On the road again...

Well, I have been taking a break from blogging so that I can pack. Yes, Seth and I are moving again. We will be moving to a duplex in Cleveland Heights. That will be in the Shaker Heightss Ward. This wasn't our original plan, or even part of our first 2 plans, but the Lord has His ways of guiding us to where we need to go, so we'll go there. Our friends, the Schuller's live in one side of the duplex (the side we'll be moving into in May), and the other side is vacant, so we're moving into it because we need a place to live, and hopefully it won't be too hard to just move our stuff next door in May. (I hope May will be our last move for at least 4 years. That's my hope.... I wonder if it's possible).

Anyways, thanks for everyone's help. We couldn't do all this without the help we've received. I can see my own progress in this experience, in that I have bettered learned to ask for help when I need it and not to feel guilty about it. I always help others when I can, and it is important not to be prideful when you need to be on the receiving end. We all play both roles multiple times during this life. We need each other. Not just 'others needs me,' but that 'I need others too.' I am glad I'm learning that.

"God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs." (President Spencer W. Kimball)

4 Year Anniversary! - Feb. 3, 2011

Here's to 4 years of a wonderful marriage! and here's to an eternity more!

Emily's Master's Degree - Graduation from CSU

On December 18, 2011 I graduated with my Master's of Education - Curriculum and Instruction - TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) from Cleveland State University. It was an exciting and exhausting day. We were so blessed to have almost all of my family come to the graduation - Missed you Claire! And my Aunts Candi and Laura got to come too. Thanks for coming to support me, and for persevering through 3.5 hours 7 speakers, some very dull! Well, I am finally finished with my Master's! Wahoo!

Hannah and her husband, Michael, Seth, Trey, Martha, me, Jacob, Ashley, Mom and Dad

Me and my wonderful parents

Aunt Laura and Aunt Candi

Since it was my Master's, my extremely expensive gown that I had to buy had a strange hood that hung down the back, and the arms had these weird extensions that I suppose you could hide things in like your cell phone, or some snacks. I found out that if I actually put my hood on my head that it made me kind of look like a shark.

After the graduation, we headed over to Seth sister Angie's house in Shaker Heights for a Graduation Party. Thanks Brimhall's and Wagner's for the wonderful party! Almost all of Seth's family was there (missed you Jacob, but we're glad you're serving a mission), and some of my friends came too. We had a nice buffet style dinner and cake, and great conversation.

Seth's brother Ricky, mom Jeena, and sister Sarah

Michael, Hannah, Ashley, and Dad

George, Seth's sisters Lani and Angie

Jacob and Martha

Jeff and our newest nephew, Heber Tate Brimhall

My friends (graduates of the IELP) Ivan Tseng from Taiwan, and Fouad Alsmail from Saudi Arabia.

Mom and me

Trey and me

My friend Linda Holtzheimer, another teacher in the IELP, and her husband David.

Our good friends, and former neighbors, Fay and George Williams.

I am grateful to everyone who has supported us and supported us over these past years. Thanks for your love! I am especially grateful to Seth. He is the best husband I could ever ask for. He gives me wings to flies, and believes in me.

We are so grateful the Lord made it possible for me to achieve a Master's degree. Now I have been blessed with a wonderful job teaching ESL at CSU in the IELP (Intensive English Language Program). I teach English to adults who are preparing to go to the university after they finish our program. I love my job! It is an exciting new challenge every day. I love meeting all the new people, and it is so fulfilling to help them.

Getting Back on Board

Hello All,

(or anyone, if you are still out there, wondering why on earth I have been on a 7 month bloggin hiatus). I am back (I think). I have just had a lot of things much higher than blogging on my priority list, and I have been trying to learn to not run faster than I have strength (I have a tendency to try to do that). It is my goal to spend 10-15 min. blogging each week. So I don't think there will be any fancy posts, but I will try to keep you updated. Seth and I are both doing great, and in my next post, I will try to catch you up on recent events.

Love,
Emily

Thanks for Your Prayers!

Well, my dad had his heart surgery last week, and he pulled through. However, the surgery was unsuccessful and his heart is beating as fast as it was before. Thank you all for your prayers, please continue them. We'll see what happens; I'm sure it is in the Lord's hands and He's watching over my dad.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Tomorrow my dad, John Joseph Shepard, turns 52. I've been thinking a lot about my Dad lately. He is in the hospital today having heart surgery. Your prayers would be much appreciated. I thought maybe I could write a little bit about my dad here.

My father was born in Columbus,OH in July 1958 to Gene Allen Shepard and Phyllis Ann Paver. He had it kind of rough when he was growing up. His parents divorced when he was a teenager. Then, his father listened to the missionaries, and my dad listened too. He was the only one out of the 6 kids who decided to be baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. That has made all the difference. He met my mom, Terri Lynne Hubbard, at the Institute program at Ohio State University, and they got engaged. But my dad decided that he had to serve a mission before they were married. They both did, my mom in Ventura, CA, and my dad in Sacramento. They were engaged for 3 years! I am grateful for my father's determination to serve the Lord. He knew that The Church was true and wanted to share that light with others.

Dad on his mission in Sacramento, California

John Shepard and Terri Hubbard get engaged

Their wedding day, October 12, 1983My dad is a musician, he has a beautiful voice, and plays the guitar. He is also an actor. But, I think his favorite thing in life, although it has been very difficult, is being a father. My mom had 5 children and they adopted 2. Hannah Lynne, Emily Jean, Claire Elizabeth, Martha Suzanne, Jacob Allen, Trey Robert, and Ashley Tonya.

A first time Dad (with Hannah)

(Dad graduated from Ohio State University in accounting (I think), but became a computer programmer, but I think he'd rather just sing and play his guitar, or be a movie critic)
I talked to my dad last night over the phone. I am so glad I did. He told me he wanted me to know how he loves me and how proud of me he is, and that he is so glad I am excited about the gospel, and that I have a growing testimony. "That's all I want for my children: happiness, and I think you're on the right track." He also told me that he an mommy think Seth is great, and that I couldn't have found a better husband. -I agree, and I'm glad they think so.

Mom, me and Dad at my 2nd B-day party

I told him I loved him, and that I'm so glad he is my father, and that he and mom chose to have our family sealed together forever in the temple, and have kept their covenants. And I know, that because of that, no matter what happens, everything will turn out right in the end, and we will be a family forever, and get to be together again.

Me and my beautiful mother

He agreed, and added that if anything ever did happen to him, he wanted me to make sure and do one thing "Make sure you take care of Mommy, who has sacrificed everything for you 7 kids." (After all these years, my parents still call each other "Mommy and Daddy," even though we're all grown up. I think it's because that is their favorite thing to be, parents together.) I assured him that we will, and told him not to get any ideas about going anywhere though, and that we expected him to come out of this in tip top shape.

Dad and me

My dad isn't perfect, but he is wonderful because he's always tried his best, and he loves us. Do your parents know you love them? Have you told them recently? Give them a call, and tell them again, today! You never know what could happen, but it is a wonderful reassurance to know that your parents love you, and you love them, and that you've told them recently.

I love you, Dad! Happy Birthday!

Our eternal family as of 2010
(At Hannah and Michael's wedding, Chicago Temple, June, 2009)
From left to right: Claire, Jacob, Trey, Mom, Michael Dimond, Hannah, Dad, Ashley, Martha, Emily, and Seth Wagner