Our Love Story---Why the Provo Tabernacle is Meaningful to Us

During the past General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Linda S. Reeves spoke to the women in a talk called "Claim the Blessings of Your Covenants." 

"Almost three years ago a devastating fire gutted the interior of the beloved, historic tabernacle in Provo, Utah. Its loss was deemed a great tragedy by both the community and Church members. Many wondered, “Why did the Lord let this happen? Surely He could have prevented the fire or stopped its destruction.”

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Ten months later, during the October 2011 general conference, there was an audible gasp when President Thomas S. Monson announced that the nearly destroyed tabernacle was to become a holy temple—a house of the Lord! Suddenly we could see what the Lord had always known! He didn’t cause the fire, but He allowed the fire to strip away the interior. He saw the tabernacle as a magnificent temple—a permanent home for making sacred, eternal covenants."

http://www.ldschurchtemples.com/provocitycenter/gallery/images/provo-city-center-mormon-temple1.jpg
A rendering of what the finished Provo City Center temple will look like.

This announcement was special to me and Danny, because of the part the Provo Tabernacle played in our love story. We are excited every time to drive by it and see the progress being made and I still think about talking with Danny there every time I see it. It will be a special experience when we can walk through the finished temple. 

http://www.willhiteweb.com/lds_historic_sights/provo_tabernacle.jpg
The Provo Tabernacle the way it looked when we were going to BYU. The way it looked the night we had Stake Conference there.

On Saturday, November 14, 2009, my roommates and I attended the evening session of our Stake Conference at the Provo Tabernacle. Danny was ushering at the back doors, and after some giggling and prodding from my roommates I went back to talk with him until the meeting started. The other usher kept trying to talk to me, and he was totally getting in the way! Even at the ice cream social afterwards, this Mark guy wouldn't leave us alone. But he was nice, so we talked to him. Danny said later that he thought Mark was going to ask me out. Maybe he helped me more than I thought...

After all that I got invited (with all my roommates) to go to Danny's apartment and watch the movie Up with a ton of people. Even though there were too many people and not enough seats, Danny sat by me on the couch instead of giving his spot up to a girl. I appreciated it, even though none of the girls probably did. We made little comments to each other throughout the whole movie, and we were sitting close enough for our arms to touch! I could hardly think about anything else. :)

Falling in Love for the Last Time

". . . When we fall in love the first time, we don't know anything. We risk a lot less than we do if we choose to love again.
"There is something extraordinary about the first time falling.
"But it feels even better to find myself standing on solid ground, with someone holding on to me, pulling me back, and know that I'm doing the same for [him]."

--From the novel Reached by Allie Condie

How One BYU Devotional Changed My Life

January 13, 2009 was a significant day in my life, though it was an average Tuesday for most of the rest of the world. On this day, thoughts and feelings that had been building for years came to a head, and I remember feeling like I was battling myself inside. I had two big questions on my mind with no answers and only confusion.

One question was about my past.

One concerned my future.

I won't go into details about the past question, as it is personal and quite complicated (as the past usually is) and would take a lot of time to explain. My future question was pretty straightforward: "Should I serve a full-time LDS mission, or is there something else I am supposed to do on earth right now?"

I remember focusing on my future question and heading out to watch the BYU devotional that day hoping for some answers. I walked up to campus by myself and sat down in an auditorium where they were broadcasting the devotional. As I listened, surrounded by strangers, I began to cry as I looked up at the projected image of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and felt like he was speaking only to me. I knew I was getting answers instead to the question about my past, and I just wanted to soak it all in. I had brought paper to take notes, but I sat and listened instead.  I looked at Elder Holland and paid attention to the emotion and feelings I was having. It was a very enlightening, humbling, and spiritual experience that really did change my life.

The rest of the day I put homework aside and prayed and studied conference talks, scriptures, and other doctrine concerning my past question. I called my dad and counseled with him as well. I wrote a lot of my thoughts and feelings down in my journal. I haven't often searched and pondered so hard for an answer to anything in my life.

