Aside from Girls' Camp, Saturday was probably one of the best days of my YEAR! No joke, it was heaven sent, and halfway through the day, I was driving home, and the phrase "God is good" came to my mind, and I was reduced to tears (I know, so what's new, right?)
Let's review. Last Thursday, I had my mini-meltdown at the temple when I was once again chosen to be SP or "sealing patron" for the majority of the night as a temple worker. Then, I was assigned to work in the office at the temple on Saturday which basically equates to working any clerical job--gas station, infirmary, or temple--and I don't leave feeling spiritually fulfilled at all. Then, this past Thursday, John took the elders to the temple in the morning (while I stayed home with the babies) and had a very sweet experience with them, and then he worked the Thursday night shift (while I stayed home with the babies). To say that my spiritual tank was a bit low is an understatement. I seriously don't know how I used to go a month without going to the temple....
So looking at Saturday, I was going to work the Saturday morning shift (while John stayed home with the babies), but I imagined it would be mostly initiatory. Sister Squires, my shift coordinator, is very inspired, and she thankfully asked me to be initiatory director several months ago, and it's been fun to stretch my wings a bit and even do some training. However, when I leave Saturday shifts, after standing for hours in initiatory (I equate it to someone standing and rehearsing the pledge of allegiance over and over for two solid hours at a time), I'm usually pretty drained, although happily drained. So going into Saturday, I guessed what my assignment would be but felt thankful that at least I would be back in the temple again (and not in the office!)
Imagine my surprise when I walked by Sister Squires sitting conveniently outside of the dressing room, and she asked me if I had ever hosted a live endowment before (hosting is escorting a person who is there to receive their own endowments while they move around the temple, getting dressed, and going through initiatory for the first time, and following during the endowment session, and ultimately taking them through the veil for the first time). It is a very special honor (I asked Sister Greve to be the host for Glo because I wanted someone truly special), and while not seeking out assignments in the temple, I've felt badly that I've never been given the opportunity. So I responded that no, I've never had the chance, and she said, "Good. I didn't think you had. You'll be trained, and then you'll do it!"
Bless Sister Squires heart. She comes to her shift on Saturdays so obviously stressed about keeping things going, and yet she is so inspired as to what each sister needs to do each shift. I'm so thankful for her.
So it was 30 minutes of reviewing everything I would need to do with Sister Dunford training me, and then I was off. I had a few minutes before "Sister Gleason" would arrive so I went into the celestial room to say a little prayer that I would be okay. I worry because I tend to get very chatty in the temple (it stems from feeling so happy), and I knew that I needed to be more quietly friendly and reverent than joking and funny....and that's a stretch for me. I had my little handbook of instruction tucked neatly into my pocket, and I would read ahead just enough to get through the next step when I could then read the next thing to do.
The whole process was so beautiful and lovely and reminded me of what is really important in this earthly existence. We spend so much time focusing on jobs and money and social interactions and... that we forget that it's really just about walking the covenant path and getting back to Heavenly Father....which is exactly what that sweet girl was doing that day.
She was there with her sister who was serving as her escort, and she was going through the temple following receiving her mission call to Idaho Falls. I asked her if she expected anyone else so that we could reserve seats, but she said it was just her father and stepmother....and she didn't need to sit by her. At that point, my heart felt even more connected to her as I realized that like me, and so many others, she didn't come from a perfect family. She was there despite struggles and hardships, and I felt the responsibility to support her even more.
The initiatory was an especially special experience because I got to take her through the clothing booth, and then give her her new name. In times past, I've performed the washing for live endowments, but there's something special about giving a person their new name for the first time. I've said it a million times, but when you are looking into the eyes of the person who is receiving that ordinance at that moment, it's meaningful. And as I was about to give her the new name, I felt impressed to touch her arm so that she would really listen and take it in (I find that it's confusing the first time to understand the difference between your "new name" and your "first given name"). I've had a couple of experiences in the temple before where it feels like the veil is thin and there's a special feeling beyond what is ordinary in the temple, and that moment felt very much like that.
It was lovely then to be the follower during the endowment session, and then to take her through the veil. I could tell she was overwhelmed and maybe a bit tired, but we made it through, and once she walked through the veil (being the last to go through), I turned to Sister Squires, the veil director, and let the tears flow. I'd kept myself composed throughout the entire experience, but the tears were always close to the surface, especially thinking of being there with Glo only eight months ago.
The most fun moment of the morning was next--going into the celestial room to congratulate the person on everything that had just happened. I was surprised to see that almost the entire session of people had been there for her because they were all waiting in line to hug her. And she was beaming! Like, I just don't think she could have been smiling any more than she was. Again, it reminded me of our Kennedy group hug in the celestial room back in November, and it made me so happy. I hung back because I didn't want to intrude, but once she saw me watching her, she walked right over to me and hugged me, saying, "Thank you for being so nice to me today. I'm glad you were here."
