Wuehlers: Can you roll with it?: Temple Square and Family Picnic

Since Utah is plush with chapels, we could have attended church pretty much anywhere, anytime we wanted on Sunday. However, I really wanted Liesel to experience the Mormon Tabernacle Choir up close so for the 3rd day in a row, we put on our Sunday best and headed to SLC before the sun was even up.

Turns out the message was "The Power of Pausing"--HA!

Here is the transcript: Sometimes, in order to move faster, we need to slow down. In order to see better, we need to close our eyes for a while. And in order to progress, we need to take an occasional step back. It seems counterintuitive, but some of the most successful people know that success doesn’t come just from relentless pushing—we actually do better if we have regular moments of rest.

Liz Wiseman, an executive in the demanding business world, recently wrote in Fortune magazine of what she calls “the power of pausing.” “On Sundays,” she explains, “I shut out the world. For me, it’s a Sabbath observance, an opportunity to rest from responsibilities and focus on other purposeful activities, such as devotion and family…. While my Sunday routine varies somewhat, there is one thing that remains consistent: I don’t work.”

The idea of a weekly day of rest is literally as old as the earth and is part of many religious traditions. While some find it old fashioned in today’s world, others have found that it’s exactly what the modern world needs. One college student, after an especially hectic semester, decided to observe a weekly day of rest, where she sets homework aside and focuses more on everlasting things. When she resumes her schoolwork on Monday, she has a sharper mind, a refreshed body, a renewed spirit. Her week seems to go better.

A busy family juggling a demanding schedule made a similar decision. On their Sabbath day, they gather together as a family, eat together, converse, visit loved ones, and worship. They fortify their faith and their family. It has become a day that everyone in the family cherishes.

A day of rest could include a break from the digital world, an hour or two with a good book, a walk in nature, or simply some unstructured quiet time. It might mean more time with family or friends—laughing together, talking together, just spending time together. It might mean that instead of thinking about our to-do lists, we think about things of eternal consequence.

Liz Wiseman offers this advice: “Everyone deserves a ‘Sabbath’ of some sort. So this Sunday, go ahead and disconnect. Hit the pause button. Devote yourself to something other than work. Relax with family and friends. Or, simply re-center yourself in the universe.”

-Lloyd D. Newell

Speaking of Lloyd D. Newell- there he is acknowledging the choir!

Here is the man behind the MoTab sound- Mack Wilberg. Before he took the helm, the music was beautiful but really traditional. He's shaken things up a bit. I was surprised at how harsh he was on his criticisms- the man doesn't mince words! Then again, since they only rehearse twice before performing, I guess there isn't much time for pleasantries. Hearing their heartfelt version of God Be With You Till We Meet Again brought on the waterworks.

It is tradition for the conductor to put down his baton and face the audience during this song.

They happened to sing two of my favorites: Love is Spoken Here and How Firm a Foundation. As the music washed over me, my mind wandered. I thought about that huge organ and my dear friend Crystal who I knew in Boston. She plays the organ and we went to a couple of organ concerts there on the east coast. She's the one who explained the meaning of the phrase "pulling out all the stops" and told me about how she got to play the organ there in the tabernacle. After the program as we descended the stairs and headed for the door, there was Crystal.

THERE WAS CRYSTAL!!! She was standing there with her husband calling my name with tears in her eyes. I mean really, what are the chances?

They say a coincidence is what happens when God chooses to remain anonymous.

I couldn't believe it. Turns out they were in town for her husband's 10 year mission reunion. We quickly caught up on kids, friends, jobs, cities, families... and politics! It was like we had been talking a couple days before as we picked up right where we left off.

Eventually Crystal and her husband had to go so I took Liesel through the two visitor's centers on Temple square. Seeing the Christus is always a special experience.

I love this cut-away model of the temple. Liesel did too.

This pedestal is primarily used by bridal couples but since the temple is closed on Sundays, there were lots of tourists angling for a shot. I had Liesel scamper over between a couple of slow movers and yelled for her to

POSE!

She did that in about 5 seconds and happily hopped down while all the tourists clapped for her. It was SO funny!

I was hoping to catch Meet the Mormons II at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building but wouldn't you know it? They don't run on Sundays. We looked around a bit and Liesel fell in love with this chair which she dubbed "The Queen Chair."

Without anywhere pressing to be, we took our time at the various fountains and reflecting pools.

However, hunger settled in. Jeremy had recommended a place called Pig in a Jelly Jar so we thought we'd try it out for a late brunch. Oi. It was the best choice food-wise but not the best choice time-wise. We waited SO long to be seated and then to get our food. Liesel and I gave up trying to distract ourselves with games and as we looked across the table at her I sadly said, "I'm pretty sure we're gonna die here."

"I know Mom."

Our waiter took our order and we never saw him again. Our drinks were quickly drained (again, that arid desert environment) and no one checked on us. I was practically eating the food off the plate before it hit the table and the typically persnickity Liesel downed her entire plate of chicken and waffles. I should have videoed that because I still can't believe she did it. Sure the pulled pork sandwich with homemade pickles was good, but old tires would have tasted good to me I was so hungry. I had to ask another waiter to get us our check. Now usually I'm a very generous tipper, but this was just horrible service so I gave 8%. Upon reviewing statements and receipts, that waiter decided to give himself a 20% tip. This is one of those moments I love being married to an accountant who will absolutely call and contest something like that.

My nephew Jack was being ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood and Joey and Lisa's ward. We headed down to Draper to be there for it and ran into Joey and Lisa in the parking lot! Liesel headed to Primary with her cousin Logan and I tagged along with Lisa to Young Women. It was odd sitting there with no responsibilities on my shoulders.

After the ordination, we headed to have pizza in the park. It was SO good to catch up with my niece and my nephews that we don't get to see very often. Abigail's drawings are crazy cool. I could hang out with Noah all day... no joke. Eli loves his pocket watch-- he's even researched how to properly wear one. The entire Nielsen clan was magically out of their Sunday best and into t-shirt and jeans in the space of the car ride from the church to the park. I didn't get to see much of Sam and Isaiah because they were enjoying the playground equipment but they are adorable and happy kids. It was good to touch base with Benjamin again who had a tale to tell about where his glasses went. Yeah, it was just good to mix and mingle. Plus it's always a good time hanging out with this guy: