One year!!!

Again- I love this time of the year. I find myself being reminded so much more of the sacrifice God gave us when He sent His only Son to die for us.

I was baptized almost a year ago. On December 11th, 2007, my life changed forever. I was blessed with a gospel unlike any other. I found my home. And while this year hasn't been the easiest- I can honestly say, this year has been a lot easier because of the church.

I am so blessed I found the Truth

I am so thankful that Joseph Smith helped restore the Gospel

I can't wait to be endowed in the Temple

I can't wait to be sealed for time and all eternity to the love of my life.

I know my life is better because of the Gospel. I have changed for the better. My whole world just make so much more sense. I can't wait to see what this next year brings!!

I was able to go to the Oakland Temple last night to watch a Christmas performance called "Behold the Light." Tom and I both got goosebumps and I found myself welling up with tears. You could just feel the Spirit. I always feel the Spirit at the Temple grounds, but last night- more so. It was amazing. I love being there with Thomas. Being there with his parents just made it that much more special. I love them so much! They are such great examples to me. The grounds were all lit up and the view from there was so beautiful! I loved the feeling of being so close to God. I can't wait until I am able to enter into the Temple. I can hardly stand it.

I am watching someone I love so dearly struggle with the Church and with the fact that they feel tied down by the Church. I find this so hard to believe because I felt so liberated when I found the gospel for the second time in my life. My heart breaks as I watch this person cry and tell me how they don't know about the truthfulness of the Gospel. After last night, after this last year, I am not sure how anyone could not be sure. I feel so much stronger- so much more thankful for life because of the Church. I just pray that this person will find thier way. I can't imagine life without the Church. I was so lost. I was so scared and alone. And when Thomas entered my life, when his family entered my life, they brought the Gospel back into my life. They helped me find my way back to a life that made me so happy. I am forever grateful to them. To my husband. He is the most amazing husband a girl could ask for!!!

I love Sundays too. I love testimony meeting and I love the feeling I get after I have been to church. I always leave feeling so refreshed and ready to take on the day, the week, the month. I can't wait until the next Sunday to experience it all over again. I need to figure out a way to renew that feeling everyday!

Its the most wonderful time of the year

This is my favorite time of year. I am not a big fan of the cold- but I don't like it to be too hot either. I love the Christmas lights and the joy that seems to encompass people. I love Christmas trees and seeing family all together. It seems to me that this is the only time of year that family finds time to get together. This and weddings :)

Thomas and I had the most wonderful Thanksgiving at Steve and Christine's (we got married in thier backyard) with my mom and Peter (her boyfriend). We left after some amazing pie to come home (Tom had to work Black Friday starting at 6 am and ending at 6 pm), we stopped by his grandparents to grab some "homemade rolls" (which ended up being store bought) and got to see everyone just for a bit. Boy was I stuffed.

And now- my favorite part. It will be lacking snow- once again- but I love Christmas time. I love the lights and the songs and the Spirit that just seems to encompass everyone. Lee and I went and got the very first Taylor tree. We set that up last night :) I am so excited!! I can't wait to continue decorating and getting more and more things to add to our Charlie Brown Tree!!!

Other than that- all is well here. We are moving along. We still don't know when exactly Thomas will lose his job, but we are preparing for it. It is scary knowing that my job isn't very secure either, but somehow I know that our Heavenly Father will bless us. He always does. We look forward to this coming year and hopefully a trip to Casper to visit our niece Morgan on her first birthday (this will also include some much needed R&R time).

Here are just a few pictures of this week's events!!!

Thanksgiving Candle

Lee and Thomas putting the ornaments on

Our Charlie Brown Tree

Our first Christmas house to put on Candycane Lane

Sunday FUN!

So I am finding quite a hard time finding enough time to write about what it is I want to write about. It isn't as though I have kids to take care of (although two grown men do manage to take up quite a bit of time), I only work about 45 hours a week and the rest is devoted to whatever it is that I wish. It has mostly come down to spending time with my most amazing hubby and my favorite in laws. The last month or so, I have been going over to my in-laws on Sundays to learn how to cook. And I have to tell you, I have enjoyed it. More than I thought I would to be honest.

The first Sunday, I learned how to make haystacks (which I duplicated tonight without any problems). And while they are not my favorite- seeing Tom smile and be filled with something other than peanut butter (his choice because he LOVES it more than any other food other than sweets) sandwiches- makes me so very happy.

