Woman at the Well, Tears of the Spirit, and Worthiness is not Flawlessness

This was a picture I took  on my way to the temple today. I may be all smiles because I am truly excited to be heading to my happy place. but my mind and heart felt weighed down as I thought about my weaknesses and inadequacies. I am not perfect, I am so far from perfect, in fact, but I know that I have made progress from where I once was. There is a level of worthiness required to go into our sacred temples and sometimes it can feel like we are falling shorter than we want to be. I said a prayer before entering the temple for forgiveness for my sins and weaknesses and gratitude for patience that the Lord must have with me every day that I continue to fall short. I prayed that I may be able to focus my mind in the temple and not be distracted by my earthly faults.

After entering our weekly prayer meeting, our shift coordinator announced that she could not stay long because her father at that very moment was on hospice and passing away from Covid. Instantly a wave of the Spirit and compassion came over that room and there wasn't a dry eye as sisters we were so sad that our fellow sister was going through this heart wrenching time.

I thought about my own Dad. How grateful I am that he is still here and healthy. 

Then the sister from the temple presidency shared with us something one of our dear apostles had shared at a regional conference that day. His words were "I know Him, I know His Face", in reference to Jesus Christ.  Once again I felt the Spirit speak to my heart that these words were true. I know our Prophets and Apostles have interactions with our Savior Jesus Christ because they are considered Special Witnesses of him, but because of the personal and sacred nature of these interactions, they are unable to openly talk about them. 

Then the sister leading our discussion today asked the Sisters to share about women in the scriptures that have impressed them or stood out to them. One sister shared the story of the woman at the well. The story can be found in John 4 of the New Testament. Link to John 4

When the woman asked Jesus why He, a Jew, was asking her to get him a drink, this was His response:

 

"Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

In this chapter in John we learn that this particular woman was a Samaritan who would normally not have anything to do with the Jews. We also learn that she has had 5 husbands and the man she was currently with was not her husband. And what is beautiful about this story, is that the Savior wanted to teach her anyway and teach her and us that He is the Living Water. At that moment her sins did not make her any less valued or worthy to hear his counsel, or any less worthy to be serving him water.

The sister leading our discussion reminded us that our Father in Heaven and Savior Jesus Christ love us no matter the mistakes we make. Their love for us will never change. And we are all valued just like this woman at the well no matter what mistakes we have or how much we fall short. 

As I am writing up this journal entry this quote from Elder Holland came to my mind and as a great reminder.

"Of course, we are speaking here of the first great commandment given to the human family—to love God wholeheartedly, without reservation or compromise, that is, with all our heart, might, mind, and strength. This love of God is the first great commandment in the universe. But the first great truth in the universe is that God loves us exactly that way—wholeheartedly, without reservation or compromise, with all of His heart, might, mind, and strength. "

I felt the Spirit strongly softening my heart to not be so hard on myself on my mistakes after this discussion with the other sisters. I felt like this lesson was exactly what I needed to hear today. 

Today I was assigned to the 2nd floor assisting sisters to perform ordinances for those who were deceased by proxy. As one sister entered the room, the Spirit became very apparent. At this time I did not know why, as tears streamed silently down her checks, and then muffled sobs began as she was overwhelmed with the Spirit and emotions. The other sister and I couldn't help but also feel emotional as we were grateful to be able to serve this sister this day. After completing the ceremony, she confided in us that the name she had brought that day was the birth mother of her daughter that was murdered several years ago. What a powerful experience to have been able to bring such beautiful blessings to this Spirit that had passed and I could personally feel the love this Spirit had and gratitude for this sister that was not only taking care of her daughter but also gratitude for her performing those ordinances for her. It is amazing how learning about others struggles truly changes your perspective and changes your focus. I was so grateful for the opportunity to have helped those two sisters in some small way today, that probably is really not small at all. 

For my nightly reading once again, "conveniently", the next talk I would read was one of my favorites from last conference titled "Worthiness is not Flawlessness". Which clearly was the theme of the day and once again I felt the Lord wanted to give me one last reminder that it is ok that I am not perfect as long as I am trying. 

Link to Talk Worthiness is not Flawlessness

I love these quotes from this talk:

"Some mistakenly receive the message that they are not worthy to participate fully in the gospel because they are not completely free of bad habits. God’s message is that worthiness is not flawlessness. Worthiness is being honest and trying. We must be honest with God, priesthood leaders, and others who love us, and we must strive to keep God’s commandments and never give up just because we slip up.

