Lent: Day 1 (I Love the Temple)

While not a part of my religion, I think that Lent is a wonderful opportunity to take a step back and evaluate your life. In trying to decide what one thing could be removed to make me a better person and help me most benefit from giving it up (at least for a while), I realized that the hardest but also most beneficial thing I could do was give up complaining. I seem to do it a lot lately. Maybe because I'm in the second half of my pregnancy. Maybe because I have just become accustomed to focusing on what isn't right, instead of what is. To me, this will be a lot harder than giving up chocolate or ice cream, because with those I just wouldn't have them in my house, and I wouldn't go down those aisles at the store. It wouldn't be fun, but it would be pretty easy to stay away from them. When it comes to complaining, that's something that comes from within. In order to give it up, I have to actually change myself, and the way I see things. I sincerely hope that giving this up will help me see more beauty in life, and be more grateful for all the wonderful blessings I have. I imagine it will be hard, but I have decided that every time I feel like complaining, I will instead find something to be grateful for, or focus on something I really love. I'll be cataloging my whole process here, for anyone who cares to follow along.

So to get things started, I am so very grateful for the temple. The knowledge that I will be with my husband and my children for eternity is what brings me peace and joy on a daily basis. I cannot imagine a marriage that would only last for the short time we are here on earth. Knowing that I get to be with my husband, my sweetheart, my best friend forever has helped me determine to always put 100% into my marriage. I try to remember that the time we spend together in this life is but the foundation of eternity of togetherness. I think I am able to love my husband more because I know that I will never truly lose him. Even if we are separated by death for a time, there will come a glorious day when we are reunited forever.

I love the temple because it has assured me that if I live up to my covenants and commitments, I will be with my darling Riley forever. I will get to hold him again, never more to feel the pain of separation from him. How I look forward to that day! I am so eager to hear him say, "I love you Mommy." And because we are sealed together as a family, I will have this opportunity! And though I have no way of knowing, I believe that our little Bekka got to spend time with her big brother before coming down to this earth. I believe she will always have a special connection with him, and I look forward to when they, too, are reunited. And as I think of this tiny baby growing inside of me, I am so glad that she will be coming to a home that is bound together by the temple. I hope to instill in all my children the importance of marrying in the temple, and the blessings that come from deciding never to settle for less than an eternal union. I hope to prepare them to live worthily of all the temple blessings, and to realize that this is the source of peace and happiness in life.

My absolute favorite wedding picture, right as we were coming out of the temple. I don't think I have ever looked so happy. You can just see the joy emanating from our faces. I love this man so much, and I can't believe how lucky I am to get to be with him forever.