Once upon a time, almost 7 years ago, on March 11th 2011, Mom and Dad went on a date and left Ashley and I in charge. Ashley, Jessica, and I had been having a conversation earlier that week about life, the gospel, and our family. We talked about how much we loved our family and never wanted to have a sibling leave the church. We wanted to all be in the Celestial kingdom together with our families someday.
So, on this night while Mom and Dad were away, we gathered all the girls together (even little Sara who was only 3 years old), and sat in a circle in the loft upstairs. We had a sisters pow wow so to speak, where Ashley, Jessica, and I took turns sharing our testimonies of the gospel, of eternal families, and of the desire we had to have all of us in the Celestial Kingdom together someday. We talked about how it seemed impossible now, but when we're all adults and life gets hard, there is a chance people can fall away. Looking at our parents' immediate families, this was evident and a real possibility. But, we talked about how much we loved each other, how much we sisters can look out for each other. Looking back, I know this was a meeting directed by the spirit. The spirit there was so strong that Emma (who was almost 8 years old) was crying in Jessica's lap from the pure truth that was being manifested by the spirit to her. Going into it, I hadn't planned on this next part, but as we continued to discuss, I got up and grabbed a piece of stationary paper and we decided to form a contract. A "Sister's Contract" created by all of us. Each point was carefully drafted by the 7 of us Fluegel sisters. We all had a part in making it, and we all signed it at the bottom, even Sara who had just learned to write her name.
Here is what it said:
On this nineteenth day of March 2011:
We Fluegel Sisters promise that we will forever do the following:
1. Always be an active member in the gospel, the LDS church, fulfill our callings, and keep the commandments of God.
2. Marry in God's temple to a righteous priesthood holder who has returned from an honorable mission and is considerably good looking.
3. Always keep our minds, hearts, and bodies pure and chaste.
4. Value our sisterhood above any circumstance whether it be money, trials, or other people and we will always be each other's number one supports.
5. We will be true sisters in Zion always paying our tithing, serving others, and being patient and loving mothers.
6. We will all be together in the Celestial Kingdom with our families and live happily ever after with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Signed by:
Elizabeth Anne (16) Rebecca Lynn (11) Sara Grace (3)
Ashley Rae (16) Laura Jean (11)
Jessica Elaine (13) Emma Rose (7)
Soon we hope to have Clara and Porter sign too!
I look at this document often (which we have made copies of since) and think about how when I signed this document, I promised to do those 6 things. Some of which I have done, and most of which I will need to continue to do for the rest of my life! One of the parts I love the most is number 4, about valuing our sisterhood (as Mom and Dad taught us) above anyone or anything else, and being each other's number one supports. When I look at the end goal, which is to be together in the Celestial Kingdom, I know that as sisters we are important in that journey. It is our duty as sisters to lift each other up, strengthen the weak, notice if one is lost and bring them lovingly back. We promised to do this, and I know that there is a special power in the love we share for each other. No, we're not perfect, but we are our sister's keepers, and I know none of us will be lost because we love and care for each other, and will support each other no matter where we are on our journey.
I love you girls so much! Enjoy my photo dump!
