Everyone come to Vaughn's Benefit Concert!

Where will you be Saturday July 5th? At Vaughn's benefit concert, that's where! Come see my honey perform he is very talented, it will be so much fun & it's for a good cause! You can't say no to that now can you?!

Hey everyone-
This is just a reminder of the concert this Saturday July 5th @ 7 pm @ The Genesis Project Church/Salt Rock Coffee Shop located on 20th & Lincoln in Ogden, UT. All proceeds will be going to help a needy family from the Ogden Area. Admission/Suggested donation is $3 & includes a complimentary CD. No one will be turned away for not having money though. As always Clint will be alongside for a fun night, so come out and bring your friends & family!
Hope to see you there.

-Vaughn

Goin to the temple, gonna get m-a-a-a-rried

The most valuable piece of paper I've ever received:
My Temple Recommend.
Vaughn & I get to go to the Ogden temple next week so I can get my endowment!
I am at peace, everything is just perfect.

~I have joy.

It still doesn't seem real. I'm getting married! It's strange... in a good way of course.
Two more weeks & we will be:

~ Mr. & Mrs.~

~Brother & Sister McFarlane~

~Husband & Wife~

~Vaughn & Ashley~

...Para Siempre

? Gift Registry ?

So this is kinda odd & perhaps a bit awkward. I'm not quite sure how this whole wedding etiquette stuff works. I hope this doesn't come across as tacky...
I researched a little and discovered that it's safe to let people know where you are registered or what you are in need of via your website. As you all know we did not include a gift registry card in our invitation so several people have been inquiring of what Vaughn & I need. So here I am to answer that burning question! We really don't need much of anything since Vaughn & I have both lived on our own, so we are pretty much good to go as far as houseware items. However, I would love to have a few canvas photos of our wedding day printed off or perhaps a professional photo album & those are quite pricy. We also would like a bedroom set & gift cards are always appreciated as well! But please don't feel you must do any of this as it is all completely optional. Thanks everybody! Can't wait to see you all at the wedding! 16 more days!

My top 20 reasons why Costa Rica is heaven...

I love it almost as much as I love Vaughn & that says a lot!

1. Just look at those vibrant colors & that beautiful scenery

2. Ooh the Dreamy Romantic Sunsets, you get em every night!

3. Random monsoons..they come from out of nowhere & cause rivers that flow down the streets

4. These cute little fellas!

5. Waterfalls in the jungles



6. Delectable, divine desserts...mmm



7. Pint size SUV's & cramming 8 of us inside

8. The colorful fiesta fun streets

9. Surfing at sunset & it's still 80 degrees outside & in the ocean!

10. My toes in the sand... this is where I'm at home.

11. These tasty bad boys, mango & pineapple batidos poolside. What more could you ask for?

...I'm in love.

12. Golf carts at midnight!

13. Crystal clear ocean complete with pez tropical, & mermaid lagoons...fantasy fulfilled, there is no where I'd rather be!

14. Hibiscus flowers!

15. Gigantesque gecko dinosaurs

16. Coconuts growing in the palm trees! My heart melts.

17. First class police stations...this is real, no joke



18. Luscious, scrumptious food

19. Cows randomly wandering in the village, especially creepy at night.



20. Last but not least, No Ingles. Solo Espanol!


Pura Vida Costa Rica

You guys should try it sometime, it won't disappoint.

Say what?! How many more days?! Hallelujah!

It's been quite awhile since my last posting, thought I better let everyone know I'm still here.
I can't believe there is only 24 more days left until the "BiG DaY". It doesn't seem real. I have long been awaiting for this day since February when Vaughn asked me to join him for eternity, actually since Christmas day when Vaughn & I realized we were meant for each other & decided to get married. So 7 months in reality. Its been quite the torturous never ending wait. There were days when Vaughn & I thought we were destined to be engaged for eternity. But there is an end (well, beginning) in sight! I see the light at the end of the 7 month tunnel & at last, July 15th will arrive in 24 days! From here on out we have several significant dates before our wedding day to help take our minds off the wedding. The one I am most looking forward to besides the marriage sealing is July 8th when I will be going to the Ogden temple for my endowments! I cannot wait for this new, unknown learning experience. I've read about what endowments are yet I still don't completely understand the concept which is why I can't wait to go to the temple to learn. I can't wait to be in the temple with Vaughn. What a dream come true!

Mathematical Marriage
Equation:

Ashley & Vaughn
+
July 15th, 2008
+
Salt Lake Temple
=
Celestial Marriage:
Husband & Wife!