Elder Bruce C. Hafen said that developing a Christlike character “requires patience and persistence more than it requires flawlessness.” The Lord has said the gifts of the Spirit are “given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do.”

"Being honest about your actions and taking steps to move forward is not being a hypocrite. It is being a disciple.”

This talk also shares the story about a Brother who battled a pornography addiction. When this Brother realized that after continuing to mess up but making small improvements "He realized God was not up there saying, "Damon blew it again." Instead, He was probably saying, “Look how far Damon has come.” This young man finally stopped looking down in shame or looking sideways for excuses and rationalizations. He looked up for divine help, and he found it."

"Elder D. Todd Christofferson has counseled: “To deal with something [very] big, we may need to work at it in small, daily bites. … Incorporating new and wholesome habits into our character or overcoming bad habits or addictions [most] often means an effort today followed by another tomorrow and then another, perhaps for many days, even months and years. … But we can do it because we can appeal to God … for the help we need each day.”

I so love this last quote, it reminds me of the scripture "line upon line" in that incorporating new better habits in small daily bites will eventually bring about the change we are seeking with the help of our Father in Heaven. He does not expect us to be perfect overnight. In fact, he expects us to have weaknesses so that we may lean on him to overcome them as he reminds in Ether 12:27 (one of my all time favorite scriptures)

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

After Hen got home from work we talked for a long time and listened to Elder Bruce R. McConkie's final testimony. He has also shares of being a Special Witness of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

Link to Elder Bruce R. McConkie's Final Testimony

 

Weekly Memes

 

New Calling

 You are looking at the newest Gospel Doctrine Teacher in the Sterling Heights Ward! I was set apart today with a beautiful blessing of so many things I needed. I have had alot of anxiety about this calling because of how inadequate my doctrinal knowledge is. The second the bishopric members laid their hands on my head and started the blessing after all of my meetings, my anxiety melted away and I felt so much love from them and from our Father in Heaven. The things that were said were the very things I needed to hear and brought me so much comfort.

Jumping back to a couple hours prior, at the end of a beautiful testimony meeting we sang the song "Be Thou Humble". The last verse touched my heart and brought tears to my eyes.

"Be thou humble in thy calling, and the Lord thy God shall teach thee

To serve his children gladly with a pure and gentle love.

Be thou humble in thy longing, and the Lord thy God shall take thee,

Shall take thee home at last to ever dwell with him above."

In going to Gospel Doctrine today, people were saying how excited they were that I would be a gospel doctrine teacher and telling me I will do a great job. Only problem is that actually added to my anxiety, because now it feels like there is this high bar of expectation I am going to try to be meeting. But I am grateful for their kind words and love. 

The lesson today was on scriptures in Abraham & Moses in the Pearl of Great Price and Genesis. Our teacher was so knowledgeable which was great to learn from, but did add to my anxiety. How would I ever follow her? I learned many interesting things in class today and am so glad I attended. I wish Hen could have been there. 

One thing we talked about was the idea of Fore-ordination vs destiny. The difference between the two being Agency. With Fore-ordination basically there is an opportunity available to an individual, but it is up to them to choose that opportunity. Destiny is the implication that the individual has no choice but to accept what will happen and no matter what they choose, the same outcome will happen. 

This made so much sense to me. I always was confused when they would say, God knows what we are going to do before we do it. How can he know? We haven't made the choice yet. But I think he knows what we are going to choose because he knows us and we are very predictable when you take into account our likes and habits. Also I think about our Patriarchal Blessings, how those things can be fore-ordained in the sense that they are opportunities available to us if we choose that path. 

We learn about fore-ordination in the book of Abraham, when God tells him in chapter 3 vs 23.

"And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born."

This scripture teaches us so much. It teaches us that we were all different spirits in the preexistance, we already had personalities, and we had already proved whether what responsibilities we could be trusted with.

There is so much we learn in this chapter and the whole thing is really worth reading. Here is a link and the chapter header.

Abraham Chapter 3 Link

"Abraham learns about the sun, moon, and stars by means of the Urim and Thummim—The Lord reveals to him the eternal nature of spirits—He learns of pre-earth life, foreordination, the Creation, the choosing of a Redeemer, and the second estate of man." 

When Hen got home from work that night I read to him from all the chapters we had discussed in class and tried to teach him the things he missed. It was fun to share my knowledge with him.

