To learn more about LDS temples, click hereYesterday me and two of my friends, Destinee and Kristin, went to the temple. I have been wanting to go to the temple ever since I got home from the hospital, and so it was a really big deal to me. Well, if you aren't familiar with the current crisis in Asheville, you will probably not understand why it would be a very difficult thing to plan for a 5 hour drive (total time there and back) to Columbia, South Carolina.
The problem lies in the fact that gas is a very rare commodity around here. It has been for a couple of weeks now. Most people in Asheville (who don't drive an Expedition) were able to make it through a couple of weeks without filling up, but now the problem is getting worse b/c people are running out of gas and so are the gas stations. It is really hard to find gas stations that have gas (you really just have to luck out and get there as soon as they get a new shipment). The police have to come and control the lines and traffic and you have to wait in line for about 1-1 1/2 hrs. and just pray that the gas won't run out before it is your turn. So on Tuesday, Kristin had 1/4 of a tank of gas and Destinee was almost on empty (and unfortunately I don't have a car during the day right now), so each of them had to fight the crowds and try to get lucky. We were all on our knees just praying that one of them would find some gas. Kristin waited in 2 lines that day for a total of 3 hours. Each time she was turned away b/c the gas had ran out. Destinee also waited in line for an hour and got lucky (actually blessed would be a better word). So we decided to go and just hope that we could find gas in S. Carolina on our way back (which we did).
It was the best day that I have had since Clairisa's death. As I sat in the celestial room, I felt my heart burning and I felt as if I was completely healed and whole again. It was the most incredible feeling. In fact, I didn't want to leave. I could've stayed there forever. The spirit that is felt in the temple, the Lord's house, is one of the most incredible feelings on earth. It is a place where all of my fears, pains, and worries are put at ease and all I can feel is the Lord's love and the Holy Ghost calming me and leaving me with nothing but peace, love, hope and joy.
At my Grandpa Black's funeral, all of the grandchildren sang the second verse to "I Love to See the Temple". Now as I go to the temple to feel closer to my sweet baby girl, the words to that song have greater meaning and deeper emotion to me than ever before.
I Love to See the Temple,
I'll go inside someday (or yesterday :) )
I'll covenant with my Father,
I'll promise to obey.
For the temple is a holy place,
where we are sealed together.
As a child of God,
I've learned this truth;
A FAMILY IS FOREVER!!!
13 comments:
Wish I could have been there with you yesterday! I'm glad you all a good time. Very touching post. :)
that is so awesome Melissa! I'm so glad you guys were able to go (I SO wish I could have gone too...hopefully next time). Until then, we need a girls night out soon!!
What a beautiful post! That's crazy that you can't get gas. I think I take it for granted. I'm so happy you were able to go to the temple!
what is going on up there?! i just simply dont understand your gas shortage situation. i've never heard of anyone waiting hours at the station hoping for gas. i guess i take it for granted that the prices are slowly dropping here and i dont have to worry about it. it just confuses me so much. i'm glad that it worked out for you and hope that it gets better.
I'm so glad that you were able to go to the temple. Sometimes it's so hard to get there, or find time to do it, but it is so worth it! I'm glad you have good friends you were able to go with and that you were able to get gas there and back. I love the temple, especially the celestial room. love ya!
What a blessing! I am so, so, so, so glad that you were given that opportunity and that you felt what your Heavenly Father offered as you sat there. I love ya! (thanks for reminding me...it's been a while)
It is a wonderful plan that our Father has for us isn't it? I'm so glad you had a happy peaceful day Melissa.
There truly is nothing like the temple. I think it's wonderful that you would make that your priority even with the gas situation.
So glad you got to go. We both are new to the the whole travel-to-the-temple thing. Ours is 3 1/2 hours away. Good for you to go on faith about the whole gas issue.
I'm so glad you were able to make the trip. Your sacrifice was rewarded.
I am grateful we don't have the same gas situation here!
Wow I had no idea that gas was such a big issue where you are. You are awesome for making the temple a priority even when its far away and gas is difficult to come by!
Melissa,
I'm soo glad we decided and were able to go. It was such a blessing to be there and to be able to feel that peace. The ride home was great too! I was in such great company. I've been thinking alot about what you said about one of the blessings of motherhood is being in the world but not of it. I love that! We'll definately have to do this again!! Love ya!
Dest
Oh, and I stole your link for my blog. I was just going to do a link to lds.org until I clicked on yours. Thanks for explaining how to do that!
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