Come and See Inside a Mormon Temple

On Saturday we took our children to see what the inside of a Mormon Temple looks like.  It was special for our children to see the inside of the temple because that is where mom and dad met and where we were married.  There is such an amazing feeling of peace there.  If you've ever wondered what a Temple looks like inside this opportunity doesn't come along often.  The Public Open House is only for two weeks and well worth the travel.  I promise you won't be disappointed!!!

Public Open House
     The general public, including children of all ages, is invited to attend an open house for the Tijuana Mexico Temple. Admission is free, and no tickets are required.
Dates:  Friday, November 13, through Saturday, November 28, 2015, except for Sundays.
Hours: Sunday:  Closed
Monday:  9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tuesday–Saturday:  9:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Location:  Near Macroplaza on Boulevard Insurgentes, Tijuana, Mexico – View Map
Dress:  Modest dress is requested.
Parking:  Parking attendants will guide you to an available parking space. Plan to arrive early to allow time for traffic and parking.
Tours:  Open house tours begin with a short video presentation providing an overview of temples and why they are significant to members of the Church. Following the video, a tour host will escort you through the temple, explaining the purpose of each room and answering questions as time allows. At the conclusion of the tour, you are invited to a reception area to have any further questions answered.

Fear Into Faith

Elder Uchtdorf stated in the women's conference in October 2014:

In other words, He not only knows what is best for you; He also anxiously wants you to choose what is best for you.

If you believe this in your hearts—if you truly believe the great mission of our Heavenly Father is to exalt and glorify His children and that He knows best how to do it—doesn’t it make sense to embrace and follow His commandments, even the ones that appear difficult? Should we not cherish the light posts He has given that guide us through the darkness and the trials of mortality? They mark the way back to our heavenly home! By choosing Heavenly Father’s path, you lay a divine foundation for your personal progress as a daughter of God that will bless you throughout your life.

Part of our challenge is, I think, that we imagine that God has all of His blessings locked in a huge cloud up in heaven, refusing to give them to us unless we comply with some strict, paternalistic requirements He has set up. But the commandments aren’t like that at all. In reality, Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us. It is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us.

His commandments are the loving instructions and the divine help for us to close the umbrella so we can receive the shower of heavenly blessings.

In the scriptures of the New Testament in Matthew Chapter 14 it states:

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

This is a parable about our own faith.  We seek to follow Christ and he invites us to step out of the boat and come to him.  However, so many times, just like Peter, we are a aware of all the commotion, storms, waves, and winds around us, and we take our eyes off of the Savior and begin to sink.  If we turn back to our Lord and cry "Lord, save me" like Peter, He will reach out and lift us up again.

Fear is a very powerful thing and can prevent us from receiving blessings the Lord desires us to have.  Right now in my life I'm trying to close the different umbrellas of fear that are blocking me from recieving blessings. It has been  hard to let go of some of my fears and have greater faith in the Lord that I will be blessed with opportunities.  It has been hard at times to also have faith in myself, that I can make it across the stormy sea and reach my Savior.  I have been praying out loud and simply talking with the Lord about each of my fears, big ones and small ones. And I feel he is listening. 

Look Unto Me in Every Thought

When I was in high school we found out my mom had breast cancer and being the oldest in the family a lot of responsibilities fell upon me.  It was challenging for me but the hardest part was the intense fear of losing my mom.  During that time I found some passages of scriptures that became my rock.  In the book of Doctrine & Covenants chapter 6:

33 Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward.
 34 Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail.
 35 Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you.
 36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.
 37 Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

When Christ said little flock, I felt like that was me and my four younger siblings.  I resolved to do everything good I could do to help take care of my family while my mom was having surgery and recovering.  I trusted that God would take care of my mom when there was nothing else I could do to help her.   And then verse 36, "Look unto me in every thought, doubt not, fear not."  I hung this on my wall and repeated it in my mind over and over and over.  That verse got me through that experience.   We were very blessed that my mom had caught her cancer early and after surgery and some medications she is still with us today, 21 years later.

As is with the scriptures, each time you read them something new stands out to you despite having read it so many times before.  Today as I reread these verses His simple direction to us "Be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven."  When life feels so complicated, the Savior simplifies it for us be faithful and keep my commandments, if your doing that, your going to be ok.

Noah's Example

This is a new song that my children are learning at Church that talks about how Noah is an example for them too.  Check it out. I love it and find myself singing it all the time.

Knowledge

We need to keep an eternal perspective on our life and remember that we are not just living for today, but for eternity.  

 And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come.    Doctrine and Covenants 130:19