Challenge: Go to the Temple Everyday for One Week.

  When life gets hard what should we do? That was the question I had and have had for awhile now. Being out of college and in the real world is hard. The decisions that you have to make, the bills, and responsibility. Well a lot of that has been really eating at me and I was stressing and really needing to really think on what I want to do with my life. What am I doing to progress in life? What should be my next step? How am I going to get there? Do I really want to go through the stress of graduate school? What if this or what if that. Yes lets just say its been a little stressful. For me when I am stressing or need a place to go, I head to the temple. I go to whatever temple is closest to where I am, and I go and really think about my questions, concerns, fears, goals, and its a place I can sit on the grass outside, sit in my car, or go in and no matter what I feel the exact same... Peace. As I sit wherever on the temple grounds, I feel the peace and able to pray to my Heavenly Father and ask Him what I can do and tell him my thoughts and my fears. Its a place where the worldly little things to do not distract me and a place where I do not have to worry about judgement, being perfect, or being different. The temple is my favorite place so I made a challenge to myself. Go on temple grounds for everyday for one week.
   How this started was that monday is when all my questions really got to me. So I went and got some food, and ate lunch on the grass in front of the Draper Utah Temple. I sat and looked to the temple and was questioning what needs to happen in my life. And I just felt this peace all around me and knowing that my Heavenly Father is there for me. Also, I looked around the temple. Now the temple is on a hill right next to the mountains. I saw the leaves have already started to change colors. That just made me stop and think about how sometimes life needs to go on. The seasons change and so do we. Life always needs to be changing and sometimes things work right for a little while and then it is time to move on. Monday though I knew I needed to go inside the temple and do the Lords work. However, it being closed on mondays, I texted my friend Alyssa and made plans to go tuesday.
  Tuesday I met Alyssa at the Bountiful Temple. This was fun because we haven't hung out in awhile and also neither of us have been in the Bountiful Temple. As we were in the temple, when we were all done, we still just sat there to think. And as I once again prayed and thought about my struggles and questions, I was wondering, what if I go to the temple everyday? Also, I wanted to be brave and go by myself. Not for the fact that I don't like company but to prove to myself I can go alone. That when I need to go, I dont have to wait to see when others are free to also go, but that I can hop in my car and go.
   Wednesday I had all planned to go by myself. Then that morning I was asked to go with the girls I work with during my shift. I was like ummm... YES! Then I don't have to go alone, I get to go with my girls, and I get to go while I am on shift. Legit right?! As I walked in with the girls and branch presidency it felt so good. I see these girls everyday and they have gone through some hard things. To watch them do the Lords work, to be able to have a recommend to go in. It was amazing. After I even talked to them in the car on how much I love to see that they are able to go and that how forgiving and caring our Heavenly Father really is. Sometimes we make mistakes, the world gets the best of us, sometimes we stray a little from the path, but no matter what Heavenly Father is willing to forgive and help us to get back to the path.
  Thursday I was determined. I was going to walk into the temple and go by myself. I did not make excuses and went straight from my morning shift to the Jordan River Utah Temple. Once I walked into the temple, I knew I was doing what I needed to be doing that morning. And as it turned out they needed my help with sometime and the workers were happy to be there. It was a warming feeling and I felt like I could do anything. This in itself helped me to realize that I can do anything I set my mind to. I felt this sort of confidence that I have not felt for awhile. Also, a feeling of I am able to go whenever I want and I can walk into the temple alone, but I will never be alone. Others walk inside as well, and the workers are always there.

  Friday I continued and felt to go back to Jordan River. As I walked up, I walked past a couple of different people and we said hi and to have a nice day. Just that comfort of people saying hi and smiling just makes your day so much better. Once again as I just felt so at home. The day just went by better and so did the weekend. It was a perfect way to get ready for my weekend. Also, by the end of this trip to the temple, I felt ready to continue figuring out what is next to come in life and that my stress that started at this week, is now gone. Is all my questions answered? Nope not yet and that is okay for the fact that I did get some answers and guidance to what needs to be next for me.

   I want to make this challenge to people reading. For one week go to the temple everyday. Go in, sit on the grass, go inside, whatever it may be. Go there and really go with a question or concern. See what is to come. Your week will go so much better. Also, see how much that it can become a struggle to go daily for the week. You start getting the thoughts that well you already went yesterday, or you really would like a nap, etc. DONT FALL FOR IT! Once you commit to the challenge, do it and finish it! Don't let Satan stray you from going to the temple. Life gets hard but if you take the time to do the Lords work and be there, I promise it will make your life a little easier. We weren't put on this world to have a hard life. We were put on this life to enjoy it, to learn and grow and to one day go back to our Heavenly Father and say I did the best I could and when I needed help you were there for all of it the good and the bad. Thank you for never turning back on me.