As I have started to study for my first lesson to give on the 23rd, I have already learned so much. Another teacher in the ward gave me the Youtube channel "Don't Miss This". I watched it the other night and my mind was literally blown away by how much I learned about the events and story of Adam and Eve. I am so grateful for the plethora of resources available to me to prepare these lessons. The only hard part is going to be trying to pare down from so much good information.

I also came across this quote on Facebook this week that I shared and many individuals commented with kind encouragement and useful tips. 

One of the scariest thoughts that I try to not think about too much, is that every learning we have, experience, growth etc has a purpose to prepare us for someone greater. Which can be very overwhelming to think about. The argument to that is our Father in Heaven will not give to us more than we can handle, whether that be temptation (1st Corinthians 10:13), or trials, or callings. So my guess is ignorance is bliss, and it is good thing I don't know exactly what I am being prepared for later, because that would probably make my mind explode. Another tender mercy of the Lord.

Memes of the Week

 

Lessons Learned

It is worthwhile to read the post prior to this one to see how the Lord's ways are not quite so mysterious. 

It is still Thursday evening. I had just finished the last post ending with

 "At the end of my shift, I went up to the Celestial Room. After feeling such a sweet Spirit I wanted to spend some time reflecting and in prayer in that beautiful space. Many tears streamed as I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for my life and the experiences and blessings I have been given. Oh how I wonder how in the world I will ever be worthy enough to have received so much abundance!"

After walking into the kitchen and setting my phone down on the counter it started to ring. I recognized the number of a brother from our bishopric. Quickly my mind thought, I just spoke in church so he wouldn't be asking me to do that again so soon and I was just released from my Young Women's calling last Sunday and was just planning on having two callings instead of three for a while which was to continue to serve in the Temple and to be my neighborhood emergency preparedness coordinator, so I thought there is no way they would be asking me to do another calling so soon. 

So with not a care in the world I answered the call. It was about 8:22pm. The brother on the other end said, "oh I didn't think you would answer the call this late". To which I replied "how old do you think I am?" and we chuckled. He said, I am calling to extend you a new calling. Of course my mind was thinking, you have got to be kidding me! 

Now this is where my natural man comes into play, if you had read the post prior to this one, I go on and on about how serving in the church is a privilege and not a responsibility and we should be grateful for the opportunity. Let's just say it is not always first instinct to practice what you preach!!! 

I am still very human, and it was very apparent this evening. 

I was really in shock that they were asking me to serve in another calling so soon since part of the reason I was being released from YW was due to time constraints coming up in the next year that would make it hard for me to serve in the three callings I had. 

I told the brother of the bishopric I would pray about it and let him know. He requested I just let him know soon, atleast before Sunday.

So of course I called my mom to share my shock from the request and vent, quite frankly,... natural man strikes again! 

Oh and by the way the new calling I was to accept was Gospel Doctrine Teacher.

So obviously, my natural man came up with plenty of reasons why I should not accept this invitation.

1st- In my mind, I am most definitely the least qualified person in our ward for this calling. I am not a scriptorian. I couldn't tell you a scripture reference to save my life off the top of my head. Do I love the scriptures, Yes, absolutely. But my memory is so horrible and I only remember different bits and pieces that have stood out over the years. And I have heard many people in our Sunday School class share deep insights into the scriptures that I have never known or had before. And let's just say there are a few past mission presidents in our class and others who have lived much much longer than me, and have had way more life experience that me, and so much more knowledge to give than I do. 

2nd-I have never had this calling before. I have had many teaching callings in primary, young womens, relief society, and an adult gospel principles class, which I loved. I do enjoy teaching in all honesty, but this is a whole nother level which I do not feel qualified in the least. What could I possibly teach these people?

3rd- This year's Come Follow Me content will be on the Old Testament of the Bible. I have never read it through from back to back. I have read extensive parts of the New Testament, oh how I love the New Testament, but the Old Testament is pretty foreign to me.

So after my natural man took the podium, my Spirit decided it was its turn in this debate: (sometimes I picture the shoulder angels from The Emporer's New Groove (my favorite animated movie))

A-Where much is given, much is required

B-Didn't you just ask in prayer in the temple to have the Lord help you to do His will and not your own and to know how it is He can use you to help others?

C-Didn't you just have a lesson on how having a calling is a privilege and not an obligation?

