A trip to the temple with my grand daughter

It was a sunny day for December.  But even if the sun had been hiding there was a glow that day that shone about everyone.  White is the presence of all colors and describes the day.  Everything in white: the temple exterior, the temple interior, all dressed in white, and white lace over the alters.  Quite, peaceful, and calm is the feeling that enters throughout our whole beings upon entering this Holy place of the Lord.

As we greeted friends and family, the love and warmth was real and comforting. The feeling of peace within you was as strong as that which surrounded you.

It was not the first time for Richard and I to go through the temple. Interestingly, it had been close to 40 years since we ourselves, by ourselves, were married in the Los Angelos Temple.  Alone because there was no temple on the East Coast and no one on the West Coast in his family were temple goers.
So it was only us. The rooms were very very large and not very full.  But it was wonderful and a memory seared in both our minds.

Again we came back to that temple several years later with our little children, three were then sealed to us and I remember the little girls with white ribbons and the joy of having them with us in the Celestial room.

The next memorable event was at the DC temple when our son Kevin received his endowments, upon receiving his mission call.  It is still vivid in my mind all standing around together in the Celestial Room with him and the joy and happiness we felt.

It was not that long after that we attended another special session: Kevin and Traci's wedding in the Oakland Temple.  I remember most the tears in Traci's eyes as the session began and the officiator spoke to them about the importance of the commitment, he asked her to look around at her family that was there and that made here cry.  But it was a joyous occasion and they have been a joy in our family and a blessings to everyone.

And so now we have witnessed the circle of life, now Ashley at 19 received her temple endowments and will be leaving to serve as a full time missionary almost 40 years since my joining the church myself.  Her precious spirit is so sweet and pure and we all have confidence she will serve with honor and all will be blessed by her presence as we have been  blessed with her in our family.

May God go with her, keep her safe, and bring her home soon.  Keep the Angels surrounding her to guide and light her way.

When

When out walking yesterday, I notice the shadows cast by this bridge. It was early afternoon and sun was bright.  The shadows were very dark and sharp and quite beautiful.  But I thought to myslelf, what exactly are shadows? While Shadows appear to have shape and form they are however an illusion created when an object blocks light. They are not real and tangible but are negative images..  When light shines directly on something and not behind,  we see the true color, shape, and form of it. 

I began to realize how this concept applies to spiritual perception. When we see though the spirit of God, the light of Christ shows us things as they really are and not as they seem.  Without that light or when the light is blocked, then we see a shadow of what is really there. This idea made me want to embrace more of that light that I might see clearly the path I am following and not sumble on shadows of things that are not real. I just wanted to share this idea and hope it also makes sense to you. 

December 2014

Today I walked down the dirt trail by the lake surrounded by nature and enveloped in solitude. Along the winding path I pass dark shadows of silent trees and through their towering branches occasionally glimpse the silver waters of the lake.  I sense the love of Heavenly Father around me.  There is a peace in these woods, a sense of serenity and hope. It is as if all the raging oceans of my life empty into a quiet river with a soothing rhythm that brings me to a new place of security and rest. 

I'm awed by the magnificent handiwork of God. He whispers to me in feelings that magnify my testimony and faith in Him.  At this moment in time, on this day, in this place my soul soars a little bit higher increasing courage with a willingness to follow more closely the One who leads to Light.  Then seeing down the path a ways, my feet begin to move more swiftly toward the brighter light one determined step at a time.