Called to Serve

These are some of my late night ramblings, but this subject has been on my mind, a lot these past couple days.

The Gospel.

I can't get it out of my mind. I can't get the thought of sharing it, out of my mind either. I keep thinking of ways I could share the gospel more, so I got a twitter again. But then I worry that people won't follow me because I share too much "Mormon stuff." I also feel like I'll lose friends on Facebook... But that's now what I should be worrying about. I should be worrying about my duty, when I was called to serve here, on the earth, during these Latter-days.

I may not be going on a mission. Even though it was something I really wanted to do for a long time, I'm still called to serve. I'm still a member missionary, and I can still spread the gospel just as often as a full-time LDS missionary. And I'm so grateful for that.

Little reminders in my head all week, that I am a Child of God, and that my Heavenly Father loves me. So very, very much. I know I can spread the gospel in ways He needs me to. So as I strive to serve daily, I keep in my prayers that very duty.

I walked to and from the gym today, it was beautiful outside. As I was walking home, this song started playing. As Easter is approaching, and general conference, I'm getting very excited. I had this feeling that I should just listen to it. So I did, and I felt so much happiness. I do, Believe in Christ. After which, this song started playing and I absolutely love this song. It's so beautiful and of course, I absolutely love MoTab.

I am so excited to get prepared for General Conference. I'm going to start pondering questions, and thinks for my future. I've decided to get a journal just for general conference. It's going to be awesome :) I'm so excited to hear from our prophet, the twelve apostles and other general authorities. I really wish conference was more frequent than just 2 times a year. I really hope I can focus on my Savior, and His resurrection this coming Easter.

I hope I always remember to be Christlike and remember to spread the gospel wherever I can. I do not want to rob anyone of this beautiful joy. Everyone is loved by the Lord.

I've been wanting to read the scriptures with Brady. I haven't been doing so well personally. I've hit Jacob and I'm just stumped because chapter 5 is soooooo long, but that shouldn't be the reason. ANYWAY. I told Brady I would really like to start reading the scriptures with him. And even though I'm reading the Book of Mormon right now, I've felt prompted to start reading D&C. I haven't read D&C in a few years and I miss it. Every time I hear a verse or two, I always wonder why I'm not reading it again. So tonight, Brady and I read D&C 1. It was beautiful, and I really felt the Spirit. I know this will bless us, and us individually. I not only want to draw closer to the Spirit personally, but I want to with Brady, as a companionship as well. :)

I'm going to strive so much harder to share the gospel, whether it's on my blog, Facebook, twitter, or by simply opening my mouth. This is the most important thing in my life, and it always will be. I'm so excited for general conference and I hope you are too.

I know this gospel to be true, and I know that my Savior lives and loves me. I know my Heavenly Father sent me to this earth, to serve him and to become just as He is. I cannot wait for my return; to hug him, see his face. I cannot wait to be greeted by my Savior, and I cannot wait to see loved ones who have passed on. I know this Gospel is essential to the path that leads to the Celestial Kingdom. I know the Book of Mormon to be true, and I stand as a witness for Joseph Smith, Jr. I know He translated the book correctly, and as God allowed him to. I'm grateful for his example, and his desire to serve the Lord in every situation. I know that families will be together forever. I know that the day I kneel across the altar, and make those sacred covenants, I will hold strong, because I have the gospel in my life, and strive daily to be like our Savior. I know that I will be with Brady forever, and no matter how our family turns out, we will be happy. I know that as I prepare to enter the temple to receive my endowments, and then be sealed to my sweetheart, I will be blessed immensely. I love my life. I love this happiness. I love this gospel. I love it. In His Sacred Name, Amen.

Countdowns

So basically, I love countdowns. I haven't posted a lot, so I thought I would show a bunch of countdown for things because it's exciting and there is so much to look forward to! :)

1 Day until I look at more wedding dresses.

5 Days until I start my new position at work.

5 Days until Spring break.

1 week until Spring! :)

3 weeks and 1 day until ENGAGEMENTS!!

3 weeks until General Conference!

1 month 2 weeks until 3 MONTHS LEFT.

2 months until Spring semester is over!!

2 months until Summer semester starts.

2 months until we choose invites.

2 months 1 week until BRIDALS!

3 months until 1 month left!

3 months until we send invitations out.

 3 months 1 week until I GO THROUGH THE TEMPLE!