The following Sunday I learned how to make the infamous Taylor enchiladas. This was my very first meal at the Taylor home and Dad told me that it was a family recipe so he couldn't tell me how he'd make it. Little did he know that a year later, I would be his newest addition into the Taylor household :)

The following Sunday- the family enjoyed an early morning trip to San Fransisco to watch Lee (my brother in law and BFF) and his girlfriend Ads run in the US Half Marathon. We spend the morning wandering the upper part of the Pier and enjoying the cool morning air. We ate breakfast and a hole in the wall diner and just enjoyed the day. After words, we went to celebrate baby Brooklyn's (Tom's niece and now my own) 1st birthday. I still can't believe how big she is gotten. Needless to say, I wasn't able to venture out into the unknown world and try and new cooking recipe.

Yesterday, I found myself making homemade (from scratch) Apple Pie. It was AWESOME!!! I was so pleased to learn that I can make a pie. I mean, I really did do it. The crust ended up being patch work crust but it came out amazing and with a little vanilla ice cream- I couldn't have been happier with the results.

I think the best part of it all is that I get to spend time with my family. My new family. These are people I have grown to love and respect. The are people I can't imagine my life without. I am so very blessed. I feel like I can go to my new found parents and ask them for advice. My brother in law is also my best friend and my little sister is just that a little sister with no in-lawness attached to it. How much luckier could I have gotten? The most amazing husband and great in-laws---- WOW!!!

Prop 8 vs. the LDS Church

I am struggling with this whole Prop 8 situation. I feel... torn. I am angry at people who claim to want equality and to be treated equally in persecuting just one faith- one religion. A religion that I belong to and LOVE so much. Yet, I understand how my friends and family could feel the way they feel when it comes to get Prop 8 passed, but under no circumstances do I condone what the people of the gay community throughout this nation have done. They are persucuting one set of faith just as they have been persecuted. It is hypocritical and heartbreaking.

For those of you who are not sure what this is- let me explain.
"Proposition 8 is a California State ballot proposition that would amend the state Constitution to restrict the definition of marriage to a union between a man and a woman. It would overturn a recent California Supreme Court decision that had recognized same-sex marriage in California as a fundamental right. The official ballot title language for Proposition 8 is "Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry." The entirety of the text to be added to the constitution is: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."" -Wikipedia.com And this Prop passed 52.4% to 47.6%.

Now there are a lot of people who are blaming the LDS Church for the pass of the proposition. I am bewildered by this. They say that the Church itself gave over $20 MILLION dollars to the campaigning of YES on Prop 8. Not true. Do your research. There were LDS MEMBERS who gave donations and helped support what they believed to be true. (I am getting more agitated as I write this and do my own research) It wasn't the Church itself to give money. If you also did your research- "Any notion that Tuesday's election represented a liberal juggernaut must overcome a detail from the voting booths of California: The same voters who turned out strongest for Barack Obama also drove a stake through the heart of same-sex marriage.
Seven in 10 African Americans who went to the polls voted yes on Proposition 8, the ballot measure overruling a state Supreme Court judgment that legalized same-sex marriage and brought 18,000 gay and lesbian couples to Golden State courthouses in the past six months." http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27584685/

Just because money was given- as is in any election- by the people of the United States who have a right to do what they want and have a right to believe in what they want- doesn't mean it was their fault the Prop passed. Stop taking it out on a Church that has always been one to stand by their morals and not just change because things in this world are changing. It is one of the things that made me choose to convert. The LDS Church released this statement in regards to the protests:
"It is disturbing that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is being singled out for speaking up as part of its democratic right in a free election.
Members of the Church in California and millions of others from every faith, ethnicity and political affiliation who voted for Proposition 8 exercised the most sacrosanct and individual rights in the United States — that of free expression and voting.
While those who disagree with our position on Proposition 8 have the right to make their feelings known, it is wrong to target the Church and its sacred places of worship for being part of the democratic process.
Once again, we call on those involved in the debate over same-sex marriage to act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility towards each other. No one on either side of the question should be vilified, harassed or subject to erroneous information."

"Voters in Arizona and Florida took the same course and amended their constitutions to establish that marriage will continue to be between a man and a woman.
Such an emotionally charged issue concerning the most personal and cherished aspects of life — family, identity, intimacy and equality — stirs fervent and deep feelings.
Most likely, the election results for these constitutional amendments will not mean an end to the debate over same-sex marriage in this country.
We hope that now and in the future all parties involved in this issue will be well informed and act in a spirit of mutual respect and civility toward those with a different position. No one on any side of the question should be vilified, intimidated, harassed or subject to erroneous information.
It is important to understand that this issue for the Church has always been about the sacred and divine institution of marriage — a union between a man and a woman.
Allegations of bigotry or persecution made against the Church were and are simply wrong. The Church’s opposition to same-sex marriage neither constitutes nor condones any kind of hostility toward gays and lesbians. Even more, the Church does not object to rights for same-sex couples regarding hospitalization and medical care, fair housing and employment rights, or probate rights, so long as these do not infringe on the integrity of the traditional family or the constitutional rights of churches.
Some, however, have mistakenly asserted that churches should not ever be involved in politics when moral issues are involved. In fact, churches and religious organizations are well within their constitutional rights to speak out and be engaged in the many moral and ethical problems facing society. While the Church does not endorse candidates or platforms, it does reserve the right to speak out on important issues.
Before it accepted the invitation to join broad-based coalitions for the amendments, the Church knew that some of its members would choose not to support its position. Voting choices by Latter-day Saints, like all other people, are influenced by their own unique experiences and circumstances. As we move forward from the election, Church members need to be understanding and accepting of each other and work together for a better society.
Even though the democratic process can be demanding and difficult, Latter-day Saints are profoundly grateful for and respect the ideals of a true democracy.
The Church expresses deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication of the many Latter-day Saints and others who supported the coalitions in efforts regarding these amendments." LDS.org

