Day: August 3, 2013

Deer Creek Clinic 2013

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After I got home from the temple I went with my friend Tania to the Deer Creek Open Water Clinic which is held every year before the Deer Creek Open Water Marathon Swim that I am participating in for the 3rd year next week!  Last year I did the 5k but have less training and am doing the 1 mile this year.

For some reason there was a small turnout so basically Goody, Josh and Gordon put on the clinic for Tania and I, which was super nice.  They could have cancelled seeing it was just the 2 of us but they went ahead anyway and I was grateful (aren’t open water swimmers the nicest?). It was Tania’s first time swimming outside of Blackridge pond in Herriman and she was pretty nervous, but she did great!

I felt pretty good but my stamina is nowhere near what it was last year. 😦  However, I swam about 800 yards and it was good practice for Saturday.  Thanks to Josh and his boys for kayaking as I swam.  That was super nice.

I was thinking the other day- Doesn’t it seem like I’ve been open water swimming my whole life?  Its hard to imagine my life without it, and yet its only been 3 summers.  I first heard about it in July of 2011 and my friend Jim Hubbard took me to the Deer Creek Clinic and I was nervous just like Tania was and look how far I’ve come.  Pretty cool! http://smilingldsgirl.com/2011/08/05/deer-creek-clinic/

If you look at that post from my first swim it says it all:

“I did it! I did it! I did it! I swam in open water for a mile and held my own with people who had all done it before without a wetsuit. This is the best day of my life!”

I think Tania was feeling some of that as we left.  That’s what makes open water swimming or anything worth doing in life.  Its the people.  I know so many great people.  I always said I must have helped an old lady across the street in the pre-earth life because I don’t know what I did to deserve such great people in my life.  I watched my friends help Tania and was truly moved and thought of my long journey over 3 years and how great it has been.

Great people=A Great Life

Tania and me.
Tania and me.
Tania ready for her first big swim!
Tania ready for her first big swim!
Josh, Goody, Gordon
Josh, Goody, Gordon
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Double Temple Days

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So the last two days have been pretty awesome.  Yesterday I spent pretty much the entire day at my sweet cousin Danielle’s wedding.  We have gotten to know each other pretty well in the last 2 years and she really is a wonderful person.  When I moved she helped me the whole day including unpacking my entire kitchen.  One day she drove all the way from Provo just to bring me soup hearing I was sick.  She just has a heart of gold and I’m really glad we are friends.  I’m so grateful to call all of my cousins friends.

The ceremony was also very moving.  The officiant talked about the importance of staying connected as a couple and how the temple helps us to form eternal bonds with our loved ones.  I definitely believe that is true, even with friendships. The bond we build isn’t just for now but for eternity.  So grateful for that knowledge.

cousin
Danielle and Cory married for time and all eternity. I hope I can have that happiness someday. So happy for them.
wedding1
the wedding was so well done. Every detail from the flags on the ceiling, to the delicious food, to the photo booth was great and very vintage.
pie table
highlight for me was the pie table. Put that away for my wedding!
boquet
I caught the gorgeous bouquet.

So that was yesterday and then today I went with my dear friend Melissa to the temple for a session.  It had been a while since I went because for various reasons I got emotional last time and it was a taxing experience.  Its funny because when I worked at the temple I used to see people crying and think ‘what’s the big deal?’ and then I was one of those people. Life has a way of teaching you certain lessons that are hard, but we must never lose hope.

Anyway, I was waiting to feel emotionally strong enough to go again but I knew with Melissa’s support I’d be fine (she really is the best).  So we went and to our surprise there was a new temple video.  It was so neat.  It made me feel the spirit even more and you know what no crying!

Here’s what the deseret news says about it:

Beginning this week, a new temple film is being shown in several LDS temples.

“The new temple film is the first update in more than 20 years,” said church spokeswoman Ruth Todd. “There have been no changes to the script. English-language copies of the new film are being sent to temples over the next few weeks and will subsequently be translated into other languages.”

Mormon temple worship occurs in 141 dedicated temples around the world. It differs from regular weekly worship services that are held in thousands of local church buildings called meetinghouses. Temple worship is reserved for active church members whom local ecclesiastical leaders have recommended for their faithfulness to LDS doctrines and teachings, whereas weekly services are open to people of all ages and faiths.

Out of reverence for what Latter-day Saints consider the sacred nature of temple worship, Mormons are admonished to be circumspect about discussing the details of temple instruction.

I was moved and felt again that I am a part of the true church of Christ with His powerful covenants to lead and guide me.  I’m beyond grateful for that.  I know that if I make correct choices, repent of my sins, and keep my covenants I can make it back to Heavenly Father again and be able to serve Him forever.  This weekend reaffirmed that 100%.  I love my faith and I’m so grateful for the temple.

jordan-river-mormon-temple
The temple Melissa and I went to- Jordan River Temple