A Little Glimpse of Heaven

Yesterday I experienced a small glimpse of Heaven. Our stake has been planning for months to have the Columbia Temple be open and run only by our stake members on Memorial Day. What an amazing experience it was. I had been scheduled to work 10-10 but was able to switch to work 6p-330a so that I could go. Even though I had planned months ahead, the night before my friend had called to see if I wanted to ride down with her, but Satan and his tactics always try to get in the way. Let's just say he didn't get his way this time, even though he tried. Sunday night I left Nicks with the most amazing peace and comfort. As I drove home I kept thinking is this for real and as I went through the day yesterday I continued to have this same feeling of peace. So with 5 hours of sleep I went to the temple. I really thought I was going to have a difficult time keeping my eyes and ears open and my emotions under control, but I had no problem at all. I just kept thinking this must be what Heaven is like. Brother Johnson the High Councilman over temple work was standing outside the temple doors welcoming everyone in. At the front desk was a brother from my own ward. Every where I turned I saw people from my ward and stake that I knew. We had gotten there an hour early knowing that if we didn't we wouldn't get in the session and we were right. They filled the room to capacity with 62 people. Now that may not sound like a lot, but for that little temple it was packed.

Our Stake President was on the other side of the veil when I went through which was pretty neat. I imagine when we get to Heaven the voice on the other end will sound just as familiar. What an amazing experience that will be. The Celestial Room is always such a peaceful place for me. And again most all faces looked familiar. It was just like Heaven will be I'm sure. As I sat there I picked up the scriptures and turned to D&C 6 and read verses 19, 23, and 36, "Be patient; be sober; be temperate; have patience, faith, hope and charity...Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?...Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." Over the past week I have turned to this section several times to find peace. It has been an answer to my many prayers. And again as I sat and read it in the temple that same sweet peace was present and I could not doubt again the personal revelation that I have been blessed with over the past several months. Heavenly Father is in charge and when we let Him, He will create for us amazing experiences. As I made my way towards the exit, My friend Jared Blacker's wife (from Nampa who I grew up with and lives in Concord) came into the Celestial Room. As I was talking to her, Sister Larson the Patriarch's wife came up to talk to us, but just as she was approaching me a brother from my ward came over and whispered in my ear, "Always remember, you are a Diamond." I don't know what came over me, but it immediately brought tears to my eyes. He tells me this all the time, but for some reason it had more meaning and reassured to me that I am a daughter of Heavenly Father who loves me. It was fun to talk to these sweet ladies for a very short time.
Just as I was leaving the Celestial Room a lady who looked familiar to me came in. I had seen her several places in the temple, but couldn't put it together. I don't know her name. But it finally occured to me that I had met her once on Valentines day. We actually met at the bank. Nick had taken the tithing to the bank and the counselor in the bishopric had also been there. It was his wife who had come up to the car to introduce herself to me. She stopped me and out of the blue told me things that I really needed to hear. It was totally unexpected, but again was another tender mercy that Heavenly Father gave me. As I was waiting in the dressing room my friend Loren Belk was also in there. She said almost the same thing to me that the sister in the Celestial room said. It goes to show that Heavenly Father is in charge and sends messengers to be answers to our prayers. The interesting thing was that I ran into several sisters who were in Nicks ward and each one came up to me to tell me what a wonderful man he is. That he is. And that was all I could really say when they wanted more information from me.
On the way out of the temple I ran into Jared Blacker who had actually been in the session. He stopped me to give me his new phone number and said, I just feel better with you having it. It really is interesting how someone you grow up with can still make it feel like your little piece of Nampa is with you when you are together. I had seen him earlier in the week at a Stake Meeting and felt the same way.
I have a testimony of temple work, that families can be together forever, and that our ultimate goal is to make it back to our Heavenly Home knowing that we did our very best. Sometimes I stumble and fall. And sometimes I don't want to get back up again and keep going, but I eventually stand up, brush off, and keep going. That is what this life is about. How grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father who knows my fears and hears my prayers and who loves me inspite of my weaknesses.