3 months until the first day of Summer! :)

3 months 2 weeks until WEDDING DAY!!!!

3 months 2 weeks until Vegas!!! :)

4 months until Independence Day!

4 months until Sawyer turns 1 year old!

 5 months until my 21st birthday!

5 months until Fall semester starts.

Of course, there's a few little things in between, but those will be blogged about when we cross that bridge. I'm so excited for all this wedding stuff to be over. But I'm also having fun picking everything out! and enjoying my time with Brady! :) I'm so excited for summer. I'm really enjoying this nice weather, and leaving work when the sun is still up! :) Anyway, exciting stuff.

Until next time...

Dressed In White

My sister and I went wedding dress shopping today.

I was so happy she came, she's like, my sister but like my mom at the same time.

She helps me with things the same way my mom does and it's so comforting.

ANYWAY.

We went to Bridal Expressions and it was packed when we got their.

It was a little overwhelming, and I was nervous,

because obviously I'd never done this before.

We picked out a few to start with, there was a couple that I liked, but then we found a winner. I loved it so much. I just wanted to keep wearing it. It was amazing. I could totally picture myself wearing this on my wedding day. It was beautiful and exactly what I wanted. And the second my sister saw me in it, she said, "This is the dress!! This is totally you! This is what I pictured you in." And I just felt really happy that she saw me in it the way I did. The lady that was helping us was so nice, and she made me feel really great in that dress too.

We've only got a few more stores to go to, and so far, it's in first place.

So here's a sneak peak....

Can't wait to show you the actual thing on my wedding day :)

Things Are Good

Whelp. I don't really know what to blog about. It's sad that I haven't been blogging as much. VERY UNUSUAL. But that's alright. I'll just give you an update and post some random pictures. Sound good? alright. :)

I played with playdough the other day. Of course, it was Evan who wanted to play it. I don't like the smell of it, and not the touch either but I wanted to have fun with him. I had this playdough cake making thing, so we played with it for a bit.

Here, maybe I'll share some photos from bowling.

• I've been reading this really awesome series. The first book is called Shatter Me. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! Such a good book. I also got a nook, so I've been doing some e-reading. I'm feeling really torn. I love the smell of a book, the new pages, being able to turn the last page knowing I'm finished, but I love being able to read it on my nook. It's really fun :) After I finished that in about a week (I'm a slow reader) I started on the half book called Destroy Me. It's all about different perspectives in this one. It's getting crazy!!! And the next book available is called Unravel Me and I'm just really excited to read it!

• I am now halfway through the semester. I'm so excited. I can't wait for summer. I'm going to take 1 online class in the summer, which means I hope to be graduating next Spring. It's taking me longer but this isn't a race, and I'm just proud of myself for enduring.

•  I also got a supervisor position at work, which is just fabulous. I have wanted one for SO long and I can't believe this will be my first supervisor position! I feel grown up! ;) BUT. It's 40 hours. (I know, I'm crying too) so that will definitely be a change for me, but I know it will benefit me in the long run, and help Brady be able to go to school full-time.

• I finally got the border on my quilt, going to finish it to display at the wedding :)  

• Speaking of weddings, I've got some great surprises for the video we're going to display, AND we're for sure going to do a photo booth. So many sure you come, take crazy pictures with awesome props!! :) And of course, SAY HI. I'm going to search for a dress next week and I'm so excited. WOOHOO!! :)

• My nephews are the sweetest thing. I seriously have a weakness when it comes to buying them clothes, toys, candy, clothes, toys..... I spoil them but it's so great because I love it so much.

• And last but not least. I JOINED A GYM. Oh I can't tell you how excited I am. I've been DYING to get back into running, and so I finally joined a gym, thanks to my dad, that is really close to my house and it's 24 hours. I've been going consistantly this week and I'm so excited! :) I am working really hard to build up my endurance in running, control my breathing better and getting toned!! :) Woohoo!!!

Anyway, have a great week! :)
IT IS ALMOST GENERAL CONFERENCE TIME!!!!!!!!!

4 Months

I thought I was done with the countdowns.

Pahaha. NOPE.

4 months until I marry this stud.
4 months left of being at the top of the alphabet.
4 months left of having to say goodbye at night.
4 months left of having our records in different wards.
4 months until we get to grocery shop together.
4 months until we find a place to call our little home.

4 months until we enter the House of the Lord, and be sealed as husband and wife, forever.

