Much to my chagrin I became a University of Utah student for a few weeks. I went to Armenia with the Global Health Armenia Program. It was an incredible experience to be back in Armenia and to learn so much about global health and the history and culture of Armenia. The stones in the front are hand carved cross-stones and the monastery in the background is Noravank.
Shortly after returning from Armenia, Marian and I were married! As you can see from the picture, it was a very happy day for us. We were sealed in the Dallas Texas Temple. We were married there, because temples provide a place where marriages can be pronounced for time and all eternity. What a blessing and joy Marian is to me.
We had a fantastic reception that evening and the next morning we were off to Kauai. In my opinion, it is probably the most beautiful place on earth. Marian and I had a great honeymoon and another reception in Utah, and then it was back to real life.
Here's one more picture from Kauai. This place inspires me. It's called the Kalalau Valley. I think I could sit and stare for hours.
In case I have managed to capture your attention up unto this point, I want to share a parable that came to my mind yesterday as I was reading John 20.
After His resurrection, Jesus Christ appeared to 10 of His apostles, but one of them, Thomas, wasn't there. When the other apostles told Thomas, "We have seen the Lord," he replied, "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe" (John 20:25). We might reasonably ask, why was it so hard for Thomas to believe? Couldn't he trust the words of his fellow apostles? The following example convinced me that I'm not that different.
There were many times during the past few years where I wondered if I would ever get married. I thought, what if 10 of my family or closest friends came to me and all said, "Lance, you won't believe it, but we met the perfect girl for you!" I think my skeptical response would have been like Thomas', "I'll see it when I believe it." Having faith can be hard, but the Lord is patient with us and doesn't hide himself from us though we may find it hard to believe from time to time. Jesus appeared to Thomas. Lance found Marian. And I can't imagine being any happier.
