BIG DAY!!

Tomorrow is the big day. In less than 24 hours, I will no longer be Brenna Imlay, single, carefree, alone. I will be married!!! I'm still not sure it's set in, but I'm beyond excited!

I'm excited to be Brenna Ernst. 

I'm excited to become a new family. 

I'm excited for this new chapter in my life. 

Yet, that doesn't mean I haven't felt nervous or worried at times. During these past few months, I have read and reread The Family: A Proclamation to the World many times. I have treasured my class where we have dissected it, comparing what we read from the prophets to what has been learned by scholars during numerous studies. It still astounds me how often those two aspects go hand in hand. Studies are proving what God and prophets have been saying for hundreds of years. I have looked to this document and the new knowledge I have about it as guidance as I prepare myself for marriage.

What is found within here WILL change your life. As you live by these teachings, you will find happiness. 

I may not be married yet, but tomorrow I am excited to start practicing the commandments for husband and wife. I'm excited to show the love of my life how important he is to me. I can't wait for us to come together as we face the trials of life, and as we learn to conquer them together - both of us leaning on the Lord.
The family is such an important part of our lives. We would not be here if it were not for families. I KNOW of their importance, and I promise you as you heed the council of latter-day prophets to strengthen your own family, you will see blessings beyond what you can imagine.
I plan on doing this in my own marriage and look forward to seeing the blessings.


Your Heavenly Father loves you, He has given you so many resources to help. Allow yourself to lean on Him and what He has provided. We can get through anything - including the terrifying aspects of marriage.

Timing is Right.

Today I want to share going one last thing I've learned that has changed my perspective on families.
God's Timing is far greater than ours.

One of the wonderful aspects of the gospel of Jesus Christ is stated in this section of the Family Proclamation. It reads, "In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life." There are many beautiful truths found within this statement, but the one I want to discuss is that it was God's plan for us to gain earthly experience. 

GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU. 

Do you grasp how powerful a statement that is? This doesn't mean you don't have control over your life. You have your choices and your agency, but it means that when something happens in your life it means there is a reason. 

During the past few years I have gone through some experiences that have made me question why my life was going the way it was, yet now in retrospect it is powerful testimony because things worked out in such a way I can't imagine my life going any other direction. Things worked out. Even when I couldn't imagine my life realigning, somehow it did.

This principle applies greatly to relationships, marriage, and families. There is always the statement that you won't find love until you stop looking. You hear story after story of how someone fell in love when it wasn't "convenient". This is where that principle applies. God has a plan for you that you may not understand. Often this includes bringing people into your life when you aren't expecting it.
Sometimes this may be a friend, sometimes a future spouse, and for those who are married sometimes a surprise child.

To trust Him, means keeping your heart and mind open to these opportunities. You may have a plan for your life, but if He brings someone into it there is a reason. They will make your life better. You may have to adjust your idea of how your life will go, but it will be so much better. Things will become wonderful.
Recognize that His timing is grand; His timing is perfect. 

Where Happiness comes from...

Continuing with what I began last week, I want to share some of the powerful things I have learned over the past few months. Today I felt inspired to talk about happiness.

What is happiness? 

Happiness is a concept the world is obsessed with and for good reason. Everyone is trying to search for it; there are online articles of "20 things to do to be happy" or "tricks to find happiness" everywhere. They all have similar tips, yet they have varying suggestions that sometimes make me scratch my head. Did you  know playing online poker everyday can make you happy? The internet says it is true, so it must be ;) 

No, but really finding happiness is a serious matter. Luckily for us, 20 years ago a prophet of God told us a simple way to live a happy life. In the Family Proclamation it says 

"Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ." 

That's it. Really, it's simple, straightforward, and something we all can do. Yet so many don't because living according to Christ's commandments isn't what is popular. People often choose another path and quickly become discontent. It's important to recognize you may be happy doing certain things for a while, but living the teachings of Jesus Christ is the only true way to have lasting happiness.

Personally I have seen both sides of this principle. I've never done anything horrible, but I definitely have gone through times where I'm less consistent in living the daily commandments of God. During those times, I can see a change. I'm usually grumpier, more easily offended, and feel crappy. In contrast, during the times where I am reading my scriptures and praying daily I face the world with a more positive attitude.
I promise that building your life on the teachings of Christ will bring you lasting happiness. Take a look at your life and see what you can change to better follow our Savior. As you do this, you will see a difference.

Big News!

Okay, prepare yourself...  Prepared?

I am getting married! I'm really excited for this huge life change and even more excited I get to jump into married life with my best friend by my side. I've known Riley since my Junior year of high school and we've dated for a good chunk of that time. Yet, when we got engaged the first week of October with a November wedding date things still seemed fast. Yet wedding plans are really coming together from scheduling the temple, booking our luncheon, finding the dress, and even getting to take our engagements so fast (pictured here, and photo cred: to Photography by Christel) it has all been working out so well. 

Many prayers went into setting our date and we both knew it was right. This has just been confirmed as things have been coming together so well.  I love Riley and truly am excited, but at the same time I'm nervous. Getting married is a huge step. It means leaving home and starting my own family. My own family!! Yikes! Don't get any ideas, we aren't planning on having children for a few years, but still Riley and I will become our own family. There are so many aspects of what a family is I often get overwhelmed thinking of what I "should" do. 

I have been extremely blessed this semester with the opportunity to take a class "marriage and family preparation" where we focus on principles found in The Family Proclamation and scientific studies. Through readings, lectures, and class discussions I've learned so many things that have brought peace to my soul concerning my future family. 

Aren't we cute? Why, yes, yes we are. 

Not everyone has the opportunity to take this class, so I just wanted to share a few of my favorite things I have learned in this class over the next 20 days. Hopefully you'll learn something too!

To start off I want to share with you this:THE FAMILY PROCLAMATION! Take a look at that link, it will take you to a proclamation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints made in September 1995. This was years ago before the family became a debated topic. It has become relevant now because of what it contains. Here they discussed the importance of the family as the fundamental unit of society, the importance of having a father and mother, and how to find happiness in life.

It is a powerful document.

It has helped me to gain strength and confidence as I prepare for my upcoming marriage. I know it is a proclamation from God. I know the importance of families is bigger than even I can fully understand. Families are wonderful. 

I am excited to share what I have learned with you in the next two weeks!