Fall!

Wow - I can't beleive that we're in fall of 2009! I feel like time is just going too fast for me. I think that I'm just too far behind to catch up on all that's been going on...but here we go.

- I had a wonderful birthday and still can't believe that another year has passed.

- Conference was amazing! The first highlight for us was announcement that Fortaleza, Brazil is getting a temple! That is where Derek served his mission and we are both still very excited.

- School is going. Just 8 more Monday's (plus finals!). Then I'll be finished with the academic side of my schooling. I'll be starting my medical externiship on December 17th. Derek has been working so hard. He's taking a few extra classes for experience and added knoweldge. I think he's enjoying them, and working very hard to stay on top of everything. He has been working on a project the entire semester and it looks wonderful. I'm really proud of him and his dedication.

- I attempted to make a fall craft: check it out!

Sunday Will Come

In October 2006 conference, Elder Joseph B Wirthlin gave a talk entitled "Sunday Will Come". I don't remember much of the talk, but I do remember how Elder Wirthlin talked about the Savior, Jesus Christ, and how He had to suffer in both the garden and on the cross prior to "giving up the ghost". Then, on the third day - a Sunday - He rose from the tomb and by doing so had done something that absolutely no one else has or could have done.

However, the time between Christ's death and His resurrection were dark and difficult. The Friday when Christ died, was probably (in my opinion) one of the darkest Friday's in the history of this world. The earth trembled, the sky grew dark, and storms raged. So many hearts were broken that day: Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus, the Apostles, and "the believers". The man who had healed many, willingly gave Himself to His enemies and abusers. Then this man gave His life so we could return to our Father in Heaven. I believe that Friday was full of much sorrow for all those that loved and followed Him. Thankfully that sorrow did not last because on Sunday, Christ rose again - triumphant.

"Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays. But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come. No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come." (Elder Wirthlin)

I've been thinking about the trials, bumps in the road, hiccups in life, and pains that mortality dons as we tarry here for a short while. And while I know these times are "but a small moment", they can seem so much longer than that.

How grateful I am to my Savior for his sacrifice and his ability to "succor" his people. I am so blessed to have the gift of the Holy Ghost to comfort me and to teach me what I am to learn from these 'growing pains'. How wonderful it is to have the choice to apply the atonement to heal all forms of hurt.

I know that no matter what hurt and pain I feel, whether it be from the tests and trials that mortal life encompasses, or from sins and transgressions, I know that Sunday will always come.

Awesome Date!

Pretty much had an amazing weekend! First of all, I didn't have any homework...wowsa that was an odd feeling - brilliant but odd.

Second, Derek and I were able to go do Cirque de Soleil. It was quite amazing. They had all kinds of fantastic acts. We saw the Saltimbanco show - I guess it's one of their older shows, but I thought it was quite fantastic. Some of our favorite acts were some "tap dancing drummers", the mime, the bicycle tricks, and we thought that the arial acrobats were quite beautiful.

Another bonus was that Derek and I decided to go out to lunch prior to the show. We hit an awesome deal at Lone Star...yeah - lunch for 2 w/ drinks and a tip for $10. I'm a bit of a bargain hunter.

After the circus we headed up to Derek's family house for the weekend. His cousin just returned from his mission. He served in Brazil, just like Derek, in the mission just north (I think) of Derek's. So he was rather excited to talk to him and look at his pictures. I really loved that it seemed to be a refresher of Derek's mission...which means I got to hear new stories. I pretty much love hearing Derek's stories, but particularly enjoy the mission stories. I think they're great.

So all in all we had an amazing date and a wonderful weekend! hurray!

Wowsa

Hurray! I've officially completed 3/5 (60%) of my Masters Degree! It's really really difficult to believe that it's only been a year. I think in some ways it's been the longest year of my life! However, in others it's just completely flown by. I feel quite good about my performance this semester and have learned an abundant load of information. Sometimes I wonder how I fit it all in there. I'm probably almost at maximum capacity in all honesty.

