The Perfect Date = Oakland Temple + Fenton's

I still can't believe that it's been ten years since I left on my mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Believe it or not, when I opened my call to serve in Oakland, I wasn't expected for the breathtaking temple site that I would be privileged to serve in daily. Some of the stereotypes related to Oakland overshadowed my initial judgements of the city.

  

 10 YEARS AGO!

It only took me a second to realize that the Oakland Temple was a coveted landmark across the city.

After the mission, when others would ask me about serving in the Oakland Temple Visitors' Center, I would often tell them it was on the church's Top 5 Temple List. Clearly, no such list exists, but its spectacular beauty is a lighthouse to the city was prophesied in the temple dedication on November 17, 1964. David O' McKay referenced President Elder George Albert Smith during the dedication concerning the Oakland Temple by stating, "a Temple would surmount the East Bay hills, one that would be visible as a beacon to ships as they entered the Golden Gate from the far-flung nations of the earth." The prophecy rings true today. The Oakland Temple stands as a witness for all in the Bay Area. 


Lance says that I was jumping out of my seat as we approached The Oakland Temple in pure excitement. I feel so grateful that  I can share this short time with him in a city that will always play an important role in my life. I wouldn't say that I was jumping out of my seat, but I sure was elated.This time when I walked around the temple, I was able to share some of my favorite and most memorable moments of taking visitors around the temple from the fountains, the gardens, and yes of course, the proposal bench. 

One of the main scriptures engraved on the outside of the temple reads, "Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and his righteousness . . . " The scripture continues by stating, "and all these things shall be added unto you." As members of the church live worthy to attend the temple, we are blessed beyond imagine. The temple is one of the most holy, peaceful, and serene places we can go. I know that only through the restored gospel of Jesus Christ can we marry in the temple and have our families be eternal. 

The church has grown so much since the Oakland Temple was built. It was the 13th temple in operation and today there are 170 temples around the world. This includes 141 in operation, 15 under construction, and 14, which have been announced. 

Now a temple trip to Oakland is not complete without a stop at Fenton's on the way home. If you know of Fenton's, then your mouth is probably already salivating, but if you have never heard of it, then you better make a trip out here. Let me set the stage and explain why I love it so much. First, many people know that I believe in eating ice-cream every day. Unfortunately, that doesn't happen nearly as frequently as I would like. Now, the Texans have BlueBell as we call it, the people in Utah love Coldstone, but Fenton's is in the heart of Piedmont, California. It's family owned and has been around for over 100 years. You wouldn't believe it without witnessing it, but the average one scoop is about four normal scoops that you and I make. 

Here we go, it's do or die. 

                              

Confession, we didn't quite finish, but we sure had a blast trying. 

The joy is in the simple fun that we have day in and day out!