Receiving my endowment

Yesterday, I was able to go the Provo temple and receive my endowment.  It was such a great experience, though a lot to take in.  But I am determined to keep going back and keep learning and growing.  I love temples!

It was so neat to be surrounded by friends and family.  And, in an extra nice touch, it was the 16th anniversary of me being baptized and confirmed.  (Hence the collage of pictures of me on my baptism day, and of me after receiving my endowment.)

I could write a lot about the experience, but I won't.  I feel like I've been preparing to receive my endowment for a long time (and I guess I have).  I am glad I took the time to prepare that I did.  I am truly am grateful that I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and for the opportunity I have to worship in the temples of God and to become closer to Him.  

If you have questions about "Mormons" or want to know more about temples, feel free to ask me.  Or visit http://mormon.org/.  

Birthday!

I turned 24 yesterday.  Weird.  But it was seriously a fantastic day.  

I drove down to Brigham City after work on Wednesday to stay at my grandparents' house.  My mom and Jenna were already there, so that was great.  I was pretty tired, but didn't sleep the best, which was unfortunate.  But my mom made me a delicious breakfast in bed, which was awesome.  (It was always tradition growing up that you'd get breakfast in bed on your birthday.  But I haven't had that since I was a senior in high school, as I've never been home on my birthday.)  I had some of my grandma's fresh peaches from her garden, biscuits with sausage gravy, bacon, and German pancakes.  Delicious.

Jenna and I then went to both the Bountiful and Salt Lake temples to do baptisms.  I had never been to the Bountiful temple before, so that was cool.  The baptistry reminded me a lot of the baptistry at Mount Timpanogas.  (Which made more sense later, when I found out they were dedicated only about a year and a half apart.)  And I'd done baptisms in the Salt Lake temple once before, but I love it.  Such a beautiful and unique baptistry.  After doing baptisms in those two temples, Jenna and I stopped at the Meds in Motion pharmacy in Salt Lake that my dad is co-owner of my and cousin in the pharmacist.  Got to see my mom, dad, and a couple of cousins there.  (If you're in the area and need a great pharmacy, use them!  They're awesome!)  Jenna and I split a Firehouse Sub for lunch, as you apparently get a free one on your birthday if you show an ID.  Sweet.  

After that, Jenna and I got mani/pedis.  For her birthday back in March, I said I'd treat her to one and this was the first time I've seen her since then, so we did that.  It was fun.  Then we hung out at my old apartment briefly.  

Then we went to Tucano's as a family for dinner, which was wonderful.  It was the first time we'd been together as an entire immediate family since Christmas, and the first time the whole immediate family has been together on my birthday in 9 years, so that was great.  And, of course, the food was delicious.  The waiters were fantastic, too.  

We hung out at Mike's briefly, then Jenna and I went to the Provo temple and did baptisms there with our cousin Lee.  It was very neat for me to go and do baptisms one more time in the Provo baptistry on a Thursday night.  Four of "my" temple workers were still there, working that shift (there has been a lot of change in the workers in the past 10 months), and it was nice catching up with them.  Two of them are even going to try and come to the temple for when I receive my endowment today.

After baptisms, I opened presents and spent more time with family.  And my cousin Danielle had made a chocolate pecan pie that she shared.  (Are you seeing the theme of delicious food on my birthday?  Because there totally was one.)

And I can't forget about the inundation of birthday wishes from dear family and friends throughout the day.  I feel so loved.

As I said in my Facebook status update (yes, I am about to quote myself), "If birthdays are any indication of how good the next year is going to be, I'm about to have my best year yet!"  I seriously hope that is true.  :-)