Lo Siento, it's been a while..

Oops! Sorry I haven't posted in a veeeeerrry long time. I rarely have internet at our house. And when I am able to get online it's at the in-law's house and I don't feel like taking a long time to blog. But here I am at home all alone while Jonathan is at a branch missionary correlation meeting, since he's the branch mission leader. I love how he magnifies his calling :)

Not a lot is new. Being married is fun, but definitely something to learn every day, most which includes being patient - patient about not having a car, or jobs for the both of us and money, and sometimes... being patient with each other. Somebody told us a few weeks ago about a friend of theirs who said.."Are you really being patient?..Or tolerant? Because there's a different between the two." So that got me thinking. And I truly think that being patient goes hand in hand with possessing a lot of love. So I'm working on it.

It's been really great though. A few weeks ago a man we didn't know walked into the leasing office where Jon's mom works and after he left Jonathan asked his mom for that man's apt number to refer him to the missionaries. Soon after we found out that he had been taking the discussions and requested the Elders to return almost every day to teach him. His name is Julio and he's in his 70s and his family still lives in Columbia, which he's waiting for to come over.. but he is simply amazing. Me and Jonathan went over to bring him cookies one day and ended up talking to him for hours. He is so grateful to have received the gospel in his life and from the things he's told us, the Lord seems like He has led him right there. He has a big testimony and speaks with more conviction about the gospel than I've heard members do, being members their whole lives. It's amazing. He even wanted to bump his baptism date (to the present date) but we had to at least make it be a week or two away to plan and prepare and make sure he's worthy. But he's just awesome. He originally felt so alone moving here, but now with the church he feels like he has a family and he feel that by what Jonathan did, his "soul was saved" - in his words :). So he asked that this Sunday Jonathan would baptize him..and he asked Jon's mom to give a talk since her warm heartedness and nice attitude was what attracted him to the apartment complex, and me to give the opening prayer.... in spanish.

SO! I've been studying away as best as I can to be able to have something to say this Sunday. I feel kind of weird having to memorize a prayer in spanish..and at times I get really frustrated with the language, but there's no way I can say no to that. I have a love for Julio because he's a golden investigator with a truly converted heart and I love him too much to decline offering up a prayer to God at his baptism. So it should be an exciting experience. :)

I've actually been feeling really good lately. I read the scriptures every day and I have been trying to take note of what Brother Richardson taught us to do last year during Book of Mormon class - to find in the scriptures Manifestations of God's power, that is available to me right now today. So I took a new BOM and have been going through it and underlining the Power of God manifested. And it's all taking on a whole new meaning. I see a lot of mercy and promises from the Lord and He truly is a God of miracles. I love the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints...and I'm glad I'm a part of the gospel.

I do really miss Alaska a lot. The other day Jonathan was playing Christmas music and it reminded me heavily of Christmas's in Alaska, especially the North Pole. And how much I'm going to miss having Christmas up there with lots of snow and the lights on the trees and candy cane poles and everything. I'm jealous of the coldness and having to wear a jacket and the leaves turning different colors. And I most definitely miss everybody I ever knew up there A LOT. Being somewhere warm, packed full of people with tons of malls isn't as great as it seems..without all the people you love. And I definitely love and miss you all.

Well, until next time. Adios!

Anna Hernanez <3

Hola, Married Life!

Weeeelllll... it's been about 2 weeks since I've been married. Only 2 weeks? It seems longer. Every day seems to go by fast, and then you look next, and it's the end of the week. It's been really fun. An adventure every day, and something to learn. Since I'm so behind, I guess I'll start with the wedding day.

Wedding day: Well, I can honestly say the day before the wedding was the most hectic and stressful. The wedding day I got up, showered and was ready by 730 to get my hair (and makeup..err.. wasn't exactly pleased with blue makeup haha..) done. We did that for 2 hours and ended up showing late to the temple.. *note, the temple is an hour away*. We were supposed to be there at 11 and we got there at 1130, just barely enough time to get us dressed and ready. The sealing was wonderful. The sealer gave Jonathan his patriarchal blessing back in the day, so that was neat. :) I'm so happy to be married to Jonathan, mi amor! :D

After that we took pictures for about an hour and a half (or so it seemed) outside in the hot hot sun. Jonathan was dripping, poor thing. I was pretty hot too, being in that heavy dress. But the pictures look good to me.. so that's all that matters. It was kinda funny cause we forgot my bouquet at the church (from bringing it the day before) and so we used all the boutineer flowers that I made for all the boys as my bouquet. haha.. that's why it's so small in the pics. But it was fine I think.

