Pemple! Pemple!

On Friday Amber and I made the 40 minute drive into the tri cities to do some errands. We visited Home Depot, Goodwill, Winco, and Costco--a tall order for one morning. I was hoping to take Amber on a walk around the temple but when we were finally done at Costco it was nearly 12:30pm and naptime. Throwing caution to the winds, we went to the temple anyways. I have found that I have never regretted going to the temple.

In the parking lot I pointed to the big white building and told Amber that it is a temple. She caught on fast and said "Pemple! Pemple!" over and over while we strolled around the outside. I had to chase Amber down a few times to prevent her from demolishing the landscaping, but it was somehow still a peaceful walk. I thought back to all the times I took little Jay and littler Rose there for walks. Jay loved the fountain.  I remembered taking Rose and baby Amber there together. Rose loved the flowers. Now it was just my little Amby at my side, admiring the beautiful sunshine and trotting around the white sidewalk. The rush and bustle of our errands slipped away and I felt calm--centered.

 Sunlight through the stained glass up high

It's wonderful that we don't have to go inside the temple to feel the peace of the place. I still love going inside, and I was privileged to go into the temple TWICE this past month, but I love that walking around the outside is peaceful too. The scriptures talk about being endowed with power from on high, and the temple persuades me that peace is power. Peace is power. The Prince of Peace. The still small voice. Peace be still. Peace is definitely power.

After our walk, Amber slept all the way home.