Heavenly Father prepared the way

Back in August, my dad gave me a Father's Priesthood Blessing, just like he does every year before school starts. In that blessing, he promised me that I would be called to the MTC as soon as I had my birthday- that I would go to a semester of school in the fall, then come home until my mission.
During the first week of school, I went to the academic advisors. Since my birthday is the end of March and missionaries rarely leave right on their birthday, they HIGHLY encouraged and pressured me to attend winter semester, put my availability date a month later, and I could finish a whole semester more before going.
LOGIC was screaming for me to register for winter classes and stick around a month longer. However, on my walk home, I went straight to the Riviera office and put my housing contract on the list to sell for winter. Usually, contracts are hard to sell and wouldn't even be looked at until November. But. ONE WEEK later, I sold my contract to a Brazilian girl, through the office.
Looking back, I gain a HUGE testimony of FAITH.
I sold my apartment contract in SEPTEMBER, believing that I wouldn't come back in January. I put March 18th as my availability because it is THE very day I turn 21. In DECEMBER I received my call. I report to the MTC on March 14th. ALL Nauvoo sisters come in that day. Had I stayed another semester, I COULDN'T have been called to my fore-ordained mission. As promised, I will be in the MTC the week of my birthday. Faith precedes the miracle. Heavenly Father prepared the way.

My first temple experience

On December 30th, I woke up with a feeling of peace and excitement in my heart. The day has finally come that I can go to the temple to receive my endowment and make special covenants with God. This day had long been anticipated. 

When I walked into the temple, I immediately felt the serenity that is promised in a house of the Lord. The men that scan your temple recommend knew who I was and greeted me happily. As I passed by those men, I looked ahead to see three beautiful women standing in white. They had bright smiles and greeted me as though I was the Queen of England. 

Sister Thurgood was designated as my very own special helper for the evening. She put her warm arm around my back and guided me to the dressing room. My mom changed in the stall next to me and I still remember walking out, both of us dressed in white. I listened carefully to the Initiatory work and instruction given to me. I felt a new sense of strength and power inside of me. Soon, it was time for the Endowment Session and my mom and I were taken into the first room. 

It was there that several loved ones entered the room. The familiar faces, all dressed in white with shining smiles greeted me. There is great power in the temple. Before temples are dedicated, the general public can tour during the open house period. They show the baptistry, the dressing rooms, the Celestial room, sealing rooms, etc. At the end of the Endowment Session, you walk into the Celestial room, which is glowing and sparkling with peace and serenity. The first person I saw was my dad. I went straight to him and gave him a huge hug. 

As I spent a little time in the Celestial room, I saw some of my loved ones. My heart soaked up the moment and the memories. One day we can live in the presence of God, with the people that we love. We will be happy beyond comprehension. 

After the temple, I went home and tried to sleep, but my mind was racing. So many new things take place in the temple. I kept thinking about everything and it started clicking. "This means this! That probably represents this....The words of this are so powerful..." The Spirit was teaching me as I pondered and prayed. By morning, I could hardly wait to go to the temple again! 

My first temple experience was absolutely amazing. When Sister Thurgood was walking me through everything, I never felt more safe, calm, or at peace. My parents, family members, and close friends were there with me for the Endowment session and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I found strength in knowing that my trusted loved ones knew of the blessings of the temple and attended regularly. I am so grateful that both of my parents are worthy to attend the temple and be there with me on that special day. It is a day of eternal significance and one that I will always remember. 

I am an ENDOWED member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There is power in that statement.