Unbelievable Day

Today was one of those days in your life that you can barely believe happened. It truly is something that I did not know if I would ever see in my life, and while it did not occur exactly as I would have wished for, I will take it none the less.

Today we went to the temple to support my brother Buddy and his wife receiving their endowment and then getting sealed to each other and their son sealed to them. Buddy has been a wayward soul for the last 15 years. He has led a very hard life and has done some fairly bad things. He was an alcoholic and a drug addict with a lengthy criminal record. Yet, in the last year he has done one of the most remarkable things I have ever seen. He has changed his life so dramatically I still have a hard time comprehending it. He went from the lovable but messed up Buddy, to the responsible husband and father taking the steps in his life that he needed to ensure that his family will be together forever. He has become one of the best examples in my life of the atonement and our Father's sweet and tender mercy. I am so proud of him and can't help but smile whenever I think about it.

As if this was not enough, today we also were able to take my sister Shelly's name through and give her those same blessings. Annie did her initiatory and I did her endowment. What a sweet experience that was for me. I am grateful for the opportunity that we have to help those that have passed before us to receive these ordinances. I am honored that I was able to help my sister even after her passing. I wish she were here. And that she could have done the work for herself. But I am glad that I got to be a part of such a big day for both my Shelly and Buddy.

Today I stood in the temple with the knowledge that the temple work has been done for all of my siblings. My family is whole.