10 Miracles to Mesa- Part 2

Miracles 6-10

Miracle #6

San Diego Sprint

As I was traveling through California, Nevada, and Arizona to take photos of LDS temples to create artwork, I was looking forward to seeing one temple more than the others- the San Diego Temple!  It’s architectural design is completely unique and awe-inspiring!  However, when I pulled up to the gates, it was locked.  It was a Sunday, so I thought that must be the protocol.  I took pictures of the temple the best I could through the gates, but the sky was gloomy and foreboding, and not even the seagulls were flying around… I thought a storm may be coming.  I couldn’t help but feel terribly disappointed to not get up close to the ONE temple I had wanted to see my whole life! 

I dejectedly slumped back into the car and had a startling moment of realization—the pain medicine I had been taking for my injury (before the trip started) would now begin to taper off significantly from that moment on, and the cost of California fuel for the car hadn’t been worked into the budget, so things were going to get a lot harder… I tried to think brave thoughts, but I just felt glum because of the weather, the pain, and rotten luck of not being able to get near the temple.

I had a choice to make—to continue on trusting that somehow the Lord would provide- or, I could head back home… I decided to take those next few steps and try to be courageous.

Just as I was pulling away, the temple gates opened!!! I swerved to get into those gates!  I didn’t know if I was supposed to be there, or what the regular rules were—but I was going to take my one chance!  I parked discreetly at the bottom of the parking lot and ran around the temple grounds getting as many shots with my camera as possible- because I didn’t know if the gates would close again! 

  I kid you not—the clouds parted, the sun shone brilliantly off of the Angel Moroni Statue, and Heavenly Father showed His incredible love—just for me.  It is a miracle that the God of the Universe- who keeps everything in balance and in check—cares about the things we care about.  Although I am insignificant, He opened the gates, let me in, and illuminated my path! (I even found a love-heart in the sidewalk curb… His love for us is relentless!) We love our Eternal_Line Art collection in the “opened the Gates” link! See how the hand-drawn art works to be eternal!

Miracle #7

Animal Encounters

All throughout this week-long trip I had been missing my four kids at home—but a very loving and even humorous Heavenly Father helped me to see an animal at every single temple!  I could text my family a picture of whatever next critter I saw on the temple grounds and keep the little ones interested in what I was trying to do- as well as anxiously awaiting what animal we may see next!

I saw seagulls in San Diego, a hawk family in Phoenix, ducks in the reflecting pool in Mesa, a pair of white doves in Gilbert, a grey cat peacefully sleeping in the sun on the steps of the temple in Fresno… A lizard, a hummingbird, even coyotes howling and yipping in the distance…     

But the BEST was in Snowflake AZ… It was an insanely windy day—I thought that any animal would be blown off the butte that the temple sat upon—but here is where the humor came in… I distinctly remember thinking-

 “there’s no way an animal can be here—I guess it will break my streak… I shouldn’t have asked for that animal list miracle…”

and as I explored the grounds, I found an arbor archway over a stone seat in the garden behind the temple. 

On a whisper of a whim, I sat down just for a moment, looked to my right, and started laughing like crazy!!! There- on the wooden trellis of the arbor- was a stapled, fake butterfly!!! It was the only way to keep something down in those gale-force winds!!! I had found my animal in Snowflake!  Heavenly Father does have a sense of humor, and He does keep His promises!  Even if it’s a stapled plastic butterfly! Click on this link to see some of our Children’s temple artwork and how it was inpired by some of these animals from the trip! we offer puzzles, tote bags, and stickers too!

Miracle #8:

Security in a Wheelchair-

At a certain temple in California- (I will keep it anonymous…) I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with an absolutely amazing person—and he happened to be a security guard in a wheelchair… (If he is reading, he will know exactly who he is,) but what he doesn’t know, is how much strength and courage I found in conversing with him. It went something like this—I was taking tons of photographs of the temple with my fancy camera that I have no idea how to use–  when this nice man came over and kindly asked me if I was with a newspaper, or why I was taking so many pictures of the temple.  I was happy to explain that I had been given permission to create and sell artwork of the temples as long as I take the photographs myself, so I was trying to get every angle to inspire our hand-drawn pictures.

 This security guard then opened up his heart and history of that temple—he and his wife drove over the mountains multiple times a week to serve in that House of the Lord.  He had been there when President Gordon B. Hinckley was deciding the design of the bell tower steeple.  He saw the youth from the surrounding wards write their testimonies on bricks that would become the foundation of the fountains that ran under and through the temple itself. 

