TEMPLE!!!
So,
much of these past two and half months have been full of preparation.
Mainly, I have learned and taught a Hoe Down Dance, a fast paced group
song with actions called "Arise!" and even a little sign language. All
of which, two months ago, I was frankly scared to agree to. I knew it
would be a big undertaking, lots of rehearsals, lots of work, lots of
yelling, lots of instruction...BUT...I am So glad my hubby, and even the
kids, got to be a part of it. The words of the songs I find myself,
Morgan, and even James and Sarah Grace at times, words like "We will choose the light, living lives of purity. We are the keepers of His Light." I love that. And it's just by osmosis; just by being around it all. That's a pretty nice side effect. :)
| "Look unto me in Every thought; doubt not, fear not." |
The pictures shown show me and the kids, and my Mom and siblings, (and Daddy too, he just got so sick he couldn't even get out the van and slept it off, poor guy) visiting the new Phoenix Arizona Temple. For me, and the hundreds of thousands who got to visit it during it's open house, it was a place of beauty, of reflection, and peace. There was one particular moment, shown at right, where little Jo-Jo, in the visitors tent outside of the temple, looked up into Jesus' face, and many of those around him were touched by this moment of connection. The kids were very excited to see the inside - Morgan in particular on the tour kept asking, "Mom, where is the room you get married in?" The beautiful glass, paintings, tile, etc, were inspiring to behold. For many though, that's all this building was - a building. A very nice, beautiful, elaborate building, but just a building. But, that's just the beginning! I believe the temple is a small piece of Heaven, it's what helps connect us to eternity, where families can be sealed together forever. Where we can receive guidance and instruction from our Heavenly Father. And, I honestly felt that Morgan sensed that too.
As in all things however, it was not a perfect day. Sarah Grace was tired and hungry, and did NOT want to walk...she wanted to be carried, and let me know over and over...but so did Jo-Jo. So, it was a bit of an endeavor, to say the least, to make it through the temple without losing my temper or my sanity. Without Daddy, it was a lot harder. Thankfully I had family and friends to help me through it, to help carry the kids, so that I could also enjoy the experience. (Wow, just a thought, but that is pretty symbolic. That's why God put us on earth in families! We need each other, and can't make it without that extra support.) So, even though it was crazy... I'm glad we went.
So, all in all...I do love to see the temple. I'm grateful the kids liked it too, and that my family, my brother with his wife and triplets in tow, my Mom and my sister Brynn and newphew Michael, all were willing to make the drive with us. I'm grateful, well, sometimes I am grateful, that life is full of good and hard things to do...because if we include those we love in those efforts, it only helps connect us with that which matters most. :)
