Why, What, Where?

I know you are asking yourselves those questions...Why has she been gone for so long, What what has she been doing, Where has she been?  At least I've been asking myself those questions...

Back in February KT went to Japan for a month.  I don't know why that stressed me out so much, but it did.

Then in March, we listed our home for sale...not sure what got into us, but we felt after twelve years it was time to move on to a different home.  We felt the Lord calling us to change and though I wasn't sure about it, we answered the call.

In April Miguel got married in the Boise LDS Temple and while it was wonderful, beautiful and amazing, it was stressful, too.  Big crowds, company visiting, meeting new people...the introvert in my wanted to curl up and hide until it was over.

Then, the weekend after the wedding we got an offer on our house.  You would think I would be happy, but the reality of moving finally hit me.  The gravity of the situation, all the to do's, papers to sign, inspections, packing...Forty days later we experienced our closing delayed twice, packing and moving an entire house that had been filled with stuff for over 12 years, homelessness a bit (thank goodness for my parents)...If you haven't bought and sold a home in a while, let me remind you it's a real pain in the booty.  No joke, that was such a stressful experience.  We are now mostly settled in our new home and to be honest, I'm feeling so much better.

Here is a picture of what our new house looks like, except this isn't our house, it is one just like it.  Seriously, I don't think we have a single picture, or at least I can't find it at the moment.

What have YOU been up to while I've been away?

Sacred Sundays

"Temple. 

One other word
 is equal in importance 

to a Latter-day Saint. 

Home. 

Put the words holy temple 
and home together, 

and you have described 
the house of the Lord!"

~Boyd K. Packer~

A Christmas Kick Off

Right after Thanksgiving, we piled in the car, the three of us, and headed down to Salt Lake City.  We had a free hotel stay that would be expiring and the thought of a little get a way was just too enticing. You know how I mentioned "Make Christmas an Experience"?

I thought this was the perfect time to do something we had never done before.  We decided to go see all the beautiful Christmas lights at Temple Square.  Temple Square is sort of a tourist stop for people curious about the LDS church as well as a wonderful place for it's members to visit.  There were many, MANY people who had the same idea.  I joked that it was more crowded than Disneyland, and I suspect that it was...That's a good thing, don't you think?  People crowding in for the Savior instead of the Mouse?

What a fantastic way to kick off the Christmas season than with Lights, carols and nativities from around the world.  I was filled with the spirit of love for my family and the spirit of Christmas.  It was enough...

What have you done to jumpstart the Christmas Season?

31 Days of Faith {Temples}

I am so grateful for Temples in my life.  As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we believe that "God's church exists to help families gain eternal blessings."  We believe that instead of relationships ending at death, we can continue on with our families in heaven.  This beautiful doctrine is one of the main reasons we are a missionary church.  We would love to share with others the opportunity to be with their loved ones forever.  These eternal marriages take place inside the Temple.  You can read more on the LDS Church's focus on the family here.

Also performed in Temples are the ever controversial Baptisms for the Dead.  Faithful Latter Day Saints can have this ordinance work done for their ancestors.  We are doing this work by proxy, and we believe that our ancestors and family have the opportunity to either accept or decline this work on the other side.  So you see, it is not binding...We truly are only supposed to do this for our ancestors, although some get excited and unfortunately break the rules.  This is a biblical practice that was taught by Paul in the New Testament.  You can read more, about Baptisms for the Dead.

Our Temple has been closed for some time due to updating and bringing some safety features up to code as it is an older building.  We are so excited to have it opening soon.  Before it opens back up for the sacred work and ordinances, it will be opened to the general public for tours.  If you are interested in attending a tour of the Boise Idaho Temple, please message me, and I will send you a personal invitation.

**I am not a Spokesperson for the 
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  

If you would like to learn more about Temples and their purpose, you can go here.**

Treasured Time

I recently got to spend some Treasured Time in the Temple (notice the alliteration?) with Miguel. In preparation for leaving on his Church Service Mission, we went to the Twin Falls, ID,  Temple as a family.   Please do not judge the extra 10 pounds on my small frame.  Dang winter!  But, I'm working on it...

(Consider turning down my music player below)

If you'd like to know more about LDS Temples, you can go here.