Dimple's Discoveries

Tyler and I have been married for just over seven months now, and it's the comments of those around us who have driven me to write this post. Lest any of you cringe, it wasn't negative comments but rather the casual or slightly surprised "You guys are so happy" remarks that have started the cogs turning for me. Each one has caught me off guard, because why shouldn't we be happy? These thoughts might come across jumbled, but here are a few reasons why Tyler and I are "so happy": 1. We have an eternal marriage--  We knelt across an altar in the Ogden temple on April 25th and covenanted to each other and to our God for time and for all eternity that we would heed and follow His commandments, and that if we do so, we will be blessed to be together forever. I get to keep Tyler for the rest of eternity if I do my best here on earth. It is my covenanted responsibility to cherish him. That's bigger than any argument we could have about if we should p...

Friday was a very controversial and life-changing day for a lot of Americans. While I am not the first (and most assuredly not the last) to post on the Supreme Court ruling, I would like to offer a few thoughts on the situation. First, let me explain my thoughts and actions since hearing of the Supreme Court's decision: I am against gay marriage, and when I heard the ruling you can imagine my feelings on the subject. Suffice to say I was frustrated, and started reading many articles, blog posts, and news stories on the ramifications of this event, many of which I shared so that those who believe as I do could see what was coming, or understand as I now do how this can alter marriage, adoption, religious freedoms, and society in general both now and in the future. I have studied (and almost have a Bachelor's degree in) Marriage and Family Studies. This is not only a moral debate, but career-altering information for me. I was definitely undergoing some heated scrutiny for doi...

I have been volunteering at a local shelter for victims of domestic violence, doing some slightly different work than I have ever done before. One of my new tasks is to admit victims into the shelter by determining eligibility, and then assisting them in "checking in" by finding out more about their situation and helping them settle in for that first day or night at the shelter.This is by far my favorite part of my responsibilities, because I can't wait to sit across from them as they tell their story, and tell them how proud I am of their courage to leave. Several have spoken of pretending to go to the grocery store, picking up their children and their purse and coming straight to the shelter. It has moved me more than I can say, but I would love to share a realization I had a couple of weeks ago while checking in a resident. This resident came in with her young child, and was attempting to cuddle the sleeping toddler around her very pregnant stomach as she quietly ...

I have been afraid countless times. Unfortunately being afraid is not an emotion I lack. It's not uncommon for me to be on high alert as I walk in a dark alley, as I am home alone and hear a loud noise, or even when someone touches me unexpectedly. However, these momentary times when your heartbeat stops for a second are not the ones I am referring to. Tonight I will tell you about the time I felt true fear. We've all heard of it, and some, I'm sure, have already experienced it's cold and rough grip: The mind-stopping, heart racing, time-slowing fear that flows like ice through our veins and freezes us where we stand. This fear that can so quickly penetrate every cell of our bodies and souls can be paralyzing; a lesson I was soon to learn. I work in dangerous situations all the time with my line of work, both at the county jail and as an advocate. Perhaps I had become accustomed to the thought, or was incredibly naive about my work... either way I was not emotion...