WHY?

Why DON'T I go to the temple more often?

I love being there. I feel at peace there. My heart is full when I am there. I have the great opportunity to help my brothers and sisters who have gone before me. It's the closest I can be to being with my Father in Heaven. Everything is so much better in the temple. My day is brightened when I go to the temple. So tell me again, WHY don't I go to the temple more often?

Thank you.

My heart is full. My mind is at ease. We've prayed together. We've taken our prayers to the temple. We've prayed separately. We've done all that we can and asked Heavenly Father to take us the rest of the way.
It's been a bit of a struggle for the Toelupe house these past months. With certain goals wanted, came sacrifices for us and our family. Today, we are able to put one BIG one behind us and move forward. Today, my heart is full of gratitude to my Heavenly Father. He has blessed us so very much already and I am so thankful He continues to bless us. He is real. He hears our prayers and He answers them.
I am eternally grateful to my Father in Heaven for my family. He has answered our prayers these past months through them. Regardless of their responsibilities, they have so willingly taken on our struggles and have made our life so much easier. We are indebted to you. We look forward to the day we are able to return the love.
Dear Lord, thank you for all that we have. For all that thou continues to bless us with. Our love, our faith, and our gratitude will always be for Thee. :)

Fiona...

On September 29, 2009, Fiona B. Boisjoiles made her journey back to our Heavenly Father. An example of love and compassion. Fiona always put her family first. I am one of many of have benefited from her love and care. When I think of you, I think of laughter, good food, super tight braids, dingle balls, UB40, our trip to Magic Mountain. I cannot express how much I love you and how grateful I am to my Father in Heaven for blessing me with you. I am honored to have known you and to be your niece.
People always say, "They're in a better place." These past few days since your funeral, I've really thought about that and you know what? You REALLY are in a better place. Free from the pains and sins of this world. My testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ has been strengthened so much more this past week. It is because of my knowledge and faith in Christ I am finding peace. It is because this gospel I know our sadness is but for a short time.
"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment"
-D&C 121:7
I love you always and will miss you forever. Until we meet again...
Toga.

Lately I've been so overwhelmed by the Spirit. I've been brought to tears at the thought of my Father in Heaven and His very many blessings. More and more I continue to realize how blessed I am. I've always recognize my Father's hand in my life. I've always be grateful to Him for all that I have, for all He continues to give me. But lately...lately these blessings have been so much more magnified. My prayers have become so much more heartfelt. I find myself "counting my blessings" more often than not.
I questions myself and wonder, "why now?" Why are you feeling so much more grateful? As I sit and contemplate these things, I begin to realize it's because of the temple. Going to the temple has enabled me to feel so much more closer to my Father in Heaven. It has given me a sense of peace and hope. I often think of how much the temple has blessed the lives of those around me. How making sacred covenants with our Father in Heaven has changed these people for the better. How I have been touched by their examples of faith.
This summer Paaga and I were able to attend Ben and Priscilla's wedding. We had a wonderful time. Of course there was tons of laughter and tears, but one of the things that has stuck in my mind is my dear Ula. She, too has had the opportunity of receiving her own endowments. So when I talk to her, I can see and hear the blessings of these sacred ordinances she has made. I love what the temple has done for her. Thank you Ula for your example.
My own sister Paaga and her husband, Sai. They have been married for 3-4 years now (?) and I have seen how they have tried to make their family eternal. Seeing them each weekend go to the temple. Seeing how they make it a point to go together. Knowing they are constantly trying to raise their little family so they will reach their celestrial goals. Thank you for your examples of faith.
I am falling "in love" with the gospel all over again. Heavenly Father's blessings have indeed been abundant in my life. I thank Him everyday for all that I have. My hope is I will continue to be worthy to receive these blessings. :)

Lesson learned.

Alma, thank you for reminding me how important it is for us to share our blessings with those who need it most. I am humbled by your desire to serve your fellow man. My testimony is strengthened by your example. You're right, everything we have is because we asked for it. Why not help someone else who is "asking for it"? I love you.

Another great weekend.

Mom, Aunty Pela, and Bobo were with us this past weekend. It was really great to FINALLY have mom come see our house. Aunty, too. :) This weekend was a great opportunity for Mom and Aunty to get some R&R and for Bobo and I to get some new clothes. sweet! We loved having this opportunity to spend with Mom. We rarely do get this chance when we're in Tacoma because she's always working or going to the gym. Two things I don't do; work or work out. lol.
It's just really nice to have a place where my mom and family can just come and relax whenever they want to escape from their lives. Thanks Mom and Aunty for giving Alma and I a chance to spend time with you. We love you so much. Thanks a ton for feeding our faces and buying me new clothes and especially for my uber cute J.Simpson bag. :) Come back soon!
Bobo: You've got big things ahead of you. You can EVERYTHING on your list. I just know it! You're a super great guy and I love you. I can't believe you're so grown. It makes me feel so old. lol. Thank you for visiting. VIVA LA OSU!!! lol. But first, get good grades, do awesome on your SAT's, because remember it doesn't matter how pretty you are or how good you are at football, if you're a dum dum they won't take you! lol.
P.S.
Thank you guys so much for cleaning our yard! It looks FANTASTIC!!! I'd tell you we'll keep it up, but I'd be lying. I hate yardwork. haha.

$10 pilates dvd and equipment...waste of money.

This weekend we will spend it in Tacoma with mi familia. yay! In preperation for our weekend getaway, Alma and I always clean our house before we go. Today while he and Noah are putting up our fire alarms and fire extinguisher (safety first!) I am folding laundry and cleaning our room. We're all jammin' to music and having a good time getting the house together. I'm feeling good, they're feeling good. Everyfing is kewd. :)
I begin cleaning out our closet; getting rid of clothes we dont' fit or wear. Mostly don't fit. hehe. Getting rid of Alma's 5 pairs of tennis shoes he has never worn...ever. They're still BRIGHT WHITE. Waste money this guy. hehe. I find random things in our closet; a receipt from Walgreens in Vegas (good times), .25 (yes!), random socks, a G.I. joe figurine, and my lovely coach purse. :) An awesome gift from the bro-ham Tim last Kirisimasi.
I'm still cleaning and dancing. Still feeling good about myself even after I find my favorite pair of jeans I haven't been able to fit since I got married. Tell me again, why did I get married? It's totally ruining my life. lol. j/k. My last find in my quest to clean my room in great spirits...2 $10 pilates DVD and workout equipment Alma and I bought 3 months ago. I laugh to myself remembering what I told Alma when we bought them. "Babe, it's only $10! I've done pilates before and it's great! This is so cool. We can start doing pilates together." I'm laughing because, 1. We've done pilates a total of ZERO times since we've bought them. and 2. They're still in their packages...unopened. lmbo! Wait. I lie. One of them is opened. I opened it when we got home the day we bought them just to see what the equipment looked like. Since then, they've been pushed against the wall, behind our computer. haha! But today...today I've decided I will no longer let these potential "miracle workers" stay hidden behind the computer. Today I will pick them up... and put them in my closet with those jeans I no longer fit. haha!
Here's to wasting money on workout DVD's and equipment!!!