I’m a week behind. But my sister is married and sealed in the temple so I have a feeling it’s all going to work out okay. I’m just going to have to do two weeks of reading in one, all while I am out of town, during a week where I am driving down to Utah and flying to Dallas and attending sister’s reception and going on 5 photo shoots. I don’t think life ever really slows down though so I’ll just have to spend less time playing and more time committing to reading.

Even though I haven’t been spending the necessary amount of time reading, I’m still spending spiritually refreshed after this weekend. On Friday we all attended the temple as a family for That Sister’s engagement session, and on Saturday our family and friends gathered in the sealing room to witness the marriage for time and all eternity of Shaylene and Dan.

Both events were revitalizing for me personally, and for TH and I as a couple. It’s a beautiful thing to relive our own wedding weekend memories with them. There is no place I have ever een that compares to the peace and contentment I experience in the temple, and it’s not very often that I have the pleasure of visiting two days in a row.

Those outside the faith are often very curious about the sealing, and don’t understand why we would choose to be married in a place that wouldn’t allow all who wish to visit. I think that instead of thinking of it as a restriction it would be better to consider it an opportunity. Those surrounding the couple at the altar have earned the right to be there, and ther is something so special about being surrounded by those who are struggling to live the righteous life that you are as well. We can see examples of the comaddrie that develops from earning a place in a select group. I imagine those who earn a place in Ivy League schools, graduate from medical school, recruits that make it through basic training, or any other situation where standards must be met before a person can join.

I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to stand in the Celestial room of the temple with my entire family, and I know that this won’t be the last time that we do so. I want to make sure that opportunity presents itself over and over again throughout my life.

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