Our family took the opportunity to go to Pres. Hinkley's viewing.
We arrived at the Conference Center around 6:00 after Justin's work day. The line outside was so long and the weather was so cold. We didn't think we would get in, the viewing was to be over at 7:00. We decided to go to The Lion House for dinner and just enjoy Temple Square and feel the good spirit of the evening.
After dinner with four full little boys we walked to the conf. center, to our pleasant surprize the line had gone down so we decided to stay... We mazed the whole inside of the building for several hours. The boys were pretty good. Porter got a fever and Justin took him to first aid room and got a fever reducer.
We were so happy as we entered the big room too see the prophet only to realize that the chairs through the entire middle section of the hall were filled with about 6,000 people sitting waiting to go upstairs to the viewing room. Our steam was let out quite a bit when an "official lady" said the wait was 3 more hours for our group. We sat down and looked at each other with some doubt that we could hold out. I forgot a diaper and Brody soaked through his pants. The boys weren't holding out happily any more and they would probably be asleep at 1:00 in the morning when it was our turn to go and we wouldn't be able to carry two boys each so we scooted out of our row and left our hard earned spot in line.
Then our miracle happened.
Blake left his hat in the big room. I sat on a bench with the boys and Justin went searching for the lost hat. I must have looked miserable with a wet baby, another with a fever and two on the floor. I wasn't miserable- I had enjoyed the occasion and the huge crowd was a beautifull sight all there to give our last respects to our beloved Prophet.
The line to go upstairs was winding all around us. A man helping direct people came to me and asked where my husband was. I told him and he said "When he gets back, tell him to stay right here." Oh did my heart pound. Justin came and we waited briefly. The man said "I'm going to get you out a little quicker." He took us up in an elevator, he instructed the boys to be reverent "When the door opens, President Hinkley will be right there." I felt as if my breathing stopped. The room was beautiful, quiet, filled with bright flowers. President Hinkley was in white, he glowed , and he looked happy.
I still wonder at our blessing.