Waiting upon the Lord:Thy Will Be Done

As I sit and think about all the events that have happened for Jake and I this year, it's been an overwhelmingly emotional year. We've been challenged and strengthened. Despite all the hardships, we have also been truly blessed this year. As I came across my friends blog, she made reference to a really powerful talk by Robert D. Hales, Waiting upon the Lord. I encourage everyone to read this, I absolutely love this talk! In the October Conference, Elder Hales shares his powerful testimony of trials and the true purpose of this life. It provided me with a lot of hope, and that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

 

I often wonder sometimes why life has to be so hard. Or, why me? Why does she have it so easy? As I think back over the year and through all of our trials, I know my Heavenly Father has been watching over us. We've been presented with challenges that I never thought I would ever have to face in my life. I have been truly blessed with an amazing husband, best friend, and supporter that I thank Heavenly Father every day for.

 

 Elder Hales says, "we realize that the purpose of our life on earth is to grow, develop, and be strengthened through our own experiences. How do we do this? The scriptures give us an answer in one simple phrase: we “wait upon the Lord.”¹² Tests and trials are given to all of us. These mortal challenges allow us and our Heavenly Father to see whether we will exercise our agency to follow His Son. He already knows, and we have the opportunity to learn, that no matter how difficult our circumstances, “all these things shall [be for our] experience, and … [our] good.”

 

It has taken me months, maybe years to understand and grasp the true purpose of life. You would think I would have a perfect knowledge, but I am still trying to perfect my own understanding. After reading this talk, it provides me with so much hope and understanding. That I am not alone in this. We are being watched over every step of the way, and I pray that I will keep pressing forward, even when I think I am physically and emotionally spent. I am grateful for all the experiences Jake and I have had this year. We've grown so much individually and even closer to each other. Though I still don't understand the purpose of every trial, I know we are both being refined into the persons that we are meant to become.

 

Elder Hales testimony,  I express gratitude that “in my Gethsemane”⁴³ and yours, we are not alone. He that watches over us “shall neither slumber nor sleep.”⁴⁴ His angels here and beyond the veil are “round about [us], to bear [us] up.”⁴⁵ I bear my special witness that our Savior’s promise is true, for He says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”⁴⁶ May we wait upon Him by pressing forward in faith, that we may say in our prayers, “Thy will be done,”⁴⁷ and return to Him with honor.

 

 

My heart continues to go out to all those that were effected in my hometown, Newtown CT. Words can not describe the pain that our little community is going through. Our thoughts and prayers are to our Newtown Ward who is also grieving the loss of sweet Emilie Parker.

 

 

This Is Home Newtown, CT

This is such a beautiful slideshow of my hometown Newtown, CT. I still can't wrap my head around these tragic events that took place at my Elementary School, Sandy Hook. It breaks my heart to see my town all over the news in this way. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families, friends and teachers effected by this horrible tragedy. A sweet and beautiful little girl from my home ward, who I unfortunately didn't get to know, was killed in this tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers also go to her family and the Newtown Ward, a ward that I will always consider my home.

Thanksgiving in Connecticut

It's been a crazy few weeks/months, so sorry for the delay...

Jake and I went to Connecticut for Thanksgiving again this year. We figured by next Christmas my brother will be home from Qatar, and we will all be together!  It was a great trip and we were able to do a lot. We went into Boston one day with my parents which was a lot of fun! Jake took all the pictures though... The only pictures I took were of course of all my cute nephews! 

Cute little man!



Connor had an obsession with my phone and taking tons of random pictures. He loved just pushing the button. He is wearing his breakfast :)

Jayden loved Jake. I love Jayden's cheesy grin.

My newest nephew Ryan.

Jake, my parents and I went into Boston on one of the days. One of my greatest memories of Boston is Quincy Market. We would always go here on temple trips.

Thanksgiving is coming!!!

Guess who is excited for Thanksgiving again this year!! Great company, amazing food (if I can eat it), family, good times!! Jake and I are going out to Connecticut again this year for Thanksgiving. We figured next year everyone will be together for Christmas, because Sean will be getting back from Qatar sometime in the spring/summer 2013, from being deployed.