D-Didn't you just recognize in your last journal entry "how on earth will I ever be worthy enough to have received so much abundance?"

The answer was so blaringly obvious, of course, I would accept this calling and unfortunately it was still a bit begrudingly and since I am so hard headed, the Lord clearly knew I needed one last nudge.

Since last conference in October I have been cycling through all of the Conference Talks in order before going to bed. "Conveniently" the next talk I would be reading before I fell asleep was the talk by Elder Ballard. 

“Lovest Thou Me More Than These?”

Link to Elder Ballard's Talk

After starting into the talk, it was very clear, that there really was no coincidence that this was what I was supposed to read tonight. That the Lord was talking directly through this talk to me, and he truly wanted to know "Lovest Thou Me More Than These". Of course my heart was softened. How could it not be when the first line I read was "What things can you do within your own life to show that you love the Lord first?"

It goes on to say

"Relating this question to ourselves in our day, the Lord may be asking us about how busy we are and about the many positive and negative influences competing for our attention and our time. He may be asking each of us if we love Him more than the things of this world. This may be a question about what we really value in life, who we follow, and how we view our relationships with family members and neighbors. Or maybe He is asking what really brings us joy and happiness.

Do the things of this world bring us the joy, happiness, and peace that the Savior offered to His disciples and that He offers to us? Only He can bring us true joy, happiness, and peace through our loving Him and following His teachings.

How would we answer the question “Lovest thou me more than these?”

and further down the talk

"Last October, President Russell M. Nelson taught us the importance of putting Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ first in our lives. President Nelson taught us that one meaning of the word Israel is “let God prevail.”

He asked each of us these questions: “Are you willing to let God prevail in your life? Are you willing to let God be the most important influence in your life? Will you allow His words, His commandments, and His covenants to influence what you do each day? Will you allow His voice to take priority over any other? Are you willing to let whatever He needs you to do take precedence over every other ambition? Are you willing to have your will swallowed up in His?”

We must always remember that our true happiness depends upon our relationship with God, with Jesus Christ, and with each other."

This talk was clearly what my natural man side needed to hear so that physical me could allow my Spirit to progress.  What powerful and impactful words said by our Prophet and this clearly was one of my tests. Was I really willing to let God prevail in my life? Was I willing to allow His voice to take priority over any other and whatever He needs to take precedence over every other ambition? 

Of course there was no longer any point in delaying. At 10:04pm, I texted the bishopric brother to let him know I would accept the calling.

So I guess in "closing" sometimes the mysteries of the Lord are not so mysterious. We really can't expect to receive our blessings for nothing. Where much is given, much is required, but we really are always given 10 fold of what we put in. I am grateful for this new calling that will once again help me to learn and grow in my life. 

And I keep telling myself, it's ok if I don't know everything, that is not my job. My job is to be a facilitator. A facilitator of discussion, of learning, but most importantly the Spirit. If I have learned anything in my last 18 years of callings, it is that "I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me."(Philippians 4:13) So I have no need to fear how inadequate I am for the task. 

On a lighter note my mom sent me the below quote as also a great friendly, funny reminder to always keep my lessons within the time I am given. LOL

 

Temple Dayz

It's Thursday, December 30, 2021 approx 6:41pm. I am super tired, but a good tired and I know if I don't write down the thoughts and experiences of this day, I am more than likely to forget. 

I just got home from substituting for someone else at the temple. It is snowing hard outside but hasn't started sticking to the roads yet. Hen is in the garage tinkering with one of his "projects". I just put on my PJ's, crawled into bed and turned the laptop on. The light is quite bright and harsh on my tired eyes but I pray someone will read this at some point in time and gleam something useful from it. 

Henry got his Covid Booster shot yesterday and so his manager let him take today off as he deals with the side affects so it has been nice to have him home today.

I had picked up this shift a few days ago since the Temple will be closed Saturday for the New Years Holiday. 

Upon arriving at preparation meeting I noticed there were a total of six of us substitutes whose names were listed on the whiteboard. One of the sisters played Christmas music on the piano as we all sat in silence and pondered on the lyrics.

The opening song we sang was O Little Town of Bethlehem. The end of the song hit me harder than I ever remembered noticing. 

"How silently, how silently

The wondrous gift is giv’n!

So God imparts to human hearts

The blessings of his heav’n.

No ear may hear his coming;

But in this world of sin,

Where meek souls will receive him, still

The dear Christ enters in."