Then we headed to the Clear Lake Chapel for our reception. It was totally awesome. All the decorations were hand made by his mom, including the napkins, which we folded fan-like, to make it look like a shell. And we had a DJ and his lights were awesome with the music and everything was just beautiful. Wonderful food and wonderful decorations. I wish all of my Alaskan friends could have made to the reception down here. We played this snake dancing game. Me and Jonathan stand on a chair a few feet a part with our hands clasped together and people holding us and they play music and first all the girls hold hands and they run through the chairs and around other tables over and over, like a snake. And then it's the boys' turn lol. And they tried soo hard to knock Jonathan over. It was funny. I've never seen that before, but it was cool. Then we did the traditional bouquet and garder toss. And even Jonathan's dad sang us a song, with a sombrero on! It was way cool. :) We also did a bride and groom's waltz - at first I dance with Jonathan, then I dance with my dad and him with his mom. Then any boy who wants to dance with me dances (or waltz's haha) and the same for the girls with Jonathan. Then we did toasts. Alex gave a toast to Jonathan and Mari to me. :) And we also had our slideshow playing for people. After all that fun, the DJ played some mexican music and we boogied for a few hours. Then me and Jonathan headed off to our hotel at like 1045. It was sooo fun though. I was totally pleased with our reception. Awesome day. :)

Then Sunday morning My parents and Mari stopped by the hotel to say goodbye to me and Jonathan. I miss my family a whole lot. I love them. I hope they will continue to love each other and be good to each other, and be good examples of the gospel to each other because they all need each other's help.

Haha, AND we also went to church that same Sunday; we were sooo tired haha. Jonathan got the calling as branch mission leader, so he's heading the elders up on that. I also have a calling. I'm the Kemah branch young women's representative. The primary and young men's/women's are combined with League City ward since the branch is so small, so I'm kinda gonna be a little rep for the branch president - Jon's dad, for the young women. I'm really excited, they seem like nice girls.

I'm not gonna lie, sometimes being in a spanish branch is difficult. Okay.. a lot of it kind of is, since I'm not fluent in spanish. I'm working on it though. And they are nice people, and they know english, it's just easier for them to understand the gospel in spanish. But I'm slowly learning. This last Sunday I went to relief society.. and we learned about 'if ye are prepared ye shall not fear'. And Jonathan gave the lesson in gospel principles, in which one of the elders translated for me. Haha.. The hardest for me is just sacrament meeting. Cause everyone speaks so fast and I don't know what's going on. Good thing I took a spanish class in high school so I know some words, right? :)

Well, our apartment looks reeeally nice. And we gots tons of nice gifts from everybody. And the gift cards from Alaska are soo appreciated! For reals! We got a lot of things we didn't get from the wedding and groceries with our gift cards. So it's been real nice. What's been on the list for the last 2 weeks has been jobs. That's been kinda hard for us, but we're still working on it. It's just difficult with no car, and getting a car is difficult with no job! Haha.. But his parents have been so helpful and awesome.

Well, I can't think of much else to say. I appreciate your thoughts and your prayers for us! We need it as we continue our job search. I love and miss everyone in Alaska! I can't wait to see you all again. :) Anna Hernandez

Wedding EVE!

Sorry! I'm too tired to actually post anything. Had an busy..frustrating..stressful day, not gonna lie. But I got endowed. I'll..err.. post on monday or something haha.. SO SLEEPY.

BUT TOMORROW I GET MARRIED!!! ..err.. today since it's 1am! welp, goodnight!

