15th Half-iversary

Last month, Jonathan and I celebrated our 15th half-iversary or simply the fact that we've been married for 7 1/2 years. To celebrate the occasion, I baked half of a cake. It's been a few years since the last time I baked a cake so it took a long time, but it was totally worth the mess!

In some ways it's hard to believe that we've been married for so long, but at the same time I have a hard time remembering what my daily life without Jonathan was like. I am so grateful to have such a hard working and dependable man at my side.

Glowing

Last month, we went out to dinner with our good friend Liza. She is way more social than Jonathan and I are and she invited some friends from church that also live in the Domain to join us. We all met at one of our favorite restaurants, Velvet Taco. It was so funny to see Liza walking down the sidewalk with her huge posse of friends. I'm so glad that we are counted as some of her friends! We all had a great time together.

I always get the same taco every single time we go to Velvet Taco. It is the slow roasted angus brisket taco. Our new friend Max pointed out that I was glowing as I ate my tacos. I can't help it because I know exactly how delicious this taco is! I don't think that this glow will ever fade!

Choose Your Love and Love Your Choice

Yesterday, Jonathan received a new calling at church. It means for the first time in 4 years we won't be sharing a calling and working together. I'm genuinely excited for this new chapter, but I am going to miss spending all three hours of church together with him and teaching our crazy class together.

Jonathan helping during Primary.

While he was being set apart, I was once again reminded of the amazing man that I am married to. I don't know why I got to marry such a spiritual and capable man, but I am beyond grateful for him. He quietly goes about doing what he needs to do and assists those around him where he can. Even after all these years together I still have all the mushy newly wed feelings for him. The only difference is that those feelings go along with the depth of overcoming serious challenges side by side. I look forward to seeing what the future will bring us!

Houston Temple

During my parent's visit last month, we went to the Houston Temple for the first time. It is a beautiful temple with wonderful grounds.

It's been a long time since I've been to such a large temple.

Behind the temple, there is a thick grove of trees.

There are so many beautiful details on the building.

I love how this temple looks like a castle.

It's hard to believe that just last year this temple was flooded by hurricane Harvey. It reminds me of the Provo City Center Temple.  It's a reminder that when hard times come, that not all is lost.

"If we earnestly appeal to God, He takes us as we are—and makes us more than we ever imagined." —Sister Neill F. Marriott

I have seen this in my own life and I will have plenty of opportunities in the future to do it again.

A Prophet Today

Today I am feeling particularly grateful to have a prophet on the earth today. When the unexpected inevitably happens, I am emotionally prepared because I have already been following the guidance given by President Russell M. Nelson.

His guidance is filled with love and decades of personal experience. I can face whatever comes my way because I have done the work when times were easy.