Thursday, October 10, 2013

I love to see

Oh my goodness gracious, the past two weeks have been so awesome.
I don't know what it is about the leaves turning into gorgeous orange, red, & yellow hues,
the crisp autumn wind blowing through the trees,
and occasionally getting wiffs of smoke in the air from your neighbour's fireplace,
but it makes for the coziest, loveliest time of year.
It makes me want to cuddle up in a blanket and drink a steaming cup of peppermint herb tea, in a sweater that's way too big for me and a blazing fire. I just absolutely love it.
Especially when it rains, for some reason... the raindrops pattering on the roof and windows just makes it oh so much more peaceful.
It's just lovely. (:

Fall is definitely my favorite season. I am so grateful I live in a world that has Octobers. This fall, the changes in my life have been almost as beautiful - or even more so - than the vibrant forests and mountains outside!
I guess I've been neglecting my blog for a while, because I haven't announced where I'm going on my mission- woops!
I opened my call...
and it was kind of like this....
 
 
Bahahaha, that video cracks me up so much. But really.
 
I read...
Dear Sister Morris,
You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the.....
Arizona, Tempe Mission!!!
 
It felt so perfect! I can't wait to go and serve. It will be incredible. Just choosing to go and preparing has changed my life for the better.
Tomorrow I get to go to the temple. As excited as I am to be a missionary, in some ways I'm more excited for that (:
The temple is so, so beautiful, and inspiring on the outside.
 As someone whose been there, I can tell you that it is even more beautiful, peaceful, ennobling, and inspiring on the inside.
I'm just so happy, and feel blessed beyond what my heart can say to be able to go.
When thinking about it, the hymn "I Stand All Amazed" comes to my mind.
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
 
I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
 
The temple is so wonderful!
It's hard to describe to someone who doesn't know what it is, so I guess I'd better practice (since in a month that will be my life for the next year and a half, haha).
It's basically a place where you perform ordinances and make covenants - kind of like when you get baptized, and make a covenant - or a promise - to follow Jesus Christ. The temple is a place where people participate in ordinances that are designed to unite families together forever and help them return to God. Some of these ordinances include performing baptisms for those who have died without having the opportunity to receive the gospel, and also  being married for eternity as a husband and wife. It's a very sacred, beautiful, peaceful place.

 I think this video sums up quite nicely why Mormons build temples (:



and here's some cool facts about them! and also about our chapels.




and, wow this post is way too long - props to you if your still reading - I am just too excited for tomorrow - so here are some pictures of my favorite ones. (: Enjoy!



Salt Lake City, UT during Christmas - my favorite time of year to be there!



 
hopefully this will be me & my future handsome man someday (:
 

 
 the Nauvoo temple (:
My Grandpa helped with some of the sculpting and architecture details.
 

 
 
London, England.
 


Mesa, AZ - right outside my mission!!! :)



 
 
Recife, Brazil




Sacramento, California


Taipei, Taiwan



Toronto, Canada

and, last but not least,


the Washington D.C. temple (:


 

3 comments:

  1. Whitney, I am so happy for you! I'm so grateful that I can be there with you tomorrow. I still remember the day I went to the Temple to receive my Endowments like it was yesterday, though it's been a little over two years ago now! I had all these grand ideas of what the Temple would look like on the inside...And when I got there, it looked NOTHING like I thought it would! But it was so much BETTER, because it was finally REAL. The Spirit that is in the Temple changes you. It's SO amazing! And when you get to sit in the Celestial room...There is no better place to recharge your spiritual batteries! :) I am so thankful that Heavenly Father allowed me to meet you and to be able to call you my friend. You have been such a wonderful example for me. Thank you for not being afraid to bear your testimony, both with and without words. :)

    Congratulations, and make sure to write your experience tomorrow in your journal! You will definitely love to read it over and over again later on :)

    Love your friend and Sister,

    Amanda

    ReplyDelete
  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Of course there are those of us who read all the way to the end, because your story telling is so captivating! Those two videos are excellent choices. :-) I sure can't wait to hear the follow up to this anticipation. Love you! --Crazy Aunt Randi!

    ReplyDelete