Turning to the Temple

I was having a bit of a hard evening this last Friday. Just feeling down. We all have down days. I decided instead of home date night with Chris (we usually watch a movie or play a game on Friday after the kids go to bed), I would go to bed early. I figured he would play video games for a few hours and then go to bed. While I was lying in bed, I was thinking about how I wanted to write a blog entry about how much I dislike video games. They are a big thing in our home and I struggle with it, especially knowing how to control it and feeling like I have to compete with it (as silly as it sounds, I honestly struggle with comparing myself too and feeling like I am not as important as a video game). I don't play video games (just with the kids sometimes) as I am not really a fan but I have to admit that I liked solitaire, an Indiana Jones demo game and a few other games on our family computer when I was growing up. I also liked playing Nintendo when I went to my cousins house and we would rent a gaming system at times when we were teenagers and play Need for Speed and that was a blast playing with Nathan and Camellia. So I have had my video game moments. And I know that there are video games that are good for the mind by building critical thinking skills, etc (Chris plays those games). My screen time struggle is probably Instagram (it was Facebook but I don't do Facebook as much now). And I like reading other blogs and writing in my own. I guess I like to feel connected to people and that is how I try to connect. I have even debated on writing an old nursing manager, who seemed to hate me and think I was the dumbest nurse at the time, because I want to build a connection with her that will perhaps take my bitter and hurt feelings away. But I will wait for the eternities to make things right there and I trust that they will be made right. I guess I just want to understand her and perhaps be a friend. 

 Anyways, once Chris put Elizabeth to sleep, he came and found me lying in bed and we had a great talk for about an hour. We talked about life and feelings and then we talked about the temple and it was a good talk. Then I got thinking that I should write a positive post and the Temple came to my mind. 

I love the Temple! I miss going there. I think the last time we went there was for our 10th anniversary almost a year and a half ago but we have not been since due to COVID closures. When I enter the doors of the temple, I feel such a peace and calm. It is like the worries of the world just melt away. I feel so close to Heaven when I am there. I am grateful for how important family history is to the church and that we can connect with people who have died by doing work for them in the temple. So many people have died and did not have the chance to learn of God and accept the atonement of the Savior and understand the fullness of the Gospel in their lives but the Temple allows for us to reach out to those people and help them along so that everyone can have the chance to return to God's presence someday. The temple in not about exclusion. It is about inclusion! Going there is not for "show", it is to sincerely do what we can do to help our dear ancestors and all who have passed on to be saved. Heavenly Father wants everyone to be saved and come back to his presence. He is a loving Heavenly Father after all. We accept the Savior's atonement by following his example which includes baptism (as he was baptized) and since many were not baptized in this life, God makes available to everyone the chance to be baptized by the correct authority. This gives me such joy and hope! People are not "excluded" from the temple, they just need to prepare to go there in a way so that the Spirit can reside there. I am grateful to be sealed to my husband and to my family (my mom, dad, sister, brother, uncles, aunts, cousins, etc) for all eternity. To know that what we are building here can last forever! Chris and I are not perfect and neither is our relationship but what we are trying build is not till death do us part... it is for time and ALL eternity and it gives me joy and hope to know that we can keep working on these relationships after we die). The temple is a blessing in my life and I hope that I can go there soon. I want my children to know how much I love the Temple and how I want them to prepare themselves to go there someday. I best go now. Elizabeth is demanding my attention but the other kids are tucked snuggly into their own beds (well, I guess Mary chose our bed to sleep tonight).