Home away from Home

Soon after our family decided to move to Colorado back in 2011, we found out that there were plans for an LDS temple to be built very close to our new home in the city of Fort Collins. Throughout most of our lives, the closest temple was at least three hours away, so the idea of visiting a temple after just a 15 minute drive was very exciting for us.

For a long time, nothing was happening on the vacant lot set aside for the new temple. Then in August 2013, there was a groundbreaking ceremony, and eventually construction began. At the time, our assigned church building was right across the street from the temple site, so we were able to watch the building progress from week to week. Some Sundays our family managed to take a few photos.

September 2014, temple site:

February 2015, temple site:

March 2015, Trilby Building, Fort Collins:

(the church building across the street from the temple)

May 2015, 28th Street Building, Loveland:

(Our church building we attended while we were living in Loveland. I sometimes went back there for meetings related to my assignment, and took baby Paula with me)

August 2015, temple site:

(It was around this time that local growth in the church required some boundary changes and we were assigned to a different building in Windsor. We no longer got to see the temple site every Sunday, but still found opportunities to visit)

December 30, 2015:

July 4, 2016:

August 30, 2016 temple open house:

At the end of August of this year, the temple was finally completed and open to the public for three weeks. I was able to play some music in the welcome tent one of those days.

August 31, temple open house:
We were able to take our family through the temple open house on August 31. This was my first time going inside the building.

All guests were required to wear booties over their shoes before entering the building. Paula thought this was hilarious and kept repeating the word "booties" and giggling.

As we entered the building, I felt overwhelmed with feelings of humility and gratitude. It was hard to believe such a beautiful edifice had been built--as a symbol of faith and a place of worship--just a few miles from our home. I knew this building would bless countless lives, but as I walked within its walls that very first time, even among crowds of visitors, it felt like a very personal experience. It almost felt like I was opening a gift that was far more valuable than I deserved. I felt so grateful to be there together with my family.

The girls loved looking at the Christus statue inside the welcome tent.

There was a group photo opportunity inside the tent, where we posed in front of a giant picture of the temple . . .

. . . and we also got a picture in front of the actual building before we left.

September 3, 2016: Denver Temple:

While we have been living in Colorado, we have been attending the Denver Temple about once a month. The last time we went was at the beginning of September. This temple has been such a blessing to our family.

The Fort Collins Temple was dedicated on Sunday, October 16, 2016. Forest and I were able to watch a broadcast of one of the dedicatory sessions from a local church building. Even though we couldn't attend the ceremony in person, the messages were inspiring and I know that day will be a highlight among my experiences in Colorado.

Around that time, Paula brought home a sugar-cube statue of an LDS temple, complete with an angel Moroni on top. Her nursery teachers at church had helped her build it.

I tried to make a temple out of rice krispie treats, and was less successful.

It almost looks like a temple, if you use your imagination.

Once the Fort Collins Temple was dedicated, it was ready for the Lord's work. Forest made it there to do some work early on the morning of November 2. The sun was just coming up as he came out of the building.

Ramona walked the grounds again after going to a friend's baptism across the street.

I attended the newly-dedicated temple for the first time on November 15. For me, there really is nothing like stepping out of my normal, everyday life, and stepping inside the walls of a temple. It really is the house of the Lord, and my home away from home. Spending time there provides me with a spiritual renewal that I cannot find anywhere else. I come back out reminded of who I am and what I want to accomplish in this life.

Having the temple so close has allowed us to attend more frequently than the Denver Temple, but trying to make it there together as a couple has been a little more challenging than going individually. Lining up a babysitter for four small children and having zero kids throwing up was not easy, but we finally made it happen the week before Christmas. Thank you Grandparents!

And thank you, Fort Collins Temple! We are so happy to have you here.