Miracles and the Temple

I love serving in the temple.  This past Wednesday morning I saw a few miracles.  The evening before I had logged into the worker portal to figure out my assignments for the morning.  I generally do not do this, but for some reason I did.  Wednesday morning as I picked up my assignment, I noticed that one 30 minute rotation had been changed.  Instead of being the 3rd floor attendant, I was assigned to be the chapel greeter.  This position is a stay post meaning you can't leave until the next worker replaces you.  Because of this I always make sure to get to those positions at least 5 minutes early so that the worker I am replacing can get to their next assignment.  As I was on my way from the worker locker room, I walked out the doorway to a short hallway that leads to the waiting area behind the recommend desk.  In  this short hallway about 15 feet from the worker's locker room is a doorway that leads to the stairs.  I was heading to these in order to get to the 2nd floor where the chapel is located.  In that 10 seconds between doorways, I spotted a friend, Aileen Bethers, from California walk past the hallway through the waiting room.  I was able to quickly connect with her.  She was in our ward when David and I were first married.  She was in town with her daughter, Mercedes, and helping her get settled at school.  They currently live in Colorado.  I briefly saw her many years ago, so it was wonderful to see her again.  Miracle #1

Then I went upstairs to my post as a chapel greeter.  When my 30 minute shift was almost over a mother and her daughter (Megan and Claire Archibald) came walking towards me.  I recognized the mother as someone from our stake.  I had briefly met her awhile ago.  As they approached, the mother was excited to see me.  She said that David had told them that I worked Wednesday mornings and she said that is why they came then.  Her daughter had recently gone through the temple and had been set apart the Sunday before as a missionary.  They asked if I would be at the veil and I told them no.  Claire proceeded to tell me about her anxiety about remember everything and I was able to let her know that the workers have cards she can follow along and there is nothing to worry about.  That is exactly what those cards are for.  I remember having this same anxiety about having to remember everything.  God is aware of us.  He knew Claire needed some reassurance.  He loves Claire.  Miracle #2

These little miracles happen all the time in the temple.  It is wonderful to witness and be apart of.  

During our temple prep meeting, Sister Lundberg talked about the 7 topics to study in the Bible Dictionary when preparing to go to the temple :

Anoint

Atonement

Christ

Covenant

Fall of Adam

Sacrifice

Temple

Updates 2/2/2025

 January was a big month for the Bailly family.  We started New Year's Day with Porter receiving the Aaronic Priesthood in our home.  Over the past sixth months or so I have watched as Porter has been prepared.  There has been a change that has come over him and it has been sweet to witness.  He is less frustrated, he more freely says I love you.  He has tender moments with his younger brothers encouraging and supporting them.  He is more aware of the kind of friends he wants to have.  Porter has been thrilled to start young men's and to go to the temple.  

After he received the Aaronic Priesthood, he had a temple recommend interview with the Bishop.  Then on Friday, January 3rd, David and I took Porter to the temple for baptisms.  Getting to be in the temple with Porter was so tender.  He was able to be a witness and then David was able to baptize Porter and myself.  I love that this is where he wants to be.  Since then he has gone two more times in the early morning before school.  And we have another appt scheduled this month.  May the temple always be the place he wants to be.  May he always make it a priority in his life.  Watching him has created an excitement in Jonas to get to go next year.  

Then on Saturday, January 4th, Mason was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Mason is so earnest.  We watch his desire to choose the right and are inspired to be better.  His good buddies Winston Bickmore and Benny Hale came to support him and I could not love watching these 3 boys together more.  They are best of buddies and get along so well.  

Mason stands out wherever he goes and it's not because he draws attention to himself.  He does just the opposite, but he is smart, kind, athletic and a helper.  He always wants to be involved and loves to learn and try new things.  

Just yesterday I had Tony Bickmore (Winston's dad) say, "Mason is going to be the best athlete to go through Highland 2 years ahead and 2 years behind."  He said he tells everyone this so he can be the first one to say it. Mason is completely unassuming.  He's a skinny, white kid with glasses.  But is is so bright and he is naturally incredibly athletic.  He is fun to watch at whatever sport he plays and he works hard to improve himself.  Because he is in the middle, doesn't demand a lot of attention, and is easy going we can think he's okay and accidentally focus our attention other places, but we remind ourselves that he needs our attention also.  And quite frankly, we LOVE to spend time with him.  And even though he's 8 now, he  is still the best snuggler and sometimes at night he still asks us to lay by him.  

The other day I was telling the boys I don't want them to grow up.  I will miss when the don't crawl up on my lap anymore or crawl in our bed.  As of now, all of them will still crawl in our bed.  Most of them will still crawl up on our laps (Porter is basically bigger than me now, so he doesn't).  Time is going fast and I feel like I have been failing lately at showing up as their mom.  Spending meaningful time with them doing things that are fun, not just the stuff we have to get done.  

David turned 49!  His last year in his 40's.  He has been spending time taking the boys to the gym to work on basketball.  He is a great teacher.  He will study and learn things himself so that he can then teach them.  

