A Blessing in Disguise

August 23!!! The day I have been thinking about, and hoping for ever since I discovered Harrison and I would be apart this summer. 4 months is a long, long time in our marriage's young life of only a year and a half. I was really dreading this summer.

Spending 4 months away from Harrison, really made me appreciate how wonderful he is. There were so many little things that I always took for granted, and it only took a couple of days apart from him for me to realize how much I missed those things. He always rubs my feet, makes me breakfast on the weekends, takes the morning shifts with Jack to let me sleep in, and plays "Monopoly" with me for hours without complaining. I think a huge blessing of this summer was me realizing how lucky I am to have him. I don't know what I did to deserve Harrison, but it's too late for him now - he's stuck with me forever.

I have felt so much support this summer from all my loved ones. My family first of all, for putting up with me! Jack, I'm sure they loved having around, but they thought they got rid of me when I got married! Wrong! I have loved our time in Oregon, and I will miss the Poulson clan so much when we leave. We also had a chance to spend time with the Smiths, and I loved every minute of it. They are no longer my in-laws, but truly just family. And I have always considered myself so lucky to have the friends that I do, and I am continually impressed by them. They always show so much love and support for me! So thank you for all of your phone calls, emails, and visits! You know who you are :) And I love you!

I often found myself relying on the comfort that I found when I was on my knees this summer. I would often pray for help to stay positive, to keep Harrison safe, and allowing the Atonement to work in my life. My prayers were always answered. Once I realized that my Savior had felt everything I was feeling, I felt a huge burden lifted from me. I was able to focus on being happy and making the most out of this summer, despite some hardships that came with it. It was an experience I hope to never forget.

I realize this post is a little more personal that what I usually share, but unfortunately my journal writing skills need improvement, and I would feel ungrateful if I didn't write down the unexpected blessings this summer has brought. But tomorrow is the day! Harrison and I will be back together in Utah, and excited to start our last year there! We have so much to look forward to: his senior year at BYU, a new apartment, new friends (and the old ones too!), and within the next year, discovering the beginnings of our military career.

We're excited and extremely grateful to have our little family of 3 back together again soon.

Hiccups and Cough Medicine =

I can't get enough of his little laugh, and because I know you can't either, I decided to post this for you:

Mr. Jack

I thought I'd give an update on this little guy who

will be 7 months old on Saturday!

Lately, we've seen a lot of this:

I've been trying for weeks to get a shot of his newest additions.

Two teeth on the bottom, and the one on top has just started peeking through.

He loves his solids! Especially sweet potatoes, squash, bananas, and applesauce.

August 9, 2007

Harrison and I met 2 years ago, today. With our 18 months of marriage and a 6 month old baby - I'd say we've been very productive in that 2 years. I Love you, Mr. Smith. We can't wait to see you in 14 days.

A taste of Jordan

Harrison is down to one week of classes left, then he's off to Israel then home to Utah!! Finally! He has really enjoyed his time in Amman, Jordan, although he's anxious to get back to the U.S. I have really loved hearing his stories and the neat experiences he's had this summer. Some of the people he has met there have really impressed me, and have opened my eyes to what the Middle East can really be like, despite the negative reputation. Here are some stories Harrison was kind enough to type up for us:


I am surrounded everyday by Arabs, and most the time Arab Muslims. I think many times in America, Arabs and Muslims are a people misunderstood because of the media, silly stereotypes, and sometimes just from people who are hateful. Despite all these things, I have had just some wonderful experiences this summer. One of the first things that has impressed me is how open this society is. Everyday I have an assignment to go speak Arabic for 2 hours. Essentially if I wanted to I could sit down with a stranger everyday, and just chat about anything for a few hours, and by the end of the conversation we would be friends. I would be intimidated to sit down next to really any stranger in Provo with the intentions of just wanting to chat. It really is wonderful how open everyone is here.


An example of this is about 3 weeks ago I was on a bus and I sat in the back of the bus, and before I knew it I was jammed between two Arab men. As I was squished between these 2 guys we had a very pleasant conversation as we took our 45 min bus ride. I have come to realize people are so interesting and it really is fun to get to know people, try to understand them, and see where they are coming from. Well soon it was my turn to get off the bus, and we said our goodbyes, and a little after I got off the bus I realized I left my cell phone on the bus. I figured, Oh Well, I am leaving in a about a month and a half, no worries. Well about 2 weeks after this, people who were listed in my phone started to receive calls, and I ended up talking with a man from a city about 30 mins outside of Amman who found my phone. He called about everyone of my friends until he finally got a hold of me. He really went through a lot of trouble to find me, and he was so nice, but I figured I wouldn't be able to meet up with this guy since he was so far away. Then about a week after this I got a call from one of my Arab friends who said I am going to get your phone, and that he would meet me in a few days to give it to me. My friends name is Nasser. What a good man. I honestly have only had maybe 3 or 4 conversations with Nasser, but we have became good friends in this time. Well when he couldn't get a hold of me, because my phone was lost, he kept calling and calling. Eventually he talked with this man who had my phone. So he went all the way out there to this mans house, I'm sure, and he got my cheap little cell phone, but not only did he do that, he gave this man a gift for being so kind. Then when I met up with him, and he gave me my phone, he also gave me a gift. Let me say Nasser is not a rich man, but a poor man, who just lost his mediocre job. He is so good, and I am still impressed about all he did to just get my phone for me. It really wasn't a big deal, but he did it anyway. Me and Nasser do not see eye to eye on every issue, but he is a good man and he has love and kindness within him.


Well one last experience about my Muslim friends. Today I was chatting a little about Islam with another one of my good friends, named Osama. I asked him a simple question: How do you feel when you read the Quran? He told me of the feelings of peace, calmness, and how sometimes he wants to cry when he reads it. I believe that Christians or Mormons do not have a monopoly on receiving light from God. It is just a wonderful experience to be able to relate with people on the fact that we have both experienced receiving light from God. I know that those Muslims who live with goodness and live by the light they have received, receive blessings and peace in their life. There are so many good people in the world. I look forward to meeting more.