The Veil Is (So Very) Thin . . .

Today, through a phone number mix-up, I experienced a most wonderful (for lack of a better adjective) feeling while doing temple work.

This week would have been the second week of substituting for a lady I know who had asked me to fill in (three weeks in a row) for her while went to Australia for her daughter to be married.

I went last week and everything went fine. This week I wondered why I had not heard from them, and a few messages had been left on the phone that I was not aware. I expected they would have called on my cell phone.

So, I decided that the best thing to do was to just go and be there to fill the assignment. It turns out they did not need me. The worker suggested I do an endowment session. But, I then had the strong impression to look in my temple bag for some work that was not yet done. The dates were from January 14, 2011 that I printed out during the time I found the first ancestor(s) who came from Ireland with her husband and children, who I had been searching for off and on for forty + years. It was Margaret and David McIntire.

Today was the day I did the baptisms for her, her three daughters, her daughter-in-law and two of my own third great grandmothers from Mexico.

I felt their joy and approval while doing the baptisms. Then as I went in to do the confirmations, the priesthood holder was overcome with the Spirit and continued through all seven that way.

Then, I made sure to stay and do the initiatory work. I was almost finished with the names when I felt ALL of their joy at once! Such an outpouring that I could not contain myself and felt their gratitude and the great love of the Savior for them, and for me! It felt amazing. I know they have accepted the work in their behalf.

I was pleased to know that those whose names I did were surrounding me with great love and support for this day to come. I listened to the blessings and the promises and know they had the same feeling as I did.

Sometimes we do not know why the mortal mix-ups occur, but there may be greater purpose for them in the end result. I truly felt the connection to those women and know they look forward for the rest of the ordinances to be done in their behalf. I will make certain that they are. . . soon.

Dear to, and In the Heart of the Savior

Reflections of Christ

I had an incident a few weeks ago when I was working in the temple. There was a name I came across that I was touched by the Holy Ghost as I read their name, Liberia Ana del Corazon de Jesus Lopez.

It struck me as unusual and because my name was part of that name, tears came to my eyes and I had a witness that I indeed was and AM in the heart of the Savior.

I had a warm feeling come over me with gratitude of the great love the Savior has for me, personally and the rest of us as well; and not just me.

Temple Service and What I Know and Learn

I attended the temple today at the Jordon River Temple in South Jordon. The Mount Timpanogos is closed until mid-June. There were several wedding parties outside taking their families photos and of the brides and grooms. I heard and noticed a group of children sitting singing Primary songs as I walked up to the entrance. The one they were singing was, "Tell Me The Stories of Jesus." There were dozens of women waiting to do initiatory; and I was one of them. I must have read for about forty-five minutes until it was my turn. I read this week's Sunday school lesson scripture's in Mosiah 25-27 during that time.

It seemed like the temple work I did took less time than the wait...but I also took my temple clothes to go upstairs afterwards to the Celestial room to pray and meditate. It was quite peaceful and I pondered several things as I observed the couples and patrons enter from the endowment rooms.

The thoughts that I pondered were the things I have learned as a temple ordinance worker a few years ago. How I appreciated those times and experiences as I had that privilege and calling. Our leaders encourage us as members to go to the temple often. It is the only place that we can get away from the world and find a quiet peaceful place for solace.

Attending the temple as a patron is a blessing, yes; however, there is so much more involved with our time into serving others at the temple. I believe the times and seasons are much different when one reaches the age to be able to serve that mini-mission for temple worker versus attending as a patron regularly.

I learned what patience really is when I was first a temple worker. I believe it is about waiting and calling on the Lord; allowing him to bless me in his own time and way. There is a lot of time to ponder and pray there which I did in my heart as I was assigned at various places for my six hour shift. There were days that my work schedule overlapped with my temple service. I was blessed with an extra amount of understanding by those who were my peers and those that supervised.

There must be special blessings poured out upon us as workers that are similar to those of having a full-time missionary in the field. I saw blessing flowing from heaven in my behalf. I was able to travel to places I always wanted to go and see, to name a few, Nauvoo Temple, visiting Aunt Alma and Judith in Indianapolis, going to Cincinnati, San Diegeo Temple in California and the Newport Beach Temple.

I count my blessings and with gratitude for the patience the Lord has with ME so that I can learn the things He wants me to as I go about my life. I know the hand of God is in my life each day. The beautiful clear blue sky, with the clean air we have in this valley, and the amazing mountains (Timpanogos) that stand to the east, that represents the anchor who is the Savior and part of my life and feeling of "home" that Hank describes how he grew up at the foot of that mountain.



Mount Timpanogos has always been a view that has been as near as my living room window wherever I have lived (in Utah)even now. When I was in Monterrey several years ago, there was a mountain to the East of the city. It was called "El Sillon," which was translated as the shape of a saddle, like a saddle back of a horse. It reminded me of home while I was there too.

I hope these thoughts today are meaningful and uplifting. I felt strongly as I was thinking of these things today to be sure to share them with my family. This is the best way I know how to do, even if I AM LONGWINDED!!