Ode to my Wife.

I am grateful to have a reason this week to publicly express my gratitude from my better half. I am so thankful for who she is and that she saw enough in me to take a life changing chance and say yes to a dorky guy on one knee. Best thing that's ever happened to my life. Hands down.

As most of you know (though all 3 of you who read this probably knew before I did), since returning home from her mission to Mongolia about a year and a half ago, Jessica has faced the challenge of some lingering health problems contracted while serving the Lord. Us and her doctor are still not quite sure what happened but thankfully seem to be on the right path to finding complete recovery. I bring this up not to embarrass, to invoke pity or to ask for sympathy but to demonstrate the power and capacity of character that is found within Jessica. Aside from the occasional "blessings of NOT serving a mission" joke I have never once heard or sensed the slightest bit of regret or bitterness for her faithful 19 months of service as Sister Hunt. How lucky we are, both here at home and abroad, for her strength and courage. The world is better off because of who Jess is.

I am so lucky to have her in my life. Despite the times I keep her up way longer than she would like, manage to dirty the half the dishes and most of the apartment just getting ready for school, loose our utensils in my backpack when I take a lunch, or put the ketchup in the frig as opposed to the cabinet, she loves me. I am so glad to have someone who puts things "where they go" and can direct me to them when I am scrambling out the door. Or to have a well-read-spelling-bee champion to proof my papers. Or someone to make me food that makes me feel good after I eat it every time. The list could go on but I think the message is clear that I need her and appreciative beyond words that she does not mind.

Most importantly, I am so gratefully for the things that she provides in my life that are so much bigger than the day to day of our existence. She makes me smile, she makes me cry, she makes me laugh and manages to do all 3 at the same time on some occasions. I have never been one to be able to turn off my brain and just be but for the first time in my 23 years that happens and it only happens when I am with her. She is my assurance that today will be a good day because she is in it.

Thanks Jess. I mean it.

Jake

Thoughts.

I have found myself in deep reflection over the past few days concerning the subject of the love of my people and how the love is being viewed now in the world due to recent events. I am a member in good standing of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I try my best to hold true to the doctrines which we teach, or in other words, the teachings of Jesus Christ. I find if sad and troubling that these messages have come under so much attack as of late. I offer a few conclusion that I have reached in hopes they might be of service to one of you.

I have heard many of the possible rational of why the church that i belong to would make such bold moves in an already charged situation. I am not here to discuss these ideas with you because they are nothing more than speculation, we really don't know the exact reason outside of what the church has said in a very basic document of our faith called "The Family: A Proclamation to the World" which states as an opening paragraph:

"We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children."

I believe that, still, that God talks to his children. I believe that we still warrant the same amount of love that any other time period has received from our maker. God would not just simply let us alone in the dark to wander, He has always provided a light, a guide, a way back, and this path has always involved two main points which are the enlightenment and guidance of the Holy Ghost and Prophets which lead the church as a whole. The scriptures are full of accounts of this and if God is still that unchanging Being, this fundamental point would not change.

A lot of times as humans we are inclined to ask ourselves "how does this effect me?" I have thought lately how recent events effect me or should effect my actions. I have came to the realization that we must do as Jesus would do. That is, we must love.

Love was at the foundation of ever act Christ wrot during his perfect life, death and resurection here on earth. My thoughts are called to the story of the women taken in adultry that was brought before him by the Pharisees. As the acusations flew Chirst began to draw with his fingure in the dirt and uttered His immortal words of forgiveness and did not condem her saying "go, and sin no more" (John 8). I bring this up to show that we find perfection in all situations by follow our perfect Exemplar. Christ kept a cool head, condemned not the women and showed unmatchable love by not bend his beliefs but extending his loving hand to her. We as well find ourselves in a heated situation but I beleive that we could all benefit from drawing a little in the dirt and showing our love a little bit stronger.

I see many examples of love in the people around me. It is sad that the convictions of my faith have come off as hatefull but I contend that the only way this will be dispelled is by love. Let us not forget the open lines of the greatest sermon ever delievered:

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecution for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matthew 5

I know that we will all be blessed for being those peacemakers. I know that is what Christ would have us do. I know that He loves each and every one of us, on both sides of the coin. He is the only way any of us can find joy in this life and happiness in the eternity to come. Let us be those peacemakers. I say this in the name of Jesus Chirst, my Savior. Amen

Jake

The question and the answer.

Jessica: Jake & I went to the happiest place on earth in May and he decided to ask me to marry him.

Jake: Well actually I decided a while before that and had to lie to her to make her think I wasn't going to do it. I felt sort of bad but I don't think she minded.

Jessica: Jake had Ben & Tosca buy me a crown and then after we went on Pirates of the Caribbean he told me he needed to show me something. He took me to a pretty staircase in New Orleans Square, got down on one knee and put the crown on my head that was hidden in Tosca's purse. He then proceeded to hand me some roses that were also hidden in Tosca's purse. She must have stolen Mary Poppins' magical bag.

Jake: Almost but no. Ben and I went the night before to Albertson's and bought them at like 1 AM. I had to cut them to be travel size, pretty clever huh? Well, Jess said yes and started bawling and it was pretty cool.

Jessica: Correction. Jake is the one that started to cry. I quickly said yes before his heart bounced out of his chest. He was so nervous. It was so cute. We were on cloud nine the rest of the day.

Jake: Okay, she was right about that. I couldn't wipe the goofy grin off my face, as you can tell by the picture to the right. I think I remember Jess making some joke about not needing to find Goofy because she brought him with her. Real original Jess.