Jazz and I had the opportunity to help clean the new Draper Temple after hours. There is an open house going on right now and for the next couple of months any one can receive a tour. Once it is dedicated in March, it will only be open to LDS members with current temple recommends.
Since our stake is included in the 25 stakes that are within the boundaries of the temple, we were given assignments to have volunteers available to usher, conduct tours, provide refreshments, and clean the temple every day.
I received the assignment sheet a few weeks go, noted that we would be volunteering from 10 pm to midnight, and put it aside. Not going to lie, anything after 9 p.m. is considered past my bedtime. I wasn’t thrilled about the whole situation.
We started by cleaning the stake centers that serve as parking lots and information rooms for the tours. Standard stuff- cleaning toilets, emptying garbage, sweeping, and vacuuming. Not too exciting. There were only a few of us and it seemed to take forever.
After that, we were directed to the lobby of the temple to sign in and wait for instructions. We were all separated into groups to facilitate faster cleaning. Some were dusting, others vacuuming, others on bathroom duty. Jazz and I volunteered for a special assignment- we were told to head to the second floor and detail vacuum the corners, crevices- anywhere the big vacuums couldn’t get.
A few minutes into our assignment, Jazz and I found ourselves standing in the Celestial Room together. We started vacuuming and I realized the profound importance of what we were doing. Not only because we were in the House of the Lord, in the most beautiful and peaceful room, doing service— but also because just hours before that, Jazz made the decision to become a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
As Jazz worked his way through the ordinance rooms, I worked in the other direction to the sealing rooms. I was in the largest sealing room, vacuuming the edges of the white carpet. It was late. It was dim. It was quiet. I felt compelled to stop and kneel, by myself, in that sealing room and thank my Father in Heaven for the plan that he has for me. I wept in gratitude for bringing this man into my life so that he could receive the gospel, so that I could have companionship and love, and so our families can be together forever.
Jazz came in a few minutes later to find me. He looked around at the beautiful room, and promised to bring me back to the same sealing room in a years time so that we could be sealed for eternity. When we finished vacuuming at 1 a.m., we sat side-by-side on a love seat in the Celestial Room, just the two of us.
It was a perfect moment.
Jazz will be baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 6 p.m. this Friday, January 23, 2009 at our Stake Center. All are welcome, email me for directions.
the sorensen six 
Yay! Go Jazz!Me Me Me, I wanna come on Friday!send me directions
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AMAZING!! I’m so very excited for both of you, but especially Jazzy. What a beautiful story! I want to come. I’m not sure if it will work out, but I’m tryin’ my darndest!
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Not going to lie here, I am tearing up right now. That is so wonderful and I am so happy for you. (and in my defense, I cry at anything…even American Idol this week…but this of course, is especially touching. :)) What a sweet experience!
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Awww, Micci, yay!! My heart is SO happy for you right now. And for Jazz!That explains your status yesterday… I thought you seemed a little happier than normal about it being Monday morning 🙂
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Oh I’m so happy for both of you! There isn’t anything better than baptism… except maybe sealings. 🙂 I wish we could come!
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Gosh! Reading this post just gave me the warm fuzzies. Go Jazz! I’m so happy for both of you. How perfect.So Friday. Looks like I’ll be coming to SLC to be a part of this. See you soon!
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Wow. Thanks for sharing this. What a cool opportunity for you guys.
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How exciting for the both of you! Especially for Jazz! Way to go! Indeed our Father in Heaven has many blessings for His children and loves us dearly. I so wish we could be there. Alas, we can’t though! You just made my day with that post. Seriously!
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I was rocking out casually to Billy Idol and thought I’d check your blog. I had no idea what I was in for despite the fact that you told me you would be posting about this today. Now I sit tears streaming and just feel so full. There is so much happiness and this is time for change. You my darling sister in law are amazing and you will never know how much I love you.
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You know me, you've met me & this type of thing should not effect me but it did. It gave me the chills. I am happy for you & your husband.
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Micci, what a blessing. I teared up at this because I know (well can imagine as much as possible) what it means to you. Amazing. I love you guys, from the bottom of my heart. Ah! Tears… ok, pull it together Leigh. I’ll be there in spirit… my heart’s happy for you! YAY!
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Micci,I am so thrilled for you and Jazz! What a great blessing to have the day he chose to make such a great decision be the day you happened to sign up for the temple cleaning. The Lord works miracles! I am sorry we can’t be there but we will be thinking of you both!love,maria
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Thank you so much for sharing. I am sitting at my desk at work with tears in my eyes. You are vey lucky and I am really excited for the two of you. We’ll be there for you on Friday.
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Such an amazing story. Seriously! Can’t wait to hear about the baptism and see pictures!!
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That was an amazing story! I am so excited for Jazz! (FYI…I am crying right now!) That is a day in your lives that will never be forgotten! The Lord works in amazing ways. I am so grateful that you had the opportunity that you guys did to be in the temple on Saturday. We feel so blessed to have been able to become friends with both of you! Can’t wait for Friday!
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Hi. You don’t know me. I am Britta’s friend from our mission. She told me about this blog entry so I read it and wanted to tell you I was deeply touched. I am SO happy for Jazz! And what an amazing moment to share together-hold on to that moment whenever times get tough. Congrats!!!
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Wow, this post just had me in tears. What a perfect moment and I’m so happy you shared it because It was a perfect reminder that there is also a plan for me. Enough about me. I’m overwhelmed with excitment for Jazz. I always knew he’d be an awesome Mormon. I can’t wait for Friday! Hugs.
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How exciting! It is perfect. (This is Britta’s sister in law – if you are confused!) Jeff and I were married before I was a member and were later sealed to each other and our kids – which to me makes it that much more special. I have always been so grateful for his patience and faith. Congrats to both of you!
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Micci… This is amazing! I am so happy for you and Jazz. This is huge and so wonderful.
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That is sooo cool! What an amazing experience! Will you please email me directions and I will try and come? kimberbryant@gmail.comTHhanks!
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My heartfelt congratulations to both of you! I thank the Lord everyday that you found one another and fell in love. Now I know that your love will continue to grow everyday for eternity! Wish I could be there with you to celebrate your faith, but know that I will be there in my heart.
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not sure if you remember me…i was the missionary that was always at britta’s house that you were very adept at avoiding 🙂 i am so incredibly happy for you! congratulations!!! sister cahoon
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Micci, I have never met your husband, but knowing your awesome-ness I can imagine what he is like and this just adds to it!!
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You don’t know me, but I happened onto your blog through Britta’s and I think that is so awesome your husband is getting baptized! Congrats, and good luck. What an awesome experience being in the temple is. Your experience has helped remind me of the importance of being there. We are so blessed to have the gospel! Thank you for sharing!
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