Suzi - Temple

Suzi made the incredible decision to go through the temple. She was ready to receive all of the blessings that was waiting in store for her and receive greater knowledge regarding the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Suzi prepared long and hard for this opportunity. She took temple classes, studied like crazy, read the entire standard works and really prayed hard and fasted that she would be ready mentally, emotionally and spiritually to make the necessary covenants with her Father in Heaven.

As Suzi went through this process, I was in awe watching her. Don't get me wrong, Suzi has always been amazing, that is why we have been such great friends for so long. But, as Suzi set this goal and worked so hard to achieve it, I saw so many wonderful changes in Suzi. Her heart was softened, she seems more at peace, she is happier and she has a light about her that you can feel her love for her Savior.

As Suzi prepared to go to the temple, she read a lot, prayed a lot and we had some amazing conversations about the gospel, why we are here on this earth and what steps we need to take in order to return to our Father in Heaven. Suzi going through this experience really helped me to take a step back, focus on my testimony, where my relationship stands with my Savior and focus on what areas I want to improve.

I had such a wonderful feeling while in the temple. I felt my Savior close. I felt His loving arms wrapped around me. I had the desire to be better, try harder and trust more in His plan for me. I am so grateful for those gentle reminders that He loves me and wants me to be better.

As I looked over at Suzi during the endowment, she was just soaking it all in like a sponge. She was so ready to be taught, to learn more about the Savior and His plan for her, and so anxious to follow all the commandments and principles that the Savior taught us. Suzi has such an amazing heart. She genuinely loves and cares about people. She has mastered the art of service. She tries with all of her heart to meet any needs that arise around her. She is forgiving. She is patient. She is fun. She is caring. She is a great friend to me and everyone she meets. She gives her all. She is an example to me in so many areas that I cannot even express.

I am so grateful for Suzi and her friendship. The way that she will jump to help me whenever I need her. I am lucky and fortunate to call her my friend. I am so thankful that I was able to be in the temple with her as she chose to pattern her life after the Savior and follow in His ways. I am so proud of you, Suzi! I love you and am grateful you are my friend!
Me, Suzi and Jodi...sisters.
I will always remember Suzi going through the temple. I had been sick and wasn't sure how I was going to make it through, but knew that within the walls of the temple, I would be safe and protected. I learned so much that day about my Father in Heaven and His plan for me. All did not change just because I walked inside those temple doors. I still had a seizure. I almost passed out. In fact, I was so sick that they had to get a wheelchair to come get me and it was close to me leaving the temple on a stretcher. My illness did not vanish in the temple that day. What did happen, was that I was surrounded by love. I was surrounded by help. I was surrounded by peace from my Father in Heaven, I was comforted, I was taken care of, I was given what I needed.

The experience changed me. I have spent so much time thinking about all I went through within those sacred temple walls that day. There are a lot of emotions tied up with that day. If I had to choose just one word to describe that day, it would have to be GRATITUDE. Gratitude that so many people cared, loved me, helped me, took care of me and gratitude that Suzi was being able to experience all the wonderful blessings of taking part of the temple experience.

It is a day I will always remember with a very special place in my heart. Thank you, Suzi for allowing me to be apart of this special day! It means so very much to me that you wanted me to be there for you. There is no where on earth I would have rather been. I love you, Suzi and the amazing person and friend that you are!