Luke 1:37

So this last week has been one of those I don't ever want to re-live again.  

I know that it is just a test.  Thomas and I made a good decision last week... we decided to go get sealed... to make the ultimate commitment to each other... we are going to be with each other for time and all eternity.  And not only that, but we have made a commitment to God to be worthy to enter into His Temple.  While it isn't too hard, there are still things that had to change- or that are going to have to be changed- as we learn.  Like my caffeine intake.  I haven't had any since we decided to get sealed.  And other than this stupid ear infection that I have had for 4 days, I have never felt better.  We are really doing this.  Thomas is putting forth his effort and it means more to me more than he will ever know.  It took my breath away when he told me. 

But things just went all haywire after we decided to get sealed- it reminded me of my car breaking down the night of my baptism and Lee telling me that Satan was going to do everything he could to stop me from going down the right road.

So this week- I think he tried HARD!!!!

•  work sucked!  I was suppose to sign a loan on Tuesday- and it didn't happen.  Which means that the likelihood of Thomas and I going to Wyoming this summer for a family memorial service/reunion was slim to none.
•  I got a horrible ear infection that also included with a virus that kept me out of work for 2 days.  I was miserable!!!
•  I fought with my mom- which hasn't happened in a long time and really felt like it put us back to where we were not too long ago... this breaks my heart.
• My car needs new brakes- like today... and I am not sure how we are going to afford them.

But I had the chance to really pray about it.  Knowing that God was going to allow us to do whatever is necessary to get through, I let go and let God.  On Friday, I signed the loan I was suppose to sign on Tuesday and while the paycheck won't be nearly as big had I signed it on Tuesday- its still a paycheck.  I will be able to pay some people back (thanks Mom for helping us when we needed it, we really appreciate it!), get brakes on my car- and possibly go to Wyoming (my father also called and said if we needed it- he would help).  Today- I went and got some homoeopathic ear drops for my ear- and it feels a thousand times better.  Still clogged and still hurts but it isn't throbbing.  

I am so thankful for God.  He gives me so much strength.  I felt like falling apart.  I felt like the whole world was spinning out of control.  He remind me that it was just a test.  I could have gone back to my old ways- dealt with stress via a smoke, or had a cup of coffee to help me stay awake during those nights I didn't sleep due to the ear, or just simply forgot that He has a plan.  He knows what He is doing.  

We are going to make it after all. 

Prayers are answered!

Its been a while since I've posted anything. Time just seems to be slipping away. We have been so busy on the weekends- and even busy during the week... I find myself with little to no time to do things like this... But I am finding the time today.

Things have been awesome. I really can't complain much. I feel like I have developed something great with my mom... after all these years- I feel like we are FINALLY on the right path. I feel so blessed to have this chance with her and for the ability to be able to talk to her and spend time with her. Its been fantastic!!!

Tom is loving his new job... even though he has worked a total of maybe 15 hours since he started. I think it gives him something to feel proud about! I love seeing him laugh and smile like before. It makes me happy!

My job- has picked up steadily- sometimes giving me more than I think I can handle. I feel slightly overwhelmed... but I have to keep reminding myself at least I have got something to do... and too much is better than nothing at all.

I love General Conference this last time. I couldn't stop watching it! I was so overcome with the Spirit. Having Tom's family join us at our apartment- with french toast and sticky buns- was so much fun! It was great having them there.

As I listened to the talks... I just felt like it was me that they were speaking to. Elder Ballard spoke on learning lessons from the past. I loved this talk. I always seem to dwell on the past... on my past mistakes. Too much and too often. I've been told quite often to forget the past, move on and let go. And while I can see where people are coming from- yes, you have to move on and yes, you have to let go- otherwise it will consume you and make you angry and sad- forgetting doesn't do anyone any good "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”--George Santayana I will never go back to my past. I am happy that it is gone... but I will always remember it. It made me who I am today... and it made me who I am not.

