My Love

Caleb and I had our date night Saturday evening. We went to the Logan temple. I remember the day we got married the sealer said to Caleb to keep taking me to the temple and that each time he did, he was telling me he still wanted me forever. Caleb has been insistent that we frequently attend the temple. ;) I love that boy! We went to the temple twice in August, three times in September, once in November, and now once in December. Our goal is to continue to attend at least once a month together. Whenever he reminds me that we should go to the temple, i just remember our wedding day and what Caleb was told. I love him so much.

I never could have imagined loving someone as much as I do him. I know that if my little beehive self could have seen the life I have now with my sweetheart, I would have thought it was heaven! I married the best man I know and the man I know the most! Every day his character strengthens mine. He is a hard worker. He doesn't quit when he's tired. He quits when he is done. He is a quiet example to me of what I should be doing. He never talks down to me when reminding me or encouraging me to do something. He is very intelligent and could easily make others or myself feel stupid for not knowing all the things he knows or not being good at all the things he is good at... but he doesn't. One of the very first things I loved about Caleb was how he explained things to me. I am a very inquisitive person. Usually, when someone is talking, if they mention something I am unfamiliar with I will ask them what they mean or what is that they are talking about. I have been the center of many public humiliations (ask my sophomore girls choir class). When I ask Caleb, he doesn't laugh at me, he doesn't ask "you didn't know that?!" He just kindly explains. I watch him with children and he is the same way. Our land lord has 4 beautiful children. The younger three come downstairs and play with Caleb and I a lot. I don't think he realizes how much I watch him. I watched him as he taught them how to play a few of the games we have. He didn't just let them win on purpose or let mistakes go, but he was fun, kind, and loving about teaching them. Eventually, the kids got good enough that they could win. I look up to him. I never remember playing with my dad any game. I never remember him teaching me or talking to me the way Caleb did with those children.

I have overwhelming gratitude for Caleb's mom and dad. I know they are in large part the reason Caleb is the honest, upright, kind, man that he is. I will forever honor them as the wonderful parents they were."A man who treats his woman like a princess, is proof he was raised by a queen" LOVE THAT QUOTE. That is so him.

Harsh lessons to learn

I've decided that there are many of life's truths which are pretty harsh. 

Yet, whether I ignore these facts or not, will not change that they exist.

Occasionally, I will learn a lesson that is VERY difficult for me to accept. (the not wanted to accept it makes it even more difficult to learn.) But, farther down the road, after accepting it, I realize that it was not so harsh after all. It was a blessing and a tender mercy. Then I tell myself, "Why do I always let Satan make me think that truths are sad, when really they are wonderful?"

Anyway, I thought I'd share a some of those things that I have realized.  (some of them are obvious and you hear them all the time... but like I said, I'm a slow learner sometimes!)

• Generally, God will not answer your prayer by taking you out of your own personal dark abyss. He will make you stronger so that you can endure it well.
• We get two Dad's- Heavenly Father and our Earthly Father. It is a BONUS if the later is a great dad. Otherwise, oh well. The former is the best Dad anyone could ever have anyway.
• Sometimes...
  -People you hope and pray will be who you think they are WILL disappoint you.
  -Promises others make to you WILL be broken
  -"friends"  will do things that hurt you, "family" will too!
  "All these things shall give thee experience and be for thy good" Doctrine and Covenants 122:7
  These disappointing experiences have made things so much sweeter when someone has not disappointed me, kept a promise they made, or are a TRUE friend.
• Being silent while something wrong is happening does NOT make that thing right. But, it does make you weak and definitely doesn't do any favors for those you are scared of offending. 
• NOT EVERYONE WILL LIKE YOU. It is okay. Trying to please everyone will not get you very far. Someone will always hate you. Its better to be hated for doing good than loved for doing evil. Christ was perfect and yet hated by many. Join His club, be on His team, He will never leave you. 
• Being positive, kind, and honest will rarely ever be popular. Miserable people will hate you for trying to have any of those qualities. They will belittle you, gossip about you, and envy you. Misery loves company. You can join them or be loyal to the royal within. The choice will always be yours. 
• Heavenly Father will let the righteous lose some battles, but they will win the war. It is essential that some battles are lost. That is where the valiant are set apart and we are forced to choose what is right and not what is easy.
• Not going to Heavenly Father about your personal concerns and worries because of fear your questions and prayers won't be answered is summed up in this quote: "We miss 100% of the shots we never take." This scripture says this quote very well also -  Therefore, ask and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; for he tht asketh receiveth; and unto him that knocketh, it shall be opened. 3 Nephi 27:29 

I know I still have so much to learn, and I'm sure a few of you reading this know what I mean now about being a slow learner. ;) I'm just grateful for my Heavenly Father, My Savior, and my husband. I feel so bad for people who do not know God and have a personal relationship with Him. He is the most loving, forgiving, happy, and funny person that anyone could ever know. He does more things with my life than I ever could on my own.