Kaydon's Temple Tuesdays

Every Tuesday, Kaydon goes to the temple.

He usually goes to the Bountiful Temple.

It's his favorite.

Yesterday, he went to the Salt Lake Temple.

He was so eager to tell me about it!

There was a three hour wait, which has been normal for him all summer - no matter which temple he goes to. Long waits.

That sure says something about our youth, wouldn't you say?!

Yesterday, he had the opportunity to baptize a young man, Kaydon guessed around 15, who didn't have any legs.

Kaydon said it was the coolest experience.

I loved watching him tell me about it.

I am so proud of him for getting up and doing this every Tuesday.

He said that he couldn't believe that he had that opportunity.

I told him that I'm not surprised at all!

When we do what we are supposed to do, we get to have opportunities like that! 

Trip to My Temple

Yesterday, after work I went to the Temple. The Ogden Temple is MY Temple. 

I seriously thought about just going home and starting my laundry and cleaning my kitchen and cutting up bananas. Then I remembered stories told in Sunday School about a Cambodian family who saved every cent. Every single cent they had. They sold their home and their only cattle. They did all of this so that they could travel to the Temple.

Yikes. 

I literally drove a mile and a half and walked into the temple. 

I literally walked out 45 minutes later after doing initiatories and drove 15 minutes to go home. 

I could have walked if I needed to.

And I thought about going home instead.

I have not been to the Temple since my stroke.

The last time I went, I did initiatories because P had been the day before and reminded me how amazing it was. He told me that I NEEDED to go do them.

So I did.

As I thought about going yesterday, I thought it best that I do them again.

As I listened to the promises given to us by our Heavenly Father, I wept. 

I wept because my body is working.

My Spirit is hearing.
My Heavenly Father loves me. And you.

Temple Day

Saturday morning, Jackson and Kaydon met Nana and Pops at the Bountiful Temple. Pops had 40 family names for them to do. They got through 28.

For the first time, Jackson was able to perform all of the baptisms. He described it as very emotional and something that he wishes he could do every single day.

They told me of a long wait, not knowing why it was so long. They told me that the lady at the desk stood to tell them that the wait was due to a father, dying from cancer. His son had just turned 12. The father wanted to participate in baptisms for the dead with his worthy son before he passed through the veil. Jackson asked that they take as long as needed. Jackson said it was very emotional to hear her tell them of something so sacred and so important between a dying father and his 12 year old son.

Jackson is ready. He is ready to be a worthy and honorable Melchezidek Priesthood holder. He is ready to serve a full-time mission to wherever he is called. He is ready.

Kaydon is beyond excited to be ready. He is following in his brother's footsteps and is the greatest example to our family of worthiness, consistency and honoring the Priesthood which he holds.

I Love To See The Temple

After work yesterday, I went to my favorite temple. The Ogden Temple is MY temple. I mean, not really... but I love it there. The pictures throughout the temple are so exquisite. I just love the feel there.

I decided to do initiatories. I haven't done them since I took out my own endowment 22 years ago! A couple of weeks before P got his angel wings, he told me about how he went to the temple on his lunch break and did initiatories. He told me that it was so good to be reminded of the promises that are given to us during that sacred ordinance. So, I decided to do them last night. I, too, was reminded of the immense blessings that are promised to us when we do all in our power to live the covenants we have made. To listen to them again and again and again and again and again is such a blessing. It was a powerful reminder to me of the love that our Father has for us and the small amount asked of us in order to receive everything He has in store for us.

Sealings and Blessings

This past weekend was all about them babies.

Saturday morning, I went to Brandon and Carrie's. I fed Asher while Carrie fed Anson. Brandon loaded up the cars with everything they would need for the temple. Then, Asher vomited all over the two of us. Brandon described it as looking like, "pigeon poop." Accurate. He washed Asher and I off while Carrie changed. Then, we were off. I kept telling Asher that this was going to be his best day so far. My job was to stay in the nursery with the babes and keep them happy and change their clothes to take them in to the sealing room. They were SO good! They were so tired, but they were little troopers.

When it was time, my mom took Anson and Carrie's mom took Asher. It was a beautiful, beautiful moment. Asher was sealed to his mommy and daddy for time and all eternity. Anson was born under the covenant and was completely uninterested in everything going on. When they came out of the temple, lots of pictures were taken and my boys (as always) ate those babies up!!

Sunday was blessing day. The boys looked so cute. Brandon gave THE most beautiful baby blessings I have ever heard. They were so sacred and so amazing. What a great daddy this brother of mine has become! Carrie looked beautiful and is such a great mama. Those baby boys love her so much.

I just want to say, again for the millionth time, that these boys are such an enormous blessing to our family. My boys absolutely soak them up every chance they get. Kaydon was "angry" in Sacrament meeting yesterday because Asher was being held by other people! It was cracking me and Carrie up. I love that families are forever and I love that Asher is just as much a part of that as the rest of us!

