A WEEK TO REMEMBER

This past week Rusty and I went to Portland on Tuesday to attend the temple session with a sister from our branch whom we had taught the Temple Preparation lessons. She is a sister about eighty years old and was also being sealed to her deceased husband. It was an especially sweet experience and we were grateful to have shared it with her.
Wednesday was our stake temple day. We stayed overnight to be able to attend. Our day began with a chapel session and words of inspiration from a member of the stake presidency and President and Sister Schulz. If there is one word that can express the feeling in the temple it is the word "Love". I always feel so loved by my Heavenly Father and Savior and I have an overflowing of love for all who serve there. This temple day was especially significant for me because I brought the name of my Aunt Inez Ramsey Smith. I was very surprised when I got into the Family Search website to find that her work had not been completed. She was born in 1907 and died in 2005. She is the mother of my cousins Joyce and Jean and Iniece. I felt a little guilty because I hadn't submitted her name and I would think that one of her daughters would have done the work already for her. But it was there for me and I was grateful.
I have served others in the temple who were doing the work for their ancestors and there was always such a warm loving feeling present. Tears would come as the sacred words were spoken and such a feeling of joy would fill the air! I had those feelings as I shared the sacred ordinances with Aunt Inez. As I spoke her name I was instantly aware of the significance of what I was doing for her...and for me. It was a blessing and a moment to remember.
Thursday we played! We went to IKEA, a HUGE Swedish home furnishings store....a really HUGE store. Neither one of us had ever been there. We wandered and wandered around taking notes and trying to envision what we needed to turn our guestroom /office/library/TV room in to a more efficient and comfortable room for all. Too many options! Too much walking! But we may have surfaced from the sea of ideas with something that will work for us. It will mean of course another trip back and then Rusty putting it all together in that little room to make it actually happen.
After IKEA, we drove to the waterfront park in downtown Portland and walked along in the freezing weather to end up at The Nordstrom Rack!! What a treat for me! I had never been there either. Rusty is THE BEST man to go shopping with. He NEVER is impatient and is ALWAYS agreeable. He even gives me his HONEST opinion on fashion and even SCOUTS OUT some things he likes for me. And he has NEVER said NO! My goodness! I am a lucky woman!
Friday morning we were back in the temple for our regular assignment as ordinance workers. It felt like home. I was reminded of the feeling I used to have as we would enter the temple in Washington DC five sometimes six days a week and always feel impressed by the sweet spirit of love there. It was always a privilege and a blessing.
This past week has made me realize anew how blessed we were to be able to serve for two years in the Washington DC temple and how blessed we are now to be a part of this great work of the eternities! We truly had a week to remember.

THE TRADITION CONTINUES

Because we were "snow bound" in Phoenix this year for Christmas we were unable to do our traditional gingerbread houses on Christmas Eve. This year we tweaked the tradition a little bit and made them on New Year's Eve at Krista and Ron's home. It was a comparatively small group because Natalie's family and none of the "out of towners" could be there. But with Krista's and DiDi's families we had eighteen of us frosting and "finger-licking", creating and constructing ten ginger bread houses. It was fun watching the dad's and grandpa help the little boys, and cousins decorate with cousins. As usual there was plenty of candy left over and lots of nibbling and sampling by the little ones. There is a great picture of Eric eating a piece of Christmas taffy wrapper and all!
The tradition includes taking the completed gingerbread houses to someone special. The "contractor" gets to pick. I am sure all of the recipients were delighted with their after Christmas/New Year surprise! It was a fun way to continue the tradition.