Season Two : Episode 1 "Twists and Turns"

Hello again! I know, I know, I failed epicly at my goal to write weekly or even monthly at that haha. It is funny how many twists and turns life can throw at us. If you would have asked me what I would be doing right now, following my mission I would have had a detailed list of plans and goals for that week the next month, quarter, year, to even  5 years out. I knew exactly what I wanted and had the perfect plan to get there... or so I thought.

Today I have a clearer idea how life has a variety of detours for us to take. That our fool proof plan with "back-up plan C or Z" can always change. Despite all the changes I have experienced since my mission I have seen that the Lord is ever aware of me and able to provide me with the blessings right when I need them. And sometimes he waits for me to accept them.

Today I am in a different spot than I imagined. Emily and I are still living in Arizona. We have two puppies, Bella a Chocolate Lab who is 8 months old and Phili (yep named after Philadelphia, and she is a girl) a Belguin Malinois Shepherd/Dutch Shepherd mix. They are lively and keep us very busy, training them not to tear into the trash or pee in the house has been quite the challenge. We made a recent triumph in discovering that Phili would not pee in her Kennel if it was smaller and closer to her size : ) You do not know how grateful we are not to be cleaning her kennel at 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.! (P.S. Thanks for the kennels Karyn!)

I am in-between jobs and continuing to run my web/graphic design business on the side and Emily is still working at the bakery. We have awesome family near and far and could not be more grateful for their love and kindness to us. Recently we traveled to Texas for a funeral and were able to spend the weekend with Emily's father. It was wonderful to have that time as our former visits to her family were only a few hours. I was able to get to know them so much better and I can remember the names and ages of all my new brothers and sisters, haha! Who are all amazing by the way!

Although I thought that this would be my final semester graduating with my bachelors at DSU, that I would be in St. George and that for some crazy reason I would already be owning a home. I don't mind that I don't, because I married to the most amazing woman in the world. I am grateful for her patience with me and all my quirks. I am thankful for her love for me which she shows every day! I am grateful for her love for the Savior His gospel and how she strives to live His teachings. I am thankful to know that we are married under sacred covenants to our Heavenly Father that make our bond ever stronger and marriage more fulfilled as we live up to those covenants. I am grateful our marriage is Eternal. Thank you, my Rose, I could never do it without you!

-Trent D. Nielson

Keep the Faith & Never give Up, Never Surrender