Slowly, piece by piece, my mind became clear as to how I should view this question, the answers to parts of it, and the things I should do now because of it. It was like light slowly and suddenly coming at the same time all throughout that day. My past question answers lead to answers to my future question, and I continued to study and pray the next day until I had a solid, clear, unmistakable, (and surprising!) direction to take and peace in my heart and mind.

This experience with revelation from God through the words of his latter-day apostle truly changed the direction of my life and strengthened my faith. I felt like I should go to school in the fall, which lead to meeting my husband, which lead to so much happiness and rightness, a marriage, a baby, and continued adventures that I feel so blessed to have. I was reminded of this experience this past weekend, and felt like I wanted to share it.

"Remember Lot's Wife" by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has become a somewhat famous and beloved message for many. I feel privileged that I was able to be there on the day he spoke those words and feel like they were just for me, although I know they have helped thousands. You should listen to it if you haven't.


Also, "The Spirit of Revelation" by Elder David A. Bednar describes the way receiving revelation is like light coming into our minds and hearts. This is how I felt on January 13, 2009. I had been in darkness for so long concerning my question, and light and answers slowly filled my soul with peace. If you haven't read it, you should.

I know prayers are answered. Answers are out there if we are patient and keep asking questions. Light can fill your heart and mind too.

3 Nephi 18:20 "And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you."

Blessings.

Sometimes you don't notice all the good things until they are gone.

I've been sick with strep the past three days, and it's been very miserable. Today, I am finally feeling lots better and actually have ENERGY! Here are some blessings I'm counting today:

1. I was able to sort of kind of clean the shower this morning while Preston slept!
2. The fact that I even took a shower before noon!
3. My throat doesn't hurt too bad when I swallow! My frosted flakes were much easier to eat this morning.
4. Preston woke up talking to himself instead of crying.
5. I had exactly 2 hours to myself this morning before he woke up (I got up early, he slept in).
6. My husband took the time to ask me how I was feeling before he left for work this morning...and he was running late. He loves me.
7. My house is a mess, but getting there! My energy is coming back, and laundry will face my wrath today!

Oh there are so many other big and little things; these are just the silly ones on my mind right now. I can't express it in words, but I'm so grateful for the sunshine and the sprinklers and the smell of my house (except, not in the kitchen, don't go in there until I can clean it), and my cute little kid who is asking to be let out of jail (crib). Gotta go have a wonderful day! FINALLY!

My 30 Before 30 List

I've seen this done on other blogs and heard of others making a "30 things to do before turning 30" list. Well, it's my turn, I guess! I'm currently 25, so I've got less than 5 years to complete these goals. I have actually been thinking about this for a while, and this list was put together with a lot of contemplation. Many other ambitions did not make this list of 30 things. Some may not get done, and I'm sure other things will be accomplished that mean even more than anything I could think of right now. Life is funny like that; you never know what's coming next. But, for now, these are some things I'm thinking I'd like to do before the next 5 years are up:

1. Have two more children. 

2. Pay off ALL student loans. (It's supposed to take us 7 more years...let's see if we can do it in 5!)

3. Finish Personal Progress again as a leader. (I really love personal progress).

4. Visit Harry Potter World (either in Florida or California if they build one there in time).

5. Run a 5K. (Ugh. Not something I look forward to).

6. Meet someone famous.

7. Donate a good amount of money to a good cause.

8. Read the New Testament all the way through, in order. (I must have been distracted the year we read this in seminary...I don't remember finishing). I am on Mathew 12 right now!

9. Take a cooking class. Any kind will do.

10. Do the splits again. (Haven't been able to since I was 10 or something).

11. Play laser tag for the first time ever!

12. Learn to cook a turkey...because Thanksgiving dinner is my favorite food!

13. Catch up on scrapbooking or organizing all our photos somehow

14. Finish rag denim quilt and have a picnic on it.

15. Memorize a song on the piano.

16. Save an emergency income fund to survive 3 months without a job if needed.

17. Open a savings account for Preston. Something I have always meant to do, but never seem to get around to.

18. Take another dance class with Danny.

19. Go one month without TV

20. Go on a trip without kids  (3 year anniversary trip...that happened faster than I thought it would!)

21. Hike the Y Done with Danny on 5/10/14 (never again!)

22. Have a girls getaway

23. Go to a session in every temple in Utah. Done: Bountiful, Salt Lake, Oquirrh Mountain, Provo 5/9/14 (done baptisms in Mt. Timpanogus and Jordan River and been to sealings in Draper...not sure if I will count those or not)

