LA Temple Experiences

Our trip to Los Angeles a couple weeks ago was surrounded with a visit to the temple.  Let me just say I have never had quite the experience when going to the temple like I did on this visit.  The week prior I had called to make reservations for Nicole to attend and do some work while we were in the other area of the temple. 

 

 I wanted her to be able to participate and have a memorable experience as well...but the night before when we were getting ready for bed I asked if she had everything ready for our visit, including her recommend.  Guess what?  She forgot it!  Oh brother!  I thought that maybe if possible we could see if someone could call to verify her recommend.  All we could do was ask when we got there.

Outside the enterance of the temple...

Sooo...we got to the temple and asked.  The recorder came out and assisted us with verifying her recommend.  However, nobody answered the phones when he called.  All he could do at the time was leave a message.  I was told that I could go on and do what I needed to do.  I knew Nicole would be okay.  If she couldn't go into the temple she had plenty to do on her own.

 

I later found out she was able to go to her appointment, she was just late.  I was so happy!

Los Angeles, CA Temple

I'm not going to write about my overall experience because it is sacred and shouldn't be discussed, but I will share just one feeling I felt.  I have never been to the temple where there was so many people together in one session.  There was well over 150 people attending the session we went to.  That in itself was overwhelming, however that was minuet to what my personal feeling was. 

 

I was the last person to walk into the celestial room (remember I said there were tons of people), so the room was VERY full!  I wasn't able to find my mom right away.  All I saw was a bunch of people either sitting or standing all dressed in white throughout the room.  As I looked around to find my mom, a overwhelming feeling came to me that this is what it will be like when I enter into heaven.  I will walk in and see lots of people, some strangers, but some familiar.  I will recognize some and they will be looking for me as well waiting for me to join them.  Once that feeling came to me, I then saw my mom.  I had to sit down for a minute because I was overcome with strong emotions and tears began coming to me.  I didn't want to bring on the water works, but knew what I felt was right...

Nicole and I outside the temple.  Mom & Robbie were there too, but I can't seem to locate the pics of all of us...

This day was quite the experience for me.  I was very humbled for the little blessings that came this day.  Before we left for this quick trip, I told myself that I wanted the best experience I could possibly have.  At the end of the trip, I had just that!