We had a quick trip to Washington state to see our niece be blessed. It was so fun to go and see their family! Our nephew, who just turned 3, is HUGE!! I can't believe how big he has gotten...especially contrasted to his brand new baby sister.

I guess it's a complete miracle that we got there in the first place. Derek & I left with my parents on Friday morning. Well, let me back up here. I got an e-mail from my supervisor on Thursday night for the corrections to be made on my final semester progress report that was to be due on Friday. Well she knew I was heading out of town because I had talked to her two weeks previously and we worked out a deal that I'd turn my paperwork in early so I could have it completed before I left. Well, I turned it in early so I was expecting to get it back early...didn't happen. Thankfully a girl in my program, bless her heart, said that she would e-mail me the info that I needed. However, I didn't know exactly where it was. So I had to go to the clinic prior to leaving to get some info and to try and at least locate where the info could be found to be e-mailed. Well the lady didn't show up to open the clinic by the time I had to leave (because we were meeting at 8:30). We'll we pull into where we were meeting my parents and I realize that I forgot my drivers license.

So I drop Derek off and head home to get my licence. I'm so panicked that I'm literally shaking...not a good condition to be in bytheway. Thank heavens I hit green lights all the way back to the apt, ran inside, grabbed my id, and headed back to the airport. My parents waited for me and my dad drove us the rest of the way and dropped us off. He went to find a parking spot. Well, he had fantastic timing. He saw the shuttle coming so whipped into a spot at the end of a row, locked the doors, and stepped on the bus. Derek took his carry-on for him so he could get through security faster. There is a family line for Delta that bypasses all the winding. He said "well I'm part of a family" and waltzed right on up to the front. All in all he was only about 15 minutes behind us - and he parked the car. We made it to the gate with 30 mins to spare...I believe in miracles!

Best 2 years

Two years ago Derek & I went on our very first date. I was pretty much toast about an hour into the date...Derek took a bit longer to admit that I was just simply irresistible. j/k It's hard to believe that it's been 2 years since we started dating. In some ways I can't beleive it's been 2!! And in other ways I can't believe it hasn't been more. I feel that I've known Derek much much longer. I feel so blessed to have him in my life.

Thanks for asking sweeite!

ps - I loved the flowers, thanks for remembering!

Adventures from the 4th

Derek & I had a wonderful 4th of July holiday. On Friday (the 3rd) afternoon we met my parents and brother & his wife at Tucano's, a Brazilian restaurant, for lunch. Derek was so excited to go! After filling our bellies with awesome eats, we headed over to the Verizon store to look at phones. The 2 year contract was up - which means time for an upgrade. Well, they were a pain so we decided to order them online so we could get all of our discounts. Derek had to head to work after that and I went to do the parade of homes with my parents. Unfortunately, the homes they wanted to look at were closed for the holiday. So they took me to get some summer clothes for clinic. After spending a little while at the mall, my parents dropped me off at my in-laws (I don't like using that word). That way Derek could head straight there after he got off work. We just relaxed on Friday, which was everso enjoyable, then on Saturday the festivities began!

We woke up on Saturday morning to an awesome breakfast. We're talkin' the works here --- pancakes, bacon, fruit, & CHOCOLATE MILK!! Then we got ready and went to watch the parade. My sister-in-law participated and it was fun to see her in the parade. After the parade, we moved blankets and chairs to a lawn to watch fireworks. We headed back to the house after walking around the park for a bit to have a BBQ! This is where I must tell you that BBQ on the 4th is pretty much my favorite thing. I LOVE IT! So we had a great lunch then went outside and played volleyball, lasso ball, and badminton. I had a blast. After spending the afternoon outside, which I love doing, we went inside to rest before going to watch fireworks. WOW - the finale was quite magnificent if I may say so myself! We stayed there that night, not wanting to go head to head with any intoxicated drivers, and returned home on Sunday morning. All in all --- a great holiday!

I make my debut on the blog at last.

Tiffany made lots of scones. I love it.

I love it.

Derek