It’s been a great couple of days with Sarah receiving her endowment and being sealed to Nick. Unlike Jack Handey, I have no deep thoughts or conclusions about our experience. I’m proud of Sarah and Nick for staying consistent this year. It’s a tribute to them because we didn’t push them and the decisions that led to this weekend were theirs alone. They paid their tithing when they were starving :).

Just some random observations:

Bill and I always fought on the days we were going to the temple. The fights would often end with us staying home. We decided that no matter what, if we were scheduled for divorce court the next day, we would go to the temple. After that, we never canceled temple attendance because of a fight and the contention level lessened. Sarah called me the night before her endowment session, irritated with Nick for a million things. I, too, was feeling irritated with Bill. I told her, “Sis, this is Satan. Ignore it, and it will go away.” She didn’t think it was Satan, she thought it was Nick being a dweeb, but she got over that and we all made it to St. George.

I love the room where the brides go, the soft pink lights, the glass and loveliness of it. The ladies are so sweet and fuss over each girl and make them feel special. In fact, I decided that’s the job in the temple I want. You get to see all the pretty dresses.

I kept wondering if Sarah saw us differently in the temple in our white clothes. I always think Bill is more handsome there. I wondered if she was surprised that her mom was more orthodox than she’d realized. I felt confident that we’d raised her well enough that she was prepared to be there.

During the endowment, I looked over at her and she said, “I feel kinda goofy.” I smiled and said, “You’ll feel goofier in a minute.”

I was dry eyed during the sealing until I looked at Sarah’s friends. These kids were such a great group and I miss them. I miss them coming over to my house and singing gospel music instead of rock music. I miss their innocence and goodness. They’re almost all married now, some with children. That just touched me for some reason. I was glad it did because I was worried people would think I wasn’t thrilled about the sealing. I even tried to think sad thoughts, but mostly I didn’t feel like crying. I was thinking about the mushrooms we had at Outback the night before. Which were so good.

Sarah cries quite easily, like her father. They made up for my dry eyes by sobbing their eyes out. She’s so cute, the tears well up and spill over and then she smiles this radiant smile.

Nick’s parents did not have recommends, but his sister came and she sat in his mother’s place. She cried. It had to have been bittersweet for her. Sarah and Nick’s family have had a rocky relationship.

But they were all there outside the temple, which I thought was wonderful. My other children did not attend, but all but one of Nick’s siblings were there, with their kids. His parents, despite their different loyalties, supported their son on his special day.

Nick’s former missionary companions came to the sealing. One flew in from Boise. Nick was just absolutely delighted to see them and it was so fun to watch them talking and reminiscing and laughing about the funny stuff that happened in the mission. They were all handsome good boys and I was glad Nick is part of our lives.

Bill cried as we walked down the stairs from the Celestial Room, and said, “I just wish the other kids were here.” I said, “Maybe they will be, we can’t give up.”

Actually, though, I don’t think Jessie and Jared or the other two will ever be active in the church. We will love them just as much. What I firmly believe is that our faithfulness will eventually bless our children and keep them tied to us. I think Boyd K. Packer made that point once, and I’ve clung to it. Our children might have a rough time in this life, due to their own decisions, and let’s face it, our mistakes, but God is going to make that all good eventually.

I firmly believe that very few of God’s children will be excluded, in the long run. Some will just be included a little sooner than others.

All in all, a good day. We are still human, life is not perfect, but life is good.