When You Know, You Know!!

So these past couple weeks people have asked me about myself and when I say I'm engaged they always say your only twenty... I have let that get to me a little until I talked with my wonderful fiance today! We started talking about us and somethings that we have noticed that have changed about each other since we have been together. I told Robbie that he has really grown up a lot, and has become so open and has taught me things about myself! He told me that he has noticed the patience I have with him and how understanding I am with him. Well lets face it guys usually don't have a clue on what to do or say sometimes.. However Robbie now always knows whats to say to make me smile or comfort me. I always tell him we are crazy for getting married!! But I think we are crazy not to! I have talked to friends that haven't gotten married and they say what they thought they would miss out on a lot of things by getting married, they realized they haven't missed much. Rob and I both realize that marriage isn't something just to do, but that we will work together and become one. Of course we will not always get along but we will love each other and grow together! We have become great a compromising so far! Which I fill is a big deal! We also both realize why we are together and why we are getting married, and that is we are helping each other grow and become closer to our Heavenly Father, we want the same things in life and strive to have a righteous family. How grateful I am to have a relationship with my heavenly father that allows me to know that I am making right decisions! I am so excited to see Robbie in 3 weeks!!! I can't wait! It will be wonderful! -Shanel

Sunday inspiration

Well I haven't done one of these in a while and because I had such a great day at church I thought I would talk about it =). So today my family and I went to church and sacrament was great because it gives me the time to think about the sacrament and what I should be working on. I love Sunday school, the adult Sunday school teacher is amazing and we always talk about aspects of the gospel that open my mind to greater things. Today we talked about the prophets in the Book of Mormon, who "DREAMED", and what those dreams interrupted. We talked a lot about Lehi and Nephi's dream. We talked about the tree of life and what it takes to obtain the fruit. As we talked about having the love of God with us and to have a desire for that love; we found that it helps us to want to make right decision. As I was thinking about what everyone was saying I couldn't help but think what got me to this very moment in life to where I was heading to the temple! My goal since I was little was to get married in the temple. However I really looked at all the decisions I made that got me here, these decisions consisted of not dating till I was 16 and also not dating non-members (don't get me wrong I may have thought about it once or twice but it never felt right. I went to a church school at BYU-Idaho which I was surrounded by many saints. We all had similar goals and are aiming to do what is right! It was hard to get to this point but how grateful I am that God shared his love for me and I listened. I have had great friends, my parents, and leaders who have taught me well and I decided for myself from a small age what I wanted and now I am so close I can't wait! I feel that we should always look at life in an exciting way! Yes it has been hard and not easy to see the "bright side" sometimes. However when I see the plan unfold as it is a little at a time I am grateful! and hope to strive for righteous blessings my whole life to achieve the greatest gift of all ETERNAL life and to live with my dearest and Heavenly FATHER!

A Little Girls Fairy Tale

I can remember growing up and always looking at wedding magazines imagining what kind of dress I would wear, what colors I wanted, my theme and even my future prince charming.


However as I have grown up and gone to college I have soon realized the difference between Fairy Tale and Reality! My dream wedding has turned into priority and Elegance. I have realized that I will not end up with this outrageous glamorous wedding reception. However I have realized that I am about to take the biggest step in my life. I am about to get married to my best friend who has seen me at my worst and still loves me. I am going to be getting married in the Houston Texas Temple.


I am accomplishing my own dreams and doing it with Robbie by my side. I am doing what my Heavenly Father wants me to do. I am excited to embark on this journey of marriage and cant wait to see what happens! Now off to the stress of planning a wedding!