Over the past several transfers we have gotten really close with the missionaries serving in our ward. They thought it was a far fetch to ask the mission president for the opportunity to come with me, but they asked anyhow, and were granted permission. :) It was weird afterwards hugging everyone else, and following up with a handshake from them haha.
Many others made great efforts and sacrifices to be there. Emily took half the day off work so she could be WAITING on me when I got out. She cut my hair before I went in for my session, and it was a great experience being with her before I went in. I love her dearly, and am so thankful she is apart of my life. Once I got to the temple, mom and I met up with my dad and the missionaries. Dad had just finished his canoe race, so he wasn't there a minute too soon. Once inside the foyer there, I handed mom and dad stacks of family history names to take with them through my session. I wanted as many of my family members to experience what I was at the same time. I went on to the next foyer and was waiting for some paper work to finish, and low and behold coming out of a session was Mike Latu and Boots there to surprise me!! My jaw dropped because Mike had told me he had to work. Little jerk! James, one of my best friends was in town making wedding arrangements, missed my session by 5 minutes, but he was inside the Celestial room when I finished. That was almost better in my opinion. It had been months since I had seen him so it was a pretty joyous reunion accompanied by his parents. It was nice for my parents to finally be able to meet all these people that have been such an important part of my life here in Florida. My high councilman, that I worked next to when I had my Stake YSA calling came, along with his lovely wife. Some of the sisters that I most admire in my ward came, childhood friends drove 3 hours and purchased a hotel room just to be there. I felt so blessed, and so loved. They all truly made my day so bright and special. There were a couple of others that had every intention on being there, but opportunity wouldn't allow. I still felt their presence in spite. My family made it so special most of all. My sister and all her children, and my brother Rusty and his family came. When I came outside and saw them I almost got emotional. It meant so much to me to have them be there with me even if they couldn't come inside.
As mentioned earlier in the post, I had family names to take through. When I was in Young Women, one of my projects was to do family history. I at a young age was inspired and led to do family history by family members from beyond the veil. One in particular, was my great-great-grandmother, whom I've never met in this life. I have a real connection with her even though I've never met her. Since I did her baptism in 2003, I've always dreamed of the day for me to take her name through to get her endowments. When I learned I was getting my endowment taken out, I was excited that I could finally take her name through. I had already planned on going to back to the temple the first day possible to take her name through. I kept having experiences that made me understand her anxiousness. I kept thinking okay, let's not get crazy, I'm doing it as soon as I can.. This same experience happened to me 3 times in a 4 day period, and finally the last time it happened, I knew what she wanted. She wanted to experience it WITH ME. As soon as I thought that exact thought chills flooded my body, and I knew that's what she wanted. I waited for mom to get back from the store, and I called her into my room. I explained to her that someone else wanted her to be their escort on Saturday. That Emily wanted to go through, and I wanted her to do it because I couldn't. Mom sobbed because she knew how much that meant to me. The funny thing is, I wasn't hurt, I knew that's what she wanted, and how magnificent it would be to go through it together for the first time. I felt her in the temple with me, and I knew that she was as excited as I was to be going through the temple for the first time. How grateful I am for my great-great grandmother that has changed my life even though I've never met her.
What an awesome experience it was on October 30th! I was surrounded by many people that I love and cherish. Tasting a little bit of heaven on earth. People were still coming to lunch with us so they could be in on the celebration of the day. I'm so grateful for all those trials that I thought were ripping me to pieces at the time, but in looking back I realize that the Lord wasn't ripping me to pieces, he was building me, piece by piece on my way to become who he needs me to be.
