Horses to Horses... Part 4

This is a continuation to my previous blog posts of how Chris and I came to be. Seeing as probably not too many people care anymore, I mostly wrote this as more of a journal entry for my future reference.

We started dating at the end of the semester before summer began. Things weren't clicking for us. One day things went particularly bad and after work, Chris texted me and asked if we could talk. I knew what was coming and later that evening he gently pulled the plug. The girls I was "living" with (I was actually homeless and was sleeping on their couch) were prepared for me to be all torn apart and even bought ice-cream. After a five hour conversation, I came home and was perfectly fine; Chris has a way of charming and making things seem better than they really are. He had gently broken up with me and said we would "hang-out" during the summer.

A month later he decided to quite his job in Utah and go home to work asbestos. When he left, I was on a work schedule of working 10 days in the Mojave desert, and taking 3 days off and stay in Provo so I did not have a ton of time to hang out anyway. There was, however, plenty of time to talk on the phone. For the first while we did not talk. One day I called him out of the blue and that led to many more hours of conversation. One time he called me so excited. I told him I could only talk for a little bit because it was already late and I had to wake up extra early the next day. He had told me that he had a breakthrough with his career plan; he was going to marry me (a joke at the time), buy a house in Argentina and rent out condos to rich vacationers. Our house was going to have a big front yard with horses and a white fence. Shutters, too. I thought it was sweet that he called me, of all people, to tell his idea. Another phone call I talked with his sister Starla. She said that she had heard about all of the girls Chris had in mind and she was rooting for me. I know Chris had quite the list of girls who wanted to date him. I talked with Chris and Starla on speakerphone and she made it seem like he was talking to his family about dating me seriously/marrying me. That was a little odd since he had broken up with me 2 months before. It turns out he had been throwing out his famous line around back in Billings: I will probably end up  marrying Marci. Kind of a funny thing to tell people when you aren't even dating the person!

The summer finally ended and it was time for school again. Since Chris was the one who broke up with me and was so good at never missing people, I was determined to be nonchalant when seeing him. I also made sure to look extra tan, do my make up perfectly and dress up real nice. Unfortunately I don't remember the first couple of days back very well; I actually don't think we really interacted much. It wasn't until homework started that we studied together. I remember him saying to me that he had never asked a girl to be his girlfriend. Me, being a little stubborn took that as a challenge and vowed I would NEVER date him unless he asked me. That night he also asked me what I was doing the next evening. I told him I had a date. Apparently it was his birthday. And I forgot. Oops.

Eventually conference weekend rolled around. I remember I was studying for a huge American Heritage test and Chris was sick. I watched conference at his house and brought him food. During one of the first sessions he told me he had stopped talking to other girls. The next day he asked me the question he said he had never asked before. I didn't respond right away; it took a couple of days to figure it out for sure. Those next months of dating sort of blend together. This sickness he acquired decided to stay and the doctors couldn't figure it out. He was couch ridden and could hardly come to class. Not only was his health suffering but our relationship was, too. Thanksgiving break came and we didn't even hug when he left for Montana.  I decided I was tired of it and I was going to break up with him when he got back to Utah.  Miraculously, over the break, his health returned. The day he got back I tried to do it. I told my roommates not to let me back in the apartment unless I was single. After tears and discussion, we decided to stay back together. I tried the whole "Let's try again in a while, it's just not right right now." He did the whole "Now or Never" kind of deal. After barely being on the edge of ending our relationship and deciding to keep trying I saw a change in his eyes. It was like the hardness left and it was replaced with soft, warm fuzzies.

Less than a week later I found out that those fuzzies were a little something we call Love. He finally felt the feeling that had been holding him back for so long. He knew we should be dating but he never felt anything for me. I remember we were sitting on the couch and he told me. I smiled real big and gave him a huge hug. After this hug I leaned back, looked him in the eyes and said "I don't know if I love you." Pretttty romantic, eh? Things were different for the rest of the semester.

After Christmas, Chris started worrying that I wasn't keeping my family informed on our relationship and that if anything happened, they would be shocked. He told me that I should call my mom and tell her that we may be reaching the point of being serious. I still hadn't told him I loved him-- not like that anyways. One day he finally said "Marci, just say it! You know you love me, just say it!" I returned with "Fine! I love you, okay?" I really have a way with words. Next he convinced me to go to a jewelers to pick out a ring "just-in-case" I decided to marry him anytime soon. We ended up designing one and I was in love... with the ring that is. After many long nights, long talks and lots of unanswered prayers I finally just decided we should do it. I was going to marry him. When I figured this out I told him and my family. I told Chris that I needed to be officially engaged soon so that I could send out invites for my bridal shower. He proposed on March 29th--1.5 days before my parents arrived to start wedding planning. The proposal took place at a gazebo overlooking Utah valley; this is where we first kissed.

Our last month of school was fast. I spent most of my class-time searching the internet for decoration ideas. Instead of doing homework, I spoke with my mom and sister about color coordination. I spent every moment I could with Chris. The last day Chris and I had together was spent on horse-back south of Provo-- right where we shared our first date together. It was a little surreal. It took so much development, so much time and so much work to get there but we did it. And that, my friends is the story of Chris and Marci from horses to horses.

Why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons) makes sense

So, if you didn't know already, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or (as most people would understand) I am a Mormon. I have seen and heard so much anti-Mormon stuff and I just thought I would let the world know why I believe this church is the true church. Before I begin, might I mention that many are converted to this church as result of spiritual experiences and confirmations. I have had experiences similar to these but I also have a firm testimony to this church as result of plain old logic. Now this logical thinking is how I am going to explain the church. If you are going to read this, I need you to have an open mind; drop all preconceived notions that people have put into your head and just consider what is being said.

Oh, and one more thing: all of this is my personal opinion and interpretations of the Church and it's doctrine (unless otherwise quoted) and is not exact doctrine from the Church.

The first topic I want to discuss is the Book of Mormon

First off, let me just explain what the Book of Mormon is. This is an exact quote from the official website of the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints: "The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God's dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains the fullness of the everlasting gospel." So pretty much, it is like the equivalent to a bible that originated from the Americas.

The Book of Mormon talks about two civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in about 600 b.c. after a prophet was cast out for predicting destruction. These people separated into two nations-- the Nephites and Lamanites. The other civilization came from back when the Lord confounded the languages at the Tower of Babel. These people were called the Jaredites. The Book of Mormon also discusses the coming of Christ to the America's after his death and resurection. Have you ever wondered what Jesus was talking about when he spoke of visiting other sheep? Well, the Book of Mormon gives you the answer to that question.

Yes, I know this all can sound a little out there when you have been raised with the Bible being the only scripture. But just consider for a minute: why wouldn't God have prophets in other parts of the world besides those described in the Bible? If this doesn't seem too out of the question for you to believe, then don't you think God would have wanted them to keep record, as well? If so, then that would mean that there are records out there waiting to be discovered, just like the Book of Mormon. Another thing to consider is: why wouldn't Jesus visit people all over the world? He loves all God's children and wants all to know of his sacrifice so don't you think it is possible? Once you take down the walls in your brain, do you see that it could possibly make sense?

I encourage you to just really consider the basic questions mentioned above. If you want, you could even read a bit about the Book of Mormon here. Also, if you are interested, you can order a free Book of Mormon (yes, it is really free) here.