Wow, it's been almost 2 years since my last post. Oh well. Will try to update somewhat later. 

So, Vic and I served in the Provo Temple for the last 2 1/2 years, until the Payson Temple opened and we began serving here. 

Last Friday, or maybe the Friday before that, as I was hustling to fill the veil posts (yes, I'm the Friday night veil coordinator) in the ordinance worker waiting room, I finally sat down and happened to look up at the painting on the wall directly in front of me. It's of the Savior in the midst of some men and a child, obviously teaching them. They are all very attentive, and you can see their focus on what he's explaining to them. It came to me: It's a literal visual for what's going on HERE, in the temple and at the veil. HE is teaching us. He is teaching the patrons who come here. We need to pretty much stay out of the way of them being taught; not draw attention to ourselves or in any way distract from that process - that spiritual interaction. The men in the picture are not interrupting, discussing, looking away...just focusing on the teaching of the Savior. 

So now, every Friday night, I make a point of taking some time between veils, if I can, and sitting where i can focus on that picture and make myself available to be taught by the Spirit.

Last night I subbed, and had a couple of standing posts, then some down time because they'd closed Name Issue and Initiatory, so after sitting down in the snack room for a spell, I went up to the veil. Got in on the last veil of the night. It was awesome. The first couple of sisters just rattled off the veil ceremony, but the next one was more interesting. She had either tattoos or some henna designs on the back of her hands that were beautifully detailed, and her demeanor was very humble. She almost knew it all, but was still fairly hesitant. Not embarrassed, but focused entirely on what she was saying, and learning it better, and learning from it. We as veil workers LOVE that. 

The next sister was maybe in her late teens or early twenties, and had Down's syndrome. She knew her stuff, though. She stumbled only a couple of times on key words, and some of the smaller words sort of went by the wayside on account of her speech, but  she KNEW it, and it was a pleasure and an honor to be there with her. The receiver seemed to pick up on her situation early on, and was very accepting of her efforts. He seemed familiar with her, and was very smiling and loving towards her when he took her through. 

When patrons speed through the process, it's easy to think that they're not even really paying attention. But I'm learning to not assume that. The last sister seemed to be speeding along, very efficient-like, but on the last token, she was sooo moved she could barely get her voice out; she simply wept through the entire name. 
What an amazing experience!

As long as I'm talking about this type of learning experience, I'll mention another time or two when I was surprised by the patrons.

In Provo once, there was a really young girl - seemed young enough to be a teenager, but
again, she knew the veil ceremony. (It continues to surprise me when they know it so well at such a young age!) She was sort of facing away from me, and she ended each of her comments sort of on an upnote, and I began to feel that she might be being flippant about what she was saying, but towards the end, as she turned towards me, I saw that she had tears streaming down her face. Taught again.

Another sister who with her husband was the witness couple, here in the Payson temple, seemed less than exact with her motions. Again, I found myself forming a judgement. (I know, when will I learn?) When she came to the veil, though, I felt to repent of my judgement; she was so earnest and so touched by the things said in that sacred place.
That's it for now.
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...it's learning to dance in the rain."