Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Oye! Planning for a wedding is tough stuff. There is an endless amount of items, events, and things to think about:

Cake, food, drinks, utensils, dishware, dress, veil, shoes, bridesmaids, groomsmen, gifts, reservations......

I don't need to list everything. It's just a lot. However, THIS IS SO EXCITING! I am planning my wedding!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Preparing for Marriage and Companionship Inventory















Have you ever done something that new? Preparing for marriage is definetly new for me.
It is exciting!


James Valentine and Elizabeth Lovell are two very different people. Now we are preparing to combine these seperate worlds into a united family.
There are bumps in the road. However, we are commited to work as a team. Right now, our greatest assest is "Companionship Inventory." It is in the Preach My Gospel manual I used on my mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Let me explain.

Companionship Inventory is a weekly meeting between missionary companionships. It is a discussion initiated by the following cues:

1. "Share with your companion appropriate goals and ask his/her help in accomplishing them."
2. "Discuss the strength of your relationship with your companion."
3. "Discuss any challenges that may be keeping your companionship from working in unity or from being obedient."
4. "Resolve conflicts"
5. "Share with your companion what you think his/her strengths are."
6. "Ask your companion for ways in which you can improve."

Adapting to lives together is never easy. I was not always excited for new companions, and I know I am not the easiest person to live with you. This inventory is the glue! It creates a safe atmosphere and a trust between companions. I became converted to the importance of communication in my future relationships.

Luckily, James was willing to give it a try. We started having companionship inventory every week last semester. It was akward the first time (since we were prospective eternal companions--not missionary companions), but now James reminds me on Sunday to reserve time for our inventory.

Not only do we LOVE our Sunday discussion, but it really does make a difference throughout the entire week. We feel comfortable assisting each other and complimenting each other. Plus, it is nice to hear some compliments ;) just like it is fun to give them. Suprisingly, we never run out of compliments!

I am far from being an expert, but I think we are off to a good start!

Click the link:

http://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages#p/a/u/1/E_yOAHISi8I

Sunday, December 6, 2009

When your heart breaks

Life is full of accomplishments, tears, love, and heartache. That's life. Our natural tendency is to relish in our own success but blame others for our difficulties.

"I did amazing on my test today!"

"Mrs. Smith made the test too hard!"

I think we do this for two reasons. First, so we do not need to take responsibility for our own downfalls, and second, because we feel alone dealing with our battles and do not know where to turn.

This morning, I shed some of life's tears. I was hurt by someone close to me. James, in his wisdom, recommended praying, and he reminded me that the atonement of Christ is not only for repentance but also for comfort and understanding.
The burden I was feeling upon my shoulders was suddenly lighter. Christ undertstands. Christ loves. Christ helps. What a blessing it is to know that I have someone to turn to, who can relate to whatever trial I am faced with! Not only is it a blessing to know I can ALWAYS have help, but I also know that the obstacles in my life can teach me eternal principles if I chose to learn from them.

I hope that when my heart breaks in the future, cause life happens, I will remember that I can turn to my Savior.