Jarem and Ashley: Welcome 2009! ! !

Friday, January 2, 2009

Welcome 2009! ! !

Wow. What a wild past few months this has been!! As Jarem has left for his mission, there has been a holy whirlwind of emotions!

I have been extremely busy with nursing school and working as a CNA and Jarem has been working his butt off in the wonderful, pub-packed city of Halifax! Thankfully, we are both immersed with our separate activities and we are finding time is passing (surprise!) and we are now welcoming in a beautiful new year! I am so distracted by the fact that it is 2009... and next year my sweetheart finally comes home!! Time passes strangely these past few months... the days are long (and usually filled with thoughts of how Jarem is coping with his never ending injuries...) but the weeks seem to fly by! Still, each day takes a concentrated effort to keep going and is strengthening my own resolve to follow what the spirit has confirmed are the right paths to take in my life.

Jarem is enjoying his mission... when he isn't sick, in the hospital, or hobbling around on assistive walking devices. So far, he has succeeded in tearing his ACL back in August, breaking his toe, and contracting pink eye multiple times. Besides this, he has the constant companionship of a spastic back, common colds, and strep throat. The nurse inside me is screaming! But, as heavenly father knows best, I am now getting my fair share of lessons in patience, faith, and sincere prayer. It doesn't help the worry that he is in a city with the highest percentage of pubs per square mile. He wakes up every night (at least once) to ambulance sirens, screaming, fighting, and anything else you can imagine. His guardian angels are getting a work out, and I owe them big time!

I am staying busy with nursing school, almost done with my first real semester. Between clinicals, school full time, work, and jogging I am staying busy. I have no health problems to report, but I am extremely thankful for the blessing of a working body free of diseases and illnesses. I love getting letters from my Jarem, and can't express my gratitude and appreciation for his example! He is the most wonderful and supportive friend and confidante I could have dreamed of. With him by my side, I could not fail at anything that came my way!!! He is really my best friend and, as impossible and hopeless as it seems at times, our bond has strengthened during this almost 7 months of being apart!

I had the wonderful opportunity to talk to Jarem on Christmas! I wasn't as emotional as I expected, but it was so amazing to hear his voice! It was like we hadn't been apart at all! I was able to tell him I love him (despite my phobia of saying it in front of his family) and thats all that mattered to me. I am so happy the time is passing by easier now and he is having much success with the work! I can't wait for it all to be over though...

So, to all those naysayers who doubt mine and Jarem's decisions... things are going better than ever! :) We are both growing so much and learning to become the people the Lord sees within us. Although there are moments of doubt, dispair, and confusion, my Heavenly Father has unfailingly pulled through for both of us as we continue our journey together.

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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