Your focus determines your destination

At EFY last week I was fortunate enough to attend some of the classes that were offered. One of those classes happened to be preparing for a Celestial Marriage. So with a temple marriage ascending on the horizon, I thought it to be a perfect privelege. I suppose I never realized the huge difference between a Temple Marriage & a Celestial Marriage. A temple marriage describes the place you go to have an eternal marriage performed. A celestial marriage is being true to the sacred covenants you make in the temple marriage ceremony. It is living celestial principles in the marriage relationship. Do you see the difference? Faithful & righteous members of the church may have a temple marriage but are not guaranteed a celestial marriage. You can have a temple marriage yet not a celestial marriage. You must to honor at all times the sacred covenants you & your spouse make on your wedding day in order to have a celestial marriage. This class really put celestial marriage into perspective for me. So I told Vaughn that not only do I want a temple marriage, I want & must have a celestial marriage as well. Okay wonderful, it's settled then!

Speed Ring Shopping, a New Sport

So I finally went to get Vaughn's wedding ring. Yes, I procrastinated till pretty much the last minute. But I walk into the jewelers & from start to finish am there for 15 minutes. I knew exactly what I wanted. Craig showed me two cases of rings, no, no, no, no way, no, no, hello! We have a winner! I say thats the one I want for Vaughn & Craig says okay & that was it. In & out, thats always my motto. Right Bekah?! Tungsten they call it, such a good lookin piece of metal. Just like my Vaughn. Uh..subtract the metal part, he's just good lookin.

Ashley & Vaughn: Our Story

For those of you who are new to our website, I thought you may like to know the story behind the romance...

I first met Vaughn when I moved from California here to Utah. It was April of 1999, I was 15 years old and we were in the 9th grade at North Ogden Junior High. He called me Princess Leia, and from the little I can remember.. I was horrified. She has those hideous buns on the side of her head! I thought it was so nerdy for him to say that! Little did I know, he thought she was pretty, so to him it was a compliment..unfortunately to me, it was not. Then we moved on to Weber High for the next three years. Vaughn asked me out on a date in high school, yet I recall none of this... I turned him down. I think I may have had a boyfriend at the time. All three years of school we had not one class together! I wonder now how that was possible. After high school, Vaughn served an LDS mission to México. I was in school at Weber State University & I also did a lot of traveling, which I have a huge passion for. We met up again through the Young Single Adults 25th ward in November of 2006. He came over to invite me to a Relief Society program. He later told me that I was lookin smokin hot in some old pajama pants, no makeup, and my glasses on .. I thought he was crazy. I also noticed he had a permanent grin on his face & he couldn't peel his eyes away from me. It wasn't until 15, 20 minutes into the visit did he finally introduce me to the other guy he was with! The next day he mentioned to his co-workers that he saw the cutest girl yesterday, but wasn't sure he could ask me out. He never did... I spent that next summer in Central America, Costa Rica studying the Spanish language. A month after arriving home, Chelsea & I were at the Weber State Gymnasium working out. We were walking the track, came around the corner and I saw Vaughn. I thought oh hey its Vaughn, lets say hello! So Chels & I went over to chat, Chels said she instantly liked Vaughn. "Ash, he is really cute" she said. I was just thinking, yeah but it's Vaughn! I've known him since we were like fifteen. It would be weird to like him, & even more weird to date him! We talked for about 15 minutes, I asked him if he was dating anyone & he said no one in particular. I had been dating someone at the time. We then said goodbye & I was leaving for Salt Lake that next week because I had been offered a position as a flight attendant for a major airline. I went as planned, but the entire time there I felt like I was missing something. I had wanted to do this literally ever since I was a little girl. It was a big dream of mine! Still, I just felt empty and I realized I was not meant to be there for some unexplainable reason. I turned in all my books, materials, uniforms and walked away. I remember not even feeling the least bit sad, nor regretful. I drove away happy and excited for some odd reason & I thought, why am I not sad?! Whats going on? It was a strange feeling. I returned home, & thought.. I need a job! The very next day a huge blessing occurred: I was offered a position at Mountain View Chiropractic, definitely Heavenly Father was in on this one! I love my job, I can't believe the wonderful blessing. By this time its now mid October. I felt like everything in my life was right, everything was how it should be, truly wonderful. I prayed to Heavenly Father, I felt & knew that I was ready. I was now ready to meet my husband. Heavenly Father must have been waiting for me to realize this & He obviously knew all along because two days later I ran into Vaughn at the gym again. We were just talking & then he said he thought we should go out sometime. I said sure, & he asked for my phone number. Chelsea was excited that he asked me out because she really likes Vaughn & I was just like yeah, we'll see what happens...We went out that weekend, our first date was October 26th, 2007. I honestly have never had so much fun with someone before, we laughed all night long to where I couldn't laugh or smile anymore. I told him to not make me laugh anymore because it literally hurt. We got together everyday that weekend even Sunday we went over to his parents, the McFarlane home. I instantly took a liking to his family, I love them! They are incredible, wonderful, sweet, kind, welcoming & I could go on... & on. Since then we have been on well over 100 dates, Vaughn writes them down so we can look back to see what we've done & when. I love Vaughn Aaron McFarlane with everything I possibly have, he is my Wonderful! There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that I came home from Salt Lake so our Heavenly Father could bring us together. It took us awhile to get here, but it was so completely worth the wait! Thank you Bill & Janet for raising such a remarkable, extraordinary, amazing, magnificent, exceptionally amusing young man. I can't wait to marry Vaughn, mi Señor Romántico, to be with him for forever & eternity!

