The Gift :)

Click on this to listen to my parents song for inspiration while reading :) then you might actually understand the title of this post ;)

  

(ok. They didn't have a song a long time ago and all of us were appalled. They would always listen to this song and sing it. They decided that it was their song a while back. I think it reminded my dad of my mom)

I thought for Valentine's day I would share the story of how my parents met. :)

When my mom was 17 she started working at Macey's. My dad was a manager at the time. I asked her what she thought when she first looked and him and she said- "Wow. He's really cute, and he's really well dressed." I thought that was kind of hilarious thing for my mom to say. 

She tried to get to know him but he actually transferred to Smith's. He would come visit his friends occasionally so she didn't see him too much. My mom's friend knew him pretty well and she told my mom that whoever he would marry, he would treat her like a queen. 

All my mom could think was- I really want to be treated like a queen. 

Look at that stash!

From then on she tried really hard to get to know him, but she knew that she was too young for him (they are 8 years apart). 

She said that my dad told her his friend told him that he should ask my mom out because she was really cute. My dad was a little bit shy when it came to those things so he didn't right away. His friend and his girlfriend were going to go to Lagoon in a couple days. They wanted my dad to ask a date so he could go with them. His friend finally convinced him to ask my mom because he told her that she REALLY liked him (everyone could probably tell. It's my mom haha she doesn't hold anything back). 

The sad thing was my mom had just barely agreed to go on a date with one of her friends on the day he was going. She was distraught because she had been waiting for him to ask her out. She told him that he better ask her out again, even though she knew he probably wouldn't because he was so shy. So a few days later she found out that her sister Karla was having a Lagoon day with her husband Jack's work. She asked my dad to go with her right away (I think this is hilarious because he had just asked her to go there so it was kind of perfect). He said that he would love to, but he didn't want that to be their first date so they went on another date to dinner and a movie before Lagoon. 

This was before my mom cut all her hair off ;) Look how cute they are in this blurry picture

A little while later (I really mean little though... after they "officially" started dating 3 weeks later they were engaged) my dad took my mom to our annual Flaming Gorge trip.

I love this picture for 3 reasons. The tie-dye. My grandpa.  And the love beaming from their faces ;)

A couple days later he "proposed."

Here is that story-

They were walking around the Provo Temple and had stopped to sit on the grass and talk. 

*My mom had mentioned in conversation earlier that this was the temple that she wanted to get married in. It was special to her because her grandmother had worked in it, and it had a special place in her heart. 

But just a a couple days before they were driving home from Flaming Gorge and she told him that she didn't want to get married until she was like 25. She was 19 at the time (they got married 2 months after she turned 20). So I bet she was surprised when my dad said this to her. 

He told her this story about a boy growing up and finally realizing what he needed and wanted (or something like that... I can't remember. It had to do with getting back to Heavenly Father though). After the story he looked her in the eyes and said, "Kristin, you are what I need to get back to my Heavenly Father." 

So he didn't "really" propose.... well not a "normal" proposal anyways. It was perfect in every way. The main one being that it was inspiration. My mom says he wasn't even planning on saying that at the time, but it was perfect and was meant to be through inspiration (I think my sisters and I just aren't patient enough. We knew what was going to happen and we wanted to get down here as soon as we could;)). But that is why he didn't have a ring or anything. It was simple and sweet. Which is exactly like my dad :) plus, this is the girl that didn't even want a reception. The proposal was perfect. 

A few months later on February 14 1992 my super hero duo were married and sealed for time and all eternity in the Provo Temple. 

21 years later here we are :) and still going strong!  

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to have the best pair of parents anyone could ever even dream of. I am who I am today because of their examples and kindness. They showed me who I could become, and how I could get there. Giving up on my dreams was never an option, and I always knew that. 

I wish I learned how to do my makeup and hair just a little bit sooner... 

Nothing in this world makes me happier than knowing that I get to spend eternity with my family. :)

Couple side notes... 

How cute! I think it was on the napkins or something

I love that they put their kid pictures on the invitation

This is just hilarious and super cheesy but SOOOO my mom! Especially the theme... isn't she just brilliant? 

My Temple experience.

I've been sitting here trying to think of one word that would sum it all up... the only thing I can think of is indescribable (I know right. So unique). 

I kept telling people I was going to go through the temple soon and they would just say- "Oh it's weird. So don't get freaked out", or something to that extent. To tell the honest truth- I was not even a little bit weirded out. I have NO clue what they were talking about when they said weird. I had the most spiritual experience of my life and couldn't even control my emotions the whole time. Most of my extended family was there, and my mom was my escort. That made the whole overall experience even more special for countless reasons. I am so glad I have so many family members that are worthy to enter the temple, and that live so close so that I could share this special experience with them.

My mom and I began a fast the night before I was going to go through. I think that was one of the greatest strengths for me. I fasted that I would be able to listen to the spirit and that I would get the confirmation that what I was doing was all true, and that I would not be "weirded out." I think that was my biggest help. 

I feel so blessed and privileged to have had the opportunity to be invited into our Lord and Saviors house. I am grateful for my wonderful parents who raised me to always keep my eyes on the temple as my eternal goal. I am excited that I have made it to this point in my life and that I was prepared for this time in my life not only through my parents, but my wonderful sisters, primary teachers, sunday school teachers, young women leaders, friends, family, the scriptures, and most importantly my brother, best friend, and Redeemer Jesus Christ. 