CamBam turned 3!  Luckily he's still a little peanut, but I can't believe our baby is 3.  I love him to pieces.  He loves to read books, listen to music.  Every night at bedtime he wants to listen to "Peace in Christ".  He has some sweet dance moves.  Whatever job I am going around the house, he is right there eager and willing to help.  He puts laundry in the washing machine, switches it to the dryer, takes it out of the dryer and sorts it!  He knows what items belong to which person.  He loads and unloads the dishwasher.  He knows where everything goes and will correct anyone that puts things in the wrong place.  Whenever anyone is going anywhere, he wants to go.  Doesn't matter what you are doing, he just likes to be on the move.  Sometimes he appears shy, but once he gets to know you, you are his best friend.  He gives love so freely.  He always wants to call, Mimi and Ash.  If they can't answer, he will go down the list of other people to call.  When he calls Ash he says, "You comin over?"

He does have a few bad traits :).  When we are driving now, he will slip is arms out of the top part of his buckle because he likes to unroll his window no matter how cold it is or who he's freezing out in the backseat.  Then if I ask him if he slipped his arms out he'll quickly put them back in and tell me no.  

Unfortunately he also sleeps in our bed almost everyone night.  And at some point Brooks ends up joining us too.  

Brooks is Brooks.  We love him so much and he challenges us so much.  This boy has the sweetest heart.  This weekend I was sick and on his own he came into the bedroom where I was lying to say a prayer for me.  He often thinks of others.  Our friend Sister McBride was having back problems and when she came to our house to visit, the first thing he asked was how her back was doing.  

He is sensitive and tender, so he doesn't like to be teased or when people are mean to him.  He reacts in aggressive outbursts, but I think it's a way to hide his embarassment.  

We are still trying to figure out how to parent Brooks.  At least I am.  In 6 months he will be going to kindergarten and my special time with him will be gone.  He does maddening, destructive stuff that makes all of us frustrated, but he is so lovable and funny.  He also has the best dance moves and is learning to read so well.  Sometimes I think he gives up with reading because he doesn't think he can, but he is really good when he slows down and sounds things out.  He likes "showtime" a bit too much and really I should take it away for at least week, so I have to be willing to give up my quiet during the day to focus on being present with him when he is so mad to not get show time.  Brooks also does not love attention on himself.  He is fine if we are at home with everyone he is familiar with, but he doesn't love to get up in front of people at church or when he was in preschool.  He is the best singer and will sing with all his heart, but he will not go up with the primary to sing in front of everyone. 

I'll update again soon. There is so much more going on.

He Will Comfort Us 2/2/2025

This past week Cam had a rough day.  He tripped and fell on the corner of a lego bin he was carrying and had to get two stitches on his forehead between his eyes.  Then later during the same day he got a burn.

Jonas had put a cup of noodles in the microwave to cook.  Jonas left the house while they are were cooking, so as soon as Cam heard the microwave beep, he was off to get the cup of noodles.  This little 3 year old is the best helper.  He always wants to be involved and helping.  I was in the other room helping Mason with a book report, so I told Cam not to get it out of the microwave because it was hot.  I told him to wait.  Next thing I hear is Cam crying.  I run into the kitchen knowing he must have pulled it out of the microwave.  Sure enough, it's spilled all over the floor and his sweatshirt is all wet.  My first instinct was to get the wet sweatshirt off him so I could rinse is hands thinking that is what he'd burned.  But as I pulled off the sweatshirt, his upper arm had a burn where the hot liquid had gone right through.  He sobbed as I ran his arm under cool water.  Next I took him to the couch and snuggled him and as soon as David got home we got cold towels that we wrapped around the burn.  As I sat there snuggling him, the thought came to mind that we are all like Cam.  Our Father in Heaven loves us and his urged, pleaded, commanded, encouraged us to do or not do certain things.  He has done it out of love for us.  The consequences are known to Him, so he tries to guide us. Often we are confident that we can do it ourself, we can figure it out, we want to do this one thing, so we are just going to do it.  Then when the consequence comes, even though we had not obeyed, He is always there to wrap us in His arms and tell us that He loves us.  He is there to comfort and to help with each step of healing.  He does not abandon us in the moments when we have disregarded Him if we turn to Him.  He is ALWAYS there.  I love this reminder as time and time again I mess up.  I am grateful that He will still teach me and allow me to heal and change.  

And I love this sweet boy Cam.  His countenance is joy.  He is bright and cheerful.  Lately he has started to snort laugh and it's the best.  He can warm anyone's heart because if you are in his circle, you are loved.  When I come home, he will run to me and say, "I missed you!"  We are so grateful that Heavenly Father sent this caboose to our family.  

Mother's Day 2024 5/12/2024

Happy Mother's Day!  David had no meetings this morning or after church, so he was around all day.  It was wonderful.  We like when Dad's around even when it's not Mother's Day.

I was able to go to my parent's ward to hear them speak in Sacrament Meeting.  My mom talked about Alma 42 and that Christ is always the answer.  She spoke about questions she had as a child, things that caused her to lie awake in bed at night.  She wondered about the eternities and couldn't quite comprehend what that looked like.  She wondered about if her mistakes, tantrums, etc would keep her from being saved.  When she joined the church, she said it was if she was received "a wonderful flood of light".  This was the title of a talk given by Elder Maxwell and it was exactly how she felt.  

