I’m so grateful for that peace. After the past week, it has been a welcome respite. We’ve all felt the influence of the adversary more since Daniel got his mission call. That’s the way it works. As we, or members of our family, make good choices, especially big, life altering ones like going on a mission, going to the temple for the first time, being sealed in the temple, etc. the adversary increases his efforts to drag us down. My entire family has spent the last week feeling weighted down, anxious, edgy, and unsettled. By Friday morning, it was bad enough that some of Matthew’s first words after he woke up were to tell me that he could feel the adversary working on him extra hard. I had woken up feeling it. So had Nathan. We all spent the day unable to concentrate or settle to a task. We felt fractious and uneasy. It was not a good day. But at least we knew what was happening and I for one, spent some extra time asking for help in my prayers. After a week of being stealthily picked at in unpleasant ways, walking into the temple yesterday was like breathing a huge sigh of relief. I smiled for what felt like the first time in days. And the light, both physical and spiritual, was a balm to my soul.
There were members from both my family and Kevin’s that showed up to support Daniel as he took this big step forward. I love being in the temple with my family. Of all the blessings that the Lord promises us if we are faithful, the eternal family part is the one that feels the most important to me. All the ordinances in which we participate and all the covenants we make lead up to the sealing ordinance so for me, the temple really feels like it’s all about family. And having the first of my children join with us was an amazing feeling. It makes me look forward to the time when all my children will be there. They are all on the right path and they are all making amazing choices and although we are still a good many years from that point, it will be a joyous day, one I hope and pray for continually.
I’m so proud of Daniel and the choices he is making. He is working and preparing to sacrifice two years of his life serving the Lord and the many people with whom he will come in contact. He is fortifying himself with a shield comprised of scripture study, prayer, institute classes and temple attendance. He is providing such an amazing example for his siblings. Every time I turn around, I feel like he’s grown up just a little bit more. People keep telling me that I’m a good mom, that I’ve done an amazing job and taught my kids so well. But honestly, I look at it the other way. I was blessed with amazing kids. I feel humbled that the Lord entrusted them to me and that thus far, I haven’t messed them up too much. Realistically, it is probably a combination of the two things; we have all learned from each other. As a family, we’re progressing together. And that’s exactly how it should be.
