Taysom's Endowment

It was crazy how quickly the time passed from getting the mission call to leaving for the MTC.  With trying to find mission wardrobe items, altering skirts and dresses,  purchasing new glasses, creating her mormon.org profile, renewing/extending her driver's license, working things out with her dermatologist, and trying to find time to spend with friends and loved ones, Taysom was one busy girl and a whirlwind of emotions: stress, happiness, frustration, peace, giddiness, etc.

We had the incredible opportunity to go with her to the temple for her own endowment.   Mom and Dad were able to make the trip, and I am so thankful they came.  They arrived on a Friday afternoon in plenty of time to catch Henry's play.  Henry played Jimmy (the male lead) in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

for some reason I can't find any of the pictures I took...

Sydney also made the trip to Joplin that weekend.  We are so thankful that she was able to make arrangements for her family and to fly out to for the quick visit.  She came with Jim & Amy to the play.  The entire cast did an amazing job.  Just wish the sound system had been working better.  Henry has a great sense of comedic timing and was the best male dancer hands down.  He made it look effortless.

That night Mom and Dad gave a beautiful temple prep lesson for the whole family.  Mike and I are so thankful for that evening.  Taysom wouldn't have been as calm and prepared without it.  During the lesson the temple matron, Sister Hardy called to make sure Taysom was ready and to check and see if she had any questions.  Sister Hardy is amazing.  The temple had been closed for a couple of weeks (do to cleaning and inclement weather) so I'm sure there were several sisters taking their endowment out and a myriad of other responsibilities- yet she made the time to call.

We left bright and early the next morning and made it to the temple about 8:15 am.

We had a beautiful session.  Not only did Sister Hardy meet with Taysom and I, but she had our group and another sister's group (who was there for her own endowment) taken to the Creation Room prior to the entire session coming up and spoke to us along with President Hardy.  At the end of the session Sister Hardy assisted Taysom as she passed through the veil.  It was a moment I'll never forget as I watched Taysom come into the Celestial Room with tears streaming down her face.  Dad quietly said something about fulfilling the measure of our creation.  He and Mom commented that they wouldn't have missed it for anything.  It was such a blessing to have family from both sides there (Mom, Dad, Ben, Sydney, Jimmy and Amy) and many from our Joplin family too (esp. the Belnaps and the Tuckers).

at lunch after the temple

in front of the Stake Center

It doesn't seem that long ago that I rushed to the temple after a choir concert (forgetting my recommend) and took out my endowment.  Has it really been 21 years?