Sunday, July 28, 2024

Feather River Temple

I had looked forward to going inside the Feather River Temple for almost a year.  I have to admit that it turned out to be an awkward experience.  It is very boxy inside and there are lots of doors...everywhere. 

There is a Chapel, and it felt large. I was sitting in it with Wes, 2 sisters, my bestie, Peggy and another Temple worker when in comes my brother and his wife Nancy. They were going to do sealing with Pete as the sealer. Now let me explain that both of Wes's brothers knew we were going to be there because apparently they read the list everyday.  Back to the story.  As near as I can tell, Pete must of told them we were in the Chapel and sent them in to say hello?  It was odd and it threw me off my game, not a good feeling. I knew what he was going to do, but I just couldn't believe that he would not mention it.

My mom had a still-born baby between my brother Jay and me while my dad was in the Army. They were living in Kansas.  He choked on the cord about a week before he was born. My mom had not felt him move and she knew. He was named and buried in Ammon Idaho. At the time and for a very many long years, the church did not seal still-borns to their families.  The policy changed, they do it now. I never said anything, because my dad would not have been able to get to the Temple and it just wasn't going to happen until he died and the Temple opened. 

I also knew that Ty had his name. He's had since the week after my mom died. It had never been printed. I check Family Search every week. It's public record. It had never occurred to me that he would bring that name to Yuba City, come in and greet me, and then seal my brother to his parents and never say a word about it.  I was astounded. Pete told me about it as we were leaving the Temple. It also means that Nancy was proxy for my mom.  Pretty sure I felt her roll over in her grave. - Sorry, I believe we all will change our attitudes in the next life, just not right away - I was pretty blown away and did not say anything to anyone that day but Callie. Then, as we were leaving the dinner, I told Tiffany and realized that it really was an awful thing by the look on her face. Why on earth would you bring a family name to the Temple and not share the experience with your family?  If he had taken care of it in Utah, I wouldn't have cared, but this seamed deliberate, disrespectful and judgmental. 

Well, she told her mom and Allison was very upset by it also. I did send Ty a text to tell him that it was a terrible thing to do. He said he didn't do itinually, blah, blah, blah. My response was is that stupid that he would not think about inviting his family. And let me tell you, after the last year,  my family could have used this experience. I mean, any family could have benefited from some bonding in the Temple.

So I ask myself, If thinking about your family does not come natural to you,  I really feel like they decided that no one would should the family be offended? I really think they decided that no one would be worthy of going to the Temple, and certainly, not everybody could, but there were a lot of people that were worthy and we were in the same town and he should of asked. 

Is it unforgivable?  Yes, absolutely, you don't say, 'Gee, I'm sorry you didn't think of your family, that were in the same town (which never happens). No worries, we love that you didn't think of us, or invite us or find us worthy of your company.' What you do say is,' I'm sorry that you let an opportunity to be with your family in the Temple pass by and that you didn't share this day, we have all been waiting to happen for years and years. And by the way, you missed a very sweet experience by not going to the Celebration of Life with every person in your family on a Sunday.'

There is no redo for either event. It's over. It's done. I move on. I was in the Twin Falls Temple yesterday and felt an overwhelming joy that Danny had to be feeling the importance of this ordinance. I wasn't thinking of this story, I just felt joy. 

So my trip to the Feather River Temple didn't go so well. I am still so happy that it is there. I know that the people in this temple district are truly blessed. I also know that they are all The House of the Lord. There is not one better than the other. They are all His and He wants us all to be there. 



It was a hot day. It was a busy day. I wanted to be with my grandkids. I loved running into friends and family there. I was in Yuba City with my mom during the open house. I thought about stopping on my way back from the hospital several times, but I was waiting for Wes, but that also didn't work out. I was glad to go there. 

 What happened with Ty was one of many things that happen with Ty. 

The work it real. 

Families can be Together Forever. 

Life is good.  Sometimes you have to make decisions about who gets to hold a piece of your heart. 



Sunday, July 21, 2024

Redwoods

We had a delightful trip to the Redwoods in Crescent City with Keith, Todd, Callie and their families. 


My favorite 9 people on the planet. 



We started with tidepools. There were so many starfish. 


We had a few hikes. They were all amazing as we walked among these glorious trees. 


My hiking buddy is always Norah. 



Maybe not so quiet, but a joy to be with family. 

 
We did go to Trees of Mystery. Which was fun. 

We rode the Gandala. Those things go fast until they stop midway. I may or may not have uttered a prayer. 
I was alone. 


We had after dinner walks, games and enjoyed each other.

There was so much beautiful nature around it was had not to remember the scripture in Alma that says, Everything thing denotes there is a God. 




The weather  was perfect and the kids played and laughed. I hope they  remember that 
Family is Everything