mom on the way to the temple ready to start helping.

The number one rule for volunteers: be flexible! I did just that. Instead of shoe covering for the first shift, I was assigned to open the inside front door. It's surprising how fast 5 hours go when you're in the temple. Although my feet and legs and back started hurting almost right away, the shift was over before I knew it and I took a quick break to find my lunch and then headed back to the temple. I was again under the impression that I would do shoe covers but I was, once more, assigned to door duty. Just at the back of the temple this time. Because I was now outside, I actually got to sit most of the time and be with other youth. Turns out the deacons seem to always get sent to the back so I got to know a few of them pretty well. Even though my brother is a deacon, I still forgot how entertaining they can be.

 A random fact: 

After about ten hours of door opening, my hands smelled a bit like copper.

My thoughts now that the open house is all but over: I'm a little sad. I enjoyed going to the temple multiple times a week and being able to go through the entire temple. I won't be able to do that for a long time after its dedicated. In fact last week, only 4 days after I had been there, I was already starting to feel anxious to go back. On the other hand I am way excited. The dedication is just a week away! After that I'll be able to do baptisms and go as often as I want to (within reason) even if it is closed to the public. It's a bitter-sweet feeling but I'm just really glad that its here. I didn't think there would be a temple build in KC while I was still a kid or teenager and yet here it is. The new gem of I-435 and the rest of the city.

Note: All these pictures were taken on my iPod. I'm so glad I have it because I don't think I could have gotten as many pictures with a full camera. I will be posting a whole bunch more that I took of the temple over the last few weeks soon.

KC Celebration-Part 2

Practice, practice, practice. That's what we have been doing for over two months now. Dancing and singing at every spare moment possible. And yet, now that it is less than two weeks away, I feel anything but ready. The dances could always be more polished and sometimes I still forget the steps and trip over my partner. I know the lyrics to the songs...for the most part. But I'm also in the specialty choir so I clearly have to work on learning my part better. Our first choir rehearsal was on Sunday and it sounded pretty good. That said, there were still quite a few train wrecks and singing with 250 people in a choir setting is, well, a bit different than I'm used to. Additionally we were rehearsing with the orchestra and I've never sung with an orchestra before. (The song "Arise" is going to sound really, really, really cool by the way. The instrumental part is astounding!)

Here are some pictures from the last tri-stake rehearsal that was back on the 7th. This time we were split up into classes.

Priest/Laural group

The Priests and Laurals will be doing a techno dance that is simple but I think it'll look pretty cool. Unfortunately I will be two weeks too young to do it. A little frustrating but oh well. 

 Teacher/Mia Maid group

Because we have a large deaf community in the area, it was decided that we will sign the chorus of "We Believe" as we sing it.

The amazing Sister Dyck! She is one of the main music directors and wrote the song "One Heart in the Heartland" which will be the one of the last songs in the show.

 Cotton Eye Joe. Here we go!

(Can you find me? It can't be hard since I'm wearing bright orange shorts.)

 Deacon/Beehive group

 

And we've practicing in our wards on youth activity night.

Then last week we had a practice with just our stake.

OK maybe that's enough pictures for one day, huh? Well stay tuned because there will probably be a really special post within three weeks hopefully. The excitement is building! Well I guess I'll go back to more practicing now...

kctempleevents.org

Mini Stories From My iPod-March

A little late but..the latest edition from my iPod:
First of all: I got the app Instagram. If you have an Apple or Android you should totally get it! Its a photo editing and sharing app/account. It has kind of become my instant blogging with my life being busier. Check out my profile here:

Many of my pictures will be edited by IG.

 Domino day at the library!

 Rock and Mineral show at the KCI expo center. There were gems, minerals, fossils and rocks everywhere. Although I didn't buy anything, it was very interesting!

 We got to go to the special sneak peek of the exhibit "Science on a Sphere" at Science City. There are many locations world wide where you can find similar exhibits. If you live near one (you can find a list of locations on the website) be sure to check it out!

 For YW one Sunday, sister Beatty made us these "emergency" purses to go with the lesson. It was based off of the story of The Lost Purse as told my Elder Cook.

My little sister being cute as always!