20 years ago

 20 years ago (almost to the day) I went to the temple accompanied 

by Christian (who I would marry 3 days later on the 16th),

 mom, dad, brothers, sisters, and their spouses,

my papa Jones and my grandma Clark and her husband.

I remember it all very vividly.  

It was a cold snowy winter evening in Provo, Utah.

Today was a very chilly morning in Raliegh, North Carolina

when Christian and I escorted Claire to the temple for her first time.

"Inside temples, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

 perform sacred ordinances or ceremonies. 

When members take part in these ordinances,

 they show their commitment to follow Jesus Christ and receive blessings

 and direction from God."

Because of Covid, Claire could only select a few guests to join her.  

She invited our Bishop and his wife Jenny, 

my second cousin Nelly, and our dear friend,

Claire's dear Young Women church leader Lisa, and her husband.  

Being back in the temple was such a privilege!  

We were warmly greeted by the temple president and his wife, 

the matron of the temple and I was already in tears.

I immediately felt a rush of love and peace.  

It was like being home after a long long trip.

Christian and I hadn't been back to the temple since last March.

Our appointment began at 9:00 am and as we were pulling into the temple

 parking lot 8:55, Claire gasped and 

explained that she had left her temple recommend

on the kitchen counter at home.

We frantically called Jane to deliver it to us as

 fast as she could safely manage.

25 minutes later she showed up in her red PJs with her Uggs on running 

into the lobby of the temple with her wild

 orange hair flying behind her.

This will be an experience that I will never ever forget, 

just like my own experience 20 years ago.

Jesus Christ lives! He is the foundation that makes the ordinances

 performed in the temple lasting and significant to families and individuals, 

like my Claire. Today was perfect.

I love this quote by Apostle, Elder Gary E. Stevenson:

"You are never lost when you can see the temple.”

"Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are places of peace,
happiness, and service. They help us draw closer to God, 

learn about His plan, and serve those who have passed on by 

giving them the opportunity to receive saving ordinances 

that they did not have the opportunity to receive in this life."

(here)