Getting Pretty Excited. :)

Today was a pretty fantastic day. This morning we woke up and picked my dad up from the airport. I was glad to see him and that he was able to come down. He's liked everything so far, minus the humidity, haha. He was like, "sure we can move down here. And your mom can get a job and I'll stay at home in the pool all day" lol. So after picking him up we headed to the Houston Temple to get some clothes for me and my dad. The people were really nice, and I got a nice looking temple dress. :) Tomorrow should be an exciting day.

Afterwards we headed back to our apartment, all the while Jonathan and his dad and the missionaries were loading/unloading all our furniture and my mailed boxes to me and Jonathan's new apartment. It looks WAY nice. I'm so excited to call that our home. :) And I'm so thankful for his mom for hooking us up with such a good place to live, especially with the cost of rent and stuff. She is awesome.

After we all saw the apartment, the sweaty hard working boys showered (lol) and all the family headed over to a BBQ place. Most of us had really good BBQ ribs. It was delicious and it was fun enjoying each others' company. My dad's so goofy, talking in his little spanish that he knows, but he's awesome. :D I'm SO happy he came! Afterwards we headed to the airport near us to pick up Laura (Jonathan's sis), Zach, and little baby Anna Isabella. She's SO cute. ...err.. I wanna little bebe like her when I have my own! Adorable. :) After we went to Al's formal wear to pick up Jonathan's tux. He looks way good in his turquoise blue tie and vest and the whole shabang. :D Lookin' good hun!!!

Then we headed back to their apartment and hung out for a while and a few of Jonathan's friends showed up for his bachelor party, in which all the ladies had to leave. While we were waiting for his mom to show up, Mari and Sniper were showing us a few of their moves - dancing, that is. I'm way excited for this Saturday. Should be way fun! - all the dancing that we're gonna be doing. yay! It should be fun to watch my parents latin dance, or try to haha..

Well, tomorrow I have a big day ahead of me. I'm getting endowed and then we have to set up the church building all day (and fit in dancing lessons from Snipa some time) So I should probably hit my pillow! I'm pretty sleepy anyway. It's about less than 2 days from being a married woman! I'm sooo excited. :D

Well, g'night!

And yet, another busy day

Welp, today we got up and were supposed to go to the airport early to pick up my aunt, but her flight got canceled so we had to sit around for a little bit and then head out to Houston. Then once we got there we had to wait some more in the airport and then she finally came in. :) Once we got them situated we headed out for lunch at a chinese place, the four of us - Alex, Jonathan, me and Mari.
Afterwards we headed back to his mom's work and we got to see OUR apartment!! It's so cute, and BIG. :D After that we dropped the car off and got some wedding decos to work on then headed home to our apartment. Before we started the decos, Sniper taught us how to dance latino. Mari was actually really good at it, woot woot! I like dancing, but mostly with Jonathan, cause he makes me comfortable. Later Jonathan's friends came over and hung out and I took a nap. When it was time to go to Institute Jonathan woke me up and we headed out again with Alex, aka Sniper ;).
Institute was really good, I do have to say, and I'm usually pretty picky. We got there late so we sat in the back, but that was okay. We mostly talked about the Atonement, and Elder Nelson and his life. There was a few partner activities, one in which we had to look on this page of quotes and find the one that touched us personally, about the atonement, and tell our partner:
What piece of truth can you find in that quote?
How has that truth blessed your life?
What is a good question that you need to ask yourself?
What can you do right now?

At least, I think those are the questions he asked haha. Jonathan volunteered me to talk to the class about what I had shared about, and mine was about "Remember Him" and how I need to remember to take upon me the name of Christ, and not mock it. And how Elder Holland in general conference mentioned that when people sinned or messed up they always say, "what was I thinking???" and he says, "well, obviously, they weren't thinking of Christ." And whenever I do wrong, that sentence always pops into my mind. And I just need to remember Christ more in everything that I do.
Anyways, institute was really good. I like that teacher. He seems inspired.

After institute we headed back to Jonathan's parent's apt and hung out and worked on the fan/shell looking napkins. Then we just talked with his family for a bit. I just love them to death! His dad is suuuch a cute man. And his mom is hilarious. :D I love their family.

