Expanding Horizons

If you've been talking to my sweet wife lately, you'd know that she's been learning about all sorts of interesting things. I've always valued conversation with my Racher. I love talking about almost anything. If I'm honest, I used to be a lot more closed to new ideas. Because of Rachel I've come in contact with some very sobering and challenging thoughts. After reviewing myself, I usually do end up changing the way I think about things. Because of Rachel, I've been introduced to perspectives I hadn't ever considered in depth that are so worth considering! Rachel has a natural ability of explaining the way she feels well or explaining how other people might feel well. I have to admit that at times I have resisted the things she has said either because I felt completely different and so it was hard for me to understand or I was scared of the implications of what she was sharing. But in those times when I am humble and open and Rachel is sharing how she feels I experience a closeness that I would not trade for anything. The truth is that when I share things Rachel is always empathetic. I'm aspiring to be better so I can say the same for myself.

Rachel pushes me intellectually and I love it. There are disagreements in our relationship, and at times (really dramatic times) it feels as if we will never be reconciled. As hard as our hearts might temporarily become as a result of misunderstandings and pride, the softness that INEVITABLY comes with forgiveness, mutual understanding and high regard for each other and whatever feelings or ideas were being expressed makes the struggle worth it's weight in wisdom. I'm blessed with this relationship. I'm blessed with this friendship. I'm thankful that Rachel forgives me, understands me, and has such high regard for me. I lova my Racher!

PS--it is forcing me to publish in pink...unfortunate but not the end of the world.

The DR

As many of you know, Rachel and I are now married! We had the most amazing sealing, I loved it and it will be a day I treasure for the rest of my life. It is beautiful that life, with all of its disappointments and inevitable failures, surprises you with beautiful experiences. Not that I thought that our marriage would be traumatic or that I would have bad feelings about it, I think that there are just some things in life that are so wonderful that you can't contemplate them accurately until they have already passed. It was more wonderful than anything my imagination would have been capable of conjuring up. Any of you that were there know what I'm talking about, it was a beautiful wedding. We were truly blessed with a day full of grace and wonder.

I wanted to talk a little bit about our honeymoon. We went to the Dominican Republic to visit the place where I served my mission many years ago. This was so amazing! When Rachel initially wanted to go the Dominican Republic, I was actually a little worried. I was hesitant because sometimes traveling in the 3rd world isn't as much fun as you might think it will be. I should have known that my Racher would love it! We had so much fun. The only think that wasn't perfect was that Rachel got a cough. Not just any cough, a crazy uncontrollable cough. It was so sad to see Rachel coughing and coughing until it hurt. We tried to get her some medicine and cough drops but they were only marginally effective. So Rachel just ended up having a cough the whole time, but it somehow didn't affect us very much.

I was really impressed because she had a good attitude the whole time. We were able to visit all of my areas, see some people that I loved and who loved me and Rachel had a good time the whole time. I always loved Rachel's spirit of adventure. I imagined all of the adventures we would have together because she really is good at making the best of hard situations. But I didn't understand how resistant to bad moods she actually is! If anybody has driven in the DR, they know that it is not for the faint of heart. It is scary and Rachel took it all in stride. People here think that I am a crazy driver, but I think Rachel now has a new appreciation for my driving. She's more attracted to me because of my third world driving.

Now of course, I know that a lot of Rachel's good attitude had to do with the fact that we were in the third world. Rachel LOVES the third world. I'd wager that had we been in a better off nation, she wouldn't have enjoyed it as much. But this is just another thing that I absolutely adore about my Racher. She is so unique and I am so lucky to have her. I've been blessed with a beautiful, sweet wife who is the best company in the world, 3rd, 2nd, or 1st world!

My Sweet Wife!

Rachel is the sweetest!

Forever's gonna start [tomorrow] (1 day)

I almost died today. It was an insane feeling. In comparison to that, all the other little anvils falling through the roof aren't affecting me much. I will be just fine. I have my dear friends with me tonight. My joy is a bright star.

Forever's gonna start tomorrow.

If you weren't real I would make you up (9 days)

Bright Eyes! Jordan is going to sing this at our reception.

This is the first day of my life
I swear I was born right in the doorway
I went out in the rain suddenly everything changed
They're spreading blankets on the beach

Yours is the first face that I saw
I think I was blind before I met you
Now I don’t know where I am
I don’t know where I’ve been
But I know where I want to go

And so I thought I’d let you know
That these things take forever
I especially am slow
But I realize that I need you
And I wondered if I could come home

Remember the time you drove all night
Just to meet me in the morning
And I thought it was strange you said everything changed
You felt as if you'd just woke up
And you said “this is the first day of my life
I’m glad I didn’t die before I met you
But now I don’t care I could go anywhere with you
And I’d probably be happy”

So if you want to be with me
With these things there’s no telling
We just have to wait and see
But I’d rather be working for a paycheck
Than waiting to win the lottery
Besides maybe this time is different
I mean I really think you like me