it always works out at the temple

so today, I decided i was going to go do baptisms before work.  this isn't too hard, since the temple is 30 minutes away from my house, and 10 minutes away from my work.  i left a little later than planned, but figured it wasn't a big deal.  well, last week the seattle temple declared itself open to walk-in baptisms for the summer. for the first time ever, as far as i know.  apparently they've had  favorable response (one sister told me they had 100 people come in the other day).  so, when i got there, the baptistry was by no means swamped, but it was a little backed up.  i was a little nervous about getting done in time for work.  since the temple is sacred and we're not supposed to worried about time or anything.... and i'm a little shy at times... i didn't want to interrupt anyone and ask if i could be placed ahead in line.  i just kinda didn't feel comfortable asking about it.  i prayed, though, "please help me to get done in time for work!" and decided to trust Heavenly Father to take care of me.  i was a bit anxious, but not terribly so.  one of the sisters working in the baptistry today came and sat by me.  we chatted quietly for a moment and the conversation turned to what i do and i mentioned that i am working today.  she asked if i was going to get there on time and i might have looked just a little nervous when i replied "i hope so!" with a smile.  she figured she was inspired to sit next to me and find that out, and went over to the brethren in charge and asked if i could be bumped to the head of the line.  they asked the sisters in front of me who all agreed without hesitation, and so it all worked out.  everyone was so kind, easygoing, and accomodating.  i love that about the temple.  i ended up walking into work perhaps 1 or 2 minutes early.  it was awesome.
my stake president once mentioned that anythign in the temple that could go wrong, or seems to be tricky to figure out, or whatever- always seems to work out.  i absolutely agree.
my experience today reminded me that Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers.  and sometimes He even helps me out quickly. and He's even willing to help when my problem could have been solved by planning better and arriving a little earlier.... He took care of me today.  it was a nice reminder.
He doesn't always answer prayers quickly, but He does always answer them.  it's important to remember that.

A note to non-Mormons: you may be wondering what the heck I am talking about.  so, as members of Christ's church, we have the opportunity to help those who passed away without receiving the gospel, to get baptised. we stand in as proxies for those who have died, and are then baptized on their behalves. this work, baptisms for the dead (among other services), is performed in our temples. if you'd like to know more, please see the mormon.org articles on family history and Christ's church. see also 1 corinthians 15:29, 1 peter 4:6, malachi 4:5-6, and john 5:25.  and lastly, see lds.org's gospel topics information on baptisms for the dead. and feel free to ask me anything!

here are a few pictures of baptistries in different temples. couldn't find any of seattle, but the general design is always the same- after that of the baptismal font in solomon's temple.  (see 2 chronicles 4:2-5, and 1 kings 7:23-26)


photo from here


photo from here. this is in the rexburg, id temple. i have spent many hours there. it's beautiful, and i love it there.

photo from a fox 17 slideshow, with multiple photos of the kyiv, ukraine temple. very cool. check it out.

 
both photos from here. the one on the L is most like the seattle temple. plus, you can actually see the oxen in this photo (they are hard to see in the others!)

the temple. and me.

I have half-written posts in my head, but I just haven't felt like writing much lately.  My septoplasty two-and-a-half weeks ago went very well.  I've noticed some interesting and positive changes since then.  Perhaps I'll talk about them sometime soon.  I've been tired lately and prone to headaches from overdoing things, so I've spent a lot of time at home photoshopping and watching shows like Castle and Bones.  I thought I would spend more time reading, writing, and studying, but I've found that I just haven't had the mental energy for it.  This past week I started journeying outside of the home to study and prepare for my CNA exam.  That has been good.  Oh, and I have in the past couple weeks practiced piano, mandolin, and flute a fair amount more than normal.  That's nice as well.

So anyways, I don't really have the mental energy to share anything profound.  So here's a semi-random scripture and a picture and quote of the temple.

"For behold, and lo, the Lord is God, and the Spirit beareth record, and the record is true, and the truth abideth forever and ever.  Amen."  -- D&C 1:39

Truth is truth.  It is eternal and reliable.  Just like God.  The Spirit, or Holy Ghost, bears record of Truth; of God.  The best way to truly know our Heavenly Father is to do things which invite the Spirit into our lives.  If we ask with faith for knowledge from our Heavenly Father- for truth and a testimony of it!- the Holy Ghost will leave a record of that Truth written on our hearts.  Then that truth is seared to our character.  It becomes a part of us and acting contrary to it becomes against our very nature.  This leads us to be more like Christ.

And a picture of the temple... because it's awesome and I love it.  The quote is about sacrificing for the temple. I know that when we sacrifice to go to the temple and serve and have one-on-one time with our Father (who loves us!), we are richly blessed.  Every expense and every inconvenience I have (and will) ever experienced has been worth it.  I know that my health has improved over the past three years because I made the temple a priority in my life.  I truly believe that if I had not followed the prompting of the Holy Ghost to go and worship regularly and frequently, I would not have been able to do all of the things I have done in the past three years.  I would not have gone to BYU-Idaho.  I would not have worked full time at Kentlake High School.  I would not have gotten engaged and I would not have survived the break-up.  I would not have gone back to Green River Community College and earned 3.9's and 4.0's in all my classes last year.  I would not have gone to Guyana.  I would not have been led to the very physicians who could help me most.

I don't know what my life would be like right now without this gospel and without the temple.  Maybe I would still be where I was three years ago- not able to work or go to school.  Maybe I wouldn't.  All I know is that I have experienced miracles and been given incredible opportunities.  I credit those miracles and opportunities to the love and mercy of my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ and I credit them to the very real power and strength which come from the temple.