The New Place...

I have had a few very concerned phone calls this weekend. I always enjoy and welcome the phone calls but these phone calls have been more of a demanding nature than a friendly conversation. Ha! Some people have been asking Josh and I for awhile now to post some pictures of our new place. Our response, "Come Visit!" But to hold ya over till you do, yes, everyone is invited, I decided that I would post just a few pictures up. It's more of a sales tactic to get you to come down.

We live in a two bedroom, two bath condo. It is (at least I feel) gigantic and I don't know what to do with all the extra space. However, in just a month Josh and I (but mostly Josh and his school books) are filling it up quite nicely.

This is a picture of our living room. That couch has been in the Smith family for a very long time. Every newly wed couple has had the pleasure of using this couch. It may not be the most attractive couch in the world but it does it's job!!
Next is the guest washroom and for those of you who do not speak Canadian that would be the bathroom. ;) I think this may be the cleanest place in our house. I do love maps, globes, books of the world, etc. It's sort of a sick fascination I have. Now, I have a new love of maps on a shower curtain!! I would definitely shake the hand of the person who came up with that.

So that really is it. I know! I'm sorry. You really should just come visit instead. The couch pulls out into a bed....

Temples Will Dot the Earth

This is a video that my little brother created. He is extremely talented and I am very proud of him. Hope you guys like watching it!!

What's on Jay's mind?

Elder Richard G. Scott recently gave a talk at the graduation ceremony for BYU students this last summer. In his talk (which is very inspirational) he gave very 'simple yet profound' key principles or steps that would help our journey in this life. One key principle he listed was to Trust in the Lord. "Follow His commandments and you will be filled with inspiration and power. You will obtain goals beyond your personal capacity." I love that promise and have found in my life that it is very true. I have thought more recently about this promise and how it may relate to marriage. Rarely, is marriage a joy ride as you think it may be the months before you get married or on your honeymoon. ;) Marriage is a goal that must be chosen and then DILIGENTLY pursued. It is a conscious choice that both husband and wife make and then must constantly work together to uphold. As one works towards this goal, he or she will find more joy and happiness than ever before. Being married is much different then being single...go figure. Since being married I have discovered more of my weaknesses. These weaknesses, I know, in time will only bring me closer to my husband and to the Lord. As I pray, set goals and trust in the Lord I will in time be perfected and reach above my personal capacity. While on my mission my mission president once wrote me a note that I know was guided by the spirit. He told me that the Lord was watching over me, knew of my imperfections, and in time I would be perfect. However, the Lord expects no one to be perfect right now. He only expects you to try. Trying is what makes you perfect. Never stop trying. This note came to me a few weeks before I went to the E.R one night with chest pains. I had a physical weakness at that moment and for months to follow but as I layed there in the hospital bed He made me strong as I talked to a less active member, who we had been trying to find, about church. I guess in a round about way what I am trying to get at is that marriage is hard but worth it. Both partners have weaknesses. Neither is perfect! Isn't that a relief? To know that it's not just you with imperfections. My heart gets sick each time I hear of another divorce, a separation, even to see it on T.V. or in the movies. I pray that each person will make marriage a goal. A goal to be obtained here in this life or the next. There are so many people in this world who are putting their wants and their needs before marriage. How sad. I wish all people could see the beauty of an eternal marriage. An eternal marriage gives purpose to life and fills my soul with so much joy. True joy. For those of you who are already married, I encourage you to continue setting daily goals to strengthen your marriage. Do not take it lightly. Do not place other things, people, duties before him or her. Make your wife or husband your number one priority. After all it is a commandment. (Doc. & Cov. 42:22).

If you were currently taking my ethics class with me I suppose you would be calling me a moralist right about now. One who proclaims repentance or teaches another their morals. Well, then I guess it would fit but this is just what's on Jay's mind right now.

A "Wicked" Birthday!

Happy Birthday to my BEAUTIFUL MOTHER!!

To be honest there is no other like her. I mean, do you know anybody who says "Verly" when meaning to say "barely?" That has got to be the cutest thing in the world. My dear young mother is turning...60. You know what this means, don't you? SENIOR DISCOUNTS here we come. Lynie, this means I will start buying you more dinners or do you feel like going to a movie?

To celebrate, my sisters and I, and by my sisters and I, I mostly mean my more older and wiser sister Stephanie prepared this little get away weekend for all of us Smith girls. I haven't been around my family in awhile and well...I almost forgot just how weird they are!! I love weirdness and I am grateful for how much fun we all know how to have (after we turn off the news).
The whole weekend was a total surprise to my mother. Wow! A secret kept in the Smith family!! Amazing! We flew our mother to L.A so that she could have a "wickedly" amazing birthday. Finally, I saw the play wicked. I had been loathing a few people for seeing it without me(um...Stephanie). The play was amazing!! One of my favorite songs (obviously) was Defying Gravity, Popular and Dancing with Life. I loved Glenda..the Ga is silent. Ha!
We also explored Hollywood for awhile. I almost felt famous just walking on the stars. On our cab ride home we also gave the taxi driver, Mustafa (the chosen one), from Ethiopia, the first discussion. Teaching the gospel is the most exhilarating feeling. While it is good to be learning and searching for answers, the best answers are found through the spirit. I have often felt that while talking to others about the gospel most of my questions I have recently been pondering are answered.
Overall it was a great weekend and I am glad that I could introduce my family to a fantastic restaurant called On the Border. Mexican food is fantastic!!

Love You guys!!

Surprise!

Shhhh! My sister gave me access to her blog to print out some pages, so while I am in here I thought I would leave a post since it is an addiction I have lately. I just want my sister to know I love her and miss her and I am so excitted we get to see each other in a few hours. We have been planning a birthday surprise for our mom for months now and the day has finally arrived. I told our mom that she would need to pack her bag for a few days and that it would be just her and her daughters having a fun weekend. Well, I don't know what she really thought we were doing but I think she thought we were driving somewhere close to Jaimie so she was packing the car with lots of gatorades and water to bring to Jaimie (she does this because if there was to be a disaster in Vegas she doesn't want Jay and Josh to be thirsty in the desert). Anyways, our older sister, Shannon asked our mom what she was doing with all those drinks and she explained she was taking them to give to Jay and Shannon had to tell her that she couldn't take all those liquids with her on the plane and our mother's reply was, "Oh, we are flying? That is good to know." Our family does not do well keeping SURPRISES, but maybe my mom has no idea what we are up to. See you soon Jay!! Love your guts!! We miss you too Josh but Jay just a little bit more!!

Cool Grill

We finally pulled out our Coleman "Party Grill" and had a BBQ at our new place.The party grill was a gift from one of my best friends. Thanks Ray!I bet everyone wishes they had a sweet grill like this one! It was pretty cool. The weather is so nice here in September. The mornings and evenings are cooler and during the day the temperature is tolerable. We went swimming and then threw a few turkey burgers on the grill. They were so good!! I am a big fan of turkey burgers now.YUM YUM

Hey Jay!

Hey Jay! I just wanted to say how much I love you and how I think you are so beautiful!!

Hope you are having a good day and that this message makes you smile.

Love,
Josh