I felt safe and renewed as he spoke, and learned that strength to protect doesn’t always come from what is outside- but it can also come from within- and from that point on—my pain seemed assuaged, my worries seemed weightless, and my burdens were lighter.  *Thank you, security guard!!! You secured and guarded more than you know!

To help you count YOUR blessings- this journal can help inspire and uplift as you recognize and write your blessings each day!

Miracle #9:

My Rose Trees in Oakland

Here’s where things get really real—I had driven a large chunk of my trip in one go- and the next destination was the Oakland California Temple.  I was a bit worn out- but still feeling extremely blessed. (Can you imagine how the First Presidency and 12 Apostles feel with all the travel they do?!?)  When I arrived- I hadn’t expected the grounds of the temple to be so incredibly immense- but I pulled into the temple visitor’s center and said a prayer of gratitude that I made it with just enough light to get my photographs.  As I started to tour the grounds, I noticed a special blessing that seemed just for me—and it’s depth and breadth I couldn’t have imagined—There, lining the verdant corridor that leads to the temple- were dozens and dozens of My Special Rose trees! (Well, they weren’t MINE, per se, but they reminded me of having had an important person in my life pass away.)

 When I lost this special person, I was stricken with grief- but a wise friend gave me something that leant a breath of hope into my soul more than any other thing—she gave me a rose tree.  The blossoms were butter-yellow, and the plant was just so new and tender.  It gave me something to physically care for, hope for, and be excited about.  From then on, whenever I saw another rose tree with yellow blossoms, I was reminded of my dear one.  So, imagine if you can, the overwhelming love I felt when I saw that the 18.3 acres of temple grounds were lined with these beautiful butter-yellow rose trees!!!

On those sacred temple grounds where we are reminded that families can be sealed- joined- forever in the eternities—I saw my special rose trees.  I’m not sure who the head gardener/landscaper is for the Oakland Temple grounds, but I can only say, that their choice of planting is absolutely inspired.  The Oakland California Temple dedication originally included a blessing upon the plantings and grounds- which is uncommon.  I felt the realization of the dedicatory blessing that day—and the well-spring of hope that I can see my angel in Heaven again—because of God’s perfect plan, and His holy temples. See how that works Here.    

Miracle #10

Melted Chocolate and Mesa

Well friends—we’ve been on this journey together!  10 miracles to get to this point (and it may be an 11^th miracle if you could make it all the way through this long post!) 😉 

I had been sustained, protected, guided, redeemed, tested, loved, acknowledged, provided for, and swept away with God’s infinite grace and mercy. 

Now, although my rental car was covered in melted chocolate bar (I’m not from the desert folks…) I had arrived at the Mesa Arizona Temple.  The grounds were immaculate—immaculate I say!!! They were in the process of using some kind of professional grass buffer device to make the perimeters of the walkways perfect where they met up with the metal edging for the lawn.  The exquisiteness of the grounds made it feel as if you were stepping back in time to the lush oasis of a Babylonian royal garden!  The moisture-rich, cool air that permeated from the plants and decorative pools was as refreshing as it was relieving in the surrounding arid climate. 

I had the impression—this absolute gem of the desert was hidden amongst humble homes, in a normal place– and yet the temple structure and grounds itself elevated this unpretentious location to incredible heights! 

You may be thinking—“this temple doesn’t have a spire or an Angel Moroni statue on top.  It seems almost plain in the photographs of it.”  On the flip-side, it has intricate carvings of people from all over the world, and even in different times in history—all pointing their journey towards the doors of the temple.  That was really what it was all about—

My journey there,

Our journey on this earth to learn and grow to become more like our Heavenly Father and Savior,

And even our ultimate desire and destination to be with our loved ones in Heaven—

It was about all of the miraculous things our loving Father in Heaven does for us to get us to the doors of the temple.  To be holy, different from the world, and part of His covenant family.

This last miracle- the realization of all of these blessings to get to this point (both physically and spiritually) was smothered in melted chocolate and a few mishaps along the way—but perhaps,– the best things in life end up that way after-all.

Keep track of your miracles in a big way! Use our “Olive our miracles count” tracker or Have Children watch their seed of faith grow as they read (or listen to) the book of Mormon and experience the miracle of the word of God for themselves.

***What miracles have you experienced making it to the temple??***

Please share in our comments at contempleary.com!