May 31, 2014
Today began bright and early!!! ok not so much! I actually slept in and Jill had to come to my room and knock on my door before I woke up. It’s a good thing I had a shower last night so all I had to do was quickly wet my hair, throw gel in it and dry it. The drying didn’t really happen since my hair dryer didn’t want to work… but hey who’s picky.
I went with Rachel Miller and Jill Harmon at 9 am where we caught the underground at south kensington and went over to the Victoria train station where we had to catch the train to Lingfield and then we took a two mile walk to the temple.
The london england temple sits in Surrey about a half hour train ride away from england. It was announced on Aug. 10, 1953 with the groundbreaking taking place on Aug. 27 1955. It was Dedicated on Sept. 7, 1958.
So we walked along the streets in Surrey and enjoyed the quaint cottages and most of them had a title like Willow cottage or Holly House, just simple little signs embedded in the brick fences. I have to say the countryside in Surrey, (Which is where the temple is located) is gorgeous! Granted the entire english countryside has been so green and lush that I almost don’t want to go home. Almost. Yeah Utah is rather brown and desert-y but it’s home.
Rachel was talking about how she would like to name her house something like that. So instead of saying so and so lives there, it’s more like, You’re looking for somerset lane or Aspen cottage at the end of the road. And then from that time onward, the house is known by that name. It’s a cool idea to look into.
Anyway, I digress. In Surrey we saw a ton of Hair dressers and Interior Design/Home Renovation shops. So I guess everyone there likes to look good on the outside and have splendid homes on the inside. The entire town felt like it was stuck in a time warp except for the fact that cars were zipping through town at crazy speeds. Or at least it felt like that.
We were walking for about 30 minutes and roughly 2 miles when the road curved to the left, (we had run out of sidewalk at this point) and just over the tops of the trees we could see the spire and the angel moroni. I can’t tell you how I have missed that sight. Once I had seen it, I felt like I wanted to run to it like a lost child that finally could see their home in the distance.
I didn’t for two simple facts. #1 my feet were killing me and #2 the road we had to cross was super busy and I had no desire to end up a splat on the ground. Yeah not so much.
But we got to the temple and got inside where we went into the session, which I have missed! The chaos of the world just melts away and for a few hours there is nothing but peace! I love the temple! This trip has made me think, there are a million opportunities every day to live contrary to how I have been raised. The world has surrounded me now on this trip more than ever before.
Yes even more than when I was a missionary. On the mission, the Lord protects His missionaries. He keeps them safe if they are obedient and helps them remain strong throughout the trials they face. I lived that I and I know how much the Lord is mindful of everyone of his children. Some of my other blog posts can tell you that.
But out here, there is drinking everywhere, smoking galore, alternative lifestyles and poor choices that people make. I could have abandoned everything and said for one month I will live it up. The idea of Eat Drink and be Merry attitude is rather prevalent. But for the life of me I can’t do that. I don’t see the appeal of going against something that I know brings inner peace and happiness. The world is trying so hard to find happiness, but in all the wrong places. Deep inside every person, is the knowledge of right and wrong. Truth rings loud and clear when challenged by wrong choices. As a result people can turn hostile.
But the truth never changes.
In Europe, or in the United States, in the present or in 1750 the truth NEVER changes. I am so grateful that the Lord could show that to me. I know many people that live alterantive lifestyles that I do not agree with. I will not judge them for it, it isn’t my place but that doesnt mean it’s right either.
The temple reminded me of the promises that are sure if we do what the Lord has asked. When we slip up, it’s ok. The Savior was chosen to make up for our mistakes as long as we continually try to be just a little better.
When I was sitting in the celestial room… oh by the way getting to the Celestial Room you had to go up a flight of stairs and then you enter it. It was so cool! I loved the entrance! and when we left the Crystal chandelier that hung in the staircase was Gorgeous! Crystal cylinders were grouped together in progressively smaller circles and the lights illuminated them and created a stunning masterpiece! I loved it!
anyway in the celestial room, I was reading the book of Isaiah, I love reading Isaiah in the temple I have received so many answers at the right time.
But I believe it was Isaiah 40 something, and I read the verses where it said, the lord will strengthen thee, help thee and lift thee up with his righteous hand. Totally the basis for How firm a Foundation. That is so true.
I don’t know where I will end up in the years ahead of me, and frankly it doesn’t matter. If I keep my foundation where it needs to be, centered on Jesus Christ and His teachings then no matter what trials or tribulations come my way, I know I will be ok. I love the Lord, and the gospel of Jesus Christ and I cannot imagine my life without it.
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