Eternal Joy

I don't know if words can adequately express the incredible experience we had last weekend, but because I don't want to ever forget the moments we experienced I will try to write a few words that will help us remember the weekend.

I felt extremely blessed the few weeks prior for the promptings of the spirit that helped us prepare. We were able to have a few family discussions about the events we were going to participate in. I felt a peace and love in our home and appreciated that our children love our Savior. I was so grateful for their worthiness to participate and witness the sacred ordinances we would partake.

Sheldon and I were able to prepare our home physically so that there would be order rather than chaos throughout the weekend. Sheldon had kept things picked up and put away, which gave me time to shop, prepare meals, bedrooms, and clean before family came and the events began. I will ever be grateful for how clear things were in my mind that I needed to accomplish, how simple the tasks were to do, and the energy I had while I was doing them. Not only were we touched and helped by the Spirit, but numerous friends/sisters offered help which I was so grateful for. I felt the incredible love of our Savior over and over as I'd receive phone calls asking how each could help or just offering items that helped lift many burdens from me. I was also overwhelmed with love for a bishop and high councilman who helped prepare Christiana in a two week period meeting with her to teach her and prepare her to receive her endowment.

Friday night we were able to go with Christiana as she received her endowment. Sis. Montague was her attendant and she took great care of her. It is so incredibly tender to have an attendant that is there for your every need, and she was. I was so touched as we met with Sis. Ballard and she gave us instruction. She was so concerned and loving to Christiana, teaching her, learning about her, and inspiring her to return often. Then as we walked into the chapel, filled with many people we loved who were there to support us, tears came to my eyes again as I felt the incredible love of my Father in Heaven and Savior, who had made this opportunity available not only for Christiana but for me. As we attended the endowment, I was made aware of how much I have learned, but also how much more I have to learn. I wanted to continually lean over and say "this is really important", but I didn't need to Christiana was taking in what she was ready to learn and she will have a lifetime to learn the rest. As we gathered after with family and friends again in the celestial room the love that I felt was sacred and overwhelming. It was so tender and I knew that my Heavenly Father knew not only me, but all those that were there and supporting us.

Sheldon had arranged with my dad to have a simple Family Home Evening once we arrived home. The kids were tired, but cooperative. He simply explained what would happen on Saturday morning, he talked of our Heavenly Father's plan and how celestial glory was obtained as families. We read from D&C 84 and talked of the blessing of the Abrahamic covenant, and we partake of these covenants as families. We talked about D&C 132, and we also read Exodus 28 about the robes of the priesthood. Then Sheldon gave Sarah a Father’s Blessing, that was very powerful

Saturday morning everyone was up and ready to leave, no problems, just simply ready. We arrived at the temple and the kids were taken downstairs (the temple was a little confused at first and took them to the baptistery and started getting them dressed for baptisms for the dead, but eventually they realized they needed to go to the children's room and they were dressed there. Vicki Deaver met me there and after we met with the recorder Sheldon and I went to get ready. Vicki had my mom and Christiana go upstairs, then she sweetly realized that we should have my mom place my robes. It was a tender moment that I will always cherish. Then Sheldon and I met in the waiting room. We had over a half hour before the sealing and we just sat and pondered. It helps prepare me so well to not be rushed or worried, but to take a moment to ponder the sacred ordinance we were being blessed to participate in.


Vicki came and got us at 8:00 as we walked to the sealing room she said, "You are going to be so touched as you walk in". She was so right -- I wasn't expecting to see what was waiting for us as we entered the sealing room. I have witnessed numerous children sealings, but have never witnessed what I witnessed that day. As we entered the room was filled with many friends and family, but the moment that overwhelmed me was as I entered all of our children were there waiting for us. Sarah was seated next to where I would sit, and the other five were positioned sitting in the front row ready to witness the sealing. It was amazing and I didn't know if after that moment I could feel any more joy, but yet I did. My dad talked to us for a few moments about God's love, the Saviors love for us. How our Savior knelt to take upon Him the sins of the world so we could kneel and take upon us the blessings of eternity. He reminded us that the feelings we felt were the love of our Savior and to focus on that. Then we came to the alter and knelt. As the simple amazing ceremony was performed I felt as if my heart would burst with overwhelming love. During the middle of the sealing such an incredible, amazing, overwhelming sense of joy entered my heart, something that is indescribable in words. Then it was complete, and we went and stood in front of the mirrors and all of our children gathered with us in front of the mirrors and witnessed the most amazing gift our Father In Heaven has made possible for us -- Eternal Families. As I took a mental image of what I was witnessing -- I still am overwhelmed with the love and spirit we were able to partake of that day. Thank you to all who made it possible especially my Savior.


I will stop there for now, The weekend continued to be incredibly sweet, but hopefully pictures will capture just a small portion of the sweet moment we were able to participate in.