I know without a doubt that through the temple, is the only way that we are able to return and live with our Father in Heaven in the Celestial kingdom with our families again. What goes on inside is powerful, binding, and scared. I know that we are the closest to our Heavenly Father and our loved ones in heaven when we are in the temple. I know this through my own personal, sacred experiences. I am so glad that we have so many beautiful temples surrounding us. I hope that those of you who are not yet eligible for a temple recommend will set your sights on the temple and make it your goal in life right now, I cannot even explain the blessings you will receive through doing this. 

I hope that each of us can find the time to go to the temple as often as we can, there we can serve others and learn of His will and purpose for us. 

Tampa Florida!

I have received my mission call to Tampa Florida, English Speaking (thank goodness), and I'm leaving April 3rd!!!!!!!!!!
You have no idea how long I have waited for this day! I went to the temple this morning, just so I could feel close to my Savior and do some service. It was fun because I was the only one there besides this other woman. She had some family names and she let me do some! I was honored! I got dunked (that so says DUNKED, not DRUNKED...) 10 times... now I know why they only do 5! 10 is quite a lot!!! I felt the spirit so strongly and couldn't help but cry on my way there and back. My Heavenly Father loves me so much and I could just feel my heart overflowing with that peace and love. I always listen to church music/talks/podcasts/books in the car, so I listened to the Called to Serve CD by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on my way to and from the temple. That really got me. Mainly because I knew I was going to get my call today.

Here's the funny part. Karly came home from school to go to the dentist. So when I got home from the temple she was the only one home. I had her play me a song on the piano and sing. While she was I was sitting on our chair in the front room that is right by the window. I get a text from my best friends mom (Cindy Gocken) that says- "The mail is here!" I immediately whip my head around to see the mail man pulling up to our house! I screamed "THE MAILMAN IS HERE!" We both jump, up and literally start jumping up and down! We watched him put what looked like a big white envelope in! We were SO excited! We screamed for a couple seconds and she was like- "Let's go get it!" I told her I didn't want to because I was scared it wouldn't be there. I told her to go and get it. Right as the mailman drove off she ran out there. She grabbed it all and then looked up and me with the biggest grin ever! I yelled- "Is it there!????!!!!" She screams- "YES!" Then for about a minute straight we jumped up and down screaming! I started texting everybody and freaking out. It was the best moment ever. I'm so glad she got to share it with me!
I waited to open it till 6:30 when Karly would get home. She didn't end up getting home till about 6:50. The wait was hard- but I had prayed that I would be calm and patient, and boy was I! Especially compared to my family! I only invited my Grandmas and Danny. I have too much family to invite them all or to just pick some. They can all come to the farewell :)
I didn't even cry when I opened it though! That was miracle! I just couldn't stop smiling! It was the greatest feeling EVER!

If you don't read anything in this post you have to read this-

We had been playing pranks on each other all day. Ashley came up while I was doing my hair and said that Nick had opened my mission call. I believed her and was beyond ticked. I just said- "Well, whatever!" Then my mom had a white envelope from the insurance company and I came downstairs and Daxton hid it under the table I grabbed it and it was opened! Again- I was ticked! I just told them they were stupid (I was so mad) and took it in the other room. Then I looked at it. OH man. SO NOT FUNNY GUYS ;)! Then they were planning on playing a joke on Karly with these glasses they had filed for there talent show. But it was 6:00 which was when we were planning on opening it. Everyone was there- except Katelyn (and Karly of course) so we decided that we would call her friend that she was with and tell her (faking) that I was going.... wait for it....... FLORIDA! This is not even a joke. That was the joking place that we made up. Katelyn totally believed it and was pretty mad that we had opened it without her. She rushed home and we told her it was a joke. It was just hilarious when I opened it and it really was FLORIDA!
After words we went to Texas Roadhouse with my grandma, family, and cousin. It was so much fun!

I just know without a doubt that this is where I am supposed to go. I know that there are people that need to hear the gospel in Tampa and I couldn't be more excited to share this great knowledge of the truth with them! I am going to be an instrument in the Lord's hand and I feel so blessed and honored to even have this great privilege. I love this gospel more than anything and I can't wait for it to be my whole life for a year and half! This church is TRUE! I know that! I could never ever deny it!
Thanks to all my family and friends for all the support that you have given me! I love you all!

Ohhhh... and I finished the Book of Mormon for the 4th time tonight! So cool! I didn't even plan it to be on the same day! Last night I realized that I could actually finish it all today and I was stoked! I know that's it's true! I have asked him every time I finish it and I get the same answer every time that it is true! :)

Memory #7

This one just came to me as I was reading my patriarchal blessing tonight. I remember the day I received it perfectly. I had fasted all day and was anxious to receive my blessing. I go knock on the patriarchs door, and he answers. Apparently he wasn't expecting it because he was in casual clothes and looked very surprised. I told him who I was and he said ok can you give me like 20min? I just need to prepare. So my mom and dad and I drove around for a little bit just talking and having fun spending time together.
We came back and I remember how strong the spirit was. Their home felt like a temple. We sat down, talked for a bit. He got to know me and my parents. Then I received my blessing. I remember listening to the patriarch and hearing my Heavenly Father through him perfectly. There was something in my blessing that stood out to me... a part talking about how I will teach and lead others. As we were getting into the car I told my mom and dad that meant I was supposed to serve a mission. They both agreed and explained that things can have many different meanings and we may not see them until we are right in the middle.
It's funny to look back and see that even me as a little weird 15 year old listened to the spirit and I knew what I was supposed to do. I have thought of that moment a lot, especially when I read my blessing. I always thought that I would get married before I had that opportunity, or that I was just being crazy when I thought that I could serve a mission. Well folks. Here I am, preparing to serve, and I couldn't be happier. :) :) :)