I also love President Uchtdorf! He is an amazing speaker and he makes me laugh everytime. His talk I think was my favorite. I always want results right away- whether if it is from my job, or losing weight- or whatever it is. I want it NOW! He talked a lot about patience and that... "We don’t acquire eternal life in a sprint—this is a race of endurance."

I prayed about it that night with reverance and humility. I had been struggleing with being asked to wait to get my endowments until my husband could go with me. It was heart breaking to hear that I couldn't do it a year after my baptisim. I wanted it right then and there. And while I understood why I shouldn't go without my husband... I still felt cheated of not being able to. However, after Uchtdorf's talk... my heart started to settle and I remembered that it would happen in God's time.

On Wednesday, Thomas texts me and says, "The Bishop would like to see us tonight between 7-9."
Me: "Ok- how about 8?"
Tom: "Ok."

Here I am thinking we are in trouble.

We get there and the Bishop sits us down and tells us that there is a Temple Prep class starting next Thursday and he would like us to attend. I am beaming!!!! Tom is not so sure... as he still doesn't know if he is ready. We talk about things for a while with the Bishop and we leave- agreeing we would go to the class. On our way home, I ask Tom if he is really prepared for the committment and what it will take for us to prepare ourselves for the Temple. I also ask him if we could make a date for our sealing. He tells me he is going to sleep on it. The next evening, I ask him, if he slept on it. He said yes.... and that we will start working towards the 9-9-09 date of us being sealed. I was in SHOCK! I was so happy!!! I cannot wait to sealed for time and all eternity to this man. I just cannot wait!!!!!

Tomorrow I am taking my mother-in-law to San Francisco to celebrate her birthday! I am so excited to spend the day with her... to be in the city and to enjoy the beautiful day we are suppose to have. I'll post pictures of Easter and San Francisco on Sunday.

Hope all is well with you!!!!

Blessings

What an amazing week!  God has blessed me (and Thomas) so much this week.  The week went by uber-fast and I was able to go and get some new bedroom furniture as well as some new clothes that were much needed for work- all because God helped me close a few loans this month :)  

I also went and got my Patricartical Blessing today.  As Thomas sat in the room with me while Brother Kenter gave me my blessing- my heart was overwhelmed with the Spirit.  I had waited so long to get my blessing- and here is was.  God was speaking to my heart through the Holy Spirit.  It was probably one of the most memorable times in my life.  I still have the feeling inside me.  I am so very thankful.  

 

I love this quote... so much.  I strive for this... I am borrowing it from Lacey... 

"I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I won' t look back, let up, slow down, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I'm finished and done with low living, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed visions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need preeminence, positions, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded. I now live by faith, lean on His presence, walk with patience, am uplifted by prayer, and labor with power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven. My road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions are few, my guide is reliable, my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, divided or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at th table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, or let up until I hvae stayed up, stored up, and paid up for the cause of Christ. I must go til He comes, give til I drop, Preach til all know, and work til He stops me. And when He returns for His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear." -Elder Henry B. Eyring

I hope you all have a great week.  

This week...

So yesterday, I decided Tom and I needed a little bit of time away from the house and we hadn't had an "us day" in quite sometime... so I convinced him that we were going somewhere at about 11 yesterday morning.  We got ourselves ready- uploaded our new Fastrak (thanks Mom) got in the car and headed out.  I had a plan.  We stopped at the mall and picked up a few essentails to our life that we had been waiting for and then proceeded to go to our date.   

We got to San Fransisco (our destenation) and got lost.  We even had a GPS and everything!!!!  I am chatting with Thomas- trying to figure out where our next turn is... I see a bus to my right, turn right without stopping so I thought it was ok to go... um... no... not so much!  I was running a red light and slamming into someone.  :(  I ripped off my license plate and caused some damage to my front bumper- while the other guy just a scrape to his left end axel.  Everyone was ok... minus Little Red.  

My baby

The other guy's car

I was so upset- I was more worried about the guy and how he was going to react... but he was very cool- saying it added a little adventure into his boring life- and that it allowed him to spend less time at work.  

