Wow, I have 30 days and I'm gone for 18 months. When I opened my call, I had 90 days until I reported to the Provo MTC and now I have 30 days. WHERE IN THE CRAP DID THE LAST 60 DAYS GO?!? The past 60 days since I got my call have been eventful... trips to Bear Lake, Team Leader at a summer camp, volleyball 24/7, mission prep, camping, and much more.
Of all the past 60 days, July 30th will be the most memorable. July 30th I took some of my closest friends and family members to the Ogden Temple as I received my own endowments. The temple is a very special place and I hope all can one day enter The House of The Lord like I did. David A. Bednar said something that I love, he stated that "The temple is a point of intersection between heaven and earth." I can't begin to tell you how true this is. I have never felt so close to heaven than I did the moment I entered the temple. The moment you enter the doors, the world can no longer touch you. You become separated from the world and you feel so close to heaven. The temple is a piece of heaven that our Heavenly Father has given us. Please take time to go to the temple as much as you can. Whether it is baptisms, endowments, or simply sitting on the grounds. We have been blessed with so many temples close to us. I can testify that when you feel as everything is falling apart, you will feel the peace you are searching for at the temple.
Let me tell you something, after I enter The House of The Lord, the next two weeks I felt as everything was falling apart. I felt empty inside, depressed, and alone. I would randomly start bursting into tears for no reason. I was an emotional wreck, making me embarrassed and ashamed. As I was sitting outside the temple at 1:00 AM I received a text that I want to share. It said:
"these next several weeks are going to be the hardest you'll ever go through. Satan knows the influence and power you will have, he knows you are going to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who don't have it and he wants to stop you. Don't let him win, don't let him get you down. Never forget you're a child of our Heavenly Father and sister to our Savior. They will never leave you alone, they will never stop loving you."
I took this text to heart and I gained the greatest lesson out of this trial. When you are making the greatest decisions in life or simply living a Christlike life, it doesn't mean it's always going to be rays of sunshine. Satan will attack and trials will come. There is always light at the end of the tunnel but you can't stop in the middle of the tunnel and give up, you have to endure to the end of the tunnel to feel the light once more. A dear friend of mine once said "Remember that Jesus Christ never gave up on you in the Garden of Gethsemane so don't you dare give up on him." We have someone who understands every joy, pain, happiness, sadness, and any emotion we feel. When you feel as if you can't go on, remember that someone knows exactly what you are going through. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is powerful if you apply it to your life daily.
The good, the bad, the ugly.... I'll take it if that means I'm one step closer to living with my Father in Heaven and my Savior. I can testify to you that you are NEVER alone. Someone is always there for you. Seek for the Lords hand in your life everyday. I promise you that if you make a point, to look for miracles everyday, you will see how much our Heavenly Father and Savior are in your life. I love this gospel and the peace I recieve from it. I know that it's not always going to be easy but in the end, it'll be worth it. I love you all so much.
XOXO
Soon to be Sister Detamore
