Tyler and I started talking about having our family sealed in the temple almost two years ago. There were a few steps for us to go through like Tyler receiving the Melchizedek priesthood and both of us going through the temple prep class. During the last two years we have had a lot of experiences that have helped us to press forward, as the adversary fought to prevent us from reaching our goal. Our bishop counseled us when we started our journey that we would have trials and obstacles that would come up that would try to derail us, and it was certainly true as we seemed to have trials and heartbreaks hit us one after another. Things that had never been a problem before were suddenly taking over our lives, and a few times along the way we questioned our timing to get sealed. But we trusted in the promise of brighter days, and on June 20th our family became forever.
Tyler and I received our endowments on June 19th, and the experience is too sacred and personal to write about here, but I did write about it in my journal. Receiving my endowments was a very humbling, spiritual, and overwhelming experience and I'm so glad I got to do it with Tyler by my side. Here a picture of the people who went through the temple with us. Tyler's grandpa was his escort and Emily was mine.
Perhaps the best moment of our temple experience was today, our 9th anniversary, when we were sealed as a family. We have been talking about this day for a long time with our kids, and they were just as excited as we were. I know Makayla and Caden understood the significance of this day the most, and I prayed Brynnli would comprehend at least a little bit how important of a day this was. As we drove to the temple our kids were so excited and were singing, "I love to see the temple, I'm going there today!" I think Makayla understood the significance of this day the most, but Caden was especially in tune with the spirit as he talked the whole way there and reminded us that were were going to the temple to be sealed as a family. And Brynnli, well, she was just excited because we were. I just hoped Brynnli wouldn't run into the sealing room screaming or throwing a temper tantrum. We took the kids to the youth center and then Tyler and I went to get ready. We were able to spend about an hour in the celestial room together, talking, praying, and pondering. I felt peaceful and so excited. After a brief mix up (the sealer got us and another couple mixed up) we met with our sealer, Brother Fatheringham. He talked to us about some of the specifics and then we walked into the sealing room. My mom and dad, Tyler's grandparents, Karen and Ann, Bishop Truman, and Brother Sadowski were there. As Brother Fatheringham was introducing himself to the others in the room, he realized he knew Tyler's family. Brother Fatheringham's daughter played on Jo's softball team and he once lived by Bill and Bonnie. He was so excited and commented how there are over one hundred sealers in the Salt Lake Temple and he chose this family, not knowing who we were, but what a humbling confirmation that Heavenly Father is so aware of us that he makes even the smallest details even more special. Tyler and I kneeled at the altar and Brother Fatheringham promised us some wonderful blessings. Tyler and I smiled at each other as our eyes filled with tears. Tyler claims he was crying because he realized he was stuck with me forever. ;) When Brother Fatheringham pronounced that we were married for time and all eternity, tears streamed down my face. I felt such an overwhelming joy that I would be married to Tyler forever. I can't even begin to express how great of a husband and father Tyler is. I feel so honored to be his wife. I love him so much and know we are meant to be together to build each other up, make each other better people, and be there for each other during the highs and lows of life.
As powerful as that moment was, it was made one hundred times better when Makayla, Caden, and Brynnli walked into the room. The image of them walking in, holding hands, dressed in all white is a moment I will never forget because they looked perfect. Makayla and Caden were smiling and Brynnli was nervous (and no temper tantrums!) They sat on our laps and Brother Fatheringham talked to us for a moment about how significant this day was. Then we all kneeled at the altar. Our kids placed their hands on ours and in a wonderful blessing our kids were sealed to us for time and all eternity. I have never felt more joy and felt the spirit more strongly than I did at that moment. I have waited my entire life for my eternal family and it was finally a reality. I looked at Tyler and he was crying more than I have ever seen him cry. I felt honored to be Tyler's wife and to be the mother of three wonderful, innocent, and perfect kids. It was in that moment I realized how grateful I am for Heavenly Father's timing. I am so glad we were able to go through the experience of preparing and receiving our endowments and having our family sealed when we were older. Tyler and I truly did it because we wanted to make covenants with Heavenly Father and we truly wanted our family to be together forever. We understood the magnitude and the significance of the covenants we would make. Yesterday and today were truly about our endowments and sealing. I am so grateful we could witness our children walking into the covenant. I loved looking at each of them as we kneeled at the altar, knowing what was sealed on earth would be sealed in heaven.
We had a lot of family waiting for us outside the temple as we walked out and we feel so blessed to have family support us. It can be scary to go a different path than your family because you never know how they will react. Our families were surprised at our decision, but they have remained supportive the entire time.
We had a luncheon at The Grand America Hotel and took some pictures after.
I know no matter the timing, my family is my greatest blessing and I am so honored to know my family is forever!
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