5 Fantanstic Years

When I was a Sophomore at BYU my roommates and I would go every Friday afternoon to the Mount Timpanogos temple to do baptisms. Back then gas prices where a lot cheaper and for one reason or another, we decided to drive out to American Fork to go to the temple each week, rather than going to the Provo temple which was less than 5 minutes from our appartment. I went every Friday afternoon for over a year until I left on my mission. The temple became my home away from home. I loved the workers, they became some of my best friends. My week was not complete without going to the temple.

After being "temple starved" for 18 months on my mission the very first thing I did when I got home was go to the temple. I must have been released as a missionary first because I went by myself to "my temple." I just wasn't completely home until I went there. It was SO good to be back! For the next two years I went as often as I could. I remember one sister worker asking me, "Why don't you work here? You might as well since you are here all the time." That was a while ago and "young" temple workers were very rare. I was also busy with school and had the sinking feeling that it would be difficult to fit that in with school and my current calling as Relief Society President. I remember talking Brother Hepler, a member of the bishopric who worked at the temple, about how great I thought it would be to work at the temple. We both agreed that there was probably too much on my plate at the moment, but that I should still keep going as often as possible.

In the Spring of 2003 I got my first teaching job and some girls from the singles ward and I decided to move out together. And so I was released from my busy calling. The last Sunday in the ward Brother Hepler pulled me aside and said, "I have a present for you. I just submitted your name to become an Ordinance Worker at the temple." He let me know that it might take a while, but to wait and see.

So, in May 2003 I was called and set apart as an Ordinance Worker at the Mount Timpanogos temple. It was a dream come true! Truly my hearts desire. I was one of the first "young" temple workers. It always made me smile when cute old people would come up and make some comment about how I looked like I was 12.

Over the past 5 years the temple has become more of a home than I ever thought possible. The people I work with are more than close friends, they are family. I have had so many experiences there that have strengthened my testimony and that have completely changed my life!
Unfortunately this last Thursday night was my last night working at the temple. Being pregnant makes it a little bit trickier to work the 6 hour shift. And if you thought I got some weird looks just as a really young worker, you can only imagine the distraction of a "great with child" temple worker. So Thursday was it. I didn't cry, though I felt like it all night. I never cry when I think it is appropriate! It has been the best 5 years! I am so grateful that Devin was able to join me working there for the last year and a half. Nothing is better than being there, with him, every week, for 6+ hours. As much as I love teaching, I don't think I feel quite the void from leaving that as I do from leaving the temple. I am grateful I can still go as often as I would like. I know when out little girl comes temple attendance will slow down dramatically. But I won't stay away too long, only as long as I have to. I told my friends on the Thursday night shift that I wasn't quitting working at the temple, I was just going on about a 25 year leave of absence. I'll be back, just you wait and see.