The highlight of Elder Scott's CCM experience

The Lima Perú LDS Temple

I can't believe it, but it's time to check off another week at the Lima CCM  which means 5 weeks have been completed and there's less than one week before Elder Scott boards a plane heading for Trujillo. He is so excited to get out in the field and use the skills he's learned to teach and serve the people. It brings him such great joy, and he absolutely loves being a missionary.

This week was extra special for all the missionaries at the CCM because the Lima Peru temple reopened after being closed the past month for cleaning and refurbishment. The missionaries in his district were able to attend a Wednesday afternoon session, and he said it was the most spectacular day. He had been looking forward to it all month long, and the day did not disappoint. 

For a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, temples are the most peaceful, sacred buildings on earth and are meant to be set apart from the turmoils of the world. They are different from our chapels. Currently there are 153 temples around the world and each has been dedicated as an actual House of the Lord. It's a place we go to feel close to the Lord and make sacred covenants with our Father in Heaven.  
If you would like to learn more about the purpose of temples, take a look at this link. 
 https://www.lds.org/church/temples/why-mormons-build-temples?lang=eng

Attending the temple took the better part of the afternoon, so Elder Scott had even less time than normal to write home this week, in fact this is the second week in a row where he ran out of time to write a big letter,but luckily he sent me 75 new journal entries and told me to piece together a few blog posts using those. I love that he sends me such beautifully written moments about his time as a missionary. The depth of growth he's experienced in 5 short weeks has been astounding and I am beyond grateful he has this opportunity. 

Because of the travel between Lima and Trujillo, there's a good chance Elder Scott won't have an opportunity to write next week either so it will be a couple weeks before we hear how my favorite missionary is doing. In the meantime, here's a great trick Elder Scott was taught in the CCM. It's a process you can use when you get anxious or upset: 

You need to stop and find 5 things you can see, 4 things you can hear, 3 things you can touch, 2 things you can smell or taste, and then breathe. Focus on your breathing until those feelings settle. Tell yourself, "I've gotten this far, I can get through the next"

Or,for a quick fix you can try Elder Scott's other trick which is to purchase new ties, ha-ha! Those of you who know Kyler know how much he loves his ties! He sent me a picture of these cool Peruvian ones he found on his way back from the temple. 

He's such a great kid, and brings a huge smile to my face every day. I am so grateful that our Father in Heaven entrusted me with such special children. I am truly the luckiest mom in the world!