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!

Overwhelmed!!!

Wow. I can't even begin to thank Jarem- my sweetheart- for the most thoughtful, considerate, and time consuming present I have ever received! It means the world to me, as does he. I have had SO much schoolwork, so many family "occurrences", disappointments, tests, and emotional struggles these past 2 weeks it is incredible. I could go on for ever thanking Jarem for his truly AMAZING example. There are no words to describe what we have together.

I would not trade anything in place of the blessing of having Jarem. Not only has he reached down and pulled my discouraged and tired body into an upright position, but he has given me the Christ-like love and encouragement to find the strength to continue. Prophets have said that God does hear us, and he does answer our prayers, but it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Not only is Jarem one of the sharpest tools in the shed, but as far as my needs are concerned, he is the most worn down tool used by our Heavenly Father to help me. A true answer to prayer.

It is so exciting to see him turning into such a powerful young man of God who is constantly filled with the spirit. As he goes to serve in Leeds England, a lot of things will change, yet the most important things will not. I am very excited to see him learn how to serve, teach, work hard, and have his spirituality skyrocket! I am excited to pursue my own endeavors with nursing and learn skills that will equip me to be (most importantly) a mother in Zion as well as financially capable. Neither of us want to on our 'San Diego trip' yet, because we both have so so much work ahead.

How can we do it? As my brother, in his thoughtful typical male-like way, offered these words of encouragement, "You know, there is a higher probability of him coming home gay than there is for you waiting for him on his mission." And I thank him for those comforting words.... I just simply feel like it is a blessing, these two years. I would make any personal sacrifice... whether it is time (which it will be), emotional times, frustrations or whatever to go there with Jarem. The price tag people put on "2 whole years!" or being "physically apart" are definitely worth paying to have the indescribable gift of having a righteous and loving family that will perpetuate into the eternities. What more could I, or anyone else, ask for in a young man than every quality and trait that Jarem possesses? He is so amazing and I love him lots and lots! And lots!!