Jarem and Ashley: June 2009

Saturday, June 13, 2009

3 Years!! And loving every minute!

Wow!!! Today marks the day that Jarem technically "asked me" to date him... and technically the day I said I would (just in case anyone was wondering what I said...)! Unbelieveable! It has been a crazy ride, but I wouldn't trade one moment of it for the world.

I recently found an interesing paper in my old journal. It's a little something my BYU Book of Mormon teacher calls "The 42-point Check List" for qualities I want in a husband. I wrote this June 9, 2003 (I found the date slightly ironic), so I was 14 and relatively clueless. I decided it would be amusing to share it on this day... the day I began dating my sweetheart! Keep in mind I can't change what I wrote, but despite its amusing-ness and slight superficiality, Jarem proudly qualifies on every single point! Some, he absolutely blows my expectations clear out of the water, and other he squeaks by on qualification, but nevertheless! So, here is my famous list! (and this is "in no particular order of importance" as I disclaimed at the top of my list over 6 years ago).

Taller or as tall as me (check!)
Has (at least somewhat) a sense of humor... (way to squeak by! haha, just kidding!)
Likes dogs, because we will have one (check!)
Likes Italian and/or Mexican food (WTF !?) (check!)
Clean cut fingernails (check!)
Older than me (check! by 13 days!)
Like/love/tolerate with a happy attitude camping (check! He loves it!)
Have a love/talent/appreciation for music (insert noise of this 'check' blowing my expectations out of the freaking water!)
Treats me like a lady (check! He has NEVER missed a door or chair, no matter how seemingly insignificant the event.)
Loves the gospel (check! He's on a mission... helllloooo!)
Strong-physically mostly, but spiritually as well (check! He's got nice guns, not gonna lie!)
Temple worthy (check!!)
A good leader (check! In bishopric at Y, DL, ZL, etc etc)
Fun to be with/around (check! I miss being with him.)
Romantic (check! I'll spare the details... :)
Honors his priesthood authority (check!)
Likes BYU (check! duh.)
Have a strong testimony (check! steadfast and immoveable bay bay!)
Be (somewhat at least) a good cook (check! He really is an awesome cook!)
Patient (double check! He has put up with me for3 years.... case in point)
Has a stomach to go on roller coasters (another WTF) (check!)
Attracted to me and also attractive himself (check! at very least the second one is true.)
Good driver (. . . . .check? Haha, sometimes a bit scary...)
Has to be an RM (check! in progress, that is... :)
Has to have a 'wild side' (perhaps the biggest WTF) (check? He's not that wild... only on the weekends!)

So there ya go! :) Some of them seem completely and totally irrelevant ( see numbers 4, 21, and 25), but he manages to pull them all off! When you are 14, you are imagining your husband as some dashing prince in shining armor who is perfect in every way. You dream of marrying someone with every possible admirable trait -- accounting for reality rarely (if ever) occurs. People have faults and shortcomings- noone is exempt. I know Jarem isn't a perfect person with absolutely no flaws or undesireable characteristics.

But I do know what Jarem is: He is incredible. His goodness, his humility, his talents and abilities, and his capacity to grow and change for the better is astounding to me. Love, to me, isn't just a word that is synonymous with 'romance' or 'twitterpated', although they might be small components of it. Love to me is, really, the driving force for everything in this world. As cheesey and cliche as this sounds I believe in it. It is a feeling and a bond that can truly bring about miracles. Not just love between a boy and a girl. Love brings hope, change, and comfort to neighbors, friends, coworkers, strangers, and family members alike. For me, this force has given me determination to put myself through nursing school, and continue to work at one of the world's most exhausting jobs as a CNA. Love has encouraged me to stretch my capacities and reach out to those in need. The love Jarem has freely and constantly given to me has opened my eyes to the unlimited potential my life has... and it has truly given me wings to fly. This goes the other direction; without the love for the gospel and the Savior, Jarem would not be serving a mission and many many lives in England would still be resting in darkness. Love is an amazing force that can do amazing things!

So, on the 3rd year mark of this exciting and wonderful exodus of 'us'... I just want to tell Jarem how much I love him! I admire you! I respect everything you do and stand for. You were my friend before you were my sweetheart, but now that you're both... I get the best of both worlds!! :) What a privelage it is to have you in my life (even if you are 5,000 miles away)! I could not have possibly dreamed of the happiness I feel knowing that what we are doing individually and together is right. I love you.

I'm forever yours, faithfully. -Me

Friday, June 5, 2009

364 DAYS TO GO!!

Can I get a "pah -RAISE the Lord!" and a "Hallelujah!" ?!?
WOW. I can not believe it has been one year. Well, in all actuality I can. :) This is such a happy day for me, and I thought it would never get here! Waiting one year seems do-able in my book, so I guess I can hang in there for at least one more year! In Jarems last letter to me he said that because of visa reasons he actually has to come home about 10 days earlier, but I'm not going to get too ahead of myself on that subject...

This mission has been a journey. It has been one of the most difficult tasks for me in my life thus far. Although I can complain until I'm blue in the face, I couldn't deny the wonderful blessings that have come because of Jarem serving. What a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for both of us to learn and grow. I would love to wave a magic wand and have this upcoming year instantaneously be gone, but there are too many opportunities that would be passed up. I would never take this sacred mission experience away from Jarem; it is something he has dreamed of since he was a little boy. I, quite frankly, never had the dream of putting myself through 2 years of waiting-for-a-missionary torture, but what can I say? Love makes you do crazy things. :) Hah, you gotta love cliches!

Jarem, I love you! I love you infinitely more than I did when you left and I am infinitely more excited that we are on the downward slope for this mission! Hurry and grow lots, have fun, don't get mugged or shot or robbed, and especially don't accept offers to hang out and smoke pot with the Muslims outside your flat! I guess most importantly, learn what the Lord needs you to learn so you can become the person who you need to be. I love you so much!

Here's to counting down the days...

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