Kansas City Temple

Jeff and I had the opportunity to attend the Kansas City temple dedication today.  

It has been such a wonderful experience enjoying the blessings that come with having a temple so close.  I believe this was my third temple dedication that I have been able to attend, and every one has been memorable.  

We were able to listen to a talk given by President Monson, Elder Holland, and some of the new temple presidency members.  Some interesting things that were talked about included, over 90,000 people went through the temple open house.  I was amazed at how many people had the opportunity to experience the peace that is found inside the temple walls.  They also said that there are 39 temple sealings, and weddings scheduled for the next four weeks.  How neat is that!  All those people receiving the promises and blessings of setting in place forever families.  I love it!  President Monson shared stories about temple experiences from people in Germany (my dad served his mission there), and Guatemala (our son is from there).  It was neat to have that connection. They talked a great deal about the significance of this particular temple is this specific area.  Elder Holland said that every temple dedication is special, but this temple dedication is VERY special.  He talked about how there were people present at the temple today that had crossed the veil long ago.  There was a very sacred spirit that was present.  It made me appreciate even more the sacrifices of the early church members, and how happy they must be to see this temple.  Jeff is always talking about the amazing institute teacher that he has at school.  His instructor was telling them that it was not surprising to him that the temple was put in the county that it was.  When the early church members had an extermination order placed on them, and told to leave the state of Missouri, the people that lived in the county where the temple is were some of the most helpful and kind to the saints.  They told the church members that they had to leave, but that they would help them pack up, get ready, and some even gave them horses and carts.  I thought that was neat to see how many generations later this area is now blessed to have a temple.  I think it is a neat tribute to all the people that have gone before us.

On a personal note I have been struggling lately with feelings of trying to find where I fit in, and where I belong here in Kansas City.  I have been having a hard time feeling like I'm not making close friendships and bonds like I have made in the past.  I remember before I moved here I prayed so hard for Heavenly Father to just give me one close friend.  I know many people have expressed how grateful they are to have their close group of friends, and they didn't think they could have gotten through their husbands being gone for school without their friends help.  

Lately I have had several experiences where I just feel like throwing my hands in the air and giving up. I have felt like a large number of people here only call me when they need me to do something for them, or they will just talk to me until someone better comes along.  I feel like I have to fit into a specific mold, or look a certain way ~ all of which I don't fit.  Anyway today got me thinking about some of the past friendships that I have had and value.  The underlying theme in all those friendships was that when I left their presence I always felt better about myself and knew that I wanted to be a better person.  Going through this experience right now has reminded me of the friend that I want to be to others.  I want people to feel loved and joyful after having spent time with me.  I might never experience a close friendship here in Kansas City like I have had other places, but I feel like I am  learning how to be a better friend.

Onto a lighter and more enjoyable note.  I realized that I never posted the pictures of when we got to take the kids to the temple open house.  We were able to take them through the day after my birthday, and I couldn't have had a better birthday gift.  It was neat to remember the feelings of the day that Jeff and I went to the temple to be married, and the day that we were able to take Logan and Isabella to be sealed as an eternal family.  I can't think of a better place in this world to be all together as a family.  I look forward to the many other memories that I will have with my family in the walls of the temple.