Saturday at the Temple

Saturday morning, I woke up and went to the Temple while the boys went with their dad. I haven't been on a Saturday morning in I can't remember how long. I usually go on a week night. Now I remember why. It was packed. Lots of weddings, lots of couples, lots of families - lots of exactly what you should find in the Temple.

There is a certain portion of the temple "program" that talks about chastity. It gets me every time. Now, I just pull out my tissue before it comes so that I'm prepared for the ugly cry that I do. As I sit there, alone, and listen to the words about chastity and husbands and wives, I just can't quite get through it without breaking down. I sat in the Celestial Room and prayed and prayed. I am grateful for my recommend that allows me to go and feel close to my Heavenly Father and Savior and gain some peace.

One day I'll be able to get through a session without sobbing my eyes out.

Temple Terror & Triumph

I took my endowment out almost twenty years ago. It was a lovely day. A couple of months later, I went to the St. George Temple to do a session. It was an utter and complete failure. I vowed never to go back. Ever. Without disclosing too much, the helper at the veil was much less than helpful. In fact, she would not help me at all and I was stuck at the veil for a very long time. It was a nightmare. After this experience, my mom drove down to St. George and took me to the Temple. She spoke with the Matron of the Temple, told her of my experience, and pleaded with her for help. The sweet Matron then gave my mom and I a private room in the Temple so that my mom could practice the veil portion with me. I have had it memorized ever since and repeat it to myself quietly almost every day.

I knew that I needed to go to the Temple on Saturday. I just knew I needed to be there. I drove up there and presented my recommend at the front desk. I was then told that the name in the system did not match the name on my recommend. I was asked to take a seat in the lobby while the recorder was called to the desk. Terror swept over me. There I was, alone, again, and feeling like I was not going to be allowed in the Temple on the day I knew I needed to be there. The recorder came out, took my recommend and disappeared. I sat there. Alone. All alone. Several minutes later, the recorder returned and called me to go back with him. I cried. He told me that everything was fine, that it was simply my maiden name in the system and apologized that the front desk made such a big deal out of it. I told him that I felt like I was not going to be allowed to enter. He explained to me that he was the previous bishop in my ward and asked where we lived. He was kind and compassionate. I was grateful. I pulled myself together and went to dress.

I received the name of the sweet girl I was going through for. She only had a first name. No last name. Yet, I knew that she was known to our Heavenly Father. It was a very small session, in fact just enough couples to fill the prayer circle. When I made it to the veil, I was ready as I always am. Then, I realized that my helper at the veil was training. It was her first day. She was so nervous. She couldn't get any of her part right. I was so willing to stand there as long as needed so that she could feel comfortable and get it right! I had my part down. She just needed to get her feet under her and feel confident in her part. Either way, I wanted her to take her time.

Together, we triumphed. When I got to the other side, I hugged the man standing there. I'm pretty sure that threw him off. It's okay! I was reminded that we are imperfect people trying to live as part of a perfect gospel. We are all in this together. We need to be patient with one another. We need to be kind. Heavenly Father knows us perfectly. I love to see the Temple!

I Went To See The Temple

There is a song in our church that goes, "I want to see the temple; I'm going there someday; to feel the Holy Spirit, to listen and to pray." I have changed the words to fit me. They go like this, "I went to see the temple; I've been waiting for this day; to feel the Holy Spirit, to listen and to pray."

On Saturday, my parents went with me to the Ogden Temple. I haven't been to the Temple in like nine years. It was amazing. It was spiritual beyond words. I didn't take one minute for granted. The Temple, itself, is beautiful. The artwork is amazing. The Spirit was strong and I felt peace and comfort and gratitude for the Atonement of our Savior.

I can't wait to go back. I can't wait to go with my boys to do baptisms. I can't wait for the day when my husband decides he is ready to do the same!

I'm Going To See The Temple

And I cannot wait.

First Times

Last night, Kaydon, Braxton, and Jackson went to do baptisms at the Ogden Temple. It was Kaydon's first time. I took Kaydon to get his recommend on Tuesday night. He was SO nervous, but he came out and said, "I PASSED!" So cute. Braxton and Jackson didn't want to go. They were tired and worn out and grumpy. I forced them. I don't force my children to do very many things. But, I actually used the word "force" with them. Then, Josh stepped in, told them to get their dress clothes on pronto and drove them to the church. I told them I loved them, even though they were mad and not looking at me. I also told them that they wouldn't regret it. I knew they wouldn't regret it. I knew that their excuse that "I'll just go next time," wasn't good enough. I knew that they needed to go last night. They were all SO glad they went. Kaydon said to me, "Mom, it was amazing. It was so amazing." I knew it would be. I knew it! Jackson and Braxton were all smiles when they got home. They needed to be there. I know that we always need to respect agency, but last night I put my foot down... and it worked out okay.