Just wanted to make a quick note to reflect on my drive and that I made it safely. I left my place at about 2:30 (EDT) or so and after filling up took off toward Independence.
As I drove out of Ohio I entered one construction zone that had had fairly high cement barricades next to the left lane with no shoulder. As I drove next to this wall and with semis on the other side, my claustrophobia started to set in, but with focusing on the open sky above and in constant prayer of thanksgiving for various aspects of creation and the opportunity that laid ahead the anxiety attack was kept at bay and I survived.
Indianapolis wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, however at times on I-465 we did come to a stop or near stop a few times. I refueled for the first time somewhere in Illinois when I had about a 1/3 of a tank left, and then about half an hour later passed through a town with gas about 10 cents a gal cheaper, oh well. On the good side was I had better gas-mileage than I have ever had. As I approached St. Lewis I was debating on which side I was going to stop and rest for a bit. After stopping at the rest stop just before and looking at the map I decided I was best to push through even though I was getting tired, rather than risk a long slow rush hour drive in the morning. So I drove on through, and at times even at 9 something at night the traffic was about as heavy (or a bit more) as Columbus was at 3pm. I stopped at a rest stop just west of St. Lewis around 10:30 (CDT) and after being there for a bit called my parents just to let them know I had been traveling safely, and then tried to sleep. At about 3 (CDT) in the morning I awoke and though I tried to go back sleep was unable to.
So I hit the wide open road with lightning in the sky and drove some more stopping about an hour and a half later at anther rest stop for a bit, then back on the road filled the car. I was slightly disappointed that I was getting about 4mpg less than the first portion of the trip; however gas being about 25 cents a gal cheeper was nice. I then kept driving all the way to the Temple. I arrived in the Temple parking lot at about 7am (CDT) and then went and found a place to eat breakfast, In part as I needed a restroom andin part as I wanted something different than what I had for all my previous meals on the trip.
I went back to the Temple at 8 and walked around visited with people I encountered, both old and new acquaintances, picked up my conference materials, looked over them in the library, took some photos, meditated, reflected and attended the Daily prayer for peace at 12:30. Then around 1:30 or so I was off to find my home for conference.
Jewell welcomed me into her family’s home when I arived. It is a wonderful group of people who I am staying with and know it will be a great week both when ehre and also with Conference.
I will try and post at various times throughout the week and will place some pictures that I took yesterday up on flikr when I have a chance.
Peace be with you,
— Lyle II