8 years & a full heart

If somebody were to tell me eight years ago that Broc and I would be living in the Caribbean, lovin' on our two boys- ages 4 & 1, while Broc is living his dream to become a doctor, and celebrating our eighth wedding anniversary on the same day Broc gets set apart as a Branch President... I would not have believed it. Yet, such is our life. We celebrated our eighth anniversary with our Branch, including the Roseau Group, and Mission President on Sunday {1.22.2012}. My heart feels full.

Eight blissful years of amazing memories, hard trials, eight moves, questioning which road we needed to take, wondering of how things would end up, adding one kiddo to our family, wondering why we weren't getting into medical schools (after trying for 3 years in a row), feelings of disappointment and frustration, attempting to rely on faith to help us through what seemed like one of the hardest times I have ever experienced, questioning how we were going to provide for our family, moving in with the parents (yes- we really did), adding another kiddo to our family, then doing the unthinkable and packing our family of four (including a 3 year old and a 5 month old) and moving to a third world country... and of course laughing and smiling throughout all of it! It wasn't until Saturday when we were called in to meet with the Mission President that I began to see a glimpse at the missing pieces of our puzzle of life. Though we have had some amazing experiences here in Dominica, it was truly on that day {1.21.2012 at around 9PM} that my prayers from the previous years, were answered. I knew why we had been rejected by so many medical schools. I felt the Lord's hand in our life- giving us direction and leading us here, as crazy as it seemed. I knew why we were here. Though we still find ourselves asking where we will end up, where to go next, and what Broc wants to be (specifically) when he grows up. For a breif moment, I caught a glimpse that right now, we are where we need to be, in terms greater than just for medical school.

I learned one of the greatest lessons that day. That the Lord has a plan for each of us. We have a loving Heavenly Father who hears our each and every prayer, as small as it may seem, and answers them ... in His time. I can't even begin to say what a roller coaster of emotions I have felt over the last three days. And to think that I was expecting after this weekend to get my husband back, sitting with me and helping me tackle the boys during sacrament meeting! Ha. (He has been serving as the 1st councilor in the Branch Presidency for the last seven months). My initial thoughts of - I barely see him as it is, school is so demanding, how will he be able to keep up his grades and will we ever see him again? - were almost immediately diminished as we met with President Alvarado. I felt comfort and peace. Weird, right? I mean someone just told me that my husband just got called to be over the whole church of this island and I am feeling at peace? I know it doesn't make sense. But I do know this, that I have felt something stronger than I ever have before. I know that God is aware of each of us. I am grateful for the happiness that this gospel brings to my life. I have already began to feel our family growing stronger.

Broc was sustained and set apart as Branch President on 1.22.2012. We have made it a tradition to go to the temple each year on our anniversary. But since there are no temples close by, we got to celebrate our eight amazing years at church... sitting across from each other. Ironic. This will be an anniversary that will never be forgotten.

My heart feels full. I can't imagine anyone else by my side (or across from me :). And I love that no matter how many sacrament meetings we spend sitting apart we have the rest of eternity together. When I say the gospel bring true happiness I mean, it with all sincerity of my heart. This is where it all began. Being sealed for time... and all eternity... to my very best friend. Happy Anniversary Babe!

~Choonie Forever~