OK, so I have been kind of dreading this post just because I know how long it might be and that I actually put my brain to work and remember all the events that occurred but ok here we go....
So originally we were planning on going to Utah for our anniversary and had everything planned out when our Bishop hit us with something heavy. He had 2 tickets to General Conference and he would give them to us if we wanted to go. Um
HELLO! You don't say no to something like that. For those readers who are not Latter-Day Saints, you can read more about General Conference
here. But all I'm saying is its a pretty big deal. So of course the hubs and I were going. So we got his vacation changed to the week of conference and we were basically set for our trip. Hotels had been booked and our friends would let us crash for the rest of the week. So off we went and set out on our "Adventure."
So on April 1st we were on the road to Utah. A first for the hubs and he was amazingly happy. It was a long boring road trip, especially after St. George. I didn't want to fall asleep though, just in case I missed something. Believe me. I didn't miss anything. A lot of open fields and cows. That's pretty much it.
So 10 hours later we had finally made it to Salt Lake City. And who was there to greet us?
Well it was our old friend Elder Whimpey or should I say Kyle. He was accompanied my his beautiful girlfriend Rachel. We had dinner and drove around the conference center and then we parted ways, just to reunite later in the week.
So we drove to our first home away from home. At this point I can't remember what the hotel was called but it honestly wasn't a hotel at all. It was an apartment complex that rented out rooms. It was strange and in a way cozy. I wish I knew that there was going to be a full on kitchen. I might have cooked something.
We were so tired that we had no problem getting to bed.
We woke up to a somewhat chilly morning. Which was ok because I could finally put my coat to use. I would just like to add a side note that it was 90 degrees when we left California... OK anyways, a friend had been telling us that there was a stand by line to get into conference if you didn't have tickets. We thought how amazing it would be to sit in all 4 sessions. In the hubs' case 5. So we got the most amazing breakfast in the world... BK and we were off to the conference center.
Parking was horrible, the walk just to get to Temple Square was exhausting, and the stand by line was never ending. And then FINALLY we found the end of the line. We weren't the only ones in the back but the thought of getting into conference center was hopeless. We were greeted my sister missionaries and were entertained by listening to other peoples conversations and people watching. We were handed pieces of paper that resembled tickets stating what number we were in line... Number 550 something... fantastic. So the conference started and we were still standing outside. We weren't very hopeful at that point so we headed towards the Tabernacle. I must say the most uncomfortable seats in the world. And the thing that really got me was that people were actually falling asleep on these wooden seats. I'm not going to lie, my eyes started to shut too. The soothing voices of the speakers and the tabernacle singers were getting to me. Finally first session was over and we were making our way to the conference center for the second session. But first there was the matter of 2 extra tickets that we had gotten for Kyle and Rachel but they weren't able to make it so we had to do something with them. But who would we give them to? How do you choose someone in a crowd of thousands of people. So while standing in line for first session and in the middle of people watching, we saw this guy with the sweetest mustache ever!!! THIS WAS THE GUY!!!! How many people to you meet with awesome facial hair on a daily basis. None. So we walked up to him and his friend while a stranger was taking a pic of them and when we gave them the tickets the look on their faces was priceless. The look on the onlookers were priceless too. Wondering why we picked these guys out of everyone. They got a pic with us on their camera and the weird thing is that we gave them the tickets, we sat next to each other in the conference center and we never got their names
The room grew silent as President Monson made his way into the room. I held my breath at the mere sight of him and his first counselors. A few things stuck out to me during conference and I will probably never forget. Afterwards we had to climb 4 flights of stairs. Needless to say I think I was dying when I reached the top. We stepped outside and it was sprinkling. Nothing too big. The hubs and I parted ways as he was getting ready to enter the Priesthood session and women are not allowed in during that time. I went back to the hotel and started watching the "Emma Smith" movie. I had been wanting to watch it but I fell asleep on the couch instead. When I awoke it was dark and knew that I had to go pick up the hubs. When I walked out of the room there was rain and thunder. I was feeling very uneasy. I try to avoid driving in bad weather as much as possible. And if you have ever been to Utah, you would know that the streets are like a grid. So confusing. So I just thought I would drive towards the Temple. Bad idea. I was lost and didn't know what to do. I finally remember the GPS that my uncle let us borrow. When I finally got to Temple Square I was bombarded with a crowd of thousands of men! And our designated meeting spot was the meeting spot for everyone else apparently. I told the hubs to never do that to me again. And that was the last time I drove in Utah.
Next day was the same routine except when we walked out everything was covered in snow! I couldn't believe it! I wasn't prepared for this at all. I had to buy rain boots. Then when we got to Temple Square they made us park like a mile away. I was not having a very good morning. The stand by line was short that day and we got in very quickly. We got to hear President Monson give a talk and it was the highlight of my day. Afterwards we were very hungry and I was very grumpy and didn't want to stand in line again even though I knew we would have gotten in. I regretted it later when I found out that Elder Holland spoke. He is amazing and I can't believe I missed him. Punishment? Bad Chinese food.
We made our way to the Anniversary Inn. I highly recommend this hotel. So amazing with themed rooms and all. We stayed 2 nights and received a $100 gift certificate.
Monday we decided to actually tour Temple Square. We did everything. Except go inside the Temple. We had lunch at the Blue Lemon and went shopping at Deseret Book Store and then took a tour of the
Bee Hive House. Then we went to The Roof. A restaurant situated at the top of The Joseph Smith building and has a fantastic view of the Temple. I know it seems like I'm just listing things off but its been a week so its kind of a blur. But let me just say that we walked in with that gift card and walked out with $12. Your basically paying for the view.
After dinner we ran a muck in Temple Square. Not really but I would like to think we did. We were the only ones there.
Next day we had to find our way to entertain ourselves once again before heading out to Logan to stay with Kyle and company. We ate at the most amazing pizza place ever. The Pie. I might say its better than Round Table. Just saying. Thank you to our friend Megan for the recommendation. Then we went to go visit my beautiful friend Kirk. Talked for about an hour said our goodbyes and we were off to Logan. It is exactly like Lake Elsinore except no lake, no homeless people, no drug addicts and everyone minds their own business. The hubs is in love and wants to move there. We'll see. The Whimpey brothers took us to eat and then we went back to the bachelor pad to watch a movie. They have 2 room mates named Jeremy and Derek. I was in love with them from the beginning. The week consisted of Call of Duty, Football practice, lots of food and shenanigans. I honestly miss them so much and I can't believe I'm back in California without them. We became very close with Kyle and got to know him better now that he is done with his mission. Rachel also came to visit and I just fell more in love with her. I wish we got to spend more time together. We went to church in Logan and I gave my testimony because I knew I might not see these people again. I went up to the podium and told Whimpey the truth. That the reason I was there was because I prayed for someone to come and help me and show me that God was true. I honestly believe that God sent me Whimpey. So I never doubt that prayer helps.
After almost a week of staying with the boys we had to part ways. I will never forget that week and hopefully we can go back to see them or maybe even live there. But I can honestly say that those boys changed my life. I came home and looked at some of my "friends" and thought to myself.. "I don't know if I wanna be your friend anymore.." It sounds weird I know but its how I'm feeling right now. I left a part of me in Utah....