Hope

I find when my life is busy, trials are more challenging, and time speeds up. That is my explanation for taking a short blogging break. I do write in those times, just not publicly. It is in these times however that I grow; growth that I am thankful for. I become more humble, prayerful, and reliant on the Lord as He gently guilds my path.
I am hoping for a very relaxing and enjoyable summer. I usually have so many plans for the summer and it flies by too quickly...but not this summer. I am going to enjoy every moment of it. From the humidity and heat to the beauty of the lightening bugs as they swirl the night sky and smash into my windshield leaving their last light for me to enjoy. I have thought about going home for the 4th of July, but planned in the winter months to be here for that weekend, so that I might experience the festivities I have heard so much about in the tiny town of Faith, NC. I will however go home the end of August to meet my three new nephews who will all be born by then.
I have a song in my mind that has been there since yesterday. It is sung by Pink called Glitter in the Air. Her voice is so gentle and peaceful as she sings about love, trust, and fear, but what I really hear from it is Hope. People always talk about having faith, but I think we often forget about having hope. Hope+ Faith=Expectation! Go here and watch and listen to this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSAkNDbTXJ0
Have you heard or rather listened to the lyrics of this song? They are so beautiful and have caused me to reflect on all of the wonderful small moments of beauty and wonder in my life. I love the line that says, "Have you ever been touched so gently you had to cry." There is something about touch whether it is physically or spiritually that makes one feel oh so good. Every once in a while Nickalaus will hold my hand in a way that it makes my heart flutter. Probably something he is not aware of, but I love that feeling.
So this summer I am hoping to enjoy all of the beauty and wonder and excitement it will bring.

Love Like You Have Never Been Hurt

Who ever said, "Love Like You Have Never Been Hurt," has obviously never been hurt. I mean really, who likes to be hurt? I sure don't. In fact I can only count on one hand the number of times I have really been hurt, because I just won't let myself feel that way. I don't like to be hurt, therefore, I prevent myself from being in circumstances where that may be a possibility. Like my previous long distance most of the time, long lasting relationship with an amazing guy. We just communicated enough to keep it going and when things fizzled a bit, there was no hurt, just an "oh, well." Which really is how most of my relationships have been, because, well, that is how it has worked the best for me. But I guess when someone comes along who you want to give it your all and things seem rocky, I get a bit scared of the possibility of being hurt. It is so much easier to be busy and not make it work, because well, that is what I have done thus far, but really is that what is going to bring lasting happiness? Probably not. So my mom said to me today that if things happen to not work out with my current relationship she is really worried that I am going to put up an even thicker wall and no man will ever be able to tear it down. And do you know, mama knows best and is absolutely right. I have learned in my life if the wall is up, it doesn't hurt as bad. You ask, where did that all come from? A friend of mine just put that quote on facebook and I was thinking about it, so I blogged about it. Gave me something to blog about.

However, we did have a wonderful stake conference. I really enjoyed the Saturday night session. I often wonder if people actually go home and change the way they do things after hearing those talks and feeling the spirit which was so strong. I am talking about making sure they have FHE, family scripture study and prayer. I would hope that if I had a family I would already be doing those things as I am while single, but maybe I would be a little more diligent or rather more heartfelt, which is maybe what I need to do myself now. I really enjoyed our Stake Presidents talk. He basically talked to those several couples in the stake who are newly engaged, which of course isn't me, so don't be getting any ideas. He talked about how when you are single and dating you each have a different vision, but as soon as you marry, you should have the same vision. I could totally relate, because it does seem in dating, two people come from two different backgrounds, regardless if you were or weren't raised in the church and it is hard when dating to have the same vision, however, maybe I am just missing the point and in dating you should be focusing on the same things too. I don't know, you would think after dating as much as I have that I would be a pro and would know it all, but I don't and probably never will. The thing that keeps coming back to me was President Bakers statement, "Relationships are a lot of work." Ya think? I sometimes ask myself, is it worth the work? I see my parents and the wonderful relationship that they have and I have to answer, yes, it must be worth it. And so, I guess I will keep trying, even though I think I gave up today...I'll take President Bakers advice and will work a little harder and try to work on that vision thing.

Every Woman Should...

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own,even if she never wants to or needs to...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE a youth she's content to leave behind....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal,that will make her guests feel honored...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE a feeling of control over her destiny...

EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW how to fall in love without losing herself..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW how to quit a job, break up with a lover,and confront a friend without;ruining the friendship...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW when to try harder...and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW that she can't change the length of her calves,the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW that her childhood may not have been perfect..but it's over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW what she would and wouldn't do for love or more...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW how to live alone . even if she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW whom she can trust, whom she can't,and why she shouldn't take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW where to go...be it to her best friend's kitchen table...or a charming inn in the woods...when her soul needs soothing...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW what she can and can't accomplish in a day...a month...and a year...