Well, tomorrow's another busy day!!! We get to pick up my dad from the airport AND the boys are taking our mailed boxes and our furniture to our apartment! Hoooow exciting!!! :D Should be a grand day tomorrow. Yaaay. :) Well, goodnight for now!

Sometimes plans just change...

I'm gonna do my best to make this short because we have to pick my aunt up early in the morning from the airport.
Today I got up, prayed, read my scriptures, and the wonderful boys (Jonathan and Alex) brought over breakfast burritos. Then we started our drive out to Galveston. It was pretty cool. A lot of huuuge expensive mansions and a lot of houses that looked run down or maybe ruined by the hurricanes, since it is right on the beach. It was really neat to see it all - all the big church buildings and stuff.
Then! We got to go to the beach and see the ocean. The water looked brown and dirty, only because the sun wasn't out today (It was still way humid, mind you) but the water was soooo warm. We were down there playing for about 20-30 minutes, taking pictures and just wading up to our shins in the water. It was way nice. And it wasn't crowded either because it wasn't a super sunny day. My first time at an actual beach at the ocean. I can't wait to go down again when I am in a bathing suit! :D

After that we headed to the Kema boardwalk. There they have lots of rides, such as the ferris wheel, the inverter (which we went on- you go upside down), a big.. high dropping one, and lots others. We only wanted to spend money on the inverter and it was worth it - so fun. They had one rolar coaster but I think it wasn't working cause no one was going on it. So sad. :( haha. We also got to go to the Aquarium restuaruant. It was way neat. They had huge fish, sharks, sting ray, and a turtule in the aquariums where you sit and eat. And the glass was huuge. But it was pretty expensive there, so we're not sure if we're going to eat there later.
OH! And we got to go on the spongebob 4D ride. That's right, 4D. It was soooo much fun. It only lasted about 10 minutes, but you're sitting in these seats, buckled in with 3D glasses on and while you're watching the movie, while things are popping out at you, your seat is also bouncing to everything that's going on with the movie. SO cool. :D

After that the boys got a haircut, in which I convinced my novio to just get a trim. And he looks SO GOOD. I was really happy. I like his hair longer. :) I don't think he likes it, but I do. :) Then we headed back to the apartment to relax and then me and Mari took a walk around the neighborhood before we headed over to Jonathan's mom's work, which is the leasing office for our apt. Then we got everybody and headed to the store for a few things and then back to his parents house. It was then when his mom asked me if I had eaten lunch when I remembered I hadn't really eaten at all all day. So they graciously made me mango chicken drumsticks, with rice and cilantro, and beans with a tortilla. It was way the heck good. I definitely like staying home and eating than going out to eat every day..for almost every meal, which is kinda what this week has turned in to. Uh-ohh.. haha.

I'm not going to lie. Today was a really hard day for me, towards the middle/end. It sounds stupid but, I had curled my hair in the morning, loading it with hair spray AND I even used gel, I wanted to look nice. And halfway through the day it was totally flat..and frizzy and there were no curls. In fact, the humidity and hairspray made my hair sticky and it looked like I had dreadlocks. So gross. Then later on, just the topic of what me and Jonathan had been talking about kinda got me down, even though what he was saying was true and right. But what really topped it off is just.. well, I guess everything. I'm totally fine now with my mom and sister here, and especially knowing my dad's coming in a few days. But I know things are going to be way different when they leave..and it's just me.. and I don't know anybody besides his family and I'm in a big city, and I'm definitely not a spendy-big city type of person. And I still have to get a job. Which normally would be fine..except I don't have any connections here and I'm afraid to be a medical assistant here because I don't feel fully satisfied that I learned what I needed to on my externship and I'm afraid here is going to be more strict? I guess you could say.

It's just crazy thinking about all the things we have to get/do. I mean, we have been SO blessed the last few weeks. We're getting so much model furniture for just 200 bucks it's amazing. And just all the people I have met have been sooo nice. But we still have to worry about a car (plus insurance), jobs for the both of us, the rent, that furniture money, and the rent money to save when we go to Idaho plus any fees/books Jonathan needs then, without even considering a future family. So, it's just overwhelming. And stressful. But I guess that is life.