Having that experience was a god send. I'd been praying for the past couple of days to have a good experience in the temple, and it was an answer to prayers. I honestly couldn't believe that I didn't need to clean one of the bathrooms afterwards, or take out the trash, or stay late to file the cards. I just walked out, feeling loved.
I walked across the parking lot to Greenie and as I was about to put my bag in the back, I heard, "Did you get a soda?" Not feeling impressed by that stupid question, I laconically turned around only to yell (and I mean, I actually yelled):
OH! MY! GOSH!!
There, standing in front of me, was my very own favorite elder, Elder Thomas! Yes, there might have been a hug involved :-). Words can't even begin to express how happy I was to see him. Like, I would have hugged and loved on him like I do when the kids come home from college, and I go to wake them up in the mornings...but that might have been frowned upon :-)
There, in the parking lot of the temple (and stake center), the Bloomfield Hills stake was having their stake picnic. There were tents with food, and lots of people. I could hardly believe that he was there! In fact, I kinda can't remember the first few minutes of seeing him, because I was just so over-the-top happy about it all.
He told me that when he arrived, he had noticed Greenie, and knowing that nobody else has a car like that, he knew I was there. So he went into the temple and asked if I was working, but of course he managed to find the one person in the temple who doesn't know me, and that man couldn't tell him. So he waited and watched, and sure enough, he saw me come out of the temple and surprised me.
And bless Elder Zarbock's heart. He assumed that I would be just as happy to see him, and I feigned happiness about him as well, but hopefully Elder Thomas knows me well enough now to know that it's all just an act :-) Thankfully, Elder Thomas took a picture of the two of us (and no other elders in the picture finally!) Man, he is TALL! I was in my wedge heels, and I still couldn't get close to his height, but I was so happy to just be close to him. I really do love him.
Turns out, their investigator, Jim, drove them to the picnic, so I asked to meet him. I mean, Elder Thomas finds the best investigators, so I knew Jim wouldn't be the exception. We walked over, and I got to introduce myself. And then, in a moment of brilliance, we took Jim over to the temple so he could enter the temple and be in the waiting room.
And what a blessing that President Doot was standing there in the waiting room so I could introduce Jim to him as well. And we all admired the new artwork that is in the temple now. And in ten seconds or less, I explained how Jim could someday come to the temple with his recommend and also feel the peace that is there.
It was lovely.
And as much as I didn't want to, I had to get home to save John from the babies, so I said goodbye (yet again) to Elder Thomas as he and Elder Zarbock walked Jim around the grounds of the temple. As I drove home, the phrase "God is good" came to mind, and I was reminded yet again that Heavenly Father knows me, he knows what I need, and when I ask for help, he is there.
Let's review. Last Thursday, I had my mini-meltdown at the temple when I was once again chosen to be SP or "sealing patron" for the majority of the night as a temple worker. Then, I was assigned to work in the office at the temple on Saturday which basically equates to working any clerical job--gas station, infirmary, or temple--and I don't leave feeling spiritually fulfilled at all. Then, this past Thursday, John took the elders to the temple in the morning (while I stayed home with the babies) and had a very sweet experience with them, and then he worked the Thursday night shift (while I stayed home with the babies). To say that my spiritual tank was a bit low is an understatement. I seriously don't know how I used to go a month without going to the temple....
So looking at Saturday, I was going to work the Saturday morning shift (while John stayed home with the babies), but I imagined it would be mostly initiatory. Sister Squires, my shift coordinator, is very inspired, and she thankfully asked me to be initiatory director several months ago, and it's been fun to stretch my wings a bit and even do some training. However, when I leave Saturday shifts, after standing for hours in initiatory (I equate it to someone standing and rehearsing the pledge of allegiance over and over for two solid hours at a time), I'm usually pretty drained, although happily drained. So going into Saturday, I guessed what my assignment would be but felt thankful that at least I would be back in the temple again (and not in the office!)
Imagine my surprise when I walked by Sister Squires sitting conveniently outside of the dressing room, and she asked me if I had ever hosted a live endowment before (hosting is escorting a person who is there to receive their own endowments while they move around the temple, getting dressed, and going through initiatory for the first time, and following during the endowment session, and ultimately taking them through the veil for the first time). It is a very special honor (I asked Sister Greve to be the host for Glo because I wanted someone truly special), and while not seeking out assignments in the temple, I've felt badly that I've never been given the opportunity. So I responded that no, I've never had the chance, and she said, "Good. I didn't think you had. You'll be trained, and then you'll do it!"
Bless Sister Squires heart. She comes to her shift on Saturdays so obviously stressed about keeping things going, and yet she is so inspired as to what each sister needs to do each shift. I'm so thankful for her.
So it was 30 minutes of reviewing everything I would need to do with Sister Dunford training me, and then I was off. I had a few minutes before "Sister Gleason" would arrive so I went into the celestial room to say a little prayer that I would be okay. I worry because I tend to get very chatty in the temple (it stems from feeling so happy), and I knew that I needed to be more quietly friendly and reverent than joking and funny....and that's a stretch for me. I had my little handbook of instruction tucked neatly into my pocket, and I would read ahead just enough to get through the next step when I could then read the next thing to do.
