Spiritual Weekend in Fresno

Through spiritual promptings and a caring brother, I was able to fly to Fresno, CA to be a part of Jeff's weekend of going through the LDS Temple and the baptism of his two boys.  I flew on a Thursday afternoon with Madeline and the flight went better than expected with a small baby.  It was so nice to be able to stay with Jeff and Jennifer and their boys and to be able to spend time with my parents who were also there.  On Friday we spent the day just hanging out together and preparing for our time in the temple with Jeff.  I was so impressed by how much he prepared himself throughout the day.  From watching spiritual church movies to reading his scriptures, I could see such a marvelous change in my brother Jeff.  It is amazing how our countenances do change when we are following the Savior.  Jeff shined all day long.  I just wanted to be close to him all day because of the wonderful spirit that radiated from his presence.  We left around dinner time to head to the temple and left the baby and the boys with Jennifer's cousin's teenagers who watched the kids while we were gone.  I was a little nervous to leave the baby but knew that things would probably be ok.  After getting our temple clothes on and heading into the Endowment room I was so overcome with emotion.  It took everything I had to not break down in tears before the session even started.  I looked over at Jeff and he looked so peaceful and calm.  This moment was one that all of us for many years had been praying for.   It was so nice to be in the temple with my parents as well.  It had been many years since we had been in the temple together.  There were so many people from Jeff's ward that came to support him in the temple.  They just kept bringing in additional chairs so that everyone could fit.  I had never seen anything like it.  The spirit that was in that room was SO STRONG.  Everything about that session was awesome.  It felt almost like I was experiencing the temple for the first time.  I didn't want it to ever end.  After our session was over we all waited in the Celestial room for Jeff to come through.  It was truly a marvelous moment to be all together in the Celestial room.  Families really can be together forever.  I have a testimony of that.  My testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ was strengthened so much through this experience.  I think for the first time in my life I finally have a deeper understanding of the Atonement.  I have never seen such a drastic change in someone I love because of the Atonement.  I'm so grateful I was able to be there to witness firsthand the wonderful change that has taken place in Jeff's life.  

The temple was wonderful and spiritual but our spiritual weekend didn't end with that.  The next day was the baptism of Logan and Matthew.  I loved being able to watch those sweet boys make their first covenants.  Again, Jeff looked so calm and peaceful.  As he laid his hands on those boys heads to confirm them members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints, the blessings he bestowed on both of them were incredible.  I found myself overcome with emotion again as the Spirit was really strong in that room.  The Spirit bore witness to me that God truly loves all of his children and He has a special plan for each of us.  The things I felt this weekend are ones I will never forget.  The spiritual boost I felt was one that I needed so desperately at this point in my life.  I am so grateful for the wonderful example that my brother is to me of perseverance, diligence, repentance, hope, and faith.  I definitely want to be more like him.