I also found this commercial that has been broadcasted in California. And this- this is the stuff that makes me the most angry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJYn3BoZkcQ

There needs to be a seperation of church and state. If the prop had been passed and the LDS church or ANY OTHER CHURCH had declined to recognize gay marriages because of their doctorine or values they would have lost state rights. It is OUR right as an AMERICAN to believe whatever it is that we want to believe. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THE CONSTITUTION. It is a very thin line for this prop because it touches everyone of us. And I feel torn in which was to support this as I have many close friends who are gay or bi. I have family memebers who are gay. I was taught growing up to be tolerant. And so I choose to believe that gay couples should have the same rights as those who are straight. But I stand behind my Church in saying that they do not support gay couples in marriage as we believe that marriage, in definition, is between a man and a woman. But they do believe that gay couples should have the same rights as any married couple. I support this. I support my church and look down on those who have decided that this is the Church's fault and that the church itself has taken away rights. This is America and America has spoken- just like with Bush- just like with any other election. THE PEOPLE OF THIS NATION (AND OF THIS STATE) VOTED! Lets find a common ground. There has to be one somewhere.

Thomas and I just celebrated a year of our engagement (which should be considered over since we are married- but feel that we can still celebrate it- any excuse to celebrate right???). I can't believe it has been a whole year. A year since we met, a year since we started dating and a year since we have become engaged. It all seems like it has gone too fast and yet, not fast enough. I counted the days until I got to call him mine forever. And we get to go through that again when we get sealed. I can't wait!!! And sooner than we know it, a year since we got married will be here--- and gone. I am just so grateful I took a chance with him- even though I was scared! I am so thankful we worked through all of our rough spots and just became that much stronger. I still look at him with amazement wondering how in the world I got so lucky... just GLAD I did!!!

I have also fallen in love with some new music. One- the Twilight soundtrack- I am so excited for the movie!!! Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist soundtrack (even though I have yet to see the movie) and some AFI and Tiger Army. All of it is going perfectly with the mood I have been in lately. The rain (which I am totally in love with) has made me feel more romantic... more sweet... more happy. I love listening to it pound the tin roofs outside of our apartment. It sounds like the rain sticks my dad brought home from Ecuador. *sigh* This is my idea of perfection. Candles lite- window open- husband next to me- rain pouring and the new soundtracks of music playing gently. I am just in pure utter happiness... now only if it would snow....

I am on cloud nine... now if only I could get our apartment to feel like we were staying in it rather than still moving in or moving out... that would be the icing on the cake...

Perfection in Marriage

I LOVE BEING MARRIED!!!! Every aspect of it. I love that I get to come home to this most amazing man and tell him about my day. I love that we try and please each other. I love that he fills all the holes in my life with his smile and laughter. I love that we laugh ALL the time. He is my best friend and I am so thankful! I found this "poem" and immediately thought of what Thomas and I have. How grateful I am!!!

A good marriage must be created.
In the art of marriage.
The little things are the big things...
It is never being too old to hold hands.
It is remembering to say, "I love you"
at least once a day.
It is never going to sleep angry.
It is having a mutual sense of values
and common objectives.
It is standing together facing the world.
It is forming a circle of love that gathers
in the whole family.
It is speaking words of appreciation
and demonstrating gratitude in thoughtful ways.
It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.
It is giving each other an atmosphere
in which each can grow.
It is finding room for the things of the spirit.
It is common search for the good and the beautiful.
It is not only marrying the right partner,
it is being the right partner.

And I personally think they forgot one... having mutual faith and love in God should be number one. I think that if Thomas didn't have the faith he has (whether he knows it or not)- we wouldn't be together. That faith and the endurance our love has for our Heavenly Father has got us through the most difficult times we have had thus far. And while I know those trails have been small compared to what we will go through- it helps to know that we have God on our side. I am so thankful for the Gospel. For the love God reigns on us. It is extraordinary!!!

