Testimony

Tonight I really feel like writing about how great my life has been lately. Certainly not in a bragging way, but to share how great the Lord is and His eagerness to bless His children. 

First, I'd like to share my experience this summer. This semester I had the opportunity to take the SFL 100 course from BYU titled "Successful Marriages and Families". The main objective of the course was to focus on The Family: A Proclamation to the World which you can read here. I can imagine the eye rolls, and people scoffing "typical BYU, offering credits for purely religious material". But in all reality, it wasn't purely religious. We talked about very difficult and heartbreaking subjects, like divorce and the destructive nature of pornography. We had to discuss these issues, among others, and how certain things can strengthen or destroy marriages and families. We not only focused on what LDS prophets and apostles have counseled concerning how to raise a family in today's world, but we studied statistical studies in depth that proved they are right. The fact that successful marriages and families truly are based on "principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities". 

I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints my entire life and I know these things to be true. I have always had a difficult time sharing my testimony, even within my own congregation- among people who believe the same thing. But currently my twin sister Alex is serving as a full time missionary in the New York, New York South mission and I'm so proud of her for her courage. Here is an excerpt from her recent email: 

"I know that I'm supposed to be out here. There is no doubt in my mind. I know that the people we are teaching are sons and daughters of God, and He is giving us the opportunity to help them. We're not here to teach, we're here to help our eternal siblings. That is what I've learned since I've been out. Before I came out, I pictured myself teaching every day, and that everything would work out nicely, and that as soon as people heard our message about the restored gospel they would just say 'Yes! I'd love to get baptized!'. NOPE. That may happen once, if we're lucky. But I realized that's not how it's supposed to go. There are people here that don't even know what Christ did for them, and some that don't even care. And my favorite part of the day is going out to share the peace and happiness we get from living the gospel. That's what I love so much; this is a gospel of happiness, and people see that. They wonder why we smile so much at strangers, and what we do. And there is no greater satisfaction than answering 'we are representatives of Jesus Christ'."


So here is my testimony: I testify that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ lives, and that He died for all mankind so that we could receive a redemption of our sins and return to live with Him and our Heavenly Father. He knows and loves each of us. I know that Joseph Smith was, and is, a true prophet of God. He saw God the Father and Jesus Christ in the Sacred Grove and he restored the gospel to the earth once more. Because of him, we have the Book of Mormon and the accounts of prophets like Nephi, Lehi, Alma, and many more. I know that the Book of Mormon is true, and if you read it and follow the counsel given in Moroni 10:4-5 (which you can read here) you will also know of its truthfulness. I know that we have a modern prophet on the earth today, Prophet Thomas S. Monson and that he leads the church by the power of God and is His mouthpiece. Because of this gospel, I will be with my family for eternity. I was sealed to my husband for time and all eternity, and our children will live with us as well. This gospel brings true happiness and joy to every one who accepts it and abides by its doctrines and principles. I know that following Christ will lead to salvation. Of this I testify with all of my heart, in the sacred name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen. 

July

Wow, July really flew by am I right? Alright, now I fully understand that I didn't post anything in the month of July. I also realize that I start almost every blog post the same way; yeah, I'm predictable. My sincerest apologies, mainly to my family and future posterity because they're the whole reason I started the blog in the first place. 

Ok, so I'm going to go week by week and explain the most interesting and awesome things that happened throughout the month. My favorite things that happened this month were the ones that I got to participate in. Let's begin!

I already posted about the 4th of July so I'll refrain from retelling the story. But, the day after the 4th of July, Ky left for Oregon on an 8 day excursion down the Rogue River. I unfortunately had the displeasure of staying behind because of the summer classes I'm taking. Hooray for education. Anyway, I honestly don't know anything that happened on the trip, Ky was supposed to upload pictures and such but hasn't gotten around to it yet. To be continued...

P.S. Just want to throw out there that Ky was gone through his birthday. Not only that, but it was the second year in a row that we were apart on his birthday. Last year, he was in Utah for a mission reunion and I was in Oregon because I was taking summer courses at OSU. This year, he was in Oregon frolicking through Southern Oregon while I was taking summer courses at BYU. Conclusion: school is the bain of my existence, and if Ky spends another one of his birthdays without me, it'll be his last then it'll be a real shame. Oh, I forgot to mention that he got violently sick on his birthday though. He called and informed me that apparently my wishes came true (disclaimer: I did not wish for him to up chuck the entire night, but I did wish he didn't have fun without me so... draw your own conclusion on that one). 

HAPPY 23rd BIRTHDAY KYLE DEAN!!! 

