The Numbers Are Shrinking

As The Number of LDS Temples Is Growing
30 Years ago when Ron and I arrived in South Florida, Driving Time to the nearest LDS Temple (Washington DC) took...24 Hours
In 1984, we were blessed with the Atlanta Temple which cut the drive time in half to 12 hours.
In 1994, the Orlando Temple was dedicated and our driving time was 3 hours.
Today, President Monson announced plans for a temple to be built in Ft Lauderdale, Florida!!!!!!! Practically in "our backyard". The drive time to Ft Lauderdale is less than 1 hour!

There are not enough words to express my excitement and joy. I cried most of the way through President Monson's message this morning. Before his message was over, my dad, Jeffrey, and Andrew had all called to express their joy, surprise, and excitement.
It was wonderful to realize that regardless of the location of my family members today, we are all blessed to hear the words of our Prophet at the same time.
Hooray for a temple in my area! Hooray for Technology! Hooray for family members who are feasting on the words of General Conference!

A Temple in Ft Lauderdale will be a blessing to this area

and is truly a Miracle right before my eyes.

Thirty years ago... I could not imagine even ONE Temple in Florida...

soon there will be TWO!

Wedding Photos Part 2

Jeffrey and Alison's Wedding

June 13, 2008

Florida Orlando LDS Temple

Click Here For The Professional Photos ! You are in for a treat!

The following photos are from my camera.

In every way, this day was perfect.

Even with the Florida afternoon thunderstorms, everything

was simply beautiful....from the Wedding to The Reception.

Below is the first photo I got of Jeffrey and Alison exiting the Temple.

Me with Megan
Megan, Me, and Katherine

My brother, Brent and my sister.

Brent lives in Atlanta, GA

Thank you, for making the effort to be

with our family on this special day! I am so grateful for the

love and support of family and friends.

My mom, Me, and My Sister

Lea (Alison's little sister), Katherine, and Cousin Katherine and Alison

Me with my awesome best friend, aka, my hubby, Ron!

The Hostetler Men

Ron, Andrew, Curt, and Jeffrey

Alison's Amazing Family

I loved meeting each one of them and look forward to seeing

them in the future.

The Hostetler Crew.

I feel a Christmas Card photo in the works. We'll see what the

photographer comes up with!

The Newlyweds with Their Parents

Ron, Shauna, Jeffrey, Alison, Lisa, and Gary

The Reception was held at The Windermere Town Hall. It is located in

most quaint "old Florida" feeling section of Windermere. The large trees

with the Spanish Moss created a peaceful and picturesque setting.

A Great Shot of Curt and Carmen....

They were the DJ's for the evening. They kept us dancing and

celebrating this exciting event. Alison had an incredible play list

for dancing and Curt and Carmen made sure we enjoyed every

minute!

Weddings are a great time to visit with friends. These are friends

who are my family.

Me with John, Katie, and Lorna

(My camera did not make it around the room to get photos of

each guest. I know the professional photographer got each guest.

I will post the link when the photos are available!)

It was great to see our nephew, Robert. He recently graduated from

FSU (yes, we still love him) and attended the reception with

his girlfriend, Cindy.

He is all grown up now. I feel like he is one of my own children.

Me with Robert and Ron

Curt, Andrew, Cousin Robert, and Jeffrey

(We missed you tonight, Christopher!)

Me with Ron...the shoes were off and I was involved in some

serious dancing at this point.

Ron is such a good sport about my dancing.

He does not enjoy it, yet does not mind my zeal when the

music is playing and I just cant sit still.

Megan and Katherine

Welcome To Our Family, Alison! Congratulations To Jeffrey and Alison

Orlando Temple

Finally... A Temple in Florida...1994

Today, My parents begin serving as Temple President and Matron in the Florida Orlando Temple.

The 1991 announcement of a temple to be built in Orlando Florida was a dream come true. At that time, I could not have dreamed that today, October 30, 2007, my parents would begin their first day with my Dad serving as Temple President and my Mom serving as Temple Matron. They were living In Atlanta and I had no clue they would end up in Florida, let alone serve as Temple President and Matron.

As I told my mom last night, our prayers are with you every day and think of how many people are praying for you every day. You will have the support and strength you need to serve.

When we first moved to Florida 27 years ago, the closest temple was Washington DC. We made it to the DC temple once a year. Then we rejoiced as the Atlanta Temple was completed in 1983, now it was only a 12 hour drive. Then we received the news that we would have a temple 3 hours away...a total blessing.

We watched the Orlando Temple Construction at each phase. Any time we would drive in or near Orlando, we made a stop. Here are some photos a various stages of Construction.

(see the Happy Birthday Lorna post below to see the very begninning stage of construction)

May 1993

July 1993 (Note the Rhinehart Bus in front)
October 1993
One Year until completion and the November 1994 dedication.
A temple so close is such a blessing to my family and me.