Day 347: Christmas Means To Me, My Love

Christmas has now arrived, and on the verge of leaving until next year. This Christmas has definitely made it to the top of my list. No, I didn't get some epic gift this year. In fact, I got next to none. It wasn't the gifts of the food this year. It was the family and company that made this holiday season extra special.
I was surrounded by friends and loved ones, and the space was filled with laughter and love. I spent the weekend with my family, and shared many fun and special times with them.
I also got to share some laughter and stories with the man who has my heart. John called me this morning and we were able to spend a few special moments that have happened to us since we've been apart. We talked about how we feel ourselves growing ironically closer together, and stronger as a couple, and how special this time is for the both of us. During that hour of hearing his voice, over and over again it was confirmed that HE is who I was meant to share my life with and HE is the reason I have gone through every experience I've ever had. And I thank God for the circumstances that brought us together. If we hadn't both endured our heartache and hardships, we might not have ever found such a strong connection or would have been ready for such a strong connection.
John is doing wonderfully and has really taken to the people and the lifestyle. He has grown SO much spiritually and I am grateful for that. He was already a spiritual powerhouse prior to the mission, but he gave me some amazing words of enlightenment that I know would not have been possible but for his mission. His unwavering faith, no, knowledge of the mercifulness of our Father is astounding. He knows with a surety of future blessings and is such an example to me of that. I love this man with all of my heart, and can't wait til NEXT Christmas when he will be returning home 2 days after the holiday.
Merry Christmas to all of you, and I wish you all the happiest of times. Cherish your loved ones, no matter how far they are.

Day 340: Cheese and Crackers

Christmas is a week away... 7 days. That's it. And surprisingly, I haven't wanted to murder my heart yet. I'm fine. I'm pretty happy. I'm not depressed. It's a Christmas miracle. I think it's because the year mark is descending on me very very quickly here. HOORAY!!! One more year until he is back home and this blog can become more fun! LOL.

Last weekend, I had the opportunity to cut my Grammie'

s hair. In the middle of her haircut, she kept asking me all about John. So I told her the whole story of how we met and how we came to be. She was thrilled, and so was I (seeing as I got to talk about John). :) She loved our story (so do I), thought it was romantic (so do I), and couldn't wait to ask a billion more questions about him. What's his plan for himself? What does he like most about his mission? What are your plans with him in the future? Yada, yada, yada. But then she asked me one question that I was kinda stumped at. "What do you love MOST about him?" Annnnnnnd there I stood, not knowing how to answer exactly. And that got me thinking about writing yet another list. So as I sat in my living room listening to the rain and a 90's film, I started thinking. What DO I love most about him? CAN I name just one thing? The answer is of course no, and I ended up with a rather long list. Annnd this is where I post said list. Bring out the crackers, 'cause here comes the cheese.

What Do I Love Most About John?

-The sound of his laugh

-His crinkle smile

-The way he opens his eyes REALLY big when emphasizing something

-His selflessness

-He loves LOVES kids

-He shows everyone around him so much respect

-The way he moved his CTR ring to his other hand because it hurt me when he held my hand

-How he started calling me "Jesse" and I didn't mind

-The way he ALWAYS wanted to rub my feet

-How he would always pick up the towel and help with the

dishes without being asked

-He's not ashamed of his crazy girlfriend

-He tells me constantly how much he cares for me

-How he didn't mind when I would fall asleep on the phone every night

-He's motivated

-He's hardworking

-He loves me for ME, and not just what I could become

-He makes me want to be better

-His dream of a perfect Saturday (even the realistic one)

-His dedication

-How he stuck around for so long

-His musical talent

-He fits every point on the list of what I want in a husband

-He loves God first

He's charming

He knows how to cheer me up

-He wants to take care of me

-He'll sit and listen to a crying girl, and love her all the more for it

-He is so willing to help me

-He's always on my mind

So I can't choose only one, but if I had to say only ONE item I loved more than the rest, I would have to say that I love his dedication to God. He is so dedicated to Him and His cause, that he gave up 2 years of his life at home with me. And THAT is what draws me to him continuously.

Day 327: Sharing Creativity

Fun story. John loves bubbles. Especially on his mission. So I sent him some, and he says he comes home after a hard day and just blows bubbles to relieve stress. So one day, he comes home, throws his stuff on his bed, and grabs the bubbles. His companion steals his camera and captures it. And here is the edited version of one of the pictures. LOL.

Also, I began recording and posting my songs to YouTube, so I thought I would post on here as well.. If I can get it to work...

Day 327: I Choose Excitement

ALRIGHT FOLKS!! We are nearing that coveted year mark! I received some EXCITING/disheartening news last week!! John's release date is in the middle of transfers. And since he can't leave mid transfer, he has two options!!! He can either come home 3 WEEKS EARLY, putting him home in my arms on Dec 27 2011 (TWENTY-ELEVEN!!), orrrr.... 3 weeks later on Feb 8 2012. Ultimately, I think it's up to the mission President, but from talking to a few RM friends, they said that most time the President leaves it up to the missionary. So, I have yet to find out what John would choose to do, but I'll update once I hear what is gonna happen. When I have told some people the happy news, mostly their response is "Why are you so excited? He could be coming home later..." and MY reply is "I choose excitement." :) Because even if he were to choose to stay later, though I'd be a little bummed, I'd be happy because he loved his mission that much. And because really, whats 3 weeks more? But obviously, 3 weeks LESS is much easier to swallow. ;)

Picture time!!!

Just look at this cutie-pie. :) Who wouldn't want him home 3 weeks earlier?

19 days til the Christmas phone call!!! AND! If he comes home December next year, I'll get to talk to him 2 DAYS before he comes back!!!! Awesome!