Carrie Underwood Concert

I am really behind posting, but... For an early birthday present this year, Jake and I went and saw Carrie Underwood in concert. By far, probably my favorite concert. She has such an amazing voice, and she literally blew me away. It's probably the reason her tour is called, "Blown Away". Hunter Hayes opened up for her and he was pretty good too. However, I think he is kinda one of those singers that sound different on stage, then what you hear on the radio. It was a great concert and we had awesome seats!

 

 

The lighting is really bad in this picture, but this is the only shot we got of us at the concert.

 

 

Mid-show, they had this stage move through the whole crowd. She literally was right above our heads... Kind of crazy. Jake said he smiled and her :)

 

 

Awesome show!!! Blown Away!

Fort Worth, Texas

Jake and I went to Fort Worth, Texas this last weekend. We met up with his cousins Nelson and Suzanne! They were such a blast to hang out with!! I was honestly really skepitcal about going, just because I've never been and didn't know exactly what to expect. I was pleasantly suprised! They have a few condos in Texas, so they are really familar with the area. It was so fun to see! I now understand why everyone loves Texas! We did so much, and I wish I took more pictures to show everything we did! Here's just a few....

 

 

On our last night, we went back to the Stock Yards. It reminds me a little bit of Vegas, but just country style. The big arena in the background is where the rodeo was that we went to. It was pretty entertaining to watch!

 

 

At the rodeo

 

 

This was actually a really cool game, despite the fact that it was TCU playing, and it was SOO hot out! I probably only sat in our seats for about 30 minutes, and ended up sitting in the shade... I could not believe how hot it was that day!

 

All the fans go to Breakfast before the game... I've never seen so much purple in my life!!! Great breakfast place!! Jake loved it!!!

 



I can't remember the name of this place, but it was really good. All they serve is fahitas and enchiladas. They don't even have a menu! It was really good! The place was beautiful outside!

 



 

Jake and Nelson.... they were reliving there childhood all over again! Who knew Art museums could be highly entertaining! I have no idea what Jake was doing with his face... but it's hilarious!

 Fort Worth Stock Yards. I loved all the little cowboy shops... I really wanted me some boots!!

 

The 2nd day we went to their condo on the lake. This was there view from the balcony! We went on there jet skis, and Jake was able to try water sking for the first time. Nelson and Jake jumped off a cliff, which was pretty entertaining to watch as well.... They are seriously hilarious when they get together!

 

 

 

This is where we got to stay on the ranch...

 

On the last night we stayed in there condo, downtown Fort Worth. It was such a crazy view!

 

 

This picture is not really related, but it makes me laugh and think how small of a world Mormons live in! This picture was Suzanne and I when we were, I'm guessing, 8 or 9? We were taking a class picture for church, all the way in Connecticut!  Suzanne is second on the right... Jake's cousin Nelson met and married Suzanne in Virginia. It's crazy how small of a world it is, and I would have never thought we would one day be family!

 

A little late.. but we got our group photo back. This was our ward right before we left for WY, for Pioneer Trek! Everyone was looking good, since this was taken right before we got on the buses!

 

 

Anniversary



 

So for our anniversary, Jake and I went to the Hogle Zoo. It's been five years since the last time we went (refer to post A Day at Hogle Zoo). The Zoo was our " milestone" date where we went from the status of the "Friends Zone" to a "Relationship". I was actually sick the day we went, so the only thing I really remember is Jake touching my back for the first time, trying to provide me comfort. It was a lot of fun, despite all the animals sleeping when we were there ;)







September 2007

August 27, 2012





It's crazy to look at the pictures and see how much we have changed. Who would have ever thought that 4 years later we would get married! 



After sushi, at the Riverwoods :)

 

We saved the top of our cake and dived right into it! It was actually really good! I only got to try a bite of our cake on our wedding, so I was really excited to have more than a bite this time :) And of course I planned to have chocolate!!

 

 

This was taken the first time, so we figured we needed to recreate it, or I did, but this time together :)

 

 

Happy Anniversary!!!

 

We are actually going to Texas next month to celebrate with Jake's cousins, but that was the earliest time we could all get away. We are really excited to get away for a little bit, and I'm excited to finally experience TEXAS! I've met a lot of Texans out here, so I'm pumped to finally go and see what everyone raves about!

 

 

 I saved a dozen roses from the night we got engaged, and they are still hanging in our house. Jake got these to replace those, but in reality I will just keep both :)



Happy Anniversary to US!