I love those words. "Where meek souls receive him, still The dear Christ enters in." It does not say, where perfect souls, or spotless souls will receive, but meek. Just like everyone else, I have weaknesses that I am still striving to overcome and I am so grateful to be able to feel the Spirit of our Savior by being meek and humble. Because if perfection were required, I would never be able to feel of that sweet peace and joy only He can give. 

The sisters thanked us substitutes over and over because they were short handed. More and more sisters are either sick or have contracted Covid. 

There were two new sisters who were starting permanently on this shift that introduced themselves. They both had been waitlisted for 6 months or so, waiting to be able to come and work at the Temple. I felt so grateful to have been able to work here since June.

The sister conducting the meeting shared some beautiful stories with us today. First she shared part of a conversation she had with a General Authority. He told her that the Lord had told him "I will LET you serve."

What a powerful message from our Savior and wonderful reminder that everything the Lord gives us, especially our callings, are because he allows us the privilege to serve in His name and on His behalf. Serving in his church is not a rite or entitlement but a privilege that can be taken at anytime we are not worthy or willing.

It really made me ponder on so many things in my life that the Lord has allowed us to have, has allowed us to do, has allowed us to experience, and has allowed us the opportunity to serve. 

It is easy to forget when you are asked to serve in a calling that is not simply an obligation, but that we are being given a gift we are being allowed to receive. The gift of opportunity. The opportunity to serve, to learn, to grow, to love. 

Another story this sister shared was titled the "The 3 levels of Christmas" which was published by the Deseret News back in 2014. Link to Article the 3 Levels of Christmas see below for text

Christmas is a beautiful time of the year. We love the excitement, the giving spirit, the special awareness of and appreciation for family and friends, the feelings of love and brotherhood that bless our gatherings at Christmastime.

In all of the joyousness it is well to reflect that Christmas comes at three levels.

Let’s call the first the Santa Claus level. It’s the level of Christmas trees and holly, of whispered secrets and colorful packages, of candlelight and rich food and warm open houses. It’s carolers in the shopping malls, excited children, and weary but loving parents. It’s a lovely time of special warmth and caring and giving. It’s the level at which we eat too much and spend too much and do too much — and enjoy every minute of it. We love the Santa Claus level of Christmas.

But there’s a higher, more beautiful level. Let’s call it the "Silent Night" level. It’s the level of all our glorious Christmas carols, of that beloved, familiar story: “Now in those days there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus ….” It’s the level of the crowded inn and the silent, holy moment in a dark stable when the Son of Man came to earth. It’s the shepherds on steep, bare hills near Bethlehem, angels with their glad tidings, the new star in the East, wise men traveling far in search of the Holy One. How beautiful and meaningful it is; how infinitely poorer we would be without this sacred second level of Christmas.

The trouble is, these two levels don’t last. They can’t.

Twelve days of Christmas, at the first level, is about all most of us can stand. It’s too intense, too extravagant. The tree dies out and needles fall. The candles burn down. The beautiful wrappings go out with the trash, the carolers are up on the ski slopes, the toys break, and the biggest day in the stores for the entire year is exchange day, Dec. 26. The feast is over and the dieting begins. But the lonely and the hungry are with us still, perhaps lonelier and hungrier than before. Lovely and joyous as the first level of Christmas is, there will come a day, very soon, when Mother will put away the decorations and vacuum the living room and think, “Thank goodness that this over for another year.”

Even the second level, the level of the Baby Jesus, can’t last. How many times this season can you sing “Silent Night?” The angels and the star, and the shepherd, even the silent, sacred mystery of the holy night itself, can’t long satisfy humanity’s basic need. The man who keeps Christ in the manger will, in the end, be disappointed and empty.

No, for Christmas to last all year long, for it to grow in beauty and meaning and purpose, for it to have the power to change lives, we must celebrate it at the third level, that of the adult Christ. It is at this level — not as an infant — that our Savior brings his gifts of lasting joy, lasting peace, lasting hope. It was the adult Christ who reached out and touched the untouchable, who loved the unlovable, who so loved us all that even in his agony on the cross, he prayed for forgiveness for his enemies.

This is Christ, creator of worlds without number, who wept because so many of us lack affection and hate each other — and then who willingly gave his life for all of us, including those for whom he wept. This is the Christ, the adult Christ, who gave us the perfect example, and asked us to follow him.

Accepting that invitation is the way — the only way — that all mankind can celebrate Christmas all year and all life long.

