Keepsakes

If you know anything about me, you know I love to save literally everything. If it is even remotely important, I stash it somewhere and stumble upon it years later when I'm cleaning out my car/wallet/nightstand and smile and then continue holding on to it. Maybe it's a problem... who knows. My very first grown up temple recommend was no exception- I really wanted to keep it. I had worked hard for it and it had the signatures of two men who mean a lot to me. Plus it's a cool keepsake for my wedding album. But, the policy exists that when you are issued a new temple recommend, the old one is turned into your stake president and destroyed. I'm sure it's for security purposes, but I hoped they would bend the rules for me just this once.
A couple months ago I went to get a new recommend because I wanted it to be from my current stake and have my new name on it. As I sat and waited for one of the members of the stake presidency, I thought about how I would go about asking if I could keep my old recommend. I figured it was a dumb idea because I knew the rule, but I just wanted it so bad. Then I realized that it doesn't matter if I keep my first recommend because I'm always going to have one. Sure, they might change the design of the paper or make them a different size, but I'm always going to have a temple recommend. I never have to be without it and I can hold it dear to me.
I went in to my interview and handed my old recommend to President Peterson. I mumbled "I sure wish I could keep it..." After taking a long look at it he said, "I sure wish I could let you keep it." And then I said "It's okay, because I know I'll always have one." It felt good. It feels good knowing I'm worthy to carry around my recommend and be in the House of the Lord.
I had the opportunity to go through the temple for the very first time a year ago yesterday. It was a sweet day and I'm so grateful for that experience and the blessing that have come from that decision. I'm grateful for Scott for sticking by my side and helping me prepare for the most important thing in my whole life. I'm grateful for President Chappell for pushing me and making me work so hard to get my first recommend. It truly made a difference. I love the temple and I am so grateful to be surrounded by so many beautiful castles.

If I had seen this picture five (or even two!) years ago I wouldn't have believed it. 

Seriously, #lifegoals

DFTBA