She spoke about how Christ makes mercy and judgement work together.  It was a beautiful reminder of Christ and all He has done for us and how He is the answer now and in times to come.  He is ALWAYS the answer.  The scriptures of full of truth that point us towards Christ.

My Dad talked about Mother Eve and Mary, the mother of Jesus.  Two women whose lives and choices effected eternity of all of us.  These women were chosen because God knew they were women of courage, faith, the ability to submit to God's will and to follow Him.  It is quite remarkable that the entire plan of salvation involves the role of these women.  Christ is central, but they are remarkable, loyal supporters.

Today Kenny, Ashley, Gayle, Mimi, Papa and Sister McBride came over for dinner.  Having our table full fills my heart.  One of the sweetest moments today was lying in bed between Brooks, who was not feeling well, and Cam.  I was singing primary songs and it was peaceful as they both drifted off to sleep.  These times while they are young and they still want to snuggle me are the best.  

Birthday Celebration and Christlike Interactions

My 44th birthday was great!  David and I went to brunch at Beaumont Cafe with Caleb and Trisha Hartle.  I guess Trisha and I share a birthday.  Although she is younger and wiser than me.  We had plans to have the family head downtown once the boys got home from school, but Porter did not want to miss out on friends, so we stayed at the house while the kids played.  Gayle stopped by and Gayle, Mason and I ended up going to the Dodo for dinner.  It was so fun to have Mason tag along.  We tried and shared some new things and everything was delicious.  Then once we got home the whole family headed downtown to the Radisson Hotel.  David had a conference there and he booked a hotel room for two nights.  We swam and then David took ALL the boys home and I stayed at the hotel all alone.  David experienced his first night alone with all the boys :).  They didn't leave the hotel until around 8:30pm, so they went to sleep shortly after they got home.  Regardless, it was a nice, quiet night.  I got in bed and watched a movie.  A cheesy hallmark type Christmas movie.  I stayed up later than normal and slept in just a little bit.  Ran and read that morning and then David showed up with Brooks and Cam.  While he presented at the conference, I took the boys to the Church History Museum.  We played in the children's section and then Gayle met us.  We went to say "hello" to my parents at the Church History Library and met some of their fellow missionaries.  Sister McBride has become one of their good friends and she was so excited to meet my boys.  She ran up and bought them a little treat.  It was so incredibly kind of her.  Gayle and I walked through City Creek with the boys and then it was time to head home to pick up all the other boys after school.  After school we brought all the boys back to the hotel to swim, then we met up with Alex Kirry and he gave us a cool tour of the KSL building.  Our hotel was about a block away.  He let us sit in the producers booth during his show and then even let everyone into his recording room for the last 10 minutes of his show. Super, super cool for the boys.  Then he walked us down through the newsroom and we were able to meet Kevin Eubank the meteorologist for KSL.  Kevin was so kind.  During his commercial break, he ran out and got the boys pencils and calendars.  It was so thoughtful of him.  Later we went and ate dinner at Crown Burger and then headed back to the hotel.  This time Jonas, Porter and Mason spent the night with me.  It was late again by the time we got back, so we hung out in the hotel room watching basketball and a movie.  It was fun to hang out with just the older boys.  Then next morning we swam again, Papa and Ash joined us, and then headed to the Utah Sport's Hall of Fame Museum.  We had a great weekend.

This past weekend we were the recipients of show much generosity.  David worked Saturday, so I took all the boys, except Porter, and Declan to SeaQuest Aquarium.  When we first got the the aquarium,   a kind gentleman gave us about 20 tokens, so I was able to divvy them up amongst the boys.  3 of the boys used their tokens to get their faces painted.  It was entertaining to see what each boy picked.  Brooks picked the scratches ascross his face which looked so realistic as if he'd been scratched by an animal.  Mason picked a pineapple wearing sunglasses.  Their picks definitely reflected their personality!  Workers were so kind to us while we were there.  Jonas asked how many tokens it cost to get a fish pedicure, (the fish eat the dead skin off your feet.). The worker said 3 tokens for 3 minutes, but Jonas replied that they didn't have enough tokens because Declan had already used all his tokens.  So, the worker told him that he could bring his mom back and she'd make a deal.  When I got there, the deal was that she would give everything a fish pedicure if I wrote a 5 start review and mentioned her by name.  So, I happily obliged and Brooks, Mason, Jonas and Declan all got pet massages for 5 min.  So kind of that worker. 

Lastly, Jonas was still holding onto his 3 tokens.  He really wanted to hold a snake and had missed his chance earlier.  We walked all the way back through the aquarium, but there weren't any snakes out.  At the beginning of the  aquarium, there was some cats and Jonas decided he wanted to hold them.  But, when we talked a nearby worker, they said the cats were on a mandatory break. Jonas was super bummed.  Then we asked a worker if they get could a snake out to hold.  They originally said no, and then they had a change of heart.  Jonas was thrilled to get to hold the snake.  It really made his day.