I love to see the temple, I'll go inside someday

The primary song "I love to see the temple" is a favorite of our family. We used to burst out singing it whenever we drove by the temple.  Today (it was actually Friday June 26,2015)  was a special day. Tyler got to enter the temple and receive his endowments. He leaves on his mission is just over 2 weeks! I still can hardly believe it. I don't know if either of us is adequately prepared. I am so proud of him! I am beyond pleased that he is willing to serve the Lord and worthy to enter the temple. He fasted all day before entering the temple. Partly so that he could feel closer to the spirit in the temple and partly because he was asked to speak with a high councilor on fasting this Sunday in another ward.

He was able to go through the temple with his dad as his escort. I got to be Tori's escort when she went through the temple and Ken got to be Tyler's escort. It is a special opportunity and memory. Grandma Anderson attended along with Lora Lee and Kim Talbot, JR and Tracy Martin came and David Dunkley (some of Tyler's young men leaders) It was nice of them to come.

Grandma, ken, Tyler and I went out to dinner at Red Robin afterward (Tyler's choice). He said it was the best hamburger he had ever eaten. I think he was super hungry. He chose Red Robin because he said he wanted to eat food that he couldn't eat on his mission. I think they probably have hamburgers in Argentina, but I don't know. haha

I am really going to miss Tyler. 2 years feels like an eternity to me.  Everyone says that the time will go by quickly, but I am not convinced. I get emotional when I think about him leaving and how much I am going to miss him. I asked Ken to give me a blessing which has helped a lot. I am excited and nervous for the experiences that he will have. I pray that he will be able to adapt,Tyler on a mission may be one of the hardest things I ever do.

Tyler spoke a few weeks ago in another ward with Brother Johnston. He told us he didn't want us to come, but we did anyway. It was fun to hear him speak as a regular speaker and not just a youth speaker. He did great. He wasn't very excited about us being there. This time he told us that he wouldn't speak if we came. I'm not sure why he doesn't like us to come, but he said he doesn't like to speak in front of people that he knows. I asked him what he was going to do at his farewell when he knows everyone there. He said he would deal with it. He is a funny kid, and I don't really understand him sometimes. Hopefully he will grow and learn to overcome some of his inhibitions on his mission. We sneaked in to the foyer to hear him speak, so that he wouldn't know we were there this time. We went late, sat in the foyer, listened to his talk, then snuck out. He didn't even know we were there. He did a great job. I felt the spirit and was glad that i could listen to his talk.

I feel so blessed that my children are righteous, good people. They are such a blessing in my life. I don't know how I got so lucky to have the kids that I do. I am so grateful for them and how they are growing into such amazing young people. I pray that they will continue to be faithful in the gospel and have the spirit close to guide and protect them. Even though they are getting older, I still worry about them and the temptations from the adversary that they will face. I don't know if I have done enough to prepare them. But I pray for them everyday and I thank the Lord everyday for them in my life. I love my family! And I love the knowledge that we can be an eternal family.