Oh how glad I am that it's 4 months and not 24.

Hi.

We love being engaged.
So far.....
not a whole lot has happened.

We still love each other. We still hold hands. He still gives me endless kisses on the cheeks. I still hug him just as much as before.

As far as planning a wedding..... not a whole lot. HA! I was so obsessed with planning weddings and I loved EVERYTHING about weddings. But now that I have to actually plan one I'm just like.. -__- haha. We scheduled the temple.

June 26th. BE THERE OR BE SQUARE.

And I'm going through the temple to receive my endowments the week before. I'm so happy. I have dreamed of this forever and it's finally my turn. I have waited so patiently and strive every day, to be as righteous as I can be, looking for opportunities to grow into the woman my Heavenly Father needs me to be. The brother on the phone said, "Well that is just a wonderful decision you have made, congratulations!" And it just made me smile :) He was very kind and so happy for me. I'm just extremely excited.

4 months left on Tuesday.
IT CANNOT COME FAST ENOUGH.

Anyway, we're going to look at reception centers this week, we've narrowed it down to a few but we'll see what happens. In a few weeks I'll go look for a dress, and hopefully we'll decide on a photographer, if I'm gonna do the videographer and if we can afford having a photo booth at our reception! It's all so fun! :) I'm excited to start choosing all the little things like outfits for my bridesmaids, how I'm going to do my hair, what earrings I'm going to wear, what my TEMPLE DRESS WILL LOOK LIKE!!!! :) :) :)

I just can't contain my excitement you guys. We're even looking at places to live, and it just all seems so surreal. So, don't worry, I'll keep you updated. If you'd like an invitation to the wedding, please click here. It would help us so much :)

Until next time..

P.S. I'm super stoked to start a new blog as a Mrs.
Mrs. Z to be exact :) The blog name I've chosen is pretty cute, but I've got a few others in mind.
So maybe I'll do a poll on my blog and see what people like.
Stay tuned!

The Night I Said Yes!

I've been thinking about a million different titles for this blog post. I was just going to do the proposal but thought that was boring, and in all honesty, I don't think people care what this post is called, they all just want to know the story and that's what I'm going to share with you RIGHT NOW! So let's just begin by saying that I'm going to record this for my own records so I'm going to add my thoughts during the event itself. 

I will be completely honest and say I had no idea this was going to happen tonight. I was SO oblivious to any sign given (even if it wasn't meant to be a sign). I was completely convinced it was happening next week. He, and my parents both had me brain washed, thinking he hadn't even talked to my parents yet, NOR did he have the ring yet... but I was about to experience the greatest shock in my life... :) A good shock though.

Today is Friday, and like any other day, I had work at the butt crack of dawn ;) And so did Brady. On Valentine's Day, Brady suggested we walk around Daybreak Lake and take pictures by the Temple like we did almost everyday the summer before he left on his mission. And I thought that was a cute idea, but we didn't do it. So around 2:30/3:00 he texted me and asked where we should go to dinner tonight since we didn't go last night. And I suggested Olive Garden and he said, "Let's go to the one at the district so we can take a few pictures by the Temple after." (insert sign #1) And I just remember thinking, Why in the heck does he care so much about taking pictures by the temple?? He hates taking pictures! But if that's what he wants then, okay! And boom. That's all I thought. And then, only a few seconds later, I started getting REALLY nervous and antsy. Those last two hours of work were just straight up horrid, and of course, I'm doing my very best not to get my hopes up so I don't go home sad. But that didn't work as planned.

I left work and went home to change because I'm sorry, but I'm NOT wearing my work clothes when I get engaged. Hahahahaha, then we met up at Olive Garden and my stomach just wouldn't stop turning. But I was trying SO hard to make sure it didn't look like I knew or had an idea, so I just pretended I was just enjoying the night. One thing I noticed (insert sign #2) he kept texting on his phone. Brady never texts anyone but me, and his phone is usually in his pocket but for some reason he kept it out and was using it. So I thought, wow! I wonder if he's texting someone that is playing a part in this event, or maybe he's just like truly using his phone this time. And again, I thought NOTHING of it. I can't stop laughing at how oblivious I was to everything there. Anyway, we finished up dinner and headed out. I suggested that we drive together but he said, "Lets drive separately (insert sign #3) so that more people can have parking spots." (What an excuse right??) And I just said, "Okay!" and boom. Thought NOTHING of it... AGAIN!!! Hahahahahaha seriously. I bought everything he told me. He also told me he brought his big brown coat because it was "getting cold outside." And totally bought that too.

