February 3, 2014

Good afternoon everybody!!! What a blessed week this has been in the greatest mission on earth!!

This morning was such a sacred experience. Last week, Sister Tilleman called and said, "Sister Biggs, would you like to bring your district to go clean the Temple chandeliers on Monday?" Without hesitation, I said absolutely! So, this morning we had the incredible privilage of going to the Temple (which is closed for the next couple weeks for maintenance) and cleaning the chandeliers in the sealing room. I cannot express the feelings that filled my heart as I stepped foot in the House of the Lord. I have not been inside a Temple in over a year. I was literally getting more Temple-sick than I was Homesick. I guess that's a good thing. But nonetheless, four of us went inside and changed, and after receiving direction from a brother, we got to work. We got onto ladders and began cleaning the most beautiful chandeliers I have ever seen in my life. To me, they needed no cleaning whatsoever. But gratefully, the Temple Workers know best. As I stepped onto the ladder and looked closely at the crystals, I could see dust on them as well. So, with the little cloths they gave us to clean with, we gently began wiping down each crystal - first with a damp rag, then with a dry one. It was the most incredible thing. So many thoughts came to mind as I very carefully cleaned each crystal. I will share a couple with you, and share the more sacred ones with my journal. :)

When I first began cleaning, I was standing on the second step of the ladder, and cleaning while looking up at the crystals. It was a little bit difficult because I couldn't quite see the whole crystals, but I began dusting them somewhat blindly. After a few minutes, I took one step up on the ladder. I was now looking down at the crystals, rather than up. This smal

l step made a world of difference!! I could now see the backs of the crystals, which were quite dusty. I could also see the entire inside of the chandelier, to be able to get a better angle as I ran the cloth down each crystal. That one step made the rest of the cleaning much easier and more effective. As I pondered on this, I realized a characteristic of our Heavenly Father. He is on the highest plane. He is all-knowing and all-understanding. Because of that, He can see much more than us, and is so very aware of more than we are. When He gives us commandments, we may not always understand why. But, because He is on a higher plane, He knows what is best for us. He desires for us to be lifted higher, and as we are, we receive greater understanding and light. If we but humble ourselves and allow Him to lift us up, our eyes are opened, and so is the gateway to greater revelation.

Another thing that crossed my mind as I cleaned each individual crystal, was how much our Heavenly Father loves us so very much. There were hundreds of crystals on this massive chandelier. We had to clean the fronts and backs of each one as we made our way down the rows. It took a great deal of concentration and gentleness (something I wish I had more of!). Each one had to be carefully examined and cleaned properly. The largest one was about the size of a golf ball, and the smallest about the size of a seed. It was incredible how much the Lord allowed me to desire these crystals to be so clean, as they were in His house. It made me realize that our Heavenly Father cares so deeply about each and every one of us. He will leave the ninety and nine to bring back the one. He will faithfully and carefully "clean" each one of us if we but allow Him to do so. As we let His gentle hands mold each one of us into what He knows we can become, then we are able to shine forth the light that He can bring into our lives.

What a blessing it was to be able to clean the Temple. So many other thoughts entered my mind as I stood there cleaning carefully. After 2 hours, I only finished half of the chandelier! And as I stepped down from the ladder, I could see a clear difference from the ones I had cleaned and the ones I hadn't. I will forever cherish those 2 hours I had to be a small part of cleaning the Lord's house here on earth. I will never look at those chandeliers the same. I so look forward to being able to do an actual session there in the next few months.

This week's challenge is for you to go to the Gilbert Temple grounds. I know you might have to get tickets. So if you are a member, go and go again if it is possible! And if you are not a member and do not know what I am talking about, ask a member, my mom, or anyone you know and go with them! I pray that NOBODY will go without at least inviting someone to come with you. We all have agency :) Please, feel the power of the Spirit of the Lord as you walk around and through His house here on earth.

I hope you all have a wonderful week! I love you and thank you so much for your support.

Love,

Sister Biggs

Here are a couple pics of her "hard at work" :)