About a month ago, I told Fred I needed some time away. The only time I've been away from my kids was when I was with Fred somewhere, which has always been great and fun, but I've never done anything alone. I just felt I needed a lot to work out, figure out, and I just needed a break. So, we budgeted $300 and took a month to decided what I wanted to do. It worked out that Fred was taking a week off of work for extra PTO hours that had accumulated so I went during that week (while he went camping with the boys). All I really had planned to do was go to the temple and the beach. I didn't really care what else I did.
I booked a room in Old Town San Diego at the Best Western Plus. It was actually very nice and I got a good deal on the room for our AAA membership plus free breakfast! My first stop was the San Diego Temple. I have never been in it except when it first opened and I went to the open house. It is an absolutely beautiful Temple. I loved everything about it and it reminded me of a castle.
I asked if I could look around before starting my session which they said I could. It was so peaceful and quiet and brought tears to my eyes. It's like I had never seen such beauty! The new video was amazing and so much better than the previous videos. But before going into the temple I said a prayer asking Heavenly Father if I could just feel peace. I wasn't asking for inspiration or any revelations but just for peace. When I walked into the celestial room, I immediately had various thoughts come into my mind. Nothing profound or new knowledge but quiet whisperings of guidance and simple thoughts that were flooding my mind. I immediately began to weep. I knew Heavenly Father knew exactly what I needed to hear and feel and He let me. He let me know He was there and aware of everything going on in my life. I couldn't help but just cry. I was so just so happy and felt so much joy. I was the only one in the celestial room for quite some time and I will cherish that moment forever. Once I changed and went to the cafeteria to eat, I wrote down all the thoughts that came to my mind while in the celestial room. I wanted to remember what I had felt. It was exactly what I needed right now in my life. I had forgotten the Lord this past year a lot and have just felt angry about so many things. And He had taught me that He never was the one that left. I was. And He knew I was sorry. Walking out of that temple, I had no doubt that the Lord heard by prayer, was aware of me and will never leave me. I felt so happy. Real happiness which is something I haven't felt in a long time.
After that, I walked around Old Town and went to the Mormon Battalion. It was a lot of fun. It was relatively quiet and me and some other man were the only ones in a group for a tour. But it was fun. They even gave me a gift certificate to a nearby restaurant which made dinner very cheap while eating more expensive food.
Day 2 I went over the Coronado Bridge to Coronado Beach. Parking was free and it was blazing hot except the water was freezing. It was relaxing and I just laid out, collected shells and walked around. Then I went over to the Gaslamp Quarter for some ice cream and some more walking around. That place is crazy with parking, one way streets and people walking everywhere! Then I went to Sunset Cliffs and watched the most beautiful sunset. It was amazing. It was quiet, peaceful and majestic.
Day 3 I hung out in my room, slept in, rested then walked around Balboa Park. I saw some pretty gardens, art and enjoyed being outside but it was once again, blazing hot. I was melting! But I did enjoy a nice sushi lunch which was YUMMY! Then I went to La Jolla cove where I saw seals, crabs, tide pools and beautiful fish. California is so beautiful and has so much to offer. I really love living here.
All in all, this trip was exactly what I needed. Afterwards, I felt closer to my Savior, at peace, rejuvenated and ready to go back to real life. I'm grateful that Fred is always so supportive of me, what I want to do and what I need. He understood that I felt I needed this to be a better mom and wife and for myself and with no hesitation said, 'ok, then lets make it happen'. I missed my family and it would have been fun to do it all with Fred but that wasn't the point. I needed to be alone. Figure out some things for myself and just be me. Not mom or wife. It was a trip I'll never forget.
1 comment:
Such a good idea! I need one of these! I get away by myself a lot but it's always for work. So there's not much rest or alone time. San Diego is where I had my endowments out. I love it.
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