I love to see the temple.

Today I have a lot to smile about. But right now I am especially grateful for temples as I have learned and pondered about them.

Growing up, many of us sang the comforting words to the primary song "I Love to See the Temple". As I have gotten older, these words have become even more comforting and even more exciting.

"I love to see the temple, I'm going there someday.
To feel the Holy Spirit, to listen and to pray.
For the temple is a House of God, a place of love and beauty.
I'll prepare myself while I am young, this is my scared duty.

I love to see the temple, I'll go inside someday
To covenant with my Father, I'll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place where we are sealed together
As a child of God I've learned this truth, a family is forever."

Those words are so true. I LOVE to see the temple. It is the best place for me to go to receive peace and comfort. I can go there when I am confused for searching for something. I can go and feel the love that my Heavenly Father and Savior have for me.
As I have graduated high school and life has started to hit me, along with all of the new and exciting changes and challenges it brings, I have turned to the temple more than ever before. And I inevitably contemplate when the time will come that I'll go inside someday. I have started to feel almost a sense of urgency to make sure I am staying close to the spirit, and I know that doing so will prepare me for that day... and for the rest of my life.

 

The Salt Lake Temple has always had a special place in my heart. As a dear friend and I walked around the outside of it the other day, I realized how truly amazing it is. In that instance of feeling a spirit of peace and looking up in awe as I stood on the temple grounds with my friend, my testimony was strengthened. My desire to go inside someday was unlike anything I have ever felt before. And my desire to make sure that I am doing all that I can right now to prepare was... overwhelming, and enveloping.
My friend and I talked about the detail of such an amazing structure. I wondered how in the world the Pioneers were able to do what they did so long ago. The thought came to my mind that they didn't come up with it or do it all on their own, someone made it possible for them. I liken that to my own life. I can't do anything on my own, but with my Heavenly Father's help, I can do what He wants me to. He has a plan for me and if I am doing my part and staying close to the spirit, He will make the way for me to accomplish His will.

 

 I love to see the temple. I'm going there someday.

 

I am so grateful for the opportunity we have to have so many temples around us. I am grateful for the love and peace that I feel when I attend the temple. Going there and feeling of the spirit that is there is something I know I need in my life.

 

 

“I think there is no place in the world where I feel closer to the Lord than in one of His holy temples.”

                                                                                         —President Thomas S. Monson

 The blessings of the temple are endless. Aren't we lucky to have them on the earth?

I think we are pretty lucky, and I think that is definitely something to smile about :)

 

I also feel lucky to be able to pictures of such an amazing and beautiful House of the Lord.

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I hope something can make you smile today so you can share it with someone else!

Keep smiling :)

Faith, beauty, and love.

My heart is full this Friday morning. Having faith in the future brings me so much peace, life is amazingly beautiful, and I know God lives, and I know He loves me.

As a new season is approaching and the leaves are changing, I think a lot about this transitioning time of year and have compared it to this transitioning stage of life for me, and for so many around me. It maybe  unknown, confusing, stressful, and hard at times, but oh boy, is it exciting. Just like it is exciting for me to see the changing color of leaves on the mountains, or to enjoy the change in weather, I am realizing how important it is for me to be excited about going to a new school, making new friends, taking on new challenges, and simply letting myself have fun and enjoy where I am at in life.
Since I spend a lot of time driving these days, I have tons of time to think and ponder. I admit that sometimes I find myself wishing that I was still doing the things I used to do. I often wish I was still involved in what I used to be involved in. As I walk through campus I at times wish I could still feel the bond of the school I attended for three years, where I had a friend around every corner, and always had someone to talk to. All of these desires are short-lived, for I know that I truly do not want to take a step back in life. But as unexpected trials, heartache, and confusion have come into my life, I have realized that it can be hard to let go of what was, move forward with faith. At times I wonder if I had made different decisions, or restrained myself from feeling certain emotions, if all of these hard things wouldn't have happened. Luckily I have a Father in Heaven who is aware of me and my feelings and finds ways to bring peace to my soul. He can see the big picture and knows that I need to go through these hard times in order to grow and experience the good times. During my time of pondering, I have also realized that without progression, life would have no purpose. We are on this earth to learn and grow. I have realized that just as the seasons change, so will life. I realize that there is no reason to fight the inevitable change in our lives, so why not embrace it? What is the use in holding on to something that was? Accepting the good and the bad that has happened in our lives is the first step in looking forward in faith toward the future.

