Temple Lights

We took Abbey to see the temple Christmas lights on Saturday.  Thankfully the weather wasn't frigid cold like it has been lately.  Since we can't take her into the actual temple, we went to the Visitor's Center.

Inside the visitor's center, there were Christmas displays and short movies about Jesus.

I love this statue of the Savior.

The temple at night surrounded by all the Christmas lights.

There were nativity displays from all around the world.

These were some of my favorite.  They were all beautiful!

(Thailand)

(Ukraine)

(Vietnam)

There were also Christmas tree's decorated from local Stakes in the area. 

Gorgeous!

While it's great to see the lights and tree's and displays, the main purpose of this season is to celebrate the birth of the Savior. 

“There is no better time than now, this very Christmas season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ.”

—President Thomas S. Monson

To read the Christmas story from the scriptures, click here.

Burning in My Bosom

(Picture taken in the spring of 2009)

We went to the temple on Saturday with my BIL and SIL.  It was my SIL's first time to go through the temple.  It is such a special and sacred experience.  The temple was super busy, which is always nice to see. 
I love going to the temple, but I especially love it when I am praying about something and can pray about it in the temple.

As I sat in the temple, I was praying so hard about what to do with regard to my Love.nox dilemma.  I literally felt a heaviness in my heart and all of a sudden felt the spirit whisper to me that the baby was going to be okay, no matter what I decided.  And that heaviness in my heart was lifted and was replaced with a burning in my bosom.  It was such a calming, amazing experience.  I cried tears of joy because I knew that Heavenly Father had answered my prayers and that it is up to me to continue to have faith and believe in His plan. 

I have an appointment tomorrow with a hematologist to get a second opinion on the Love.nox.  After that appointment, I will be able to make a decision.  My next appt with the peri isn't until the 27th. 

This morning I had more spotting so I stayed home from church.  I felt like if I went to church, I would just spend every 5 minutes going to the bathroom to see if it was worst.  Instead I stayed home and just took it easy.  The spotting is lighter now.  We were able to hear the baby's heart beat last night, but this spotting on and off is so nerve racking! 

I have to remember and stay focus on those feelings I felt in the temple. I will continue to let my faith grow.  I will count my blessings daily.  I will keep believing. 

10 Yr Anniversary

Ten years ago on this day, I was sealed for time and eternity to my husband in the Washington, D.C. temple.

It was the happiest day of my life. 

What a journey!

It's amazing that we can experience LOVE more and more every day. 

Look what Steve sent me at work for our anniversary!

And the card reads....

"It has been a great ten years and I can't wait to share the rest of eternity with you."

Love him tons!!

How I Met My Husband

Kelly's Korner this week is hosting a 'Show Us Your Life - How you met your husband'.

This is a story all about how my life got flipped turned upside down....

(The very condensed version)

Steve and I met in highschool.  He was interested in me and I was only interested in being friends.

While we were in HS, he told me he was going to marry me.  I didn't believe him.

We both graduated (1996) and went off to college (I went to Utah Valley for a semester and he went to BYU-Hawaii for a semester).  When I asked him why he wanted to go to BYU-Hawaii, his response was (and I quote) "To get as far away from you as I can."  (I guess he was tired of waiting around for me).  He doesn't remember saying that, but I cleary remember it. 

My father passed away during my first semester and I transferred home to be close to my family (we reconnected because of my father's passing).  Steve returned home to work a bit before he went on his mission.  He served two years in Las Vegas (1997-1999).  

(What a handsome missionary)

When Steve returned home from his mission, we started dating.

After six months of dating we were engaged.

Three months later, on June 24, 2000, we were married and sealed for time and eternity in the Washington, D.C. temple.

And that was the happiest day of my life.

We will be celebrating our 10 yr anniversary in June.

 He is such a huge blessing in my life and I thank God everyday for him.

Where I go to feel Peace and Love.

Steve and I went to the temple tonight after work (this post is dated 8/22/09 because it's after midnight on Saturday morning). We try and go once a month. After fighting Friday night rush hour traffic, which is crazy in the D.C. area, we detoured and decided to just grab dinner (at the Cheesecake Factory) and wait for it to die down. We ended up making it to the temple around 7 pm.

I LOVE THE TEMPLE.

It is where I feel Heavenly Father's love the most. When I enter through the temple doors, I leave this world behind with all my problems. When I leave the temple, I feel renewed and spiritually uplifted. I feel PEACE.

I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who loves me for who I am.

I KNOW that Families are Forever.

I KNOW that He answers prayers.

(I took this picture this past April. Love the tulips!)

I also ran into a friend outside the temple. She is one of the sweetest people I know and I don't get to see her much, even though we don't live that far. She told me that she reads my blog, but doesn't know what kinds of comments to leave. I told her that I'm glad somebody's reading it! But in all honesty, sometimes, a simple 'thinking of you' or 'praying for you' is always heart warming. You can never have enough people praying for you.