Day 300!

Wow, today is day 300 of this mission madness! It's relieving to think that this much time has gone by already, and kinda scary to think of how the next 300 will go. I hope they go by quickly.

Jarem, I know you won't be able to read this for many months, but I hope you know how much I support you! I wish I could be there to help you, encourage you, and comfort you when times get hard. I wish it so badly that it physically hurts sometimes. What doesn't kill you will make you stronger... which is proving to be true over and over again as you are away! I love you so much more than I did when you left, it's difficult for me to comprehend. I'm so grateful for you in my life.

"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear." -Ambrose Redmoon

It was a frightening step into the dark when you left on your mission. There were (and still are) so many, many unknown variables and possible outcomes. I would not necessarily say I have been courageous during all of this, but I know that putting the Lord first is an essential part of my life. True, untainted love and a virtuous desire to create a family unit centered on Jesus Christ and His gospel is much more important than me being lonely for a few months (or years). It has eternal consequences whose ripples will effect more lives than just yours or mine. Family, and the hope of one day having the privelage of creating my own, is judged much higher in my book than the fear of the unknown. Remember, with God nothing is impossible. I love you Jarem, more than words could ever convey. I miss you and hope you are learning and growing as much as I am! All of my love, Ashley

Jarem's expecting... its been 9 months!!!

Okay, okay, so the two subjects in the title of the blog are two separate issues (thank heavens!). First off, 9 months ago today Jarem left for England! I can't believe it has been so long since I've seen my sweetheart! The weeks go by quickly but each day holds its separate struggle. For me, I can't just say I've waited 9 months, because 9 is a whimpishly small number. Not one day goes by where I don't think of him, pray for him, and wish that he is doing the best he is capable of. So, I get a more triumphant feeling to say I have waited 274 days... because the number is bigger and I get more pride out of that one. :)

The second portion of the blog title (about Jarem expecting) has to do with transfers. He's gonna be a papa now! On Tuesday Jarem's companion (of 5 or 6 months I think) was transferred, and Jarem will now be training a greenie- straight from the MTC. So in Jarems mission they term the trainer as the Dad (or papa) and the trainee is the "son." I think these terms reach the limit of creativity that a bunch of 19 and 20 year old boys can reach, so it is only mildy amusing to the rest of us. :) No, I'm kidding. Jarem was exuberant in his last email, ending his email with "I'm expecting!!!!!" So only time will tell how crazy being a trainer will make him.

Things are going well for both Jarem and I. Jarem is healing from his hernia repair surgery over a month ago (finally!) and he will be back to full proselyting next week. With training someone, Jarem will now have even less time than he did before due to the full brunt of the missionary work being placed on his shoulders. He is busy but loving it! He is in great spirits and is loving his time he has to prepare for the rest of his life. He wouldn't be able to do much, if anything, without the many prayers and fasting he has received from all of his family. I'm grateful for everyones prayers in his behalf, because I know it is a pillar of strength in his life.

I am... extremely busy to say the least. I started a new semester about 3 weeks ago at school, and am now submerged in more intense classes. I have an added 8 hours of clinicals a week to do at a hospital 30+ miles away (and I have to be there at 5:30 am! Joy to the world!). This is in addition to 24 required hours of a psych rotation at an adolescent lock-down unit, 10 hours of lab hours, reading homework every night, and working 24 hours a week. So I'm staying busy as ever, which prevents me from moping around and missing Jarem too terribly much. :) My social life has all but whithered and died, but I suppose its the price I'm asked to pay (besides my umpteen thousand dollars of tuition) to get through nursing school. I only have 11 more months of prison, then I will be free forever!!!!

So on this 9 month mark of Jarem being gone its time to celebrate! No baby showers (at least not for the expecting Papa Jarem) or the like, but it makes me stop and thank Heavenly Father for continually blessing my every step through this mission experience. I could not do this without him, and I could not make it through all I have without my incredible Jarem to help me as well!