Our family was sealed for time and all eternity in the Los Angeles Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on Saturday, July 17th, 2010.When Mr. B was baptized a member of the church J.T. asked him, "Why do you want to be a Mormon? They don't drink coffee." (we don't drink coffee anyways so no sacrifice there). He told J.T., "I love you and your sister and you mommy so much, if there's any chance we can be together forever, I'm going to take it." And take it we did. 1 year and 1 week after Mr. B was baptized, we took our family to the temple. We were sealed, Mr. B and myself first to each other, then J.T. and Hea Bug to us.
I was a little anxious about going to the temple to do our endowments the night before because I wasn't sure what to expect. People keep saying that no one talks about it because it's sacred, not secret. But to those for whom it's not sacred, it just seems like a giant box of secrets. It was far less weird than I'd imagined it to be and turned out to be pretty special. I know I looked like the giant "newbie" because as we walked through the temple I'm gawking at the beauty of it's interior. Beautiful paintings, lighting and Austrian drapes (which are my favorite) were everywhere and I looked all around wanting to soak up every second of being in there. It was great though. My favorite moments of the experience of being sealed to my family were:
Walking into a room filled with friends and family all in white. Some faces I hadn't seen in years and it was a pleasant surprise to find them there. I'll tell you one thing though, as soon as I was kneeling across from my husband, I only had eyes for him. I couldn't have cared less if there were 30 pairs of eyes on me, he was all that I could see. I know every square inch of his face and while after loving him for almost a dozen years it shouldn't surprise me, I found that I re-fall in love with him every time I look at him. Especially at that moment.
When my kids were brought up from the nursery downstairs and J.T. walked into the beautiful sealing room in his little white suit and tie with such confidence of where he was supposed to be. He told he me he tried to keep Hea Bug awake for the "blessing" but she was just too tired.
As we're waiting in the lobby for Mr B. who was somehow swept up with the rest of the "grooms" (btw, 17 couples were sealed that day!!) Hea Bug is unapologetically taking off (as fast as one can in adorable poufy white dresses) down long halls that look perfect for straight shot running for tiny people. Instead of nasty stares for inappropriate behavior, we got smiles of understanding and some "how sweet" whispers. I guess the only time pint sized people are in the temple are when they're being sealed to their families so I can only imagine they were so happy for us to even be there that they didn't mind her cuteness.At the last moment before we stepped outside into the July heat, J.T. informs us that he thinks he just might live here at the temple. Mr. B told him that there's no TV to watch... J.T. says Heavenly Father could help him build one.
Glad to know that we'll have that opportunity in heaven and that we'll all be together.
