A Long Awaited For Day

Today was a very special day for Alan and I.  We were able to travel to the Los Angeles Temple with a sister in our ward who we Home Teach.  We started visiting her about 3 years ago (I think) and she was not active at all.  In fact, she was kind of bitter about the church because of something that had happened years earlier so it had been years since she had been to church.  Eventually, she started asking what time Church was, who the Bishop was, etc. and then she started to attend regularly.  About a year ago she expressed interest in going to the temple so we taught her the Temple Preparation Classes.  She met with the Bishop and the Stake President and got her temple recommend and set the date to attend the temple for today (May 25, 2012).  She is 88 years old (I think), which leads me to testify that it is never too late to attend the temple for the first time.  The trip was difficult for her, but with the aid of a wheelchair she managed to accomplish everything that was required and it was a great experience for all three of us.  Here is a picture of us outside the temple after the session.

Roz Bandish

Houston We Have A Problem

What do you do when this happens right before leaving for a breakfast at the church?

You pull out the back-up pair.  Thank goodness that I did have a back-up pair, even though they are an older prescription.  I am so glad that this didn't happen while I was working at the temple later that evening (Sat.) or I really would have been in trouble since my back-up pair was in the glove compartment of my car and I didn't drive to the temple.  Thank goodness for tender mercies.

Annual Trek to Anaheim

Almost every spring Alan and I find ourselves in Anaheim for the CDA (California Dental Association) Convention.  Attending the convention is a great way for Alan to accrue the continuing education credits he is required to keep his dental license valid.  He usually ends up taking a few of his staff members because they need continuing education credits as well.  This year he took two hygienists and an assistant.

One would assume that since the Convention Center and our hotel are right next to Disneyland, we would end up at the park, but not so.  I have reached the age where standing in long lines provides little excitement for me. However, we did have some fun at Downtown Disney.  On Thursday evening we ate dinner with Kathi (assistant) at the Rainforest Cafe.  If you have never eaten there, you need to try it sometime.  It is a very unique restaurant that replicates the rainforest.  Here are some pics of the inside of the restaurant.

This is a large acquarium close to our table

These elephants are animated and "come alive" about every 10 minutes

The gorillas also "come alive" about every 10 min.  

Along with the animals coming alive, a rainstorm complete with lightening and thunder also occurs.  This can be scary for some children, but I think it is fun for most.

One fun store at Downtown Disney is the Lego store.  These photos give you an idea of what can be created out of regular sized Legos.  Who knew?  I wonder if they counted the number of Legos they needed for these.  They are huge!

On Friday evening, Alan took his staff and I out to eat at Bubba Gump's.  That is another very unique restaurant.  I liked the food and the service, but what I didn't like was the noise.  I think it was the noisiest restaurant I have ever eaten at.  I forgot to take pictures of the restaurant itself, but I do have a photo of the dessert Alan ordered for he and I.....much too big!  It is really three desserts.  I was too full to eat much so Alan had to devour most of it.

Because we tend to overeat on trips like this, I found it necessary to go out walking each day (which also helped fill the time since I don't attend the convention).  I love walking among the beautiful California palm trees.