Thanksgiving--the reason for the season. :)

People are always curious about why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday...it's a reasonable sort of thing to be curious about. I'll tell you, though. I'll tell you EXACTLY why Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I love cuddling with my six, darling siblings to read books and not worry about time or a schedule. I love being with my amazing dad in the kitchen all day long--just cooking and cooking..something we both love. :) I love not having the possibility of getting caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday--there are no gifts to buy, no big concerts to attend, and no waking up at 4 AM. I love the simplicity of the idea of Thanksgiving...a whole day where we just get to revel in all of the wonderful blessings that God has given us. In my mind, there can't possibly be a more beautiful sort of day. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a Christmas hater...I'm just more of a Thanksgiving lover. Happy Thanksgiving, guys. :)

for Love. :)

I found this quote the other day...don't ask me where it's from or who said it, because I couldn't tell you. :) "If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change." Now, for just a moment, close your eyes. Well, now you can't read this, so you'll open them again as soon as you figure that out. But I want you to close your eyes for just a minute and think about something that you view negatively. Think about a situation, a friend, a family member....now, I want you to picture yourself as Christ, and do the same thing again. I do not say this to be sacrilegious in any manner; I say it so that you can truly see this person or situation as Christ would. Where does their beauty lie? What are their strengths? Why were they put in your path? Now, I guarantee that if you intently study the situation as Christ would, your view of this person will change. I've had it happen to me. Today, someone told me that there are things in life that will outweigh anything wonderful that you can buy in this festive season of the year. The relationships that you have with people will outweigh that. Repair the broken relationships that you have with family members and friends this season. Don't let the disconnect still be there. There is no sweeter feeling than the healing that comes after that repair. It's what He would want....and really, it's what you want too. :)

not-so-accidental Interview. :)

I know that it has been said before, but God really does work in amazing ways. I can't help it. #I'mamormon. These posts come around every once in a while. :) Yesterday, a member of the bishopric texted me and asked if I