"Accept what is, let go of what was, and have faith in what will be."

 

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As I have started to learn to embrace this new stage of life that I am in, I am noticing more all of the little things that make my life beautiful.
I marvel at the simple beauty of the changing colors on the leaves, and at the calming sound of the birds chirping in the morning. I am in awe of the beautiful mountains that surround us and the sense of security they bring. I get excited when I smell the fresh air as I run or walk around campus.
I am blessed to be a part of an amazing family that helps me learn and grow every day. I have been given an opportunity to receive an education and to gain knowledge. I am surrounded by good neighbors, have grown up with good friends, and have been blessed with an amazing ward. It is humbling to me to know that I have been given a body that can do so much. I am grateful for the true blessing it is that we are surrounded by so many temples, and for the peace that attending the temple can bring into my life. I am grateful for trials and for the opportunity they give us to grow.
I am also grateful for all of the little things in life. I am constantly amazed at the beautiful landscape my eyes get to see whenever I am driving down the street, or looking across the valley. I sit in wonder as I look up at the sky and see the stars. I am amazed at simple objects like plants that provide so much nourishment. I am unexpectedly giddy when I see all of the bright sunflowers on the side of the road that seem to shout, "Heidi, be happy! Life is beautiful!".  And I am immensely grateful for that sweet reminder.

 

 I am grateful for sunsets. On nights I am driving home from work, or just outside for a walk, I often try to soak in the gorgeous sun setting behind the Oquirrh Mountains, with the clouds in sky, reminding me that tomorrow there will be a sunrise. It will be a new day, a chance to start over and try to be a little better than I was the day before. "Sunsets bring sunrises", this was the theme for my last, and best high school dance.  It is by far THE most meaningful dance theme that there ever could be. (Thank you Elam, Joseph, Heather, and Madi). At a time when all of my friends and classmates were about to start a new stage of life, this line was one that brought me great hope. It stayed with me when I was about to graduate, and still brings peace to my soul, especially in the ever-changing stage of life.

I have also gained an appreciation for a simple camera. Last week I was having a particularly hard time with all of these new and mixed emotions that come with this crazy time of life. I was driving home from a friends' house when all of these thoughts started coming into my head. Nature is beautiful, my surroundings are beautiful, people are beautiful, I am beautiful.... and life is beautiful! I was exploding with gratitude for all of the blessings in my life. I realized that at times when I see these little things that remind of the beauty of life, I want to have a record of them. I stopped on the side of the road to take some pictures that day and was humbled to realize how much I have been given, and know that I am here to learn.

LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL.... so why not enjoy it and embrace all that is has to offer?

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In my seemingly never-ending stage of self-discovery lately, I have come to know that my Heavenly Father lives. How could I deny that when I see all of the beauty that surrounds me? I look back on all of the experiences I have had the last couple and years, months, and even the last couple of days that have helped me to grow. I can see the hand that Heavenly Father has had, and still does have, in my life. I know that He has a plan for me. I know that He is preparing me for the rest of my life, and I am so grateful for that. I know He loves me.

Just like the Primary song says, "I know my Father lives, and loves me too. The spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true."

I have felt His love these past couple of weeks in every action, every thought, and every detail of my life. I know He cares. I know He is in the details of our lives, and that is absolutely amazing to me. I am grateful for the knowledge I have of this and for the peace that it brings me in my life.

 

 

I wish I was better at expressing my feelings, but to any of you who read this, I am grateful for the part that each of you have played in my life and for examples you set. YOU are part of the reason my life is so beautiful, so thank you.

 

I am so grateful for the tests of faith that we have in our lives. I am grateful for the choice that we have to respond with faith to trials. I am grateful for all of the little things in my life, and for everyone who helps me to enjoy those little things. Not only is my life is beautiful because of these little things, but also because of the trials and the growing that my loving Heavenly Father enables to me have.

 

I definitely have a lot to smile about, and I am grateful for everyone and everything that has helped me realize that! :)



I am saying this to remind myself, but also others: Keep Smiling! :)