A House of God

I'm thankful for temples.
I'm grateful for the buildings themselves, and for the things that happen inside them.
I'm so thankful that my family can be together forever, thanks to the temple ordinances. I love to spend time in these buildings. Inside the walls of these sacred places, I feel so peaceful. My stress leaves me. My thoughts are clear. I feel like I can figure things out better when I'm spending my time serving in the temple.

I don't know everything that happens in temples. As I get older, I will learn more and I look forward to that with much excitement and anticipation. But what I DO know is that I can feel the spirit there. I can help those who cannot help themselves. I can draw closer to the Lord.

Temples are so gorgeous! I've had several different opportunities to go to various temple open houses throughout California during my life. Two of the most memorable open houses that I went to were for the Fresno temple and the Newport Beach temple.

The Newport Beach temple was memorable mainly because of the grounds.
When I first laid eyes on this temple, it looked unreal - like a painting. The day was perfect, and the colors were gorgeous. I remember the outside more than the inside. Depending on the time of day, the sun can make this temple look more orange than it really is. It is so pretty!!!!!!

And of course, the Fresno Temple open house was rememberable because it's the temple of my hometown. I got to see it get constructed, and I got to sing in a children's choir for part of the open house. I turned 8 on General Conference Sunday in April that year, so I was baptized that day and then the Fresno Temple was dedicated the next week... so I was old enough to go to the dedication. Just barely. It was wonderful timing (not to mention it was so great to get baptized on my actual birthday on General Conference Sunday.)

I've gone to that temple many times. It will (most likely, although it depends on my future husband) be the temple in which I get married. You could say it holds a special place in my heart.

I love temples. I look forward to the day when I will be able to take full advantage of what they have to offer me. Also, I want to create an environment in my future home that mirrors the environment of a temple; after all, we are told that our homes are like temples and they should be places in which the spirit can reside. I thankful that I have these beautiful places to visit and model my home after.