For Eternity

Unfortunately Nate and I aren't in a picture together because I was the one taking all the pictures. So you get to see two pictures so that you know we were both there. :)

Two years ago this December my friend Jolene got a call that a set of twins needed a home. Her and her husband had signed up to be foster parents a few months before this call and were anxiously awaiting an opportunity to have an infant come into their family with the hopes of being able to adopt. These little angels were an early Christmas present that day and it was an emotional roller coaster for nearly 2 years. These babies were born prematurely to a drug addicted 19 year old mother that already had 2 children in the custody of an Aunt. The babies were born in an uninhabitable house and then rushed to the nearest hospital where they received no visitors for the 10 days they were in the hospital. They were dropped off at Jo's house where the family quickly fell in love. Many months were spent with visitation rights given to the mother and the aunt that already had the other 2 children. For many months the aunt wanted custody of the twins, but in the end the rights were severed with the birth mother and the aunt decided against custody. So, just last month the twins officially became a permanent part of my dear friend's family. It was my privilege and pleasure to go to az to see this beautiful family sealed to these sweet twins in the Mesa Temple. Going to a sealing of a new bride and groom is pretty great, but I have to tell you that going to the sealing of a family is like touching heaven. From the moment I walked into the sealing room and the sealer came in an introduced himself with tears in his eyes my heart felt like it would explode. I think I have a bit of an understanding why we can't see our Father in Heaven without being transformed (like Moses). I think our physical bodies aren't capable of processing the intense feelings of love and joy that being in his presence would give us. I think my heart would literally explode. Then my friend and her husband were brought into the room and then some women brought in the 5 children all dressed in white. There was such a strong feeling of peace and love in the room that even the women that were helping started to cry. I marvel at the tragic beginning of these sweet children's lives and how now they are sealed to such a wonderful family and able to partake of the blessings of that sacred covenant. I also marvel at the ripple effect that this one ordnance creates in the lives of countless people that these twins will be in contact with throughout their lives. Immediately following the sealing we went to the visitors center and the twins were given their blessings. What a truly special day and I consider myself extremely blessed to have been there. I can't wait to go back when the twins sibling who is 5 months old gets adopted as well. {Yes this very mother had yet another child who is now in the care of my friend and her family and the very sad thing is that this mother is pregnant again! } The day ended with a trip to one of my all time favorite restaurants to visit while I am there for some delicious Mexican food and then back to the house for cookies and a fancy sherbet punch before hoping back on a plane and heading home full of love and appreciation for a Father in Heaven who loves his children.