Today turns out to be a special day for me - it marks the 8 year anniversary of my first time going through the temple. And the funny thing is that I didn't notice the date or realize the significance until this morning, when I was in the temple.
I haven't been to the temple for a while - since the first week of February, I believe. So going today was a little special to begin with. I've just been needing to go so badly. And then I was overwhelmed with emotion when I looked down at my slip and saw the date - 7 July. I realized that it was my special day to be at the temple. And I guess that the new names they use in the temple must correspond to the date because they used the same name today that they used 8 years ago, which made it even more special.
I first received my endowment on July 7, 2001. I went to the Los Angeles temple with my mom, dad, Joe, Brooke, and my Aunt Liz and her 2 daughters, Nina and Bonnie. I loved it. I loved the peace that I felt the entire time I was there. I've never felt so peaceful in my entire life. I'm usually a ball of worry and turmoil and so feeling that peace was a witness to me of the sacredness of that special building and the work that goes on inside. After doing the initiatory, they lead me into the endowment room and I'll never forget the site of everyone lined up to go into the session. They were on a tall staircase, all dressed in white. It was beautiful. And then upon entering the celestial room it felt just like heaven to be greeted by so many of my family members (at that time 7 was a lot of family members for me...). And then afterward we went to eat dinner at Cheesecake Factory in Marina Del Rey, which for me was a perfect way to end the day - as good food is always a great way to end any day. It was a perfect day.
And the temple has been such a blessing in my life since. Today as I sat in the temple, my soul truly hungered to be there and I was so blessed to be nourished and filled during those short 2 1/2 hours. Sometimes I see people crying and my heart goes out to them because you just know they are trying to work through a hard problem. Today people were probably looking at me, thinking the same thing. But hopefully no one thought that because today my tears were tears of joy and gratitude just to be there. I just feel so very blessed to be able to go there. What a sacred privilege.
And then to top it all off, when I was in the dressing room, getting ready to change back to my street clothes, a complete stranger walked passed me, looked at me and said "you look so beautiful". It was so nice of her to say that since as most of you women know, when you're pregnant, the last thing you feel is beautiful!
I'm grateful I could go to the temple today. My life is much better because of it.
6 comments:
What a beautiful post, Amy. It touched my heart deeply. I'm glad you can find solace there. I need to go more often because I can definitely use the "calm" spirit we receive there.
Jim and I went a couple of weeks ago and I had so many people to put on the prayer roll that I had been worrying about and praying for that I took up one whole sheet just for my names. I love the initiatory part because it reminds me of who I really am. I am always overcome by that particular part of the ceremony.
I hope today's session has given you renewed strength.
That was a great post to read! I'm glad you could have such a good morning in the temple! -Jen
How special sweetheart. My heart and love are always with you. I cried as I read it aloud to Aunt Liz. Aunt Liz said that yes indeed, she remembers that day well. She and Bonnie and Nina talk of it often...and of the cheesecake!
Thank you for putting the names in the temple for me.
You are such a special, choice daughter and I feel so blessed to have the privilege of being your mom.
I love you so much!
Mom
Thank you for sharing that wonderful testimony Amy. It's what I needed to hear. It definately touched my heart. It gave me a much needed reminder that I need to go find that peace inside the temple. Thank you.
Lindsey
Beautiful post Amy. Thanks for sharing. It is indeed a blessing to hide away inside the temple for just a little while whenever we can. Don't you wish we could just live there? I've not been as great about getting to the temple since we're further from it now and your post reminded me of what I'm missing. Thanks for sharing your sweet testimony. Very touching. Love you!
Thank you Amy. I have been trying to get to the temple with Mike for awhile now and just haven't had a lot of luck. We are planning to go tomorrow and I am excited. I love the temple. It is such a place for peace and direction. What a special thing to be able to go through the temple eight years from the day you first went in.
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