Baptizing Thalia.

This post is sort of sacred and special to me, but it fits the name of my blog to a T: Holy places. The temple is the number one most holy place on this earth and I was fortunate enough to go there today. There is an indescribable peace that is felt there that I doubt I could ever replicate to match perfectly, but that is what makes it so special; it's The Lord's house where His work is getting done. I got to participate in that work today.
This summer my stake(church group) was issued a challenge: 10 hours of geneology work. I began to search for my family members. I spent six hours in one day and found 22 names, 7 of which were ready to take to the temple. One of these names was my great-great-great grandmother Nathalie Pelleteir Dummond. I knew nothing about her and still don't, but I feel some sort of connection to her after I spent time searching her out. It took me sometime to find her because I wanted to make sure I had the correct info. I found two records that had the same birth date and place but one had her name Natalie Pelletier and the other was Thalia Pelletier. I was confused! I searched the census and found that these two names had the same husband and children, this had to be the same woman! I could feel it, I knew that this was her. Thalia was just a nickname. Then it came! A birth record of her daughter Agnes Dummond and on the document was signed Nathalie Pelletier. It was her!!
My mom and I brewed over this but I knew I had found her, but when I heard my Grandmother's confirmation that that was Nathalie I literally jumped for joy! Who knew one lady culd be such a mystery to find? But I did it, she was no longer lost.
I later read my Patriarchial blessing and it mentioned something about geneology work that was my special duty to fulfill, and with that I knew that Thalia had been waiting for me. As I sat on family search, SHE had directed me to the sources I needed to find her, SHE lead me to the census records and that birth record that straightened everything out. Thalia had waited over 100 years for this work to be done so what did I do? .....

WENT TO THE TEMPLE OF COURSE! As I stepped into that font and was baptized by proxy for Thalia, my spirit was over joyed and tears of excitement brimmed my eyes. Thalia has the opportunity to accept the covenants that I performed for her in her name, and I know she did. How amazing this work is, I was able to do the work for Thalia who could not do it herself. She now has the gate opened for her, and she can now more fully work her way to her salvation and to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.
I have a renewed understanding of the importance of temple work. It is not something that we just go through the motions, we are affecting ACTUAL people. As I was baptized for Thalia, I felt a sort of connection to her. I cannot wait till the day I can embrace her and thank her for teaching me this lesson. I am thankful for my loving Father in Heaven and all His tender mercies. For Thalia.
~"Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live." John 5:25