Treasure the Temple

I lived in Mesa, Arizona for 7 years, close enough to the temple that it felt like it was practically in my backyard. By the time I was moving away, I had 3 children and had not attended the temple often within the previous 4 years. I had this odd notion that I could only go to the temple with Pat by my side. Our first move was within 1 and a half hours of the temple, to Kearny, AZ, and we quickly came to realize what a blessing it was to live so "close" to the temple. We made it our goal to go to the temple monthly, and our lives were blessed greatly because of it. When we moved to Silver City, New Mexico, it became a toss-up regarding which temple to attend. We are officially a part of the Albuquerque Temple district, and yet it is almost exactly the same distance from here to Albuquerque, NM or Mesa, AZ (4 1/2 hours either way). Due to the fact that we know many people on the way to, and in, Mesa, we have always opted to go there. It is now a goal that we have quarterly, and for the most part we have made that goal become a reality. We just went this past weekend, and the peace that fills my heart is tangible. It's hard to do such a whirlwind trip, (there & back in 36 hours....if that doesn't sound crazy enough for you, factor in 6 kids along for the ride!)...but I know our lives are blessed in more ways than we can count. If you live near the temple, don't take it for granted. Clear your schedule, make the time, and reestablish your priority to put God first in your life. Blessings await you for doing what's right!