I wanted to jot down a couple cool experiences we've had relating to the temple lately. In 2020 I made a personal goal to attend the temple at least once a month for the whole year. I crushed it for the first three months, and then all the temples in the world shut down. And because I've already received my own endowment and been sealed to Nate, I haven't been able to attend since. I think it has been good for me to have this period where the temples have not been available to me, so that I can really tell the difference that being able to attend makes in my life. As a mom of young kids, I've frequently thought of it as a sacrifice to take what time I have alone and spend it at the temple. Now I'm recognizing that the blessings outweigh the sacrifice. I look forward with earnestness to the day that I can go back! It has been thrilling to watch our hometown temple continue to rise despite the worldwide closures. A few weeks ago the youth from church had an activity w...

 We're so excited to see the progress that is happening on our temple! Every once in awhile we'll drive by for a peek. Construction is definitely underway.  A couple weeks ago, we got to paint our testimonies onto rocks that will be included in the actual temple foundation.

Leah's baptism day was very different than we originally thought it would be, thanks to the coronavirus. Usually in our neck of the woods, baptisms are done by stake on the first Saturday of every month. All the primary kids who have turned eight the month before come to the stake center in a big group and take turns being baptized and confirmed. We sing a song all together, one or two of the kids get to choose someone to speak, and that's about it. Then when it's done, we have a little get-together with family and friends at our house to eat and visit. On that plan, Leah would've been baptized yesterday.  Instead, we got to choose our own day. And she was eager to do it as soon after turning eight as she could. We were limited to 20 people that could physically be at the baptism, and those 20 had to wear masks and social distance. So it was our little family, Grandma and Grandpa, our bishop, and Kim, Isabel, and Ben. But several family members got to be there on Zoom. ...

We blessed Emmeline in church over Labor Day weekend. Almost all of Nate's family was there, and Brianna and Mason came from my side. Kim and her kids were there too. We enjoyed and appreciated having the family in town.  Kim was kind enough to take some notes during the blessing: We are so glad you're here in our family. Blessed with health and strength that your little body will grow and you'll be a healthy girl. Blessed with strength of spirit, and an understanding heart. Blessed to come to recognize Heavenly Father's love for you and recognize the things of the spirit. And to turn to Him when you need healing and blessing. Blessed to be close to your brothers and sisters and that those relationships will be a source of joy. Blessed to have a close relationship with your mom and dad, that you will learn from them and find joy in your family. You are surrounded by men who care about you, and you're blessed and admonished to draw strengt...