Wednesday, February 16, 2011

66 Days... Just 66 More Days!

There is a reason the people in that picture are staring and pointing, they are saying "Nate and Erica are getting married there in 66 days!" In case you were wondering, that means Nate and I have already waited 109 days since we got engaged. But really we have been waiting OUR WHOLE LIVES! Between the two of us that makes it around 53 years.

Salt Lake City Temple

Seems like a long time, doesn't it? 

But to be able to go inside and proclaim we are worthy and waited patiently to do so, knowing afterwards we will be together for eternity, it's worth it. I have spent my whole life trying to live in a way that would prepare me to go enter into the temple. If you can see that gold looking window in the middle, it says, "Holiness to the Lord, The House of the Lord". Fifty-three years doesn't seem so long to be able to enter one of the most sacred and amazing places on earth.

The other day as I was thinking about everything, I felt overwhelmed at how grateful I am not only for having a wonderful family and great friends who helped me make good choices, but having a fiance who has done the same. I couldn't ask for more. Well... I could... but it makes me look a little ungrateful when I think about the little things I worry over haha.

So really I just wanted to tell everyone (in case you haven't seen everyone I know post it on my facebook already) I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!! We are taking engagement pictures this weekend, so you will probably get a sneak peak at those pretty soon. We are finalizing food and flowers,  gathering music for the PAR-TAY, and hopefully these crazy people at the dry cleaners will GIVE ME MY DRESS BACK!!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Get On The Bus, It's Time To Go

This song popped into my head today, and it made me want to write a blog! My dear friend The Ataris say, "Being grown up isn't half as fun as growing up, these are the best days of our lives. The only thing that matters is just following your heart and eventually you'll finally get it right." I refuse to look back longingly to the past, but we have to look back occasionally to understand the future.

I have had a lot of really good people in my life. Good friends and family who have supported me and loved me through all sorts of things. As I come to a giant crossroad in life, I am glad I followed my heart. I must say, I am pretty sure I got it right. You may not always know what the future has in store, but you know you just have to push forward in faith occasionally. God has closed some doors in my life recently (or in some cases slammed them), but I can see Him opening the most brilliant windows. In these moments all I know how to do is follow my heart and know it will all work out.

When I was little I would occasionally think something magical would happen in my room as soon as I left. Like on Toy Story, I was hoping to see my toys come alive. So after I would walk out of my room and close the door, I would wait a second and then quickly burst in again to see if some sort of party was now taking place. Needless to say, I have yet to barge in on my teddy bears having tea. It is crazy to me that sometimes I still do that. I've closed the door on a part of my life, but then I want to peak back in and see if maybe I am missing out on something. When you take time to peak back into the room, it may seem harmless, but usually you'll end up missing the sunshine through the window.

As I embark on my biggest journey yet, I see plenty of sunshine up ahead and I am going to open all the windows I can!