Strength

Last Friday, I had the chance (thanks to Brennan) to go to the Temple.  It had been way too long since I had been, especially to an Endowment session.  I raced there and made it up to the Chapel at 10:29 hoping to make the 10:30 session, but no such luck.  The next one wasn’t til 11:15.  I’ll admit to having a small panic attack for a minute at the thought of sitting in the chapel, phone-less and book-less for 45 minutes.  I’d already read my scriptures that morning and just didn’t know if I had it in me to read the scriptures for 45 more minutes. 
I took a deep breath, calmed myself down and closed my eyes to pray.  It was the perfect opportunity to express the concerns I brought with me to the Temple.  The things I really need guidance on.  I prayed silently for a long time and poured my heart out.  Then I opened the Book of Mormon to the index.  I thought for a minute what one word might sum up what I needed.  It came to me, “strength”.  It was perfect, it’s exactly what I need in my life this year.
In years past I’ve tried to pick one word as my mantra for the year.  I knew right then in the Temple chapel that my word for 2014 is “Strength”.  I started looking up some of the references listed in the index with my word.  I only had time to look up a few, but one of them was, “…yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my god shall be my strength.”  1 Nephi 21:5.   I love that one.   The next one was “Awake, awake, put on thy strength, O Zion…” 2 Nephi 8:24.  I wondered what that meant, how do does one put on one’s strength?  The footnote had my answer, in D&C 113: 8 it says, “…and to put on her strength is to put on the authority of the priesthood…”.  I was so excited, not only did I have my new word, I now had a way to access the strength I need, the priesthood. 
Those 45 minutes flew by.  I went into the session and it was beautiful.  It was a new film and I was completely absorbed and touched by it.   I went home and had a nice mellow afternoon and evening running kids around. 
Saturday was a busy, productive day topped off with a great date with Brennan.  We ate at Dickey’s and had great conversation then went home and watched a movie.  Sunday morning was Fast Sunday.  I knew just what to fast for.  Anna has had some challenges lately so both of us requested a priesthood blessing from Brennan.  He gave each of us a beautiful blessing filled with promises, encouragement and reminders of a tender Father in Heaven’s love for us.  Promises and encouragement regarding specific things that have been on my mind.  Some of which Brennan knew some he didn’t.   I’ll never get over the amazing gift blessings are.  To sit at the hands of someone I love so much and have him then open the door to an all-knowing, perfect Father is just plain miraculous.  I know there are some women who feel sad to miss out on the opportunity of holding the priesthood, but one of my favorite parts of participating in priesthood ordinances is the process of  humbly turning to my husband and asking him to administer his gift in my behalf  and the responsibility he humbly accepts in doing so.  It’s binding in way I can’t describe.
I feel so blessed and so excited and renewed.   I am known and loved and strengthened by Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ.