Getting Lost in the Temple.

This past week I went to Mexico and San Diego with my Mom. It was an adventure and a perfect way to start off the new year. I was able to reflect and make plans on what to do this next year. Also, if you ever have a chance to go on vacation with your mom alone, I suggest you do it! There is something special about being alone with your mom and she gives you all the attention! (:

While we were down there we wanted to see the San Diego Temple. We did not realize how close we were to the newly opened Tijuana Temple until we were at our hotel and there was a poster about the open house. The Tijuana Temple has only been opened for three weeks and before temples are dedicated there is a period of time where anyone is welcome to come inside and take a tour. 

After a temple is built or renovated, several weeks are set aside in which the public is invited to a temple open house. During the open house, visitors watch a short video about the purpose of temples and then are invited to walk through the temple. Guides are available throughout the tour to explain the purpose of each room (lds.org)

When the dedication of the temple has happened, the temple is closed and members who obtain temple recommends are able to enter and participate in ordinances and feel closer to our Heavenly Father. It is different than a meeting house. Anyone is welcome to come to the temple grounds and I know that by just walking around outside you can feel an abundance of peace. My mom and I planned on going to the temple and as we walked around and saw the beauty of the temple grounds I knew I needed to go in. I knew that this opportunity would most likely never present itself. My mom wasn't feeling well so she wasn't sure if she would be able to participate in the ordinances, so I asked her if I could go in and do a few names for initiaroies.

The initiatory ordinances provide us with specific immediate and future blessings. -Sister Silvia Allred 

Entering the temple, I assumed someone would speak English. Well you know what they say about assuming because the temple worker at the front desk did not speak English and so I was not sure where to go. If you know me, you know how fearful I am. It is really hard for me to do things on my own when I do not know what I am doing or even talking to people I don't know. However, in the temple I am never nervous or scared because I know there are people that will show me the way. The lady who checked in before me waved me to follow her, it was her first time so she was not sure where to go either, but I followed her. We went through this door and up some stairs. We passed the sealing rooms so I know we were in the wrong place because you normally do not pass sealing rooms to get to the locker room. But I knew we would find our way, The sealing rooms were BEAUTIFUL.

The sealing ordinances, such as temple marriage, bind families eternally.

As we went around a corner, we found a temple worker to lead us to the correct place. Or course the exchange was all in Spanish so I had no idea of what was going on but I was too distracted by the art and I just wanted to soak in everything I could! Once we got to the locker rooms and went to change our street clothes to sacred white clothing, the workers kept asking me if I spoke Spanish. I replied with a no. We were able to communicate well enough for me to get the

right size and a locker. When I reported to do the work the Sister told me that it would be in Spanish and I replied with a simple "That is okay" because I felt like I knew the ordinance well enough and knew all I need to do was to say the deceased sister's name. One of the worked was an English sister and I think she felt happy to see me. She asked if I preferred English or Spanish and I said Spanish because I wanted the experience. Listening to the prayers was amazing and I felt so much love and compassion. I spent about a hour in the temple and I was overwhelmed with the Spirit and with love from my Heavenly Father. After I walked out with the Sister who helped me in the temple, she did not speak much English but she was so sweet. We exchanged names for Facebook and I snapped a quick picture with her. She was an angel and I am grateful for the experience I had with her. 

Summer 2009

On Friday. January 8th, we drove about twenty minutes north from our hotel to attend the San Diego Temple. If you ever want to see a real life Cinderella Castle, I recommend going to San Diego California and see that temple. A few years ago we took a family vacation and drove from Seattle all the way down to San Diego, with some really awesome stops in the middle, and we were able to see the San Diego Temple as a family but it was just at night. This time, my mom and I decided we wanted to go in this time around.

Celestial Room. 

The San Diego temple is just as beautiful inside as it is outside. The stairs when you walk in, breath-taking. I think we were more distracted by the beauty of it all. We rented our clothes and went to the changing room to change into our white clothes. The session was beautiful! I love how small the rooms are. It is so cozy and comfortable. And the celestial room was awesome. I think that was the longest we have ever stayed in a celestial room. I felt so much peace and comfort, especially with starting a new year and trying to figure out what I need to do. It was also special to me to be able to share this time with my mom and go to the temple with her.

I have a testimony of the Temple and the importance of it in my life. As I have gone to the temple, I have received answers to me prayers and felt peace for my concerns. I am grateful of the knowledge of the temple and how the ordinance that are performed there allow families her on earth to become eternal in the life to come. There are currently 149 operating temples and if you are curious about what happens in a Mormon Temple, I recommend contacting the missionaries or going to a temple and talking to someone there! You will not regret it!