We went to the temple. It was a busy morning. I woke up at 5 and went running with my friend. I made the 5 miles even though I feel out of shape. She kept asking me if I wanted to turn home shorter but my mind wanted to keep going. The body was slow. I felt really good afterwards. I got ready for the day very early than usual. I've not been running much at all. The days I do run my mornings are much better. This morning was very special because I was getting ready to go to the temple. Right before we left my phone rang and it was a member of the bishopric asking me to speak in church next week. Funny because Wade and I looked at each other last week in Sacrament meeting and said that it was only a matter of time before we would be asked to speak. This time it is just me. They used to call couples or families to speak together. They don't do that anymore. I'm excited to prepare the talk because I know it will strengthen my testimony even though it is nerve wracking and makes me nervous. We dropped the babes off to my friends at 8:30 and met up with another couple in the ward. I was very excited to go with them. It was their first time going back to the temple since they went their first time. I felt a lot of joy assisting her through. We barely made the session. The patrons kept whispering while we were changing. "Hurry Sisters! Hurry Sisters!" We got out and everyone was up waiting for us. I felt lucky they let us come straggling in. We would have done sealings if we missed the session and that would have been nice. But for some reason we were meant to make the session. We had grabbed some family file names at the entrance. I kept looking at the name of the woman I was officiating for. She was born in the 1700's, from France. Her name is Ann Marie. My name is Julianne Marie. I felt a great connection with her and I felt that she wanted me to do her work. I don't usually feel that. I felt the spirit more this time. It was really a beautiful time. I feel so blessed to have made temple attendance a priority in my life. I'm trying to pay more attention to others around me and take notice to any little thing I can do to help someone else attend the temple. Some people just need someone to go with.....
My brother who is gay called me. We hadn't talked in awhile. For family home evening we read "The Christmas Oranges." I remembered the Christmas Eve Wade and I spent with my mom and brother and Andrea as a little toddler. Steven had Andrea sitting on his lap eating oranges together while we read that story. It was a good memory. So after I put the kids to bed I called him back. It was nice to hear each others voices. We have a deep connection in some ways although we disagree on many things. We were able to have a great conversation and I felt love and contentment that we connected again. As a people we need to be respectful of our unique journeys....
Today was a busy day trying to go to the store to get milk and then off to the school to volunteer. I had to take Bella with me. It was....tiring. I helped the little kids with the sight words in Lydia's class. Then in Andrea's I helped with centers making holiday cards for their parents. Bella was getting into things and having a hard time. After an hour of that I felt so worn out! Their is so much work to do all the time. I want to relax more. It is hard for me to feel good relaxing. After feeding the kids lunch I don't want to do anything even though the groceries need put away and laundry folded. I just want to write. My Lydia has a couple of friends over and I forgot about Bella's 18 month appointment this afternoon. Last thing I want to do is go to that apt. I'm counting down the minutes. I'm thinking that I'm not making dinner. hahaha.
I'm trying so hard to be a good mother and wife. I'm trying to surrender my selfish ways and be more one with God's will. It is so hard!
One more thing I want to write. There are times when you wonder about how much the Lord cares about us individually. Does He really know me and care about my daily life? I had another experience that affirmed that Heavenly Father is involved in every moment of our life. I was preparing to go visiting teaching. My companion was getting treats together and I had a couple magnets and a couple of cd's to add to it. I had a hard time figuring out who should get a cd and which magnet to give. I prayed to have the spirit with me. I decided to take a cd to the first sister we visited. My companion saw the cd and said, "oh this is a great one that I have and my kids love this one song and love to play it over and over." The next woman we went to visit I was going to give the magnet to but remembering what my companion said I decided to give her the cd since she has young kids at home that might like that one song. The third sister we went to I had the magnet for. When we gave it to her she lighted up like a Christmas tree. She said, "I just saw this magnet last night and admired it and wanted it. I especially wanted my teenager to see it on the fridge. Maybe it will influence her." She looked at me like, "How did you know?" I felt the spirit confirm to me that Heavenly Father knows each of us and loves each of us. We are his children! He uses us to bless each others lives. JOY!
Love and Light~