It's seriously crazy to think that Jake and I have been married for a YEAR! Where has time gone! The year has been filled with so many great things. We have been truly blessed with so many tender mercies, and continue to be blessed each day.

 

 

I really wish we could say 'Happy 5th Anniversary', because we have definitely been together for a lot longer than 1 year!!! It was such an amazing day and were so grateful so much family were able to make it out!  

 

 

I am also grateful these two wonderful brothers were able to make the trek out, especially Evan, despite all his travel difficulties :)

 

I am so glad we have family so close! It's hard being so far away from my family, and it's nice we are only a few blocks away to Jakes! Thanks for all the meals, laughs, visits and great times :)

 

 

Even though were missing a few members and wish they could have come out, I am glad some were able to!

 

 

I am so grateful for Jake. He is and has been my best friend from day 1. He is the most patient, kind hearted, hard working, patient, understanding, sweet, witty, did I say patient? husband a girl could ever ask for! A year ago today, I made the best decision of my life :)

 



City Creek Center

 

Jake and I went to City Creek this weekend with all his siblings! This huge outdoor mall is so nice, and it's right across from Temple Square. Jennica was in town visiting for the weekend, and she's never been. The Salt Lake Temple is in the background.

Kenny Chesney Concert

 

I can't believe Jake and I have known each other for 5+ years. Technically 6, but we didn't officially ever meet at that time. This was our first date.... It's crazy to think about how I was feeling on that date, and how I never in a million years thought I would be marrying him 4 years later. Too bad we couldn't get it on the first go around with dating, but I am sooo grateful our lives connected again!

 

 

I am grateful that Jake loves to go to concerts and our love for Country music! We've had some awesome dates going to concerts :) 

School Loans

This is kind of how I have been feeling since I graduated 6 years ago from college! I wasn't really smart about trying to pay more than my mininums, which is why we have paid more than 3/4 of it in the last 5 months!!! It's crazy how much smarter Jake and I are with our money! It's a sickening amount that we have paid off within this year we have been married... but I am so grateful we have been doing it! I am so grateful for Jake and how dilligent he is, and how hard he has worked at his job! His job has been truly a tender mercy for us...

I will be the first to say that I am officially debt free!!!!! My car and student loans have been weighing so heavily on me for a few years, and they are officially GONE!!! The car dealership called me the month my car got paid off, and wanted to know if I wanted to do a trade in.. I laughed at the guy and said "Heck no!" My car is finally paid off!!!! Who wants to have more payments!

Jake and I worked really hard to crank away on these, and I couldn't be happier about it! Last on the list, Jake's student loans from getting his Masters...

Visit to the Idaho Ranch

Jake, Riss, Matt and I went to Idaho for the weekend. His cousin Morgan got home from his mission, so we went up for his homecoming. It was such a fun weekend... lots of food, family, little kids, barn dance, water slide, and lots of laughs!

 This water slide was hilarious.. They got bored after awhile, so decided to make a ramp. It was quite comical...

This time we went the horses weren't scared of us. One of the colts was licking my arm...they were only 2 months old. So cute!

Jake just in his church clothes... I guess you can tell we aren't exactly ranchers...

My cute nephew

Who is turning 3 in 2 months.. This guy :)

I love this little man.... He is getting so stinkin' big...

I love when my sister either sends me pictures or posts them. Makes my day :)

Making funny faces for Kim.... Miss the little guy

Let it Rain!

Utah has been out of control with wild fires. I saw this picture and thought I should share. I thought it was the Mt. Timpanogos temple, where Jake and I got married, but it might actually be the Draper temple. The Mt. Timp temple is on the other side of this mtn. though.

It's scary how out of control these fires are getting.... Way to close to home... It hasn't rained in weeks in Utah, and today we finally received some rain! Hope the rain helps with the fires that are going all around Utah!

Happy 4th of July

Jake's aunt Kathleen came into town and got us Stadium of Fire tickets for the 4th of July. Jake and I have some really fun times on the 4th of July, so we really love when this holiday comes along :)

This year the Beach Boys and Scotty McCreery were performing. It was amazing to see the crowd get so excited for them. Beach balls were flying and everyone was having a great time!

Stadium of Fire dancers

 Elder Uchtdorf made an appearence, along with Elder Nelson and Sheri Dew. Great seats and view!

Beach Boys

Fireworks

 Happy 4th of July!!!!