Temple Square Lights

 It's December in Salt Lake City... ya' have to go, it's tradition! (and I've secretly wondered if it's required to keep your temple recommend). So we bundled up the little darlings and headed downtown. Anja was giggling. It was funner than sitting at home playing Uno with her brothers.

 It was warm on December 10, 2010 (around 40 degrees) which is HOT for SLC this time of year. The snow was gone and there wasn't even a cold breeze. Remember, Anja only wears skirts--notice the skirt--and she likes glittery things--in this case twinkling lights-- so there must be reason to "pose" for a picture. This explains her stance.

Loved this picture with the temple behind the boys. It was so sweet.

Now comes the story I'm recording for my son someday to read. I've stated before how amazed we have been at Jensen's grasp of the Gospel at such a young age. I'm amazed and worried. I really don't feel qualified to answer his questions or continue to teach him at the rate he seems to want to learn. This was one of those nights that confirmed these feeling but also gave me great joy.

As we were walking up to see the statue of Christ with about 300 other people, Jensen stopped just as we walked up the ramp and saw the walls painted with celestial bodies, stars and clouds. He stopped so suddenly the people behind him stumbled. I looked back and saw his hand clutch his chest. I turned and asked if he was alright. With tears in his eyes he said, "Mom, it's like I'm coming home." There was no music playing, it was loud, it was crowded and somehow, my Jensen was so touched by the Spirit, he felt like he was "home".

When we reached the top of the ramp he walked to the front of crowd and fell to his knees in front of the statue. Anja followed him up and all I could do was stand with the strangers gasping at the little boy in blue kneeling at the foot of the Christus statue. It didn't last long and he quickly stood up when his brother joined him. I walked up and stood next to all three explaining the importance of the statue. Jensen didn't speak. He just nodded like he had heard this before and was agreeing.

Then we headed to the Nativity. At some point during the performance I notice Carter putting his arm around Jensen to comfort him. I snapped this picture but didn't interrupt the boys. When it was over I asked Jensen what he was feeling (thinking he was feeling love for the Savior). "Mom, there were thousands of people in Bethlehem when Jesus was born, right? That means there were hundreds of shepherds too. All those people were so close to seeing the Savior, but they didn't. I can't imagine how they felt once they found out they missed him."
This was not the direction I expected our conversation to go. I was humbled and in shock at the thought this little seven year old boy put into the Nativity. Honestly, I don't know that I've ever wondered how those who "missed" Him felt. Jensen wondered and felt sad for them.

Lastly we ended up at the temple doors. It was a wonderful night that went beyond my expectations as a parent. Jensen feels and sees spiritual things many adults miss. He is somehow programed to always be "in tune" to these things. In RS we talked about gifts of the spirit the day after this experience. I couldn't focus past the first three gifts. My Jensen seems to have tapped into these gifts at a very young age. I can only imagine what this year will bring once he is baptized and the full gift of the HG is on him.