marriage

june 18, 2015. the best day. the start of forever. the day 'i' becomes 'we.'

that was the day i married my best friend. i dont think my cheeks have ever hurt so much..from how much i was smiling. we're such goofs and in the sealing room we kept everyone entertained with our silly faces and my shuffling around. it isnt that we weren't taking it seriously, we were just so excited and that's how we act when we're excited!

the day before, my amazing friends took me to a super nice hotel for a spa day. it was so amazing and relaxing and just what the doctor ordered. later on we went to mackenzie's house and watched legally blonde. we all went to sleep later on and then when i woke up, it was time to get married!

so i headed on over to hamilton's parents house. we ate a little and i met some family, and then we headed off to the temple.

it was finally time for us to be sealed for time and all eternity. i thought i was in love before, but i have never felt more intense emotion than when we were in that room across from each other. my heart was so full and it was so amazing. his smile just melted my and the kisses were just a million times sweeter.

that day will forever be my favorite, im sure once i have children those days will be amazing also, but it all started here.

this one is probably one of my faves haha

xoxo, mrs. birkeland

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oh, hey.

i've been so mia lately..there has just been so much going on.

i feel like i've been so busy..yet, somehow, not busy at all. does that make sense? probably not. oh well.

so first things first..sonny and i are officially over. we have been for over a month now. we talked everything out and came to a mutual agreement. we need to respect each other and he needs to focus on his mission, while i focus on what i need to be doing.

we started as best friends so there's no reason to be immature about this. we will probably be friends, but for now, i know it's hard. who knows what will happen.

i've gone on a few dates. but now i'm dating this one guy and he's so great. soooo, that's pretty great!

i've been going back and forth between orlando, bradenton, and key west a lot lately. and it's great, but also kind of hard. it's wayyy too much to explain tonight though.

the temple has become my top priority. i try to go every week, twice a week, if i can. it is such a blessing to live so close and to be able to go whenever i want/need to.

things just seem to be crazy right now. my mind is going in so many different directions. i know it will all work out though. my path isn't too clear right now, but at the same time, it's very clear..kind of confusing..i know.

but there is so much more i have to say. that will have to come later though, after my meeting on sunday..then comes the real update.

(sorry for the picture overload)

so stay posted!

xoxo,

jacquelyn

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ft. laudy temple trip

so we are getting another temple here, in florida, and soon! the dedications is may 4th! and the open house is going on now!
i feel so very blessed and privileged that i was able to attend the open house, with such amazing friends. i truly do have the best of friends. i don't know what i would do without them.
even though the temple wasn't dedicated yet, the spirit was still extremely strong. it hit me like a ton of bricks. it is just so beautiful and perfect.
it really is heaven on earth. there is no other way to describe it. it was amazing and wonderful. it is so great that we have these temples here on earth. we have 142, soon to be 143, operating temples. and so many more under construction! it is so amazing to see how much the church is growing.
to learn more about temples, click here.

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i love to see the temple

i'm going there someday. to feel the Holy Spirit, to listen and to pray. for the temple is the house of God, a place of love and beauty. i'll prepare myself while i'm young; this is my sacred duty. 
i'll go inside someday. i'll covenant with my Father; i'll promise to obey. for the temple is a holy place where we are sealed together. as a child of God, I've learned this truth; a family is forever.

i had the most amazing and beautiful opportunity last saturday.
march 15, 2014 was probably one of the most special days of my life. i can't quite explain how i felt.
it was bliss, it was a burning in my bosom, it was immensely uplifting.

before i was feeling a little anxious, but mostly excited. the moment i walked past the front dest, i almost burst into tears. the spirit was so strong, and it was actually happening! i didn't think i would receive my endowments until i was about to get married. plans change though! and i couldn't be happier or more excited. going in, i wasn't really focused on receiving answers to specific questions. since it was my first time, i was just focusing on the feelings and the emotions. and boy, it was crazy! it wasn't too overwhelming! just intense! and i don't really know what words to use! it was so powerful!
i think i was more prepared that i thought i was; i know that this is where i belong. i know that what i am doing is right. i know this is what i need to be doing! i know that the things i will be teaching and learning are true. there is nothing else i would rather be doing!
i made covenants with my Heavenly Father and i will do everything to keep them!
it is home, my heart and spirit feel so at peace there. it is the House of the Lord and i know that. i can feel it anytime i just look at it.
i am so blessed with the amazing support system i have! they are so amazing and so understanding and loving! i don't know what i would do without them, it's kinda crazy <3

i have truly never felt more pure and clean in my life! i literally felt like i was glowing! my mind and body was incredibly tired afterwards though. it was such a crazy, amazing, and joyous day!
it's one to be cherished :)

just some before and afters ;)

 i wouldn't have wanted anyone else to be my escort, thank you for all you do/have done fore me <3

the only thing that could've made it better would've been my own parents being there. but that's okay, maybe one day we can go together :)


xoxo,

jacquelyn

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withdraw

i'm getting "trunky" and i haven't even left yet!

i haven't been in the water since August 2013..like what? for a knowles, that's unheard of! what has my life come to?

i made it a goal to go fishing when i came to btown this time…well turns out, all the fishing poles are broken, just my luck. so i decided to take my nephews to the beach instead. even though i hate the beach. i figured it's the next best thing, when i can't go on the boat.

it was pretty fun! and it was nice to have my toes in the sand, salt on my skin, and the warm sun on my skin. oh how the water has been missing in my life.

a trip to the keys is definitely an absolute must. and soon!

only 5 days until i enter the temple! and 100 days until i leave for the MTC. i seriously cannot wait! it'll be the adventure and experience of a lifetime :)

xoxo,

jacquelyn

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