Jarem and Ashley: A Letter of Thanks...

Thursday, March 20, 2008

A Letter of Thanks...

Dear Dee and Marjorie Smith,

It is so amazing, the idea of families here on earth; the possibility that through these families we can prevail on this earth. Amongst the trials and temptations we face each day, we have been given a way that we can rise about it all, a way that we can find our ground, atop the foundation of the gospel, with its cornerstone, the plan for an eternal family. I love this plan that we have been given, to succeed through our strengths as a family. You two are such great examples of a mother and father that always lift up your children and are such steady pillars of faith when it comes to the trying times we are required to face. If you were to measure success of parenting by the outcomes of their children, you would be some of the greatest parents there are. Ashley is such a beautiful daughter of God, who always has a light about her that she brings to all around her that simply need a little more light or direction. As I have been able to get to know you two, I have learned that she has such amazing parents that always stand as witnesses of Christ in all things and all places. Thank you for raising such an amazing daughter who blesses so many people within her life (one being me). It is such a blessing just to know her and to be her friend. She is the most selfless person I have ever met, always...always seeking to help all those around her, before ever thinking of her own needs. Sometimes I feel like its not fair that I even get to know her and feel of her kindness to so many people. Ashley has shown me how I can be a better person and get outside of myself and go serve people. All I have ever seen in Ashley is such a Christlike love for everyone around her. The light of Christ within her shines so beautifully on the inside that it completely covers her outside and makes her shine with such an amazing brighness that touches many people. I am so grateful that I could be one of the many people lucky enough to feel and see of her love, caring, and friendship. Thank you both for all that you do. You are great examples to me in many things that you do everyday. The sacrifices that you make are incredible to witness, and I know that you both have such a great love for this gospel as do I. I am so excited to soon go on my mission to serve His people. Thank you for being those beautiful bright lights in this dark world that are so comforting, so inviting, and so pure.

Sincerely,

Jarem Atkinson

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One Hundred Things I Love About Ashley

1. She knows she is a daughter of God.
2. Her amazing testimony.
3. She puts everyone before herself.
4. She has the Light of Christ.
5. Her caring personality.
6. She is amazing with kids!
7. Ashley is so thoughtful.
8. Her beautiful blue eyes.
9. Her amazing smooth blonde hair.
10. Her gorgeous smile.
11. Her cute laugh.
12. The way she holds a baby.
13. Her amazing prayers.
14. How great of an example she is to me.
15. The way she encourages and supports me.
16. The amazing mother she will soon be.
17. She is my best friend.
18. I can tell her anything.
19. She gives the best back massages!
20. She is always there for me.
21. Her adorable toes!
22. How incredibly smart she is.
23. She works harder than anyone I know.
24. She is so funny!
25. Ashley makes the best salsa ever!
26. She always brings the Spirit with her.
27. She looks cute when she sleeps.
28. Ashley looks like an angel.
29. She will be an amazing nurse.
30. She knows everything in sign language.
31. She is always willing to listen.
32. She is very ticklish!
33. She makes me cry.
34. She is one of God's elect.
35. She is a princess.
36. Her steadfast faith.
37. She lives a virtuous life.
38. She is always fun to be around.
39. She makes me little surprises.
40. She says her prayers.
41. She reads her scriptures everyday.
42. She tells me she loves me.
43. She likes to check my blood pressure.
44. She puts socks on her dog's face.
45. She dances with me.
46. She lets me sing to her.
47. Ashley is an amazing teacher.
48. She is a disciple of Christ.
49. She does Sudoku puzzles.
50. She lets me pick her up and hug her.
51. She has perfect, adorable ears. (without piercings)
52. She has the softest hands!
53. She is WAY hot!
54. She likes cute small things! (ex. baby shoes)
55. She likes my cooking! ? !
56. She loves camping!
57. She thinks I'm cute!
58. Ashley always smells SO good!
59. Her amazing attitude.
60. The way she always makes me feel important.
61. She was baptized on the same day as me.
62. The way she holds my hand.
63. She always wants to know how I'm feeling!
64. How amazing she is at the piano!!!
65. She is great with her family.
66. The huge, warm, wonderful blanket she made me!!
67. The cute notes she writes me!
68. Her funny faces!!
69. She is an amazing runner!
70. She wants a bunch of kids!!
71. She likes to cuddle!
72. She likes wakeboarding!
73. Ashley reads scriptures with me!
74. She is so sincere.
75. She sends me cute things in the mail.
76. She always has a big smile and a happy face.
77. She makes me a better person.
78. She is excited to grow old with me.
79. She likes to see the autumn leaves.
80. She is random!!
81. She is SO excited for our trip to San Diego!
82. She is always so understanding.
83. She wastes me in air hockey!
84. She let me be her first kiss.
85. She likes me for who I am.
86. She helps me honor the Priesthood.
87. She likes to just hang out!
88. She loves the mountains!
89. Ashley is patient.
90. Her actions always show that she loves Him.
91. She is honest.
92. She is loyal.
93. Ashley means the world to me.
94. She has integrity in her life.
95. She would kiss me for a Klondike bar!!
96. She is getting ready for our awesome trip in two years!
97. She is ALWAYS Christlike.
98. She will let me dance with her when we are old.
99. She is my Ashley.
100. Ashley Maree Smith is my sweetheart.

Some of My Favorite Scriptures

Luke 1:37

For with God, nothing shall be impossible.

Alma 53:20-21

And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strenght and activity; but behold, this was not all-they were men who were true at all tiumes in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.

Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God, and to walk uprightly before him.

Alma 29:1

O that I were and angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might bo forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

Alma 42:31

And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that thy great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.

Alma 48:17

Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.

Doctrine and Covenants 27:15-18

Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.

Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, which I have sent mime angels to commit unto you.

Taking the shield of faith werewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked;

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of my Spirit, which I will pour out upon you, and my word which I reveal unto you, and be agreed as touching all things whatsoever ye ask of me and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also. Amen.

Mosiah 2:41

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of neverending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

Thoughtful Quotes

"We should decide now, in the light of the morning, how we will act when the darkness of night and when the storms of temptation arrive."

Howard W. Hunter

"Motivation will almost beat mere talent."

Norman R. Augustine

"Many of lifes failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."

Thomas Edison

"You are what you repeatedly do."

Aristotle

"For every worry under the sun
There is a remedy or there is none.
If there is a rememdy, hurry and find it.
If there is none, never mind it."

LeGrand Richards

"Character is what emerges from all the little things you were too busy to do yesterday, but did anyway."

Mignon McLaughlin

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...It's about learning to dance in the rain."

Unknown

Jarem and Ashley