"Between Heaven and Earth"

This past weeks have been great!  A lot of things have happened.  School keeps me on my toes, but I've been able to find peace and happiness amongst the caos.  Life is my garden, so I'm going to dig it and make it the best I can.  I've been thinking a lot this week about Temples and so I feel it only fitting to say a little something something about the importance of Temples to me.

For those of you that may not know what a temple is or want to learn more about them, take a look at the video or the following link :

OR :  Frequently Asked Questions

Temples are a connection for us between Heaven and Earth.  We can draw closer unto our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

A week or so ago, I was able to talk to a man named Ariel Lopez.  I taught him and saw him be baptized when I was serving as a full-time missionary in Santa Rrrrosa, California.  Ariel is currently preparing himself to visit and enter into the House of the Lord.  He has plans of going to the temple soon.  I'm super excited for him because I know of the peace that it can bring into our lives.

The following words of a simple children's him have been in my mind as I've thought of him :

"I love to see the temple.

I’m going there someday

To feel the Holy Spirit,

To listen and to pray.

For the temple is a house of God,

A place of love and beauty.

I’ll prepare myself while I am young;

This is my sacred duty.

 

I love to see the temple.

I’ll go inside someday.

I’ll cov’nant with my Father;

I’ll promise to obey.

For the temple is a holy place

Where we are sealed together.

As a child of God, I’ve learned this truth:

A fam’ly is forever."

Going to Brigham Young University, I have had the opportunity, living in Utah, to visit 3 different Temples of the Lord.  I feel at home every time that I enter or even visit.  The Spirit is strong and leads us to reflect and ponder things of eternal importance.  Or even SIMPLE things like the fact that God is Our Loving Heavenly Father.  He knows us by name.  He knows our trials, our thoughts, our feelings, our needs and how to best help us.

Every year, around this time,Temple Square in Salt Lake City is lit.  Lights compliment the beauty of the Temple, as we remember the Savior's Birth and Life this Christmas Season.

Alyssa and I enjoyed the lights here, after a delicious Chipotle Burrito of course.  We saw many people that we knew and who we hadn't seen in a long time.  In many ways the Temple really can bring others closer to each other.  It is always good to reminisce on the good times.

I'm grateful for Temples that allow our families to be together forever, not just in this life, but even after death.  Imagine that for a second, you can live with your family and loved ones forever.  Nothing brings a smile to my face more than that, to know that I can see again, meet for the first time, and even live with family members who have passed on.  My appreciation for this has grown as I have felt a closeness to my loved ones, now gone, while visiting the Temple.

I'm also grateful that I am able to forget all of my worldly worries outside and find a peaceful calm, which often is tough to find these days.  Like most of you know, I worry and think about a lot of things... a lot of things...  so I can take those things that are bothering me and counsel with the Lord.  No greater peace can come as you counsel with The Master.  He carries our burdens and fills us with peace. 

Another thing that I'm grateful for, is Christmas... but it isn't because we often get presents, and there isn't any school.  I like family.  I like the happiness that Christmas brings.  I like to be happy and I like to see others happy.  You will never be unhappy as you gift something to another, or you serve another.  That's what makes this season so jolly.

Remember to "Keep on keepin' on" this Christmas Season.  Don't forget the true reason to why we give gifts and celebrate.  For unto us child was given... the Prince of Peace.  May He fill your life/garden with peace as you constantly "DIG IT !!"

Keep on keepin' on

Life's a garden... DIG IT !!

muchoLOVE

joshOGLE

The following is "just for fun..."

Life's a garden... DIG IT !!

"Keep on keepin' on.  Life's a garden... DIG IT !!" 

These words mean a great deal to me.  Whenever I quote these profound words, I say that they come from a great philospher when in reality they are the words of a common man named Joe Dirt.  Just because they are from a simple minded, less than normal man does not take anything away from the deep meaning that they have.



LIFE isn't LIFE without a SMILE



To me, it means that no matter what happens.... We can and must continue.  Sometimes we are given hard times or challenges, but we have to just keep on keeping on.  There is no other choice in my mind.  I'm not a quitter.  As I powered through the tough times of school, I was blessed greatly with this Thanksgiving break, and I'm taking advantage of it.  It's the same in our lives, we find hard times, we power through them putting our Faith in God, and in Him we can find the "long-lasting Thanksgiving break."

Christ said, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
(John 16:33)

MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE PICTURE OF CHRIST,
I'M SURE YOU CAN GUESS WHY ...

THE SMILE

Through Christ, we can find TRUE PEACE in this life.  We can be of GOOD CHEER knowing that He is by our side in all things.  He knows our challenges, and He knows the best way to handle them.  He is the Master.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught us that "the way we react can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life."

 

He was counseled by his mother:"COME WHAT MAY, AND LOVE IT !"

 

It's simple enough...

 

 

KEEP ON KEEPIN' ON

LIFE'S A GARDEN... DIG IT !!

 

 

muchoLOVE

joshOGLE