The greatest decision

Today marks the three year anniversary of the day I received my endowments. I still feel like it was just yesterday that I was sitting inside those beautiful walls surrounded by friends and family. I remember being a little nervous because there was so much to learn and so much I didn't know. My Aunt Genae was my escort and between her and the sweet temple workers, I never felt alone. They stayed with me every step of the way and made me feel like a princess. 

Typically when you go through the temple it is because you are about to leave on a mission or get married. Well, I was preparing for a mission when things got interrupted with an engagement instead. I'm not complaining. I kept the same endowment date I had set for the mission even though it was a whole month before my wedding date. I remember this was a hard thing for the stake president to agree to. Understandably, his biggest concern was that the wedding could be called off or that my future spouse and I would fall into the evil temptations that surround you the closer you get to doing something so spiritual. 

I reassured him that if the wedding was called off I would resume my mission papers and that if the wedding was still on, my future husband would not even be in the same STATE again until the wedding day. This settled his nerves and he let me keep the same date.

I remember sitting in the room waiting for the session to start. I had butterflies and was excited. I had already been there an hour before my friends and family arrived, doing other temple ordinances in preparation for the actual endowment session. A feeling of peace and comfort surrounded me, literally like I was wrapped in a fuzzy blanket. I kept thinking "how lucky am I that I get to be here?"

It is a day I will never forget. In the month leading up to our wedding, I was able to go back to the temple 4 different times by myself and really learn and enjoy the peace that was there. I was able to watch one friend receive her endowments as well as another friend be sealed for time and all eternity to her husband.

 Then a month later it was my turn.

I still cry ( a lot) when I go back to the temple. Its always at the same time. The Celestial room is the closest thing to heaven on earth. It is a beautiful place for meditation and prayer to our Heavenly Father. It is peaceful and feels like home. It's here where I cry the most. I watch families greet one another with tears in their eyes from the joy that they share. I imagine meeting my family in heaven with open arms and all dressed in white. I am grateful for the knowledge that because of these temples here on earth I am able to be sealed to my husband for time and all eternity. To know that my children will be sealed to us and we are a forever family. That they will have the example of us as their parents and to raise them to strive for a temple marriage as well. I am blessed for the daily remembrance and protection that my garments provide me. I am grateful to be able to share my testimony with others. I am thankful that when my life is hectic and I feel like there is nothing I can do, I can go to the temple and receive guidance and comfort with my trials.

This day I hold dear to my heart. It is one of the most special days of my life I will never forget. I am so glad I made the decision to be a member of  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.