A Refuge from the World

Every Tuesday, I get up at 5:00 am and drive more than 20 miles, past iconic Downtown Las Vegas to volunteer my time in the Las Vegas Temple.  I change out of my street clothes and wear my white dress (all the patrons and workers change into white clothing in the temple) and spend a few hours in a place that is a refuge from the craziness of what can be life.  I feel such a peace when I am there, even though I do fairly normal office work.  I can feel closer to my Heavenly Father when I am there.  It is also a place where families can be sealed for eternity.  I cannot imagine heaven without my family being my family!  That would not be heaven to me.  If you ever have an opportunity to attend an open house for a new LDS temple in your area, I highly recommend going. New temples are open to the public for several weeks before they are formally dedicated to the Lord. You will definitely feel peace and love when you enter the doors. Also, even though you must be a member in good standing to perform ordinances there, most temples have a beautiful entry or foyer where the public is welcome to come and sit and ponder or read the scriptures surrounded by . I know that the temple is the house of the Lord and I can feel His Spirit very strongly there.  It is because of Him that I can have my family not just "till death do us part" but for eternity.

I will really miss the Las Vegas temple and the many people I work with.  It is a sanctuary for me.

Julie

Thankful Thursday

I mentioned the other day that I started a new "job" on Tuesday.  Well, my new job isn't really a job, as in a paying job, it's a volunteer job.  I volunteer here...

...this is the beautiful Las Vegas Nevada Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. On the front of every LDS temple there is a plaque that says, "Holiness to the Lord, the house of the Lord".  It is his house and you can definitely feel his spirit there when you enter. I answer phones and help in the temple office.  It is a wonderful place to be!  Although it is a very sacred place, I work with some fun, energetic, exciting people.  I think one of my favorite things I get to do is to take down names for the prayer roll.  If you ever feel someone needs extra prayers, please call the temple (you do not have to be a member of the church to put names on the temple prayer roll).  People are prayed for throughout the day and their names stay on the prayer roll for two weeks.  I love being able to participate in helping others, even if it's just sharing a kind word with someone on the phone who is concerned about a friend or a family member--or even a stranger for that matter!
I love the feeling I have when I am in the temple!  It is a place where heaven and earth touch, even in Las Vegas!  It is a refuge from the craziness of the world and I can't think of a better place to spend a few hours of my day, aside from my own home!  I'm so thankful for this opportunity to serve my Heavenly Father, in His home!

I'd love to hear what you are thankful for today!

Julie

22 years...all amazing!

It's hard to believe that I married my best friend 22 years ago today!  I could never have imagined such a blessing in my life!  I always wonder to myself (and out loud) "What did I do to deserve this man?"  He has been my rock, my confidant, the father of our two beautiful children, and the love of my life!  He has been so supportive of me being a working mom, a stay-at-home mom, a youth group leader, a camp leader, a women's group leader, a children's group leader, and a Stampin' Up! demonstrator.  He does dishes, he vacuums (with HIS Dyson), he fixes things, he works hard, and he bikes harder!  If we go to Target and I loose track of him, I know exactly where to find him--near the Dyson vacuums! Who does that?  He calms me down, lifts me up, and loves me even when I'm not very lovable!  What an honor it is to be sealed for time and all eternity to this man--I can't wait to see what the future brings!  We've only just begun... Love you, babe!

Julie and David 1990