There were never such devoted sisters.

My sisters, Coleen and Lynne, and my niece, Reilly,

made a pilgrimage to the open house for the

Gilbert, AZ Temple. 

Our other sister, Jeff, couldn't make it.

 

It is a beautiful temple.

It is big.  Most LDS temples

are smaller (mini) temples.

The architecture was amazing

and the interior décor was beautiful.

 

I love Temples.

I believe in the promise that

Families Can Be Forever.

And the covenants we make in the

Temple bind those promises.

 

 

We have not been together as sisters for quite a

while.  I keep thinking about it.  There is a comfort

zone around family.  We all agree we are a bit

dysfunctional but I am still comfortable around

these people. Our common childhood experiences

tie us together, although, we are not all the same.

 

We are getting old....er.  Our conversations

are changing somewhat.  We talk about older

skin and older hair and older attitudes but

not about inevitabilities.  But we are still

just us....who we have always been.

 

Coleen is still the intellectual. 

She is always trying to prove

things "wrong" (which can drive me

crazy).   Lynne, on the

other hand is always looking for

the "right" in things.

 

They are generous.  They both can read

people's feelings and actions.  I have always

looked up to them as their younger sister.

I wonder how they feel looking at me

as the little sister.

 

 

I have always enjoyed saying I have

"sisters". . . .more than one. For that matter

I enjoy saying I have brothers.

And I like their names: 

 Coleen and Lynne.
Randy and Jeff.

Great names!

Mom told me she would have liked

more children but her marriage was rocky.
There could have been more sisters
and more brothers.  I think I would
have liked that.

 

I do have to say, the older I get

the more I look forward and the

less I look back.  Yesterday has

value but it is tomorrow that

needs attending to.  When we leave

"this frail existence"

we will still be us.  I want them

to know and embrace what is

next.  I want to share a common

belief of our eternal journey. 

 

It is not happenstance that we

are sisters.  We are bound together

by bigger things.  I  do hope for

the great day when we go to the

Temple together and it is for

more than a tour.

 

 

Mixing superstition with prayer. . .

 

 

 

During football season in Tim's senior year I

prayed every day that he would have angels to

protect him so he would not get hurt playing football.

I did this because he had been hurt previous seasons

and hadn't finish out a year. 

 

 I always felt it was

important for my children to be involved.  I knew

sports so that is the direction we steered them.  It

helped them stay out of trouble, contribute, learn

team work and cooperation, and make friendships.

 

It was important for Tim to finish this last year.  So

I did pray every day that he would be safe.  I prayed

for angels who had played football so they would

know just how to protect Tim.  I felt that he was

in the company of angels that entire season.  When he

played his last game I honestly felt sad as

the angels had done their job and would now

move on to another assignment. 

 

I still pray for Tim.  I pray for all my children.

Every day I think of them when I pray.  I have wondered

if Heavenly Father wants me to pray, once again, for them.. 

 After all, I had prayed the day

before for them.  Does today require a brand new prayer?  

 

In a conversation with a friend it was suggested that

maybe I am a bit superstitious.  I had a moment of doubt.

Am I afraid NOT to pray for them.

What if that were the day something happened?

Do I have to do the

same thing every day or something might happen.

I had never considered it superstitious to pray for

my family every day.  I wasn't knocking on wood

after all.

 

I read in Alma chapter 34 this week.  Amulek (who, by

the way, was an amazing individual with a profound

understanding of Christ and his atonement.)  says in verse

21: Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household,

both morning, mid-day, and evening.

 

So. . .my moment of doubt was washed away. 

I think Heavenly Father, in his love for us, wants

his children prayed for.  And he loves the

prayers of a mother.  He does not grow weary

of my pleas for each one of my children.  If I miss

a day he waits for my return. He is pleased

for my prayers for my children every morning,

mid-day, and evening. 

 

A side note:  I love this verse.  I think it also

says that he loves that we have "houses" and

"households".  Homes are sacred places

where family dwells.  He loves my children

individually and he loves them collectively.

And I do too.  That is why I pray for them......

every day.