I Love To See The Temple

One thing that I've tried to do this semester is to go to the temple once a week to do baptisms for the dead. I started this goal in the beginning of May and I go by myself every week. I love it! I can totally see the difference it has made in my semester this time around. Plus, I live DIRECTLY across from the temple...I have NO reason on not going. When am I ever going to have the chance to live across from a temple? Probably never.

I feel that since I've been going to the temple, I have had more trials then ever. They're not HUGE trials but school has been stressing me out, friends, roommates, dating, boys, I've been getting sick, and so many other stuff. You would think that things would be going great when you've been going to the temple but no, Satan tries to throw you off course. I feel like there has been many instances where something came up and almost prevented me from going to the temple. Luckily, I've always been able to work things out so I could still go but I do feel like Satan has tried many times to get me not to go. When I was sick last week, I felt horrible when I was at the temple but I knew that by going, Heavenly Father would bless me one way or another. I do believe that you are more blessed by going to the temple.

The Oakland Temple is so dear to my heart. This was the first temple that I ever went to. When I was little, my brothers and I would always drive by the temple on the freeway coming back from seeing my grandma. Every time we saw it it was at night so it would just glow from the top of the hill. My brothers' and I would call it "Aladdin's Castle" because that was what we thought it looked like! It wasn't until my brother Richie and I went to the temple for a mutual activity and it hit us that the temple ground we were standing on was the Oakland temple, not Aladdin's castle!!

My parents were sealed for time and all eternity in this temple. My family was also sealed for time and all eternity in this temple as well. I did baptisms for the dead here for the first time. I gained my testimony in Joseph Smith at the visitor's center here at the Oakland Temple. I went on my first date with Paul here. I got to witness Alex's first time doing baptisms after recently getting baptized here. Some of my good girlfriends have gotten married at this temple. The thought of going on a mission all started here at the Oakland Temple. I love this temple so much. I know without a doubt that I will get married at this temple. Even if my husband lives all the way on the other side of the United States...nope sorry, we're getting married at the Oakland temple haha.
One temple that I do want to see is the San Diego temple. I've always seen pictures of it and it's sooooo white!! It looks gorgeous! Katie (my bff) and I want (and will) to do a road trip to socal this summer and I definitely want to stop and check out the temple with her. I don't think she has ever been to any of the temples so it would be a neat experience for the both of us.

I love going to the temple. Every time I go I always leave feeling good. One thing that I want to work on more is doing family history. I know that it is something that I need to do and something that my patriarchal blessing talks about. My family is the first generation to join the church...we have a lot of work to do! I'm so grateful for the temple in my life. I'm grateful to know that one day I will go there and be sealed to my eternal companion for time and all eternity. Although I go to the temple by myself right now to do baptisms, I can't wait to have someone to go to the temple with to do endowment sessions. It's always fun to have someone go with you and to know that once I'm married I'll be going all the time with my best friend...oh my goodness I cannot wait!

"Open your eyes you look Asian" - Lara <---haha thanks Lara!


Liv