OHANA means Family

10/29/2015

One thing that has been a really big topic on my mind and heart has been the concept of FAMILY.
Many of you may or may not all ready know that I come from a family who is very close. Some may say that it is a little unhealthy, I say that we are just practicing for eternity... because you gotta love those who you are going to spend eternity with now before you get there right? :)

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is well known for their Temples and their "obsession" with the family unit. I believe that the family unit is the most important thing on Earth, besides the gospel and all other principles. I love and appreciate my family so much, and I am so excited to be starting my own with Dillon. When Dillon and I were married in April of 2014 we went to the temple, where we were sealed for eternity. What that means is as long as we keep the covenants and promises we make to God in this life, not only will we be happy and probably have a great life (including all those amazing trials we are blessed with) we will have the opportunity to continue that happiness into the next life. There is no " 'til death do us part" and I am so grateful for that. Now that we are expecting our very first child (May of 2016), that baby and every baby we bring to this earth we will be able to love and hold and have in the next life.

We just sent my brother Tyler off to New York for two years. You may be thinking WOW! That's a LONG time!! (Believe me I know!! 2 weeks down 102 to go!) But while he is in New York, he will be teaching families, and reminding families of these wonderful blessings of the gospel, the blessings of the temple. Ultimately teaching those families about how they can be and eternal family.
If sacrificing my brother for 2 years to the people of New York, give other people this opportunity for love and peace. I will do it. (I have done it, I am just now accepting it publicly).

"Missionary: (n) A person who leaves their family for a short time to teach other families how they can be eternal."

I am SO proud of my brother, for setting an example to Josh and Zach, for being the first in our family to make that commitment and promise to God to serve and teach others of this gospel.

If you read my blog last year you may know that choosing not to serve a mission was probably one of the hardest things that I had ever done... but oh how grateful I am now for choosing this path. This is where I am meant to be and where God needs me to be.

Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has given this statement an extra meaning to me. We will be together for ETERNITY. NO ONE will be left behind or forgotten, whether its my grandparents, brothers, my own children, it is an eternal chain of forever forward, forever backwards. I am so grateful for this, because I love my family, especially my own family unit that is just starting to grow... :)

Blink... or Don't

This year has just gone by... I recommend not blinking because before you know life will pass you by!! Looking back at the last year Dillon and I had a lot of great moments and some sad... but I could not imagine going through any of this without him!
But to recap this year since it is nearly half over just kills me!!
2015:
Dillon started and completed an EMT course, he was certified and has been waiting to schedule his licensing test. He has since, started another semester of school all while working for Sparkle Window Cleaning.
At the end of March we moved into our FIRST apartment! It is so cute, it relocated us to a different stake, and ward but of course the Church is true no matter where you live! The ward is so nice and really welcoming!

In April I finished my 5th semester of school and will start that all again in September; I also started a new job. I  am currently working for Pacific Bay Mortgage as their Loan Coordinator, and I am really enjoying it! :)

As for other news, we bought a Russian Tortoise, his name is Franklin! and our puppy had puppies! SEVEN to be exact... seven puppies, so if any of you are wanting a dog I really recommend Terrier mixes, they are smaller (indoor/outdoor), smart, playful, and very cuddly!! The dad is a Terrier, and Zoey is a Terrier/ Retriever. Pictures to come in the next few weeks, check back here OR Facebook! :)

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The Spiritual high of these last few weeks has been incredible I can't help but share!

As many of you know, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have made it a goal of mine, to make Christ the center of my day, life, marriage, etc... I have seen many blessings in my life as well as those I love because of this goal of mine. (You all know Dillon's conversion story BLESSING!!) Another blessing is one captured in the picture above. This is my best friend Sydney. We have been best friends for 14 years, we met when we were 6 and ever since we always had to be a part of each other's life. Well, she was one of the many people in my life who could use the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Sydney is an incredible person, daughter, sister, friend, she is always so generous and kind putting people before herself! For the last decade and a half, I have invited her to church, youth activities, dances, hoping that she can feel the spirit of the Lord. Well, if you have read my previous post "For it is He who works in Mysterious ways.." we all know that God has perfect timing, and it is important that we keep that in mind. 

Believe me I did! I never fought Syd to come to church and MAKE her feel the Power of the Spirit, in fact I did the exact opposite, 6 weeks ago Sydney was feeling the need for a pick me up (and not the Mello Yellow kind). She turned to God. Spoiler alert she was baptized on the BEST DAY EVER!!! (04.25.2015) and last night we had the opportunity in going to the temple.  "To finally get to share what i hold most dear to my heart with my best friend is truly a special thing"

Missionary work has a huge spot in my heart, in Dillon's as well. We have made it a goal to ours to be the best examples that we can be, and to share the gospel with everyone who is willing to hear it! So when his best friend Mark (in picture above) asked us "What is the better book to read if I want to learn more about Mormonism? Bible or Book of Mormon, I know you read both" We jump at the opportunity. The past few weeks Mark has been making some life changes and when he realized that he wanted more, he came to Dillon in hope to understand my he always seems so happy, and how he finds his guidance. Spoiler alert!! Mark is getting baptized Saturday 05/09/2015!

All in all, I want you to know that I am a first-hand wittness of the blessings that are received when you have Christ as the center of your life. I am so grateful for my Savior, and for his gospel. I love the Book of Mormon, and I love to see the happiness that it brings to people's lives, because it has brought so much in my life... If you don't believe me look at the faces of Sydney and Mark, they jut look truly happy...(I mean it! Mark looks like he belongs on the cover or the Ensign or Liahona! Doesn't he??) If any of you are having questions, or doubts, or needing a pick me up, turn to the Lord, He will guide you to where you need to be. I promise you that. :)