Dear Cultural Hall,WAHOO!! I can’t believe this day is finally here!Today is probably the most anticipated day of my whole life! I am about to receive my endowments to serve in the Iowa, Des Moines Mission. I don’t know if it’s because of the great example of my parents and friends around me, or the miraculous stories I have heard about the blessings of wearing the temple garments; but I have always wanted to be able to wear the garments and feel the power of heaven keeping me safe, and directing me away from the adversary!
Ever since I got my bishop’s signature for the temple recommend, (I call it the “Big Kid” temple recommend :)) I will randomly start giggling in excitement, or burst into tears because of the wonderful spirit I am feeling with the preparation that is accompanying this process. 🙂
I took some temple prep classes with my parents and Sunday school teachers and read the pamphlet written by Boyd K. Packer and I feel a lot more less confused about what to expect when I pass through the doors. The main thing people are telling me is that It’s okay to feel like you didn’t understand everything the first time and that it takes about ten years to fully understand everything that the temple’s symbols mean. That is the beauty of the temple. We’ll never get sick of going because you’ll always learn something new! 🙂 I also heard to concentrate on feeling the spirit instead of being nervous about the acts that are being performed. My friend told me I will feel like the Queen that God sees us as! That sounds wonderful! 🙂
It’s a huge blessing to be able to receive my endowments with my close friends and family today. I have honestly felt angels with me all day as I am going through this once-in-a-lifetime event. 🙂
Thanks for listening in!
I am going to close with 5 things I’m grateful for:
1. Our garments are something we wear under our clothes, not on the outside of our clothes.
2. Temple Prep Classes
3. The lady who escorts you through the temple for the first time
4. The close proximity of temples in Utah 🙂
5. The temple lets us invite up to 20 of our close friends and family to share this special day.
Loves!!!
Stephanie “Stephers” Tobias
Soon to be Sister Tobias 🙂
When is she leaving for her mission and how old is she?
I LOVE LOVE LOVE that girl. She is so beautiful on the outside and the inside, and is one of the most kind people I have ever had the privilege of knowing!
She is leaving June 20th, and she turned 21 in January. 🙂
Did you know that your Grandma Ernestine Smith was a Temple worker for many years? Yeppers! She is the one who was my escort and assisted with several sacred things in the Temple. Both Grandpa Elias, and Grandpa Hurst also worked in the Temple. When I was a young girl Grandma and Grandpa Smith worked as tour guides outside of the temple for visitors. They taught me many special things about the Mesa Arizona temple….. and I learned to love the Temple because of them. As a teenager, once I could drive, I would go and sit on the benches so I could feel the spirit of the Temple as often as I could………I am sure that Grandma Ernestine, Grandpa Elias and Grandpa Hurst were also with you on this special day, as well as my Uncle Mel – or Grandpa Mel for you….. and perhaps even my Daddy too! Anyway, that’s what my spirit tells me…….. thought you’d like to know.