"The Three Levels of Christmas" was published as a Church News "Viewpoint" in the Dec. 15, 1985, issue of the Deseret News. It was written by then-editor and general manager William B. Smart, who included it in his 1989 book, "Messages for a Happier Life."

The last paragraph of the Deseret News' editorial policy reads: "The Deseret News embraces the divinity of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the light, life and hope of the world. it nurtures the light of faith in the darkness of an unbelieving world and acknowledges his teachings, grace and redeeming power as the way to everlasting happiness."

I felt the Spirit strongly as this sweet sister read the above words and then she added her own 4th level of Christmas, which she called the "Resurrected Savior". She spoke about the Second Coming and reminded us of our Prophet President Russell M. Nelson pleading with us that

“It is now time that we each implement extraordinary measures — perhaps measures we have never taken before — to strengthen our personal spiritual foundations,” he said. “Unprecedented times call for unprecedented measures.”

In this talk from October General Conference President Nelson also counseled us " to make time for the Lord every day and to strengthen spiritual foundations. And nothing will strengthen one’s spiritual foundation like temple service and temple worship".

I am so grateful for the opportunities that the Lord has allowed me to have in my life of partaking of the Sacrament each week to repent for my sins and be cleansed, to hold callings that have helped me to learn and grow, and especially for the wonderful time I am able to serve in the Temple each week. My life has been forever changed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and I would be completely lost without it.

As a sub this week I was assigned to the second floor for the duration of the time where I was able to assist sweet sister temple patrons with beautiful ordinances for those individuals they were performing proxy work for. 

As I sat in between turns I picked up a Book of Mormon and started reading about where I had left off the night before. All I could remember was Alma 26. I opened to that chapter and read it all at once. It is a little bit of a longer chapter but now one of my absolute favorites. I gained so much insight reading it in those few minutes at the temple, than I ever have reading it at home. I could just copy and paste the whole thing because it is that powerful, but I will just leave a link here if you want to read it. I promise it is worth your time.

The funny part about this chapter is I have been reading it for several days now in the evening before going to sleep. Frankly I was pretty lazy about it, only reading a few verses each night and not really spending any time pondering or studying it. So that is partially why I decided to go back and reread it but this time actually paying attention to what it was saying. 

Link to Alma 26

After feasting on the words of Ammon in Alma 26, two sisters stood out to me during this shift. The first was a sister who told me that she would be 92 in 7 days. She brought such a sweet Spirit with her and there were a few times my voice was shaky because of how overwhelming the peace and joy was of having the Spirit present. I could tell this sweet sister was very special and I was in the presence of an Angel. As she left she turned to me and said I will be your friend. Her kindness and presence brought so much love and joy to my heart, what a blessing it was to get to help her  in the temple today. After she left I did the math in my head. At 92 and I am 38, that is a difference of 54 years. She is not only more than twice my age, but a whole nother lifetime between our ages she has lived. At this point in my life, I simply can't fathom living for 92 years. The things she much have seen and experienced! Incredible!

The next sweet sister I was able to assist was sweet Sheri Dew, former General Relief Society President, author, publisher, and CEO of Deseret Book. Our coordinator had given me and the other sister I was working with a heads up that she would be joining us soon. She said "act normal". I chuckled to myself, because with masks, I may not have realized until later who she was. I have heard and watched many talks by Sis Dew and have always been able to feel a closeness to her because she has never had children or been married. In seeing her in person for the first time, all I could think was how beautiful she was, even at 68, and what a beautiful Spirit she brought with her. 

Even though it did feel special to get to be in the presence of someone so wonderful and accomplished and a privilege to help her perform work for her ancestors, I truly didn't feel any more love for her than any of the other sisters I have helped since working at the Temple. That is what I love so much about the temple. It doesn't matter who you are, your background, your accomplishments, any status. As brothers and sisters walk through those doors with a temple recommend, all are equal in the sight of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. 

At the end of my shift, I went up to the Celestial Room. After feeling such a sweet Spirit I wanted to spend some time reflecting and in prayer in that beautiful space. Many tears streamed as I felt overwhelmed with gratitude for my life and the experiences and blessings I have been given. Oh how I wonder how in the world I will ever be worthy enough to have received so much abundance!

Family History

This morning I learned I had a 2nd Great-Granduncle who went by Uncle Hen! Dudley Henry Leavitt What an incredible time he lived in and life he had!