A Special Moment for me

I dont know why but when I fly I find it a great time to reflect. I dont know if it is because I am way up in the sky and in my mind feel closer to Heavenly Father or I am able to look at the world in a different perspective. Who knows. But I always tend to have deep thought and deep prayer as I look out the window and await my destination.

I left on the first sunny day in over a month to leave for Vegas. I found that kind of ironic! But needless to say I got an INCREDIBLE view of the Volcano Mt. Ranier. It sure is amazing no matter where you are sky or ground. It always takes my breath away! I got to thinking how even though Seattle is very rainy and gloomy, MAN when the sun comes out and this creation is visible you cant help but be in awe.

As we got the put on your seatbelt ding and the captain told us we are preparing for landing I start to cry as I look at this below

Now some of you would think that this is not pretty or oh my just a lot of brown rock with red but seeing this below brought tears to my eyes. Flashbacks of many memories came pouring into my mind. People's faces that made an impact on me, Ryan, and our marriage came streaming through my thoughts. I had a hard time keeping myself together and not making a scene.

LAS VEGAS- Moving there almost 6 years ago I would have never thought I would have grown to have such an attachment and such a love for a place that has so much sin and filth but a place that has VERY strong saints who made such a difference in two young newlyweds!

While I was there for 3 years I served in the Young Womens. I was so lucky to be surrounded by such wonderful young girls. Girls who taught me so much. I had the opprotunity to work with two girls who everyone thought were my two younger sisters. These two girls while I was there changed there lives around. They went from young women of the world to young women full of intergrity, virture, and realized their divine nature! When I left Las Vegas it was very hard to leave my girls. Cherie the oldest of the two sisters asked me to promise if she got married in the Temple someday that I would be there in the sealing room. I cried as I embraced her to say goodbye and told her I promise!

The month before we moved to Seattle we took one last trip to Vegas from Phoenix to say goodbye. My YW president I worked with got all the girls together that Sat morning and we had a blast catching up. Ryan texted his boys that he hung out and one had just recently returned from his mission ( Stephen) in Paris, France. He was one of Ryan's YM. Neither Ryan and I had no idea what that little meeting that we had with both my YW and his YM would do. From that day on Cherie and Stephen were inseperable. I got a call late October the following year telling me that she was engaged to Stephen and if I would be at her wedding.

It was a sacrifice due to limited funds right now to get there but the prices went really low on airfare and I was able to go. Ryan was super bummed but we decided that I should just go.

As I drove up to the Las Vegas Temple I started to cry. The Las Vegas Temple holds a dear spot. I have never felt the spirit as strongly as I have there than in any other temple I have been in. Maybe it is because the outside is so bad but it is a feeling that cant be described. It was a place of refuge for me during some of my most darkest hours. It was a place of peace, comfort, and LOTS of guidance. It is there where I began to really rely on how I can hear the spirit.

Seeing my Cherie and Stephen in the Sealing room and then married for all time and eternity was one of the most special moments that I have endured in my life thus far. Seeing a daughter of God so pure and white and being so happy for the chocies that she has made. Flash backs of a 15 year old girl who I would go get at her home and pull her out of bed every Sunday to at least come to Young Womens came to my mind and then to see this beautiful 21 year old woman in front of me making and keeping sacred covenants that will bless her life forever was just so amazing to see. I am so thankful for the gospel! It is so amazing to me to see the change and impact it makes!

Here is the happy couple as they come out of the temple

I love the sun glare! It was beauty to my eyes!

Here is Cherie, her sister Nicole and I

The Beautiful Bride and I

Nicole and me

It was funny because people kept coming up to us and asking where I fit in the family. Everyone thought we were related. It would be fun to have them as my sisters!

I got a kick out of the GET AWAY car! I was a little shocked on what they kids wrote on the car so I took pictures of it. Pretty funny!

It was so nice to spend time with my Young Women's President and her husband who was my Bishop while I was there. I got some very wise council from them and felt ready to take on what was suppose to happen when I got home. I have had lots of fears, questions, and impressions that I needed to do but was afraid of the outcome. Being there I was able to get the comfort and guidance that I needed to continue on and be like Nephi in the book of Mormon when he is told to go get the brass plates from Laban-

He went forward in FAITH not knowing HOW the plates would be delievered to him but TRUSTED that the Lord would provide a way.

I will GO
I will DO
the things the LORD commands
I know the LORD provides a WAY
He wants me to OBEY

I need to follow and obey the impressions of the spirit even though I dont know how, when, where, ect................


                                               Leaving this was hard

But I needed to come home to this

Since I have made that decision to be like Nephi I am amazed of what has transpired in the past 3 weeks.

The Lord is so mindful of all of us and I am amazed when I take time to reflect and rely on him how the doors of heaven open and miracles begin to unfold.

PS. I am sorry if I wasnt able to see some of you while I was there. It was a VERY short weekend trip and I didnt rent a car! We hope to be back this Summer and take time to see everyone! Please for give me and know that we love you and miss you!