24. Go on a vacation to a place I have never been.

25. Re-Learn how to change a tire, change oil, and basic car maintenance

26. Visit Zion National Park (never been!)

27. Explore San Francisco with Danny

28. Make a door wreath or decoration for every holiday/season

29. Write a book

30. Do temple work for an ancestor/get into family history work

Extra accomplishments along the way:

1. Set apart as Beehive leader in Young Women 3/2/14. Such a huge blessing, big honor, lesson teacher, humbling experience, big example to me.

2. See my dad struggle after falling and learning how to get back up and heal and live again. 3/3/14. My testimony has grown. My respect and love for life has grown. My love for my dad and my family has grown. I know fasting and prayer is real and works and Heavenly Father hears and listens and loves us.

Getting to Know my Husband Again

For the past almost two years my husband has been studying, studying, studying and taking four major tests all so he could get a CPA (certified public accountant) license to one day earn more money. It's been as much work as a second masters degree, and it's been hard for our family to have him so focused on something else for so long. I am so glad he passed each of the four tests ON THE FIRST TRY! And he is now officially able to add "CPA" to his title on his business cards. Woohoo!

One month after baby was born. Studying away while on vacation at a cabin. So glad it's over!!!!!!

Studying on his birthday this past year! This guy is dedicated.

It's been kind of an adjustment (a good one!) to have him back in the family more. We actually go on walks at night and have to find something to do together in the evenings when baby is asleep. We have found that we need to rediscover the things we like to do together and almost get to know each other again in this new stage of our lives. I'm excited to start growing more together again after all this time apart (him studying at night while I cleaned, took care of baby, read a book, watched TV...I missed him!).

We have plans to exercise together, update our kitchen together, play this summer, go camping, read a book together, plant a small garden, cook together, and make lots of memories.

Our cozy at-home Valentine dinner this past year.

I know marriage takes some work and time, and ours is about to get a whole lot more of that. I'm excited!

Our Love Story---The Fireside

November 1, 2009: "What an eventful Sabbath Day! I woke up early because there was an extra hour from Daylight Savings, so I curled my hair. My roommates teased me that I was doing it for Danny . . . . .I went to the Family History Sunday School class which Danny teaches. I'm pretty sure he's somewhat interested in me. We always catch each other looking at each other."

We had a break-the-fast party after church at our apartment complex. I brought mashed potatoes. I distinctly remember that being the only thing my apartment could think of to make. For some reason, I didn't sit by or really talk to Danny at all there. I was feeling awkward. I guess he was feeling a little unsure of what to do too, because he didn't talk to me until I was leaving.

"Then, as I was going back to my apartment, Danny called my name. I was up on the second floor and he was down in the courtyard. He said he liked my hair and asked if I was going to the fireside."

There was a fireside that night. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf came to the Marriott Center to speak, and everybody was going. I don't know why we didn't go together. I didn't think of it until I got back to my apartment and my roommates were baffled that he hadn't asked me to go. I remember thinking that I should have asked him! I had blown my chance, and I went with my roommates instead.

I remember we got there early enough to find seats and go to the restroom before it started. As we were walking back to our seats, I looked up and there he was! Danny had just arrived with some friends and was about to go in and find a seat. I was so happy. He ditched his friends and sat next to me instead. I was so amazed that we actually ran into each other and had another chance. It was meant to be, right? :)

It was exciting and fun and new and a little awkward sitting next to this guy I barely knew. He impressed me by taking bits of random paper in my scripture bag and making tiny paper cranes out of them. I saved them in the pages of my scriptures so I would always remember that night.

Later, at ward prayer I couldn't seem to get to talk with Danny. A different guy even asked me on a date. All of my attempts at connecting with guys in my ward finally caught up with me, and I felt surrounded...not in a good way.

"And that's all the excitement I can take. This week might be really dull compared to the Sunday I just had.
...and I like Danny best. :)"