WE LIFT EACH OTHERS' SPIRITS

Undoubtedly, there are a lot of things that we take for granted in this life, mostly simple things. Only today I had realised the REAL power of singing hymns. We admit that there are just some days when you feel so down. Well, today, Chris was feeling down about something and as we sat in the car, he told me how dreadful & terrible he felt. Obviously, he was uneasy. And, to be honest, I had no clue what else I could tell him to cheer him up and to lift up his mood. So, while quietly attempting to comfort him, I asked him, "do you wanna sing a hymn?" He said yes and I asked him to start singing a hymn that he felt like singing at that time. He started humming the hymn, "There Is Sunshine In My Soul Today." So, I followed along and hummed it with him. Then, as we went on to sing the next few verses, I started singing the words to the hymn, while he continues on humming with me. Moments later, I had realised that tears were already coming out from his eyes, running through his cheeks, down to the neck.

Sometimes, in life, the simplest things in the world are the ones that will help you get by a very distressing day. I remember when I was struggling through my days at work, all I needed was a big hug from my honey. And, I am proud to say that he has always been there to help me through my days, and has always given me those simple things that I needed in order to lift my spirits up. I am so blessed to have him.

Tonight, we attended a baptism at Church, and I did play the piano. After this day, I had thought more about how my talent in music influences the Spirit of the meeting. Of course, they're not gonna postpone the baptism if the pianist is not present. But, how better is the Spirit and the reverence if the music is present, and someone is playing the piano quietly while waiting for the meeting to start. So, from tonight, I had been a bit more grateful to my Heavenly Father about my talent and how I should make an effort to share it to other people...as Chris told me tonight, "Because I have been given much, I too must give." He told me that I will be blessed more if I give and share out whatever I have in my life. And, in those instances, you realise how blessed you are to have a spouse who encourages you and continues to make everyday a learning experience. And, before he left tonight, we prayed and promised each other that we're getting married in the Temple. Who wouldn't wanna be married to someone who lifts up your Spirit.

ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE WEEK

So...so we've put in our first application in for a house for lease. We were very excited because this is gonna be our first home together. Of course, we can't live together until after the wedding. But, at least we would already have it beforehand, having it furnished little by little as time goes along. Besides, I'm gonna be starting my full-time job next week, and I was afraid there is no prospect of being able to go to house inspections. So, we decided that now is the best time.

This villa has a great potential. It's out on a three-month lease because it's up for sale. And, today, we were offered to buy it, but we couldn't because I don't have a permanent job. I'm just on a probation at the moment. However, I could see the possibility, but my mom prefers if we don't buy a villa....for various valid reasons.

Anyhow, my dad got me my wedding dress! Yippeee! It just needs a little alteration. I tried it on today, and it looks really good. It fits really well, too. Chris and I got my wedding band today. It's just his that we gotta worry about. I found a really good one for him, but he reckons it's too expensive. But, I'm so, so, so happy. A lot of things have been accomplished again this week. There weren't many, but they are big, important things!

Anyway, I need to catch up on our scripture sharing. I owe him 2 scriptures as of to date. So, blog till later!

SO, WHEN DOES ETERNAL MARRIAGE BEGIN?

Ever wondered how two people end up deciding to marry each other?



Well, the same goes for the "Nielsen Butterflies." Every now and then (usually Sunday...and don't ask me why), Chris and I tend to have this habit of looking back...as in back in the days on how it all unfolded and especially looked back on our choices which made us eventually decide to marry each other. We look back on those days we said to ourselves "there's that person I really love talking to about anything, and someone I'd wanna get to know." We look back on those hundreds of emails and chat messages we sent to each other lots when we were both in opposite sides of the planet on TWO occasions. We look back on the day when I wore the ring which is symbolic of our commitment to each other...And, now I look back on a couple of hours ago, just before Chris went to TAFE, and look back on the choices I made to make him happy, etc...etc.

So, when does Eternal Marriage begin? I believe that it should begin way even before a couple gets sealed as husband and wife in the Temple. It starts on the day when we had our first date and practiced celestial dating and treating each other with respect just how you would treat your father with respect. The choices we've made from then till now has a lot of effect and will certainly greatly reflect on how our eternal marriage is going to be like. If we had treated each other with respect and love on our first date and had always been every single day we see each other, that's how it's more likely going to be after we get sealed as a husband and wife. Why? Because it's already concreted in our heads like a habit.

1. We never part from each other without saying a prayer each night. If we fail to do so, either one of us has to ring...I usually do because it only costs me 1 cent!

2. We have a habit of sharing scriptures to each other. We have a set of our own scriptures where we mark those daily scriptures, sign our names, and write a brief explanation as to why we chose that particular scripture. To date, this needs a lot of work. We did very well at one stage, but slowly diminished and is now picking up a little bit at a time.

3. We try to always keep each other updated with things happening around us...even to little things like...hmmm...my mate crashed his car.

4. We always remember to pray that our spirit children in the pre-existence will be happy about our decision to be married and to look forward to coming to the earth and learn about the gospel about their mummy & daddy...This is something we think is very, very important to both of us.

5. When he used to pick me up from the city, he has a habit of giving me a "hilot" in the train.

6. At the beginning of every week, we write our goals and things that we need to accomplish during the week. Then, we follow-up at the end of the week and ask ourselves "how did we go?"

7. We write on our journals for each other to read. (This replaced our Skype & Bebo moments when we were both on opposite sides of the planet).

8. We help each other with our weaknesses. I am very academic, so I help him with his assignments at TAFE, while he is very good with talking to people, so he helps me with my teaching and doing the tactic of *******.

9. If there is anything that concerns both of us, we talk about it straightaway.

10. Everything has to be planned and organised!!!

11. He chooses to carry my bags, open the car doors, gate, front doors, backyard doors, classroom doors, all sort of doors....or else! And, I let him :) WIN-WIN

12. Many, many other things.

So, you get the picture. These are the kind of things we just gotten a habit of doing. I don't know why, but that's what makes the Nielsen Butterflies unique, I guess. And, indeed, I'm very grateful to have him as my fiance and the person I'm going to spend my eternities with. I love him dearly, and hope to write in here again....