What heavens sees in me...

Unfortunately, it had been a bit of a dry spell without regular temple attendance. It's amazing the difference a couple months can make. But today I went to do a session and I can't tell you how great it felt. I walked in and felt so beautiful, safe and at home.
That's what the temple is. It's our Father's house and when we go there we are going to our home away from home. It's beautiful, clean, holy and full of love. I loved being there and it was hard to leave.
It's amazing how fast I forget that I am a daughter of God and that I'm so precious to Him. Going to the temple helps remind me of that but the world is loud and obnoxious and sometimes it just gets into the way. Even still, I know my Heavenly Father loves me and that He is there to help me every step of this journey on Earth.

Watch this, it's amazing and true:


p.s. I did take that picture of the temple.

Ikea is my happy place

Everyone has a happy place. For some it might be a park they go to to unwind and "connect" with nature. Maybe it's your car on a ride after a long day at work or maybe even a book you just can't help reading over and over again.
For me, it's Ikea. Ikea and I go way back, 2008 back. My first experience was in Torino, Italy and I finally got to go to what I later refer to as bliss. It was a p-day on my mission and we spent the day just trying to find the store and when we did, I felt like I had arrived...arrived in paradise! The showrooms were divine, the creativity astounding and honestly, I about died in pleasure with the food from the cafeteria. I was in heaven. All the stress, anxiety and unfamiliarity of the mission melted away as I browsed through aisle after aisle of Ikea goodness.
I think I only ended up buying two or three things, but the impression of the moment lasted with me for years after. I kept the magazine I got there for the rest of my mission and when I was in Milano, sick and miserable, I would pull it out just to relive the moment of joy. That and the Ensign with a talk from Sheri Dew were my escapes :).
Luckily, now I live in Salt Lake City with an Ikea mere minutes from my house. So when I have a particularly rough day, you know where to find me...bedroom and kitchen sections of the Draper Ikea, or maybe munching on lingonberries and mashed potatoes.