sacrificing for the temple.

Yesterday was a sunny day. A little cold. So, I decided that I would ride my bike to the temple instead of driving. I figured I wouldn't die of heat exhaustion, so I should give it a try.

I have a single speed bike . . . the temple is 2.7 miles away . . . and it is uphill the entire time. Needless to say, it wasn't the best idea I've ever had. By the time I got to the MTC my thighs were about ready to go into a coma. 

Then I remembered a story that Silvia Allred (Relief Society presidency) shared about sacrifices to get to the temple:

"In 1976, when we were living in Costa Rica, the mission president asked my husband to help organize the first trip from the mission to a temple. The Central America Mission then included Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, and Honduras. The closest temple was the Mesa Arizona Temple. The trip required us to travel five days each way, crossing six borders. The financial sacrifice for most of those who went was great. They sold their television sets, bikes, skates, and anything else they could sell. We traveled in two uncomfortable buses day and night. Some of the members had used all their money to pay for the bus fare and had taken only crackers and margarine to eat on the way.

I have never forgotten the great outpouring of the Spirit we experienced during the three days we spent at the Mesa Temple."

For me the sacrifice is usually time during a busy school week or a few hours on a free day. But I realized that 20 minutes of leg exhaustion wasn't so bad when compared to the time and discomfort others have gone through to receive temple blessings. 

The temple is a special place for me, a place where I almost always get answers to my prayers and questions, if I go prepared.

I'm glad I got to sacrifice a little more to get there yesterday. And besides. I'm sure my thighs are being blessed somehow.