It is hard when the temple is closed for two weeks every six months for cleaning. There is not much to do after putting in a couple of days helping with the cleaning. You get bored sitting around the apartment all day. It was a good time to get started on the Christmas giving. We did make a quick trip to Detroit to celebrate Evan's and Mike's birthday. Even though it was out of our mission, it was approved because it was within a day's drive. So we were both delighted to get back into the temple to work last Tuesday. We enjoyed being able to do the ordinances again. And more especially to work with the good people who come.
Friday night was especially fun. When we were serving in Ogdensburg last year, we got to know a young family that were new members of the church of a couple of months. They had two children and were a delight to the branch. They moved near to Watertown and had do move their membership to the ward there. The branch missed them greatly. She was Primary President and he was active in the Elders Quorum. (Their two children were the only ones in Primary). We all knew it was best for their family to get into a strong ward but it was hard to see them leave.
They have now been in the church for over a year and Friday night they came to the temple to receive their endowments and to be sealed. It was so good to see them again. It was a delightful suprise to see them in the temple. The missionary couple that was in Ogdesburg before us, who had taught them the gospel, came back from Richfield, UT to be with them. Paul was assigned as a guide for the father and was with them the whole evening. They have a 12 year old son and a 7 year old daughter who were sealed to them after their sealing. It was inspiring to hear the trials they overcame in preparing for the sealing. The last one was their son had just turned 12 and hadn't been ordained yet. They didn't realize that he needed to be ordained in order to be sealed. After a couple of phone calls to the Bishop and Stake President, he was ordained a deacon by Pres. Sherwood and was ready for the sealing. We were pleased to see how well the ward was supporting them. All had come the 2-1/2 hours to share in the endowment and sealing. The Ogdensburg Branch President and his wife also came, a 3 hour trip one way.
They were so happy to be an eternal family. They were bubbling with the excitement and joy of it. We are also excited that we are an eternal family. We love you all and are constantly reminded that we can be together forever. Isn't Heavenly Father wonderful?! What a glorious plan He prepared for us, and how great was His love that He sent his Son to make it all possible.
We love you all. Have a great Thanksgiving Holiday. We all have so much to be thankful for! Maybe we ought to put 20 candycorns on each plate this year.
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