Salt Lake City Temple - Vistor's Center.....Christus Statue

Friday, November 6, 2009 - We spent some time taking Xavier to see Downtown Salt Lake City and Temple Square. Unfortunately, we didn't get down there until it was getting darker and later, so this is the only picture I got of us. However, I really like this picture of the 4 of us A LOT!

Xavier was not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (a.k.a. the Mormon Church) when he came to visit us. Tammy had been doing a lot of missionary work with him over the internet throughout the course of their correspondence. Xavier had seemed to be very open and receptive in their conversations, and had many questions and a certain thirst for knowledge while he was here, so that's why we took him downtown to see Temple Square. While at the Visitor's Center, we walked upstairs to see the Christus Statue......which is where this picture was taken. I LOVE this statue! It brings tears to my eyes when I see it.

We spoke with a couple of sister missionaries while there and they played the recorded presentation for us in both English and in French, specifically for Xavier so that he could get the full message. While Xavier never seemed to say much........he did seemed to be touched by the Spirit quite often. It was a really great experience for Matt and I to be able to be a small part of helping him to learn and recognize what it was that he was feeling during those times.

Thank you for being so open and receptive, Xavier, and for allowing us to share with you one our greatest joys in life! You are a very special man and I know I told you before, but I believe that Heavenly Father has prepared you for this time in your life. I don't believe that you 'meeting' Tammy the way you did, etc, was an 'accident'. I felt something very special in you almost from the time that I met you. You have a very strong Spirit and I hope you will always remain strong and close to your Heavenly Father!

And, Tammy.........I'm so proud of you! You've grown up into an incredible young woman! It wasn't easy, but I'm so very grateful that you were close enough to the Spirit to feel the promptings and to be strong enough to heed those promptings as you continued your relationship with Xavier. You are an inspiration to me and I'm proud to call you my little sister!

As long as you both remain strong in your testimonies and stay close to your Beloved Heavenly Father, you will do well and learn and grow continually in your life! I sure do love you both and I'm so proud of both of you! Stay strong!!

(P.S. - If you're reading this and haven't already guessed it.......Xavier ended up getting baptized and joined the church on Saturday, November 28, 2009, in South Carolina. After he reaches his year mark this year......he and Tammy plan to be married in the Temple.)