Just the beginning!!!

So on Saturday Thomas and I got the oppurtunity to get another photo shoot with our most favorite photographer EVER! Abigail felt we didn't get enough "couple shots" during our wedding so she took us out again. And while we haven't gotten our wedding pictures back yet- she was sure to rush us some of the beginning stages of our second photo shoot... and here are some of our favs!!! (Or at least mine)!!!

Wedding Day Fun!

Mom and Dad Taylor
Taylor Family


Aunt Fritzi and Frankie Jo (one of my favs)

The Whole Clan

Mom Stroud and Dad Taylor

My sister Molly and Morgan

Left to Right: My junior bridesmaid and cousin Ali Jo, My aunt Kim and my flower girl Frankie Jo

Frankie Jo and Morgan

Me and Morgan while getting ready and playing with Tigger

Mom helping me with my veil... grandma is there too :)

Our rings...

Right before walking down the isle

My sexy husband

My baby brother and older sister Jenn-I

This is what the tables looked like at the wedding.

Our First Dance as husband and wife :)

Our cake made by Grandma Taylor

My Daddy and my niece Morgan. Aren't they beautiful?!?!

These are just some of my favs from people who took pictures around the wedding. Thomas and I went out on another photo shoot with Abigail yesterday and had a blast just doing couple shots. Hopefully we have those sometime this next week. And we will keep you posted!!!

Amazement!

Who knew God could be so amazing and thorough???
As things get to be a bit overwhelming here and I find myself getting stressed out and worrying a bit more than I should... He offers me some relief. With an amazing phone call from my dad reminding me to stay strong and work hard. With amazing blogs from friends and kind words to keep me pushing forward and then with a letter that has been stashed away for sometime to just fall into my lap.

God never ceases to amaze me. I find myself falling more in love with Him and remembering exactly why I decided to live a life for Him. I would think that this would be the time when I would just give up on God. When the going gets tough that it. But in so many ways- some subtle some unsubtle- He touches my heart.

It first started on Sunday. Tom and I were on our way to church and thanks to my little sister I tuned the radio to KLOVE. My heart was overflowing with the Spirit as SONICFLOOD came on and sang "I want to know you more." Goosebumps infested my body. And I started to sing... with my whole heart invested in it. I am sure I sounded like a dog howling but that wasn't the point. The Spirit was moving my heart and I felt soooo good! What a great way to start off the week! Sacrament was good... a lot of talk on Temple Marriage and how important it is. I just nudged Tom and winked :) We met some people due to the fact that we are new to the ward. It was a nice warm and comfortable feeling.

I have felt quite bogged down this week. Work is not going as well as I want it to. I am frustrated with my boss and I feel like I am failing... as a wife, daughter, and employee. And last night, as I thought of a friend who is overwhelmed and stressed with her home situation, I got out a letter written to me by a friend who I miss and love so much! It was a letter she wrote to me that I had written to her and we just keep passing it back and forth. I wrote it down for my friend who is struggling and didn't even bother to read it or really take in what it said. I just knew these words would help her.

After a great conversation with my dad this afternoon, I was sitting here, thinking, and this letter came back to my mind. Long story... shorter- I should have been remembering these words I wrote to Nicole 8 years ago and that she wrote back to me just two years ago.

Dec. 26, 2000“God is looking out for you; He’s not going to give you anything you can’t handle and He’s going to help you through the things you think you can’t handle.”

Too tired…Matt 11:28-30 "Co me unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls."

Nobody loves me…John 3:16, 13:34 & Psalm 145:14 " For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." "The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.:

I can’t go on…2 Cor 12:9, Psalm 91:15 "He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him."

I can’t figure things out…Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

I can’t do it…Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Not able…2 Cor 4:8-9 and 9:8 "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed." "Not worth it…Romans 9:28And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:"

Can’t forgive myself… Romans 8:1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

I’m afraid…2 Tim 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Always worried and frustrated…1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

Enough faith…Romans 12:3 "...according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

Not smart…1 Cor 1:30 "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption"

Feeling alone…Heb 13:5 "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee."

Not pretty enough…2 Cor 4:18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

No one cares... Psalm 139 "1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. 2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising; thou understandest my thought afar off. 3 Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.5 Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. 7 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? 8 If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; 10 even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. 12 Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee. 13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 15 My substance was not hid from thee when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned,when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. 19 Surely thou wilt slay the wicked, O God: depart from me therefore, ye bloody men. 20 For they speak against thee wickedly,and thine enemies take thy name in vain. 21 Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? And am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee? 22 I hate them with perfect hatred: I count them mine enemies. 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 and see if there be any wicked way in me,and lead me in the way everlasting."


*sigh*. He always takes care of me. I am so thankful. My heart feels at peace now. Thanks God!!!