Little did I know, he was using the car and coat excuse to gather the ring and lovespoon (explanation soon) and such. Ha! :)

We make it to the Temple, and I wondered why it was so empty, but I remembered the Temple was closed for cleaning, so that was alright. As we were walking towards the Temple he said, lets go to the front! And then he said, "Babe, remember when we were last here? Two years ago?" (insert sign #4) And I said yes, and then thought, Oh how cute that he would remember that! And again, thought nothing of it.

We walk to the front of the temple, and I noticed two other people walking towards the front at the same time, I thought, what if that's Amanda... she takes pictures... no that doesn't look like her. Maybe they're just at the temple too. (insert sign #5) and I didn't think a single thing of it. I grab my purse to get my camera to take our "few pictures," he says, "Babe, I have an early surprise for you!" And I'm like, omg. what!!!! And he pulls out the "Lovespoon."

Explanation

 Just as I start to read, I make it to the part where it talks of "given for .....Engagements....." and I just looked at him :O and he just kind of started to smile/laugh and he said, "Babe I have another surprise for you." And I just hugged him, I was laughing/crying/smiling all at the same time and I knew it was coming.

He pulled the ring out and I just started to cry. He got down on his knee, and asked me to marry him. That's when I noticed the camera taking pictures of us, and I knew it was Amanda, but I was just in so much shock and felt overwhelmed. 

I of course said yes and he laughed and smiled, and kissed me and we all started to laugh and I kept crying. I also kept saying "Oh my gosh. This isn't real!" Only a million times.

I couldn't stop hugging him either. I can't believe I'm engaged. I couldn't believe anything that was going on. I was TOTALLY taken by surprise. He got me and I had no idea it was coming today.

I am absolutely in love with my ring and of course, my fiancé. Ah. I just love saying that. Haha, we continued to laugh and talk a bit, but I mainly couldn't stop saying "Oh my gosh, this isn't real."

We headed back to my house where, coincidentally, my entire family was waiting for me. I walked in the door and said, "Where's mom?" And boom, they all started cheering me and my mom hugged me and I lost it again. We went into the family room and I told them everything, and it turns out, they all knew, the ENTIRE week!!!! I was so shocked. He said he bought the ring on Monday, talked to my parents on Tuesday night (while I was visiting teaching) and told my family he was proposing tonight. AAHHHH. Hahahahaha they're such good secret keepers. I'm just surprised because everyone had me convinced that he hadn't done a single thing yet, but in their heads they knew it was coming!! Hahaha so fun. We went to his house after and called our families and told our friends.

 It was an exciting evening and I've never been happier :) It turned out perfect and I'm so happy. It was better than I expected and I'm glad the only time I'm saying yes, is to this amazing man. I can't wait for eternity to start for us on June 26, 2013. It can't come soon enough. Gosh, I don't even know what more to say right now other than I'm just so happy. (Oh, I'll add this, we chose a Wednesday because it's not as busy during the week at SLC.)

There is so much work to be done, so please, any advice/help/suggestions.... send them my way :) And I hope you all come to my wedding so I can see your pretty faces and you can meet this wonderful man of mine.

I'm extremely blessed to have him. Someone who is taking me to the temple, to be sealed for time and all eternity. It's one of the greatest things my Heavenly Father has offered me here on this earth. I'm going to be with my best friend. Finally. I'm going to be apart of his amazing family, and he'll be apart of mine as well. I'm going from A to Z... but that's alright. I've been dying to be a Ziegler since we were dating. I know it will be one of the greatest days of my whole life. 

I can't believe I made it. I made it through 2 years after so many trials and hardships. I made it. We made it. We did it!!! And finally, I can't believe I'm finally making it to the temple. This is why I got so emotional. I have dreamed, literally dreamed, of entering the temple. That has always been my life goal, and I get to accomplish that with the love of my life. I'm so excited for our lives to start together. I'm really looking forward to not having to go home without him. So silly but it's true.

We have so much love and support from friends and family and I just wanted to say thank you. We both really appreciate it so much and could not have done a lot without it. I, of course, will keep you updated on progress and anything else really awesome that happens. I may or may not add more to this blog post as I might remember things I forgot, but as for now, that's the proposal story.

4 months, 1 week and 3 days left of being an Allen.