The whole process was so beautiful and lovely and reminded me of what is really important in this earthly existence. We spend so much time focusing on jobs and money and social interactions and... that we forget that it's really just about walking the covenant path and getting back to Heavenly Father....which is exactly what that sweet girl was doing that day.
She was there with her sister who was serving as her escort, and she was going through the temple following receiving her mission call to Idaho Falls. I asked her if she expected anyone else so that we could reserve seats, but she said it was just her father and stepmother....and she didn't need to sit by her. At that point, my heart felt even more connected to her as I realized that like me, and so many others, she didn't come from a perfect family. She was there despite struggles and hardships, and I felt the responsibility to support her even more.
The initiatory was an especially special experience because I got to take her through the clothing booth, and then give her her new name. In times past, I've performed the washing for live endowments, but there's something special about giving a person their new name for the first time. I've said it a million times, but when you are looking into the eyes of the person who is receiving that ordinance at that moment, it's meaningful. And as I was about to give her the new name, I felt impressed to touch her arm so that she would really listen and take it in (I find that it's confusing the first time to understand the difference between your "new name" and your "first given name"). I've had a couple of experiences in the temple before where it feels like the veil is thin and there's a special feeling beyond what is ordinary in the temple, and that moment felt very much like that.
It was lovely then to be the follower during the endowment session, and then to take her through the veil. I could tell she was overwhelmed and maybe a bit tired, but we made it through, and once she walked through the veil (being the last to go through), I turned to Sister Squires, the veil director, and let the tears flow. I'd kept myself composed throughout the entire experience, but the tears were always close to the surface, especially thinking of being there with Glo only eight months ago.
The most fun moment of the morning was next--going into the celestial room to congratulate the person on everything that had just happened. I was surprised to see that almost the entire session of people had been there for her because they were all waiting in line to hug her. And she was beaming! Like, I just don't think she could have been smiling any more than she was. Again, it reminded me of our Kennedy group hug in the celestial room back in November, and it made me so happy. I hung back because I didn't want to intrude, but once she saw me watching her, she walked right over to me and hugged me, saying, "Thank you for being so nice to me today. I'm glad you were here."
Having that experience was a god send. I'd been praying for the past couple of days to have a good experience in the temple, and it was an answer to prayers. I honestly couldn't believe that I didn't need to clean one of the bathrooms afterwards, or take out the trash, or stay late to file the cards. I just walked out, feeling loved.
I walked across the parking lot to Greenie and as I was about to put my bag in the back, I heard, "Did you get a soda?" Not feeling impressed by that stupid question, I laconically turned around only to yell (and I mean, I actually yelled):
OH! MY! GOSH!!
There, standing in front of me, was my very own favorite elder, Elder Thomas! Yes, there might have been a hug involved :-). Words can't even begin to express how happy I was to see him. Like, I would have hugged and loved on him like I do when the kids come home from college, and I go to wake them up in the mornings...but that might have been frowned upon :-)
There, in the parking lot of the temple (and stake center), the Bloomfield Hills stake was having their stake picnic. There were tents with food, and lots of people. I could hardly believe that he was there! In fact, I kinda can't remember the first few minutes of seeing him, because I was just so over-the-top happy about it all.
He told me that when he arrived, he had noticed Greenie, and knowing that nobody else has a car like that, he knew I was there. So he went into the temple and asked if I was working, but of course he managed to find the one person in the temple who doesn't know me, and that man couldn't tell him. So he waited and watched, and sure enough, he saw me come out of the temple and surprised me.
And bless Elder Zarbock's heart. He assumed that I would be just as happy to see him, and I feigned happiness about him as well, but hopefully Elder Thomas knows me well enough now to know that it's all just an act :-) Thankfully, Elder Thomas took a picture of the two of us (and no other elders in the picture finally!) Man, he is TALL! I was in my wedge heels, and I still couldn't get close to his height, but I was so happy to just be close to him. I really do love him.Turns out, their investigator, Jim, drove them to the picnic, so I asked to meet him. I mean, Elder Thomas finds the best investigators, so I knew Jim wouldn't be the exception. We walked over, and I got to introduce myself. And then, in a moment of brilliance, we took Jim over to the temple so he could enter the temple and be in the waiting room.
And what a blessing that President Doot was standing there in the waiting room so I could introduce Jim to him as well. And we all admired the new artwork that is in the temple now. And in ten seconds or less, I explained how Jim could someday come to the temple with his recommend and also feel the peace that is there.
It was lovely.
And as much as I didn't want to, I had to get home to save John from the babies, so I said goodbye (yet again) to Elder Thomas as he and Elder Zarbock walked Jim around the grounds of the temple. As I drove home, the phrase "God is good" came to mind, and I was reminded yet again that Heavenly Father knows me, he knows what I need, and when I ask for help, he is there.
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