Tender Temple Moments And The Joy It Brings!

 

Going to the temple with my family truly brings me joy. I didn't realize how much joy it brought until I recently attended with Lexie while she was visiting - twice! I mean, I've gone so much in the past but as I get older and as I watch my kids grow older going to the temple brings a different meaning every time. 

Each time I go my will to become a better and more loving person becomes stronger. I feel a big difference in my life when I've been absent from the temple for so long. I seem to become more short in temper and impatient. I know that's part of life-being human and all but there should be limits as to how we treat people. Especially our own kin. No one deserves nasty text messages or emails. Especially when one doesn't know what's happening behind closed doors. It saddens me that the ones I love have done that. No one deserves that! So I plead with those who read this post to rethink what you write or text before you send it off. Rethink about the things in your life that you have done. Picture how you would feel if someone sent something so nasty to you that it causes anxiety to the point that they don't trust you or want to have anything to do with you. Whether its family or a friend- please treat each other with kindness. Not everyone is going to like each other and I get that but we all deserve some level of respect.

For The Temple.

Today after church I was inspired to go to the temple to take in the beauty of this wonderful building. The weather was colorful, and with autumn in the air made it a perfect afternoon to spend the day. Although the temples are closed on Sundays it's so nice to go, and walk on the grounds with my family, and express to one another how grateful we are to have one so close to us. I am thankful for the temples because through the covenants I've made inside with Heavenly Father I can be with my family forever. 

Photos From Last Weekend At The Hartford Temple.

Last weekend when we attended Karlee's homecoming in Connecticut a sweet sister whom I hadn't seen in over a year said to me, "you guys really enjoy going to the temple a lot huh?" My first reaction in my mind was "umm, duh, of course we love the temple" but I didn't really say that! And with a huge smile I responded, "Yes!!!! We love the temple!" It was nice knowing that someone noticed how much we love the temple, and how much I love sharing those days of going to the temple on social media. The temple means sooooooo much to me, and I love writing about it because it holds a significant role in my life. Whether I go alone, with Jon, or the kids. I am never alone, or lost without having that precious building in my heart, and in my sight.

A Reflection Of Heaven.

Throughout my years of being a member of the LDS church, and turning over a new leaf in learning about Christ's life, and growing spiritually is that I think we often err when we plead to the Lord to take any kind of temptation, and trial away from us. But one thing I've seriously learned about living this life is that there must be opposition in all things.

Hartford Connecticut Temple Open House.

How incredibly blessed we are to have more temples in the east coast. It's not Utah, but having six temples in a proximity where you can drive anywhere form one, two, three, or even six hours to attend one is good enough for me! It most definitely has been a miraculous year of temple building here in the east as well as the west coast, and to have attended two open houses is indeed a miracle not only for me, but for my children as well.

This past weekend we attended the open house in Hartford, Connecticut and oh my goodness this temple is absolutely exquisite! It is beautiful, and totally reflects the New England culture. It is quaint, and old fashioned, and I love the lampposts that stand outside the temple as well as the one hanging in front as you enter in. Again, we are not allowed to take pictures inside, but being the avid art lover that I am observed every single painting that was hanging on the walls, and noticed that there were two that were duplicates as the ones being hung in the Philadelphia temple. Not sure which one has the original, but it was pretty neat to see similar pictures of Christ, and to have had a deja vu moment. 

I captured a few moments outside the temple of my sweet family, and only wish Sierra could have joined in on this moment. I'm grateful that she has had opportunities to attend a few open houses in Utah such as the Payson, and City Center. 

I love the mums that are planted outside the temple. My favorite plant and so New England! 

Jon's twin. I swear she's looking more, and more like him each day. She'll definitely be tall like him too!  

I'm so grateful to have made the time to come out and experience yet another temple open house. This is so important to me, and taking the kids for them to see how special temples are is important to us. I want them to know that this a special place where they can come to feel peace, and perform ordinances for their ancestors. To know that doing their work is the utmost important thing they can do for our loved ones who have passed on. To know that when they are old enough to go through that this is a place where they can escape from the world, reflect on the Lord's blessings, be strengthened, feel peace, and become hopeful again. 

Counting my blessings to know that this guy is mine for all eternity. We love the temple, and appreicate it. The temple truly is a reflection of heaven, and a place to go where I will always, always find peace. 

I love my family, and shutter to think of how life would be without them for eternity. Like Elder Holland said, "I don't know how to speak about heaven in the traditional, lovely, paradisiacal beauty that we speak of heaven. I wouldn't know how to speak of heaven without my wife, or children. That would not be heaven for me." 

And just like Elder Holland I cannot imagine heaven without Jon, or our children. No matter how much we may disagree, yell, and have spats I love my family, and cannot imagine eternity without them! 

**The open house is until October 22 so if you live in the east, or are planning a 'New England fall trip' please come. It is free, and such a beautiful place to be! You can reserve tickets here if interested!