It has been a long time since I have been so happy as I am in this photo. The wait that was ended for Libby and the weight that was lifted for me was exhilarating. As I sat just off the Celestial Room in the temple and thought about how long it took me to get there, I kept thinking about the dream Joseph F Smith had on his mission. President Hinckley retold it in April priesthood session last year. When Joseph arrived at his destination he was reproved with "Joseph, you are late," to which he responded, Yes, but I am clean - I am clean!" I am so grateful that the atonement of Jesus Christ allows me to arrive late, but clean. I would rather start late and go long than start early and fall short. Before this, that would have sounded like an excuse, but now, I hope it sounds like a resolution. When I stepped out those temple doors, I whooped loudly and claimed my prize. No power in the universe can take my prize from me now. She is mine as long as I am true to her and He who gave her to me. I was thinking just yesterday that I knew I wanted her before I ever saw her, and now I have claimed the world's greatest treasure before the world saw her full worth. I felt it seven years ago and I feel just as much now: I have smuggled the pearl of the Earth away to myself because the world saw only the oyster. Oh the cleverness of me! By the time the rest learn what I have, it will be too late to compete for the prize. I win! I win! The treasure goes to the seer! I saw her first, and I see her now, and I will ever celebrate my victory.

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I love that Michael was so excited by this day. I enjoyed the quiet contemplation of it all.

The answers and joy received in moments of contemplation often have no words to

communicate the feeling. I had my family around me and the spirit of the Lord flowing

through my flawed being. He is merciful.

I knew that I would finally be sealed to Michael and no experience would ever be able to outdo

or undo what was taking place as I kneeled across the altar from him.

My Boy, My eternal companion, My best friend, My biggest fan, My greatest Trial,

My greatest Joy and greatest Blessing.

The Lord is merciful and good.

There were many tender experiences that day. Many I can not relate, but tears still come to my eyes as I recall the moment I jumped in my seat startled at the shouting I heard. When I looked around and realized no one else heard it. I knew that I was hearing shouts of joy from beyond the veil. My composure didn't return to me until we were exiting the temple in the picture above.

The dinner we had with my family at the condos following this was the perfect end to a joyous day.

The Lord is merciful, good, and HE LOVES ME!

Living Treasure

When Beth and I first made contact, it was with the idea of talking about cartoons with another adult, but we spent so much time talking about religion and the gathering of Israel, that we hardly thought about cartoons. As it happened, the topics were connected in my view. Just weeks before, I had gone to see Disney's Altlantis: The Lost Empire. The idea that the Earth holds great secrets that could change the world and that it was up to the idealistic, unappreciated few to discover it filled me with excitement. In fact it overwhelemd me with enthusiasm. I sat in the theater thinking to myself that the reality is far more fantastic than the fantasy. I had adopted the motto, "There is no treasure but living treasure," and the earth is full of living treasure! The villians in the movie were those who valued nonliving treasure over living treasure. In that story, even the non-living treasure was very much alive. Some of us feel the treasure calling us. I see treasure everywhere. Living Treasure is God's treasure, and He gives it life and protects it. Look around; you'll see it's true and plentiful. I love Living Treasure!

Happy Beginnings

The anniversary of the day Michael and I met is soon at hand. It seems so appropriate that we are soon to be sealed as well.

It has felt in many ways like the wait has been forever. At the same time I can't believe that it has been seven years since we met and almost seven since we married.

I have given myself the impossible task of making a dress for the sealing. I fear it may turn out like many of my other projects and it will only serve to bring out my insanity and thus Michael's.

I'm trying to be good. Right now the anticipation has me overwhelmed all by itself. I have enjoyed being married to Mic and look forward to making that bond eternal.

The sealing ordinance also seals me to the Shelton family. This thought almost fills my heart to bursting.

Michael and I are going to try and take this week to more fully prepare for the sacred experiences we hope to have by more fully shutting the world out of our lives.

For those of you who may be coming to the sealing it will be in sealing room 5 off of the Celestial room at 2:00pm. Michael and I will be doing a session earlier in the day. Please bring whites if you are coming.

We hope that we will soon be writing about this beautiful and sacred experience.

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