I guess all of that was just piled up on my brain, which almost brought me to tears a few time, and people said I looked tired and/or triste - sad. So I had to fight it back a lot, otherwise I'd have explaining to do ..and I did not want that. But that is mostly my day. During my personal dinner prayer I asked God to help me be more cheerful and happy and it totally worked. And Jonathan was being nice sweet self. So I had a pretty good rest of the night. I love him. I don't know what the heck I'd be doing down here if I didn't have him or the love of his family. So thank goodness!! (I also got to talk to Amy and the kids and dad on the webcam/mic so that was neat. :D I miss them.)

Anyways, I always say these'll be short, but they're always soo long! Gotta go to sleep for reals!

G'night!

More Like Home Every Day

Hay everybody,

So today we got up and were ready by 8:30 to have a pretty productive day. We went to the courthouse to get our marriage license...without realizing it cost 71 bucks..and they didn't accept visa haha. So Mari and Alex helped out with some cash which we were grateful for (and paid back haha). It's weird to see how many people in Alaska, and even here, are so against marriage. This old man saw what we were doing and he was like, "You're not, surely.."...and we're like.. surely what? and he's all, "Surely you're not getting married are you? ____ did you give them your speech?" As he was talking to the desk guy. I don't know about anybody else, but I happen to love Jonathan and I'm excited to marry him this Saturday. :D

After that we tried going to the tux place but it was closed for about an hour and a half, so then we went driving around in their old neighborhood where they used to live. Everywhere is just so nice and beautiful (and expensive looking). We also got to visit their friend pres. Burgesson, who is a chiropractor and he gave us free shirts! :D (With his logo on it haha) Then we went to the tux place and I gotta say, the boys are going to look great.
Next we went to DSW? ...err.. some shoe place. TONS of shoes. I couldn't find any I liked for the wedding though. I guess I'm picky. I could only think of one person who would love this place more than..well, I guess my sister. And that was Ruth and Jesa.. okay, that's two people.. but whatever. They both would love it there. Shoes galore.

After that we went back to the mall... for about 2 hours or so, looked around. Mari went shopping some more. Then we ate and went back to where Jonathan's mom works to get her to go to another apartment complex and look at furniture they were planning on selling for cheap to us. :) Then we headed back to our apt and took naps. I tell you, I had the weirdest dream.. which included newborn babies.. but they died. It was really weird. I didn't like it at all. :(

Then after his mom got off work we headed back to their place. Me and Jonathan were in charge of family home evening, so suggested we do it on Gratitude. So we put something together and waited a bit for his dad to come back from a family's house. Meanwhile, I was working on all the mens' boutineer's. They look pretty nice. And we got to talk to/see Laura and little baby Anna Isabella. She's adorable. :)

We ended up starting family home evening without his padre. I started out by saying that we have been given so much in this world, and we always need to be grateful for the things that we've been given - for life, our material comforts, the people around us, the gospel. Then I mentioned how Pres. Duval said, "You're only as happy as you are grateful," and how that's always hit me and how when we're grateful about the things in our life, we experience more happiness. Then Jonathan talked a little big about being grateful and then we passed out these papers. The rule was, you're not allowed to read the paper til it was your turn and on each paper there was a word and you had to tell why you were grateful for it and why it made you happy. It was a really good lesson. The words were; Book of Mormon, Families, Prayers, Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, Temples, Joseph Smith, Prophets, and the Priesthood. Each person who participated said really meaningful, touching things about why they were grateful for that thing.
I really liked what Alex said about Jesus Christ and how none of us will really know how to truly express our gratitude for what Christ did for us because the Atonement is such a personal thing for each individual. I know I'm grateful for the Atonement in my life and for what Christ has done for me. That reminds me of what I heard in a talk once in church, "The worth of our souls is so important to Christ because He suffered for us individually." And I believe that.

Needless to say, it was a really awesome family home evening and a great day. I just had to give his dad and mom a hug before we left. And then his mom said, don't forget about grandma! So then I gave her a hug, and when I did that grandpa immediately stood up for his hug! lol It was pretty funny. I just love their family. I'm grateful for all they do.

Well, it's been a long day, and tomorrow we have lots of fun things planned! Goodnight!