About six months ago, our stake president challenged us to double our temple attendance. Well, Gaupo and I had already decided that we would got once a month which was almost tripling out attendance, so at first I decided that was good enough. That month I didn't get there twice, but the next month I think I managed to. Then I know I did in June, and that is when I decided that I thought I could do this. Well, I talked to Gaupo about it and said that I understood that once a month was really all he could probably do, but I thought I needed to go twice. I asked if he would support me in this goal, and he said yes. Well, now it is November and I love attending the temple even more than before. I love that I can go twice a month and often times get to do two different ordinances in the same month. I worried that with going to the temple "so" often that I wouldn't be able to take care of things here at home or that my children would be neglected or a host of things like that, but you know what none of that has happened. Sure, my family misses me sometimes, but not really they have a great time with Gaupo because he is such an awesome Dad. The Lord has covered all that needed to be covered to allow me to do this and I have been blessed because of it. The last couple of trips to the temple have been really cool and so I wanted to tell you about them.
The most recent one was last week. I really felt I need to invite my friend Bethany Blaine to come with me. I had a ton of excuses as to why she couldn't, but I decided that wasn't for me to decide, so I invited. Luckily, she accepted. That was the first time I have gone to the temple with someone who wasn't family. It was a really interesting experience. It was so great to have company on the trip there and back. It was great to not feel alone in a room full of people. Also it seemed to add importance to going. I had a great time with Bethany, and it was interesting to learn on the way home that she had wanted to go to temple, but didn't see how she could do that. Her life is pretty crazy. However, she said that when I invited her she was like, "YES!" It was all she needed to make the commitment for this month. She just needed someone to go with. Heavenly Father is very aware of each of our needs and desires and I think He knew what both Bethany and I needed and he put us together to help both of those needs. It was a really great reminder about Heavenly Father's love for his children.
The other reminder I had of that was in October when Gaupo and I went to the temple together. We decided to do sealings together. When we went it was shortly after Derek's birthday. Well obviously not too shortly, but not too far either. Anyway, Derek had been on my mind a lot at the time. Anyway, the temple is busy everywhere, but the sealing room. So, we have to to visit with the sealer. As the conversation went the sealer asked us how many children we had and we said we have to on earth and one in Heaven. He then asked us some more about that and, so I got to kind of tell the story of Derek. It isn't the first time I have told non-members of our family the story, but it is definitely the first time I have talked about it in the sealing room with a sealer. It is not like we had a spectacular gospel discussion on still-born children and their sealing and membership in the family. (I didn't really need that I know the thing I felt the day Derek was born.) However, the spirit that accompanied me in that room as we talked of children that aren't here with us on earth. It was so peaceful and healing. I didn't feel a presence or anything just a feeling that testified that Heavenly Father knew my struggles and that Gaupo and I's sealing was powerful. I can't quite explain it, but this I can say. What I felt in that room that night was the Holy Ghost and if nothing else it helped me know that Heavenly Father loves me. He knows me, my concerns, my loss, my joy, my happiness, and my sorrow. He knows it all and He shares his love with me in sweet tender ways that lets me know He there.
I am so grateful for the temple. I love that as I look for the Savior and as I try to feel his Spirit I can draw nearer to Him. I will be honest, I don't feel like it happens every time I go, but it does happen little by little, and every time I go to his house I can feel the Spirit more. Every time I go to the temple I know I am doing what is right. I love the temple and the joy and peace it brings to my life. It is worth the effort to as often as you can. The frequency that is right for you is between you and the Lord and is different for everyone. However, if you will do as the Lord asks he provides a way.
The most recent one was last week. I really felt I need to invite my friend Bethany Blaine to come with me. I had a ton of excuses as to why she couldn't, but I decided that wasn't for me to decide, so I invited. Luckily, she accepted. That was the first time I have gone to the temple with someone who wasn't family. It was a really interesting experience. It was so great to have company on the trip there and back. It was great to not feel alone in a room full of people. Also it seemed to add importance to going. I had a great time with Bethany, and it was interesting to learn on the way home that she had wanted to go to temple, but didn't see how she could do that. Her life is pretty crazy. However, she said that when I invited her she was like, "YES!" It was all she needed to make the commitment for this month. She just needed someone to go with. Heavenly Father is very aware of each of our needs and desires and I think He knew what both Bethany and I needed and he put us together to help both of those needs. It was a really great reminder about Heavenly Father's love for his children.
The other reminder I had of that was in October when Gaupo and I went to the temple together. We decided to do sealings together. When we went it was shortly after Derek's birthday. Well obviously not too shortly, but not too far either. Anyway, Derek had been on my mind a lot at the time. Anyway, the temple is busy everywhere, but the sealing room. So, we have to to visit with the sealer. As the conversation went the sealer asked us how many children we had and we said we have to on earth and one in Heaven. He then asked us some more about that and, so I got to kind of tell the story of Derek. It isn't the first time I have told non-members of our family the story, but it is definitely the first time I have talked about it in the sealing room with a sealer. It is not like we had a spectacular gospel discussion on still-born children and their sealing and membership in the family. (I didn't really need that I know the thing I felt the day Derek was born.) However, the spirit that accompanied me in that room as we talked of children that aren't here with us on earth. It was so peaceful and healing. I didn't feel a presence or anything just a feeling that testified that Heavenly Father knew my struggles and that Gaupo and I's sealing was powerful. I can't quite explain it, but this I can say. What I felt in that room that night was the Holy Ghost and if nothing else it helped me know that Heavenly Father loves me. He knows me, my concerns, my loss, my joy, my happiness, and my sorrow. He knows it all and He shares his love with me in sweet tender ways that lets me know He there.
I am so grateful for the temple. I love that as I look for the Savior and as I try to feel his Spirit I can draw nearer to Him. I will be honest, I don't feel like it happens every time I go, but it does happen little by little, and every time I go to his house I can feel the Spirit more. Every time I go to the temple I know I am doing what is right. I love the temple and the joy and peace it brings to my life. It is worth the effort to as often as you can. The frequency that is right for you is between you and the Lord and is different for everyone. However, if you will do as the Lord asks he provides a way.
