The day has (FINALLY) come

GUESS WHAT!

I'm going back to the temple. ON THURSDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you can't tell, I'm really excited about it. For the next probably two weeks, I'll be going on Thurs, Fri, Sat, following my regular schedule. (You'll have to look at my schedule to see all I get to do! It's attached.) After those two weeks, I'll see how I feel, and most likely add in Mon and Wed, back to my normal temple schedule again. Wow, can't believe the day is finally here!

With the exception of the three or so weeks in January where I went on Fridays, I haven't been working my schedule for six months and ten days. That's over half my mission time! Kinda crazy. I realized that with the month-long temple closure in September plus this six month hiatus, I've only been serving per my schedule for 2 and 1/2 months out of the ten months so far. It's kinda crazy to think about. But I'm not sad about it. I wish I could have served more, but I know that Heavenly Father is guiding my life! I've been to two weddings, a family reunion, a trip to Idaho to visit family, the events of my niece's birth, and much more that I probably wouldn't have been able to attend while in depth in my schedule. I have been able to help others (two people in particular) in situations that wouldn't have been possible had I been working my schedule. There's a good side- there's always more good than bad- when Heavenly Father is in charge. And it's a good thing he is, too.

Someone told me the other day, "Man, Erik, you get so excited about everything!" Which I do. That's okay, my life is great, despite everything behind me that's gone on, and I know it's because of the gospel, Atonement, family, and friends!

Okay, so I went to the Payson Temple open house last week. It was AMAZING. That temple is SO beautiful. You guys have to see it, either in an open house or go to a session there. Seriously. We also had the chance to go and do a session at the Oquirrh Mountain temple. I haven't been in that temple since the open house, and I had forgotten how grand and majestic it is. Only the best for a House of the Lord!

Anyway, have a great week. Come say hi at the temple! ;) Love you all!

Elder G