This is the Portland, Oregon LDS Temple:
It is so beautiful, inside and out. It is 30 seconds off the freeway but hidden by huge green trees. You drive up a little street and it appears out of nowhere!
It also happens to be the place where my sweetheart and I were married almost 5 years ago!!
My family attended the open house when I was just a 9 month old little baby.
My mom said I was fast asleep and quiet until we got in the temple- then I started babbling and pointing and fussing. As soon as we left the temple, I was quiet again.
She thinks it is because I knew that I would be married there someday! I agree! Pretty cool.
I love this temple, for many reasons.
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This is a neat experience I had this week:
I went by myself a couple days ago to have some 'alone' time while seeking direction. There is a point in the temple where the topic of family is talked about- both your posterity and your ancestors and what blessings they are.
While sitting in the Celestial Room (which is where you are closest to God and heaven), I thought about my Grandpa Richards who passed away last year. Not being sure if I can 'pray' to my grandpa or not, I prayed to Heavenly Father to say Hi for me and let him know I miss him and how much he impacted my life.
At that moment, I felt like I was being given a big hug and I felt my grandpa's arms wrap around me and a smile on his face. I then thought of Jonathon's grandma Carolan Sessions who also passed away last year and felt her arms wrap around me as well. Next was her husband Ken, who I never got the chance to meet because he died about 10 years ago. I saw in my mind his warm smile and friendly eyes as he hugged me and a feeling of "I am so proud of you and Jonathon and all your hard work to get to this point. I am happy my grandson has married someone who makes him so happy. Thank you for loving him. I love you."
Next, 4-5 women who were all sisters joined the group hug. These women were my ancestors, the Loader sisters, who were part of the Mormon Pioneer trek to Utah in the Martin Handcart company. I knew it right when I saw them, though I don't think I've ever seen a picture of them. They were the first in my family to join the LDS church. Many others came and joined the group hug who I didn't recognize.
I felt like I was physically being 'lifted up' by these people in a way of "stay strong- you have so many people and angels who love you and are supporting and rooting for you. You have an important work to do here on Earth."
I just started crying. It's hard to explain this-- It wasn't a physical sensation, it was just as I was sitting there with my eyes closed and praying. But it was very real and vivid. And very emotional.
I thought of how my ancestors worked so hard in the past for ME to be here today. And they want to see me succeed! And I have a responsibility to do the same and be strong for my future family as well. We have angels supporting us even when we can't see them.
I am grateful for this experience and for all the sacrifices of my ancestors. I'm grateful for all the blessings I have today. Too many to try to list right now! And I'm grateful for the Plan of Salvation so I can be with all my family again someday.
I trust that Heavenly Father is in charge and He knows what is best for me. Even when it is hard, I'll allow Him to guide me along and remember the feeling I felt this night that it'll all be okay and it's not in my hands.
