I miss the temple now.

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This Sunday I realized I miss walking into a temple, where the floors are clean, the frames are dusted, the people wear genuine smiles and I hear almost nothing. The ability to hear almost nothing is what I miss the most. I miss walking into the celestial room and listening to the quiet. 

When I first got home from Hawaii I was relieved that the temples were closed because I didn’t know how I would make time to drive an hour to the temple between work, school, and my crazy home life. We’ve got 6 kids living at home right now, three adult children, one three year old, one two year old, and one just under a year. My parents do foster care and have accepted us adult children’s help in taking care of the kids. This means feeding, changing diapers, playing, helping enforce house rules, and just generally giving time. It’s like there’s 3 extra part time moms in the house. It was incredible when I first moved home, I fell so deeply in love with the opportunity to be these kids part time mom. The opportunity is pretty unique! The lifestyle is also very busy and noisy. There are places I go for when I need a moment, places like a car without my radio on or a quiet hike with a close friend or sister.


Church keeps me pretty busy too. Between virtual events and the brief time we had in person events during the warmer months, I’d say about 25-40% of my week is spent doing something for church. 


Family and church are two constants in my life. So life will probably just get busier with the more responsibilities I develop in both the home and the church. Which means I will have to really treasure more and more these rare quiet moments and self care will continually gain importance. 


I was fortunate to go through the temple with my family for a sealing to one of our sisters last month. This was a true treat! It was really special to see such a young and active girl be able to sit so still and quietly during the ordinance. Even though that moment only lasted a few minutes, the effects will last through the eternities! How incredible is that!? I am so looking forward to walking through the temples again, listening to the silence around me. It’s good to know that there really is peace on earth.



All those places that I feel peace, or search for the quiet, is because I am searching for Him to be more prominent in my life. When I remember this, and act on this desire to be closer to Christ and Heavenly Father, it’s like I am actually standing in holy places despite the location I am actually in. 


Whether the peace is in a car without your radio on, or in a special sealing room in the temple, I’m so grateful for our opportunity to feel comfort and peace on earth because of Christ our Savior.

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