Thomas and I proceeded onto our date which included a family owned Italian Resturant and visiting Ocean Beach... It was well worth the drive- but I have now vowed to stay out of the city when I drive... haha!

The last few weeks have been great... with some trails and tribulations- but it is only making Thomas and I stronger.  I am so very thankful for my husband.  I can't believe we will be married for 6 months in March! Seems like just yesterday we were planning our wedding.  

Thomas is still looking for work- and my work is FINALLY picking up.  Lee is doing well- he had a great interview with Elderidge Fire Department last week.  It has been busy!  But I would rather be busy than be bored!!!!!  

My new sweet baby - William Joel!

What do you think about my little new baby William Joel?
MakeMeBabies.com - What will your baby look like?

My new sweet baby - Josephine Francis!

What do you think about my little new baby Josephine Francis?
MakeMeBabies.com - What will your baby look like?

25 things you didn't know

I'll post Thomas' if he ever fills one out... 

If you get this, you're supposed to pass it on, only with new tidbits about yourself. Thanks for reading!

1. I am really not sure I can write 25 things about myself. And that makes me kinda sad, but also happy--- does that make sense??

2. I am probably the most simply complexed girl you will ever meet. I wear my emotions on my sleeve and most of the time you can read them pretty easily, but sometimes I don't even understand myself or my thoughts- so how can anyone else???

3. I love what I do as a job, but because I know it is not what I am going to be doing for the rest of my life, I really don't push myself to do it. I think this makes me sad too!!!

4. I love love love love love my husband. He is amazing. He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I am such a better person because of him.

5. My family is the most important thing to me and they have done so much for me to get me to where I am today. I love them... all of them.

6. My definition of family is this... it doesn't have to be by blood- you are my family if you can love me unconditionally.

7. The music I listen to is a reflection of the mood I am in. 

8. I love cuddling with my husband more than anything else in the world. It manages to make all my bad moments during a day go aways!

9. I cannot wait to be a teacher. Even if I just affect one person's like by educating, I believe my life will have been fulfilled. 

10. I cannot wait to be a mother. I cannot wait to know the love my mom has been talking about for years!!! 

11. I have had my fair share of heartaches. And I am ok with it. I have learned, been scarred and become the person I am because of those heartaches. I am proud to wear the scars. And it never stops hurting.

12. I used to think I had the best friends, but I have learned that it takes someone special to be called a best friend. 

13. I have so much faith in our Lord and Savior. My life would be completely hopeless without them!

14. I will never be able to repay those who brought the Gospel into my life! I am so thankful and don't say it nearly enough.

15. My husband makes me laugh more than once a day and I love it! I love it that even when we are mad- we can look at each other and burst out laughing! Only with him!

16. I am conquering my fear of spiders- one spider at a time. I don't think I will ever get rid of the big ones though- they just give me the willys!!!

17. I love that my parents still call me Moe and Catfish. It always makes me happy to hear them call me that!

18. I can never seem to let things go. Once I think I have, it slowly creeps back into my mind and sits there and festers until it explodes!!! I need to learn how to let things go!

19. I love Tigger. At 25, I still have multiple stuffed Tiggers and a ringtone just for Tigger... what can I say- I'm a kid at heart!

20. I love speaking French, hearing French and listening to French music. It takes me to a very peaceful place in my mind and I grin a very big grin! 

21. I could eat cheese everyday- all day- almost any kind... except Bleu. I draw the line there!

22. I have a problem letting people down. I believe I get this from my father- but it is tough for me to tell people I can't do something, so I figure out a way to do it or avoid the situation completely... horrible I know.

23. I don't like watermelon. I think it is too sweet or something but the taste, smell or sight of it- literally makes me sick.

24. I hate- with a passion- mornings. I could stay up all night- every night if I didn't have to get up in the morning. I need a night job.

25. I love to pop pimples. (I figured this was 25 so I needed to make it a "juicy" one) I believe I got this from my mom- but I just do. Plain and Simple.