It's Forever

"I have a family here on earth. They are so good to me. I want to share my life with them through all eternity. Families can be together forever, through Heavenly Father's plan. I always want to be with my own family, and the Lord has shown me how I can. The Lord has shown me how I can." (Families Can Be Together Forever, Children's Songbook, pg. 188) With Jalen Andrew's adoption having been finalized last weekend, we were able to take him to the Mesa, Arizona Temple to be sealed to our family for time and all eternity, on the 21st (his first birthday). He looked so handsome all dressed up and ready to attend the temple. Inside he was dressed all in white, with a white turtle-neck shirt, a silky, white vest, and silky, white pants. He looked so sweet! I wish that I could have held him all day long in the temple. It is so peaceful, so beautiful, and so serene in there, and then to have our children with us in such a holy place, is an amazing feeling. Here's Joseph looking like a missionary - the future Elder Brewer. One of the only calm moments, James had all day. We had hoped that being in the temple would mellow him out, but no such luck. He kept busy trying to escape from the youth center, and even when he was brought into the Sealing Room, he kept wiggling, and touching everything. Here's Rebekah looking so beautiful and grown up. Christine was able to hold Jalen Andrew quite a bit in the temple, and even got to dress him in his white clothing. The workers were scrambling a bit this time, to get everything ready. For some reason, they were without a sealer, and had to find one at the last minute. Interestingly though, the sealer that they got was an old friend of my parents, Wayne Pratt, who is also the father of Dan (who sits next to Erik on the High Council) and Pam(Crow) who is in the Centennial Ward with us. Though it didn't seem all that organized this time, it left Erik and I both some time to just sit and reflect. I spent quite a bit of time in the Brides' Room waiting, and Erik waited near the baptismal font, and could hear the patterned splash through the walls. It was nice to have that down time to just sit and think. *************************************************************************** We had a small group with us: my parents, Erik's parents, Michelle & Alan, and Grandma Sandy. Sandy was able to hold Jalen Andrew at the altar, an experience that I think she'll never forget. It was neat to have her there and to participate in the sealing. Danielle and her sister Nicole, sat outside the temple waiting to congratulate Jalen Andrew and wish him a happy birthday. I'm grateful for their love and support, though I know it was hard on all of them. As we finished taking pictures, and began to depart our separate ways, the sun had just set, and the Christmas lights around the temple grounds had begun to shine in the darkness. What a beautiful and symbolic sight it was. It is in the darkness (the hard times in our lives) when we can see the light (the light of Christ) the best. His light shines all the time, but we often take it for granted (like the sunshine during the day), but in the dark and difficult times, we look for, earnestly seeking for the light to guide us through. Christ has always been that light for me, and I am thankful for His love and His guidance. I love my family! I love that we can be together forever!