A Promise Kept

Last fall Neal didn't feel well enough to take on big projects but he wanted to learn about New Family Search.  We had copies of the research his mom had compiled when she joined the church in the early 1950's, including her written request to SLC that some of the temple work be done.  When we were first married I had felt a need to get that temple work done for her and Neal told me that he wanted to be proxy for his dad.  We did all the temple work he had shortly after we were sealed.  After that was done we didn't have much luck with research on his paternal line beyond Neal's grandfather.  Then last fall Neal started searching again.  A series of little miracles happened that put Neal in possession of his direct line from his dad back to 1752 - siblings, spouses, parents, addresses, occupations.  It even had names of aunts and uncles that had been omitted from the original research but were names Neal remembered hearing as a child.
Neal entered some of the names into the online program and then didn't feel well so he thought he'd take a break, but he heard a voice very clearly say to him, "Get it done, Neal."  So he continued working.  Last December Neal was in and out of the hospital but was released on December 17th.  At 7am the following morning the youth in our ward met us at the temple where they did baptisms and Neal was the recorder.  He was exhausted but elated to have all of them done that far.  Some names were special experiences for everyone involved.
My brother in Oklahoma wanted to be included so we mailed all the cards to him and the initiatory work was completed January 4th and 5th.  Since that point friends and family have taken names to various sessions in various temples and they were gradually completed except one name: Julia W Whiteford.  When my daughter Anne heard that name she asked for that card.  I completely understood.  But during this same time period Anne had her own excitement of a new home in the far northeast corner of North Dakota and a new baby born early.  Getting to the nearest temple (Bismarck) was too complicated for a nursing mom who must drive 68 miles each way just to attend church.
Last weekend Anne and her family and I were all in Billings Montana.  Our priority Saturday was a temple session together and it was a sweet experience to sit by my daughter as she carried Julia's name. 
Last night I went to the Seattle temple and participated in a sealing session as Julia was sealed to her parents.  Her family is now complete.  And I have kept the promise I made to Neal that his family work would be done.