Obedience and Blessings

"As it states plainly in the Doctrine and Covenants, blessings are predicated upon obedience." I just read that today and I loved that statement. Sure we are promised to receive blessings, but if we are not obedient and doing all we can to live righteously, how can the Lord bless us fully?

I had the opportunity two Tuesday's ago to spend time at the Portland temple. I was trying to get into the 6:30 pm session with my ward, however I had a name I wanted to have some work done on and I wasn't able to make the 6:30 session. I waited and hoped to make it to the 7 pm session and that didn't work out. I had just missed that session by 2 minutes and it was full. I thought no way am I leaving until I finished what I went to accomplish. So I stayed for the 7:30 pm session. Two temple workers asked if I was SURE I wanted to stay for that session, I thought well I waited this long whats another 30 minutes?

In the end I was grateful I stayed. I had the chance to stay longer to pray about some things in my life. It felt nice to not be in a hurry and just sit and talk with my Heavenly Father. I won't go into detail on here about my questions since they are private to me. However, I can say that since I decided to be patient and wait and sat a long time in prayer I have had many of my questions answered. Basically the Lord has blessed me with the answers to my prayer.

Of course the answers didn't come right at that instance but a day to three days later answers came pouring in through others. My answers weren't just in something I read or thought, but through people.

I have made every opportunity that I can to be obedient to the gospel and in teaching my children the gospel. I have made some changes at home to have a more peaceful and loving home. I can say that since I have made some adjustments, that I have been able to feel the holy spirit in my house on a regular basis which we have been lacking that good feeling for awhile now.

What a difference it makes when you have the time to really pour out your heart in prayer and to be able to do that in the temple with no interruptions is just beyond words for me. I know He always listens and hears our prayers but sometimes we really need to take that extra time and quiet time alone and what better place then the temple?