My heart is filled with gratitude tonight for the experiences that I have shared with Jonique these past weeks (months) ((lifetime)). I have seen her grow from a little girl (baby) into an amazing, obedient, humble and powerful (does that sound like a dichotomy?) woman. It has been a joy to see her make choices that will bring her eternal happiness - especially the choice to marry in the Lord's House, with the power and authority of the Priesthood, and to begin her family under Heavenly Father's covenants and His direction.
Rick and I have enjoyed Jacob and Jonique being with us a great deal of the time in the couple of months that they have waited and planned for their marriage. I have been so proud of them as they have kept themselves worthy of the great privilege of eternal covenants. Also, I've been so impressed at how little they ask for or want (materially) and how happy they are for each little thing that we plan for them as we are trying to make their wedding day one of happiness and beauty!
Seeing Jonique walk through the door, all dressed in white, more pure and clean than anything earthly can be, took my breath away - and the joy that filled me was beyond what is communicable by words. Watching her sit beside Jacob in the Celestial Room and listening to him teach her of the meaning of the endowment that she had just received, let me know that she would be cared for in the most important ways that she could possibly be cared for in their eternal marriage together.
Jacob explained that the "exactness" of what happens in the temple is a symbol of how we learn to "obey with exactness"- one principle at a time - as we go back out into the world when we exit the temple doors.
As Rick and I have served in the temple during this past year+ I have often had impressions in different areas of the temple that I was with one or another of my children. I'm sure that it's Heavenly Father's way of blessing and encouraging me. One of those impressions became a reality as I sat by Jonique in the endowment room as she made sacred covenants. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for your constant love and constant miracles! Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being a mother!
The year+ that Rick and I have served at the Mesa temple has been an amazing experience - one of great learning and great joy. Many times during this past year I had impressions (in different areas of the temple) of our children coming out of the Celestial Room, down the 2 levels of stairs - while I was standing there at the bottom of the stairs, filled with incredible love and joy for them and for the privilege of being their mother.
