heaven met earth that night in the temple ~ revised~

In March 2009, I was quite pregnant with the Rooskii, it was storming and cold outside, and it was also time for our children to go to bed. But we had tickets to go to the Draper Temple Open House. And we were not going to miss it. We loaded up the van as it got darker, later, and snowier. We even contemplated not going. But up the mountain we went. And into the temple we filed with tons and tons of other people to see the newly built house of the Lord.

Now, usually at 8pm on the dot, Bugg is ready for bed. He gets cranky, his lids get heavy, and he wants to go to dreamland. And Mia was 4 at the time. You know how that can go passed bedtime. But the second we entered that holy place, they were both so reverent and attentive. Brian & I were surprised and impressed.

It was a silent tour. There was no guide. Just a long line of people silently and slowly walking through the different rooms of the beautiful and peaceful temple. Not once did either of my babes whine, get bored, or fall asleep. (Bugg often falls asleep in his chair.) And my back never screamed out from my baby bulge. Mia was so interested and followed along with the brochure they'd given us at the entrance.

The last place of the tour was the sealing room, a very gorgeous and special room where couples and families are united for time & all eternity. Yes, indeed, there IS such a thing as happily ever after. I KNOW this is true.
There were ushers at the door that had people come in and sit down. They shut the doors. It was completely quiet and amazing. The room was so bright and illuminated by a breathtakingly wondrous chandelier and mirrors that go on forever. And then.............

......Bugg burst out laughing. HARD. Loud. And veeeery hearty. All eyes were on us. Thankfully, they were humored eyes. I just smiled and gave a lil' wave like, "yeah, I know,isn't he cute?" There was an older missionary couple standing in the middle of the room, with all the chairs facing them. The man began by explaining the sealing ordinance that takes place in that sacred room, that couples could be married and their children sealed to them for all eternity. Now mind you, Wyatt was STILL laughing. The man was having to talk over his roar. Brian actually got Wyatt out of his wheelchair and went to leave the room but the usher motioned for him to stay. So Brian is just standing there, with one hoopla of a boy. The feeling in the room was mighty, heavenly and absolutely pure and beautiful.

Then the woman, clearly emotional, says, "I am thankful for the sealing ordinance because we just lost our handicapped daughter in December."

Oh
my
goodness.

I felt God's love just completely wrap me up. My eyes were blurring and tears were coming. My heart felt like fire. I looked around. Did anyone else know how special this moment was, too? They were all emotional. Awesome! They felt it, too!

And then the ushers opened the doors and the tour was over. The sweet sister missionary came directly over to Wyatt, scooped him out of Brian's arms without saying anything, and just cried and kissed Wyatt all over his face. It was a truly heavenly experience.


I wonder what these eyes see? Did he see an angel in that room? What was going on that would make Wyatt react so joyfully? He is so in tune with God & heaven, I know it. Afterward, Brian & I couldn't even talk. We were both so filled by what had just happened. We didn't get any pictures that night but it will forever be written in my mind and heart. We went back just this last Sunday to take some pictures.

I'm so grateful for the experiences that our family can share because of Wyatt. I love that he has such an understanding big sister that watches out for him and will learn so much from him, too. Mia still remembers this night.

We are forever.