Took My Family to the Temple!

Last night was absolutely amazing.

 

I have been kind of bummed lately that none of my family will be able to be there when I receive my endowment in just a few days. Then a few days ago I got the idea to get started on my family history.

 

It was an awesome experience. There is a lot of work left to be done, but I have finally gotten started.

 

Last night, just wow! I was able to do the work for TEN of my immediate ancestors last night, including two that I personally knew. This totally awesome guy from my YSA Branch (who I really like) was kind enough to come up to the temple to do the work for the male members of my family whose names I had prepared.

 

When he was being baptized on behalf of my paternal grandfather, the Spirit I felt was simply overwhelming. I was smiling so big that my face should’ve cracked and at the same time, tears were streaming down my face. I know that he was so happy that his work was finally being done. After Stirling was done with the baptisms and confirmations, he went to the other side of the temple to do the next ordinance for them. Immediately after Stirling was finished with the confirmations, I had the opportunity to be baptized for 2 of my great grandmothers (one of whom I met when I was a toddler), 2 of my great-great grandmothers and 1 of my great- great- great grandmothers.

 

I had not felt the Spirit that strongly since my own baptism almost a year ago. This upcoming week a couple of my friends will be doing the next ordinance for the women I was baptized and confirmed on behalf of. Then on Sept 3^rd, during the session that I receive my endowment, these 10 ancestors will also receive theirs and the following day I will be able to return to the temple to seal the respective couples to each other and their children. I am so happy to be beginning the chain that will eventually link my family (and my future children) to all our ancestors.

 

Do your family history and take them to the temple, there really is nothing like it!

 

And another cool thing… ever since I finished preparing the name cards for the temple… I’ve stopped having negative feelings about going to the temple. I no longer feel like something is going to go wrong, or like I’m going to feel lost or confused. I just feel peace and good feelings about going to the temple. I have such a testimony now of the fact that as you do your family history, your family on the other side of the veil will help protect you from the adversary.  I like to think of them as my spiritual bodyguards or spiritual posse (lol). I know that my deceased grandma’s and grandpa’s are watching out for me on the other side and I am so happy that they will be at the temple with me.

And She Opened the Box...

This has been an interesting week for me.

 

The box containing the things I ordered for my temple date arrived Monday. I sat on my bed staring at the box for a few minutes before I could will myself to open it. I opened it and as soon as I saw the packaging for the garments I burst into tears.

 

I did not know that it was possible to feel so many different emotions that strongly and not have my head explode…

 

Joy… for finally being so close to receiving my endowment.

Anxiety… for the unknown covenants that I was going to be making.

Awe… I couldn’t believe that these were MY garments, that I was finally mature enough (on many levels)  to be receiving the blessing of wearing them.

Fear… that I wouldn’t be able to live up to my covenants.

 

That last emotion was hard to handle until I remembered that I know I’ll make mistakes, but that is why Christ made the Atonement. When we make mistakes, we can repent and strive to do better.

 

Thank Heaven for the awesome Hermana Leahman (she’s one of my best friends and just recently finished her mission here in ‘Bama) supporting me. I was freaking out and she just kept calmly reassuring me. Eventually her excitement made me excited again too!

 

My temple recommend interview with President Johnson is Sunday and I am so very excited for it! 3 weeks from now I will be endowed!! Yaay!!

 

P.S. On a non-spiritual note… yesterday I took my 100 lbs photos with my friend Anna. I look so different from when I started back in January of 2013, it’s awesome!

 

Have a good week y’all and remember to be STEADFAST in CHRIST.