Moving on... once Ky returned he was only here for about 5 or so days before we hit the road again. This time, I was able to go! We set off with our good friend David Wilde on an adventure to Snowflake, AZ. Why Snowflake you ask? Because Gavin Russell, one of our bestest friends in the whole wide universe, got married!!! It was beautiful, and so much fun to be there. We got to meet his lovely bride Jenn and also the entire Russell family, who were the most gracious of hosts I might add. Here are some pictures of our wonderful time under the blistering sun in Arizona. 

Ready to go to the sealing! 

Our handsome friend, David Wilde.

The recently wed Mr. and Mrs. Gavin Lamar Russell! 

Precious. 

07.20.13 

The lovely Russell family. Those kids were seriously some of the most well behaved children I have ever met, quite possibly in the whole world. I spent 2 days with them and wanted to take them home with me. 

Elders Wilde, Russell, and Fisher. Gavin was the only North American companion that Ky and David had on the mission (Peru). Now they're the 3 best friends that anybody could ever have. 

Observations: 1). David, Jenn, and Gavin are the only ones looking... and it was taken with our camera. 2). Whenever Ky and I pose in pictures with other people, he always situates me in the most unflattering pose possible and by the time I realize it, the picture has already been taken. But who cares right? No one was looking at me in this picture, just the bride and groom. 

It was such a glorious day that the angels surrounding the Snowflake temple shone so bright, it blocked all visibility of the temple. Or, another plausible theory is that it was about 3pm in Arizona so the sun was super bright. Believe what you want. 

Photo courtesy of David Wilde. 

Needless to say, I was very reluctant to leave and get on with every day life. But alas, we did return to Provo. I would just like to comment on how exhausting it is to take an 8 1/2 hr. car ride, but it's even more exhausting to do it in the same weekend. Just saying. 

Once we returned home, the excitement didn't stop there! Our wonderful Wymount ward has recently started a tradition of going to the canyon every Sunday evening. We roast marshmallows, throw the ol' pig skin around, chit chat, and just have a grand time. I was clearly drained after having driven in a car for 8 1/2 hours but Ky really wanted to go. You see, because of his Rogue River trip, he hadn't gone to the shin dig in about 2 weeks so he was anxious to see his pals. So we went, and played football, and Ky dislocated his shoulder. Such an eventful evening. And to add to the pain, we (and by "we" I mean the general mass of people that went, because I did not sanction this activity) told ghost stories and then I didn't sleep but 2 hours that night. Consequently, neither did Ky. 

Monday the 22nd was marked by a wonderful event- I picked up my mom and sister from the airport! Although, I definitely got lost on the way there and ended up in Taylorsville, which incidentally was about 10 exits before the one I needed to take, I just didn't know and then proceeded to have a panic attack and called Ky balling that I was lost and would never come home. Obviously someone didn't get enough sleep (this girl). Once the tears dried and the memories of a once fearful detour through Taylorsville faded, I picked mom and Alex up and we went home. That night, we invited our friends Mandy and Barton over. Yes, Barton has a first name but she served in the Eugene, OR mission and in our single's ward and I will forever call her by her last name. As far as I'm concerned, that's the only name she has. Picture time! 

From left to right: Mandy, Hermana Porter, me, and Barton. 

It was super fun having them over. The following day, the band got back together one last time to go to a temple session at the Timpanogos temple. 

The next day, 24th of July, is what is known to Utahans everywhere as Pioneer day. I must inform you that I had no knowledge of this holiday previously to living here, and I got the day off from school! God bless the pioneers who sacrificed everything, in some cases their own lives, to come to Salt Lake and build the kingdom of God. 

The 24th of July will be known to our family as the day Alex entered the Missionary Training Center- which is only about 200 yards from my apartment. We said our goodbyes beforehand, I proceeded to ball my eyes out, and then we kicked her to the curb! Just kidding, she was mob rushed by 3 missionaries and they took her suit cases and walked away with her before we could say good luck. But, she had a giant smile on her face the entire time and practically skipped away. She will do great things these next 18 months as she serves the people of New York. 

Ky took it from far away because my eyes were all swollen and red from crying. So attractive. 

Hermana Porter waiting patiently while they unloaded her things. She looks like a sister missionary already! 

To end the day off, we went to Mandy's that night for dinner and fireworks. Mandy out did herself (again) and then we enjoyed way cooler fireworks than civilians in Oregon can legally set off. One even blew up about 10-15 ft. away from us, pretty dang cool. 

Then, obviously Saturday was the worst day of my life because my mom had to go home. But I promised my dad I'd give her back so I had no choice. 

And that my friends were the Fisher's July adventures. Tune in next blog post for more fun and excitement.