Adoro Vaughn con todo el corazón, quiero estar con Vaughn para siempre!

Update on EFY!

I am having so much fun at EFY. The spirit is definitely here & it is undeniable. I love my group of girls & guys they are so intelligent, really wise beyond their years & each day I love them even more. Even from my first meeting with each of them, I know & can feel very strongly that they are no doubt children of our Heavenly Father. He loves them sooo much, I actually felt the love he has for them! The feeling is quite overwhelming & wonderful. I love serving, & am so glad this opportunity was waiting for me! I also realized that I love teaching! I especially enjoy the evening devotionals, me & my girls have so much fun bonding & talking about the gospel, & of course...boys! They are in love with the fact that I am getting married so I brought photos to share, they were super excited. They want to meet Vaughn to make sure they approve, its cute. I feel so honored to be a counselor to these awesome youth & am so grateful that Heavenly Father has entrusted me to lead & teach these amazing young adults. These youth are incredible. They truly are. They have such incredibly strong & vibrant testimonies & I am amazed at how spiritual they are! I am also amazed that a few young fellows actually have the entire Book of Mormon & the Bible on their palm! Seriously, what 15/16/17 year old boys do that?! I love these kids!

Here is mine & Tim's awesome group

Me & my girls! Angela, Kylie, Lillian, Me, Annie, Jenna, Courtney, Megan, & Annette

Field Games

My awesome group of kids

Lunch time

My group at the Banquet Game night, "the tunnel game"...so much fun!Kyle, Me, Annie, Angela, Dominic, & Jeremy
Me & Kylie
Service Project: knitting hats


Annette & I

Future Missionaries!

Our Scripture Study spot

BriDaL PhoToS

Yesterday was a total girly day, busy, busy, go, go, go: full of makeup, hair, nails, dress and perfection...it's hard work lookin good. It was completely exhausting. If our wedding day is anything like yesterday...good luck to me. It will all be worth it though. I had my hair professionally done. After three hours of sitting in the salon I ending up looking like Princess Leia. I was a bit frustrated because we all know how I feel about looking like a star wars charachter. So we started all over & in the end it all worked out & I was happy. By then we were running late to my make-up appointment. (which turned out wonderful) So we rushed there & with no second to spare finally arrived to temple square for the photoshoot. I had so much fun! Matthew the photographer was showing me some girly poses & making me laugh. He would say: "Picture me as Vaughn" & that was all it took to get me smile with sparkle. I was the only bride there & I was getting quite a few of stares. There were also random people taking photos of me, including a man from Belgium. While busy workin it in front of the temple, mom was doing some missionary work to a couple from Belgium who were asking about the temple & how do I get in there? Do we need a pass? It was neat. We sent them to the missionaries. We got some awesome shots though, the weather was perfect for photography so that was a blessing.

It's really tempting to post some of the photos because they turned out great, yet I don't want Vaughn to see them. I am just posting one that mom took where I am too far away that you can barely see.


Just a sneak peak...

Getting beautified.

You can see my hair here, I wanted a braid incorporated & loved how it turned out.

Waterfall Hike

Vaughn & I went on a hike with the ward as an activity up to the Ogden waterfall.
It was a really fun workout!
On the hike back down, I asked Vaughn if he ever thought he would marry a girl who wore high heels around the campfire... (okay, it was one time!) everyone thought it to be hilarious, & they still bring it up whenever we go camping. It will be flip flops from now on. Last time I hiked this trail I wore flip flops, what was I thinking? I do not know. Hey, I could have showed up in stillettos.


We made it to the top!

Pausing to catch my breath...Vaughn didn't even break a sweat!

The beautiful view from the waterfall...

EFY ~

Next week June 9th-13th I get the coolest opportunity to be an EFY counselor! I will be responsible for my group of ten girls. How fun! I've wanted to do this for years, I attended the Especially for Youth program at BYU two years in a row back in high school & loved every second of it. I thought the counselors were so grown up & cool. Now I get the chance to be one of those "cool grown-ups!"...I hope. I am a big believer of this fantastic program & I really believe that EFY is where my testimony of the gospel really took off & became undeniable. So parents, send your children to EFY if you really want to build up their testimony! I just think it's neat that I can hopefully influence these young girls to be the best they can be & to have spirituality all tied into everything that we do is just icing on the cookie. What a wonderful blessing to have this opportunity! It's going to be such a blast, something I'll never forget! Totally rad.

Wedding

Was in Idaho for my cousins wedding this weekend, We had lots of fun. Here are some fun shots I got of the day & night...

One of Timmy & Heather's engagement photos

The beautiful bridesmaids: my two cousins there on the left-

Timmy totally smashed cake all over the side of Heather's face...Please don't Vaughn

My cousins: the handsome groomsmen

Dancing the Macarena

Cute little Jamie