Families are FOREVER

Yesterday Shawn & I spent most of the day at the temple with our good friends, Trent & Kari Cichos. Trent was baptized one year ago today in the Sweetwater river while on the Martin Handcart trek with his ward. After getting permission from the Church 1st Presidency to be able to go 1 day earlier than a full year (the temple closes for 2 weeks on Monday), they were able to be sealed as a family forever. In the morning we were able to go through an endowment session with very small group of close friends, while they took out their own endowments. I don't think the smile ever left Kari's face. It was beautiful. She has waited so long for this time to be able first to have Trent be baptized and then to go through the temple. She talked several times of going through without him, knowing he would catch up. In the end she decided not to, and it was so touching to see them take this step together, and then to walk through the veil hand in hand with tears in their eyes. We love them so much and they are such great examples to us, even though Trent says it was because of Shawn that he is where he is, I think it is just the opposite, they inspire us to be better.

Later in the afternoon we attended the sealing session 1st for Trent & Kari and then their four beautiful children; Taylor, Parker, Hallie & Ashton. There were so many friends and loved ones there that we had to squish together sitting two in a chair, with a line of men standing behind us along the wall. They are so loved and respected in our community. It was a beautiful ceremony, with angels attending, what a powerful spirit that was there. When they brought the kids in they were so excited and they were sealed together with happy tears running down their cheeks.

I have never been to a family sealing. It makes me want everyone to be able to experience it. I am so thankful for that saving ordinance. The sealer told them that they would be king and queen and their children would be the jewels in their crowns. What a promise! It makes me renew my commitment to quit slacking in some areas and do everything in my power to get my family back to Heavenly Father. If I do that we are promised, Heavenly Father will do the rest.