Two Weeks in the Temple

Madrid Temple from Marble Walkway

Our beautiful temple in Madrid is a landmark known by many.  Although it does not rise above the surrounding buildings as many temples do, people comment that it is one of the most beautiful spots in the city.  It is built of clean white marble, with a white marble walkway leading to it.  The red brick of the Stake Center and the Tower, and some lovely plantings and sculpture complement it.  

This is an aerial view of the temple complex, with Temple showing white, Stake Center roof gray, and Tower with equipment on roof.  There are red apartment buildings across the street to the north and west, rest home to east of the Temple, and a vacant lot to the east of the Tower.

Our apartment looks out on a vacant lot that would have been the site of a visitors' center if the owners of the lot hadn't gotten greedy and asked for more money than it was worth.  It would have been a nice addition.  The temple complex is surrounded on two sides by the several-story-high apartment buildings that are ubiquitous in this city of apartments.

Have you wondered what an olive tree looks like?  This one is on the Temple Grounds, next to the Tower.

sidewalk flowers

blooming tree

Parque Lineal, across freeway

Although most of the trees are still bare, there are signs of spring here.  We have begun enjoying long walks again.  The winter in Cache Valley made for difficult walking, but here we have been able to walk the city streets to two different shopping centers, and also walked in two of the many parks that line the freeways, with many yet to go.  We've ridden the subway only once, to go to a large Chinese store our friends the Eastmans wanted to show us, and have ridden the bus to our favorite large grocery/department store, and to a Chinese restaurant for a Valenitne dinner with Zimmermans, who live across the hall from us, and Eastmans, our friends who served with us in Brazil.  We haven't yet been downtown, to any of the museums, or to the big central park--el Retiro.

Our new friends the Ebys are leaving tomorrow, and have given us many of the things they no longer need, which is very nice.  They also set out a sheet in the hall piled with things they are not taking home, and a note for any of the 10 couples who live down the hallway to take them.  Last night was a pot-luck farewell party for them in the dining room of the MTC, attended by temple workers.  It was the second group potluck we have attended; the first one was the monthly temple workers conference and family home evening downstairs in the general use dining room.  Farewells are always bittersweet.

We are settling in.  We've found places for most of our things, and done our first basic shopping--olive oil, vinegar, flour, sugar, salt, pepper, eggs, bread, milk, fruits and veggies, chicken, pizza and donuts (named in order of importance); and we have been reading owner's manuals to find out how to use our fancy ceramic induction stove top, convection oven, and combination grill/microwave.  Greg even baked a loaf of bread last week, and it was delicious.

Temple from Tower window, 4th floor elevator lobby
The olive tree is barely visible at bottom left.

Our first week here we worked in the mornings, beginning at 7 a.m.  Last week we were on the evening shift, from 2 p.m. until about 8.  In truth, depending on your assignment for the day you can be asked to arrive up to an hour earlier or stay up to an hour later, but it is all good.  Greg jumped right back into things and has already served as general coordinator for the day, and I have been a director of women in one of the five areas of the temple.  We have made some minor mistakes, but are learning fast.  The assignments change daily, and our arrival time changes weekly.  

I remember Sister Moore, Temple Matron (wife of the temple president) when we were here before, suggesting that I stick with Spanish at first even when the saints from Portugal were here, so I could get the ordinances in Spanish well in mind.  This time we were asked to do the ordinances in Portuguese when we first arrived, and I have been confused ever since!  Oh, well.  The Lord understands all languages, I'm sure.

We alternate now between feeling fine and feeling tired.  I hate to think we are over our jet lag and are just feeling old!  Yesterday was a tired day.  We walked two miles up to the Carrefour Shopping Center and two miles back, ate a quick lunch, and hurried to the temple, and I was really tired during our whole temple service time.  I won't try that far that quickly and then working a shift again any time soon!  Today is a Sunday, the day of rest, and we are looking forward to it.  We are happy serving, and all is good.