A Special Day for Ellie

As I mentioned in this post, Ellie's mission call took a while to arrive.   When she realized that the timing was likely to be close to Adam's return home, she made a decision that she wanted to  attend the temple for the first time in that window while we were all together in Idaho.   She was hoping that we could attend the Rexburg temple together on the way home from Island Park, since, after a year at BYU-Idaho,  Rexburg is now a place that is meaningful to her.  Unfortunately the Rexburg temple was closed at that time.   She debated about what to do, but decided it was too good of an opportunity to pass up, so she decided on the Idaho Falls temple instead.  It was still on the way home from Island Park AND it's the temple my parents were married in 52 years ago, so there's some special familial significance as well.

So, on the way home from Island Park, we stopped in Idaho Falls for the night.  We rented an Airbnb, which meant we all got to stay together, however we had not noticed in the description that there was only one bathroom.  That seemed like a bit of a stretch for them to advertise a place that sleeps 12 with only one bathroom, but it was only for a night, so we somehow made it work.   Ellie and I got up bright and early and WALKED to the temple (one of the  big perks about the Airbnb).  As her escort, I got to be with her while she met with the temple matron and went through the pre-endowment process.  

Later, Glen, Adam, Cami, Emma, and my mom met us for the endowment session.   Garrett stayed back to take care of Lucie and Oliver.  It was a wonderful feeling to be together in the temple and I loved being a part of Ellie making those  covenants that will bring her closer to the Lord. 

My mom had taken the shuttle up to Idaho Falls the day before, so she could be a part of this special day as well.  As I mentioned previously, her and my dad had been married there 52 years ago, but weirdly, she'd never been back.  The Idaho Falls Temple was the temple for where she grew up in Star Valley, Wyoming, but after their wedding, they never lived near it again.  The Idaho Falls Temple has some unique features to it, which made it an extra special first experience for Ellie and extra special to have my mom there for it. 

We are so proud of Ellie and the decision she's made to serve a mission and to covenant with the Lord in the temple.  

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Are you familiar with the temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints?  If not, you may have questions about terminology and other things I've mentioned in this post.  

Here is a little synopsis that may help you understand a little more:

WHAT ARE TEMPLES? 
"Temples are places of reverent worship where members strive to commune with God. Members are taught important gospel truths, such as the plan of happiness offered by our Heavenly Father, the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the divine nature of each person and the great blessings offered to all of God’s children. The primary purpose of temples is for members to participate in sacred ceremonies rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ."   Source

ABOUT THE ENDOWMENT:

"The word endowment means gift. Those who receive the temple endowment receive various blessings, such as greater knowledge of God’s purposes and the power to resist temptation and follow Jesus Christ.

The endowment ceremony teaches of God’s love for all of His children and His plan for their happiness. Participants make special promises with God called covenants. They covenant to obey God’s commandments and follow Jesus Christ. In return, God promises wonderful blessings in this life and the opportunity to live with Him as eternal families after this life." Source