Work on Both Sides

Its been so long since I have written! I am not going to promise more consistent posts because I don't know if I could be true to that😄 I hope you enjoy this one! It's a little long but it has been on my mind for while so here it is!!

During this last summer I had the opportunity to sale pest control door to door. It was a great experience! During the summer I had the opportunity to fly home from Texas to listen to my younger brother give a talk before he heads out on his mission to Georgia. He did a great job! I spent a lot of time reflecting on my own mission and the experiences he will have that will shape his life forever. He is doing an incredible job! About two weekend following Jake leaving I flew home again but this time it was for the funeral of a dear cousin of mine, Chris. She is 5 years older than me but I have always looked up too her. She is one of those people who can make friends with anyone and was always doing good. While it was an unfortunate circumstance to come home too I have been so grateful for the spirit and the peace it has brought to not only me but to my whole extended family.

After Chris' passing I have spend a lot of time pondering the afterlife and the work that goes on there. There is no doubt that Chris is in the front lines teaching anyone who will listen about the gospel of Jesus Christ. She exemplified that in her life! I know she is continuing to do that in the Spirit World!

These last few weeks Jonathon and I have spend quite a few weekends with his family for the funerals of his Uncle Preston back in December and his Grandpa and Grandma Sharp who passed away 18 days apart. They were both such incredible people and set a huge example for everyone who knew them. I was especially grateful for the sweet way they welcomed me into their family when I married Jonathon. It seems when we loose someone so close to us we want to better ourselves and live our lives similar to the way they did, a little more kind, a little more Christ like. Having attending these funerals and spent a lot of time thinking about the Plan of Salvation I can't help but feel so grateful for the opportunity we have to work right along side those who have passed on before us to bring salvation to the dead.

When they say that the Spirit of Elijah is contagious, I think I finally know what that means. About a month back Jonathon and I have been working on finding names to take to the temple. One of our Institute teachers had introduced us to Hope Chest that will search ancestors on Family Search that don't have their work done, all we need to do is request their names. During the last little while we have worked on family history we have found over 400 names that need their work completed. It has been incredible to see how much we love doing family history.

Each time we attend the temple I can't help but imagine Chris or Grandma or Grandpa or Preston, teaching the people we are standing in proxy for, preparing them to understand what is taking place if they choose to accept it. Soon after Chris died I was overcome by gratitude to work along side our family who are teaching family on the other side of the veil. I thought of Jacob in the mission field working more literally with those in the spirit world, baptizing and teaching people who will then be able to connect their families together. I don't think we even being to understand the joy that comes to those who have passed on, who are waiting for their work to be done here and are so anxious to be able to move on in their spiritual journey. I am thankful for temples! I am thankful for the power that going to the temple provides for us when we decide to make it a bigger part of our lives. I am grateful for how it softens our hearts to more important things and invites a richer deeper spirit into our lives. If you haven't experience that I would recommend you make a goal to attend more often than you are now. I know it will bring a great peace into your life! And bring your own names if you can! That is an incredible experience to stand in place of your family! I love the Lord! I know He loves you and wants the very best for you! He provides the greatest joy there is too offer! Eternal Joy!!