It's the little things that matter most

Lately I have been thinking a lot about the little things. Shay and I invited my sister, Amy and her son Kevin, my nephew, over Monday night for dinner at our cute little apartment. We had shake and bake chicken, with rolls, corn and mashed potatoes. We looked at wedding pictures and then had a short lesson about moments that matter most and watched a short clip from Mormong.org. In the short clip it shows moments of life that seem insignificant, but really define the course of our life. It testifies that it really is the small and simple things that determine the course of our living....and whether we are going to lead a life of happiness, or one of sadness...each moment matters and it would do us good to lift up our eyes and look for the simple and precious moments in life. There is also a quote from Elder Neal A. Maxwell, which I fell in love with.....it says, "Moments are the molecules that make up eternity". What we decide to do from day to day determine the path we will take. Yesterday, that simple principle was testified to me right before my eyes and I have come to develop a testimony of the "molecules" that make up eternity.

When Shay and I got married our sealer strongly suggested we go back to the temple as soon as possible because the bride, just having recieved her own endowments, forgets a lot of things. By going back while it is still fresh her mind, it is easier for her to recall those things that happened and their significance. Shay and I thougt this was sound advice and decided to take it and use it. So we set aside some time last night to go back to the temple and do some initiatories. We listened to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as we drove down to help set the mood and to help focus our minds. I was a little nervous and anxious to go, but had confidence that I would be okay. As we pulled up to the temple.....we saw all the gates were shut and there was a big sign that said "CLOSED, until September 4th". Shay and I just looked at each other and began laughing. Every time we haven't called down to the temple to make sure they have room, something goes wrong....you would think we would know by now to call down and make sure everything is "a-okay". However, this time it turned out to be a blessing. As Shay and I laughed, we pulled over to the side of the road and decided to get out anyways. We walked a long the outside, hand in hand, and reminisced about our wedding day and the day we took pictures. It was nice to talk about old memories and I loved the feelings it brought back as we did. We stood in silence for a couple of minutes and just looked at the temple. It gave me the opportunity to remember the peace I felt there when I went through to get my endowments and when I was sealed to Shay...something that I deeply needed to be reminded of, as my focus has been diverted lately to far less important things, like the stresses of school and work. As we got back in the car, we talked about what we should do next. We decided to drive up around the HUGE houses in Bountiful. It was nice to see that beauty comes in more ways than one, but it was also another moment where I realized that money isn't everything. I have always known this, but seeing those houses reaffirmed it even more. Shay and I have discussed several times, that we both desire a home where we can comfortably raise our family. A home that is large enough for all of us, but small enough to where it creates an environment of learning, safety, and love. I don't want my children to each have their own room, or to spend countless hours on video games and on the computer. Children need interaction....they need those social skills that will help them develop a positive self-esteem in themselves and help them build it in others. I want my home to be a place of laughter and togetherness....I think a lot of people in the world today, whether they are members of the church or not, miss out on this and forget the purpose of life and our duties as parents and mentors. Although looking at the HUGE houses in Bountiful made me think of those things, as I said before, it reminded me that beauty comes in more ways then one. If there is one thing about living up on the top of Bountiful that most people love, it has to be the view. Looking out and almost being able to see for what seems like forever, was amazing. Seeing the Great Salt Lake span clear across the Salt Lake Valley and then watching the sunset....it reminded me of the quote I had just heard the day before...."Moments are the molecules that make up eternity". After driving around for a little bit Shay and I became hungry and it has become tradition for us, that whenever we are in Bountiful, it is a must to stop at Nielson's. So without any hesitation we headed in that direction. We treated ourselves to a chicken sandwich for me, a grilled cheese for Shay and a cookies and cream concrete to share. However, the best time I had that night was on the drive home. Somehow Shay and I got on the topic of how we met...I swear to this day that it was the Spirit that pushed me to ask him out that one night at FHE, because every time I think of that moment in time, I cannot explain what made me move my legs, and call out his name....my only explanation is the guiding influence of the Spirit. That tiny and insignificant moment that changed the course of my life....forever. We talked all the way home and even sat in the car for several minutes, before we walked up to the apartment, up the three flights of stairs and found ourselves standing in our apartment....still talking about the feelings we had about each other and what lead us to make the decision we made....to marry each other for time and all eternity. Even better yet, later that night as we sat watching TV, I had this overwhelming feeling of love and admiration come over me, in which I turned my head towards Shay, took his hand and said, "I am so in love with you." Shay looked at me and smiled, then replied, "I am in love WITH YOU". The little moments or "molecules" of that night have made up an entire and complete memory. One that I will recall on for the rest of my life.....that complete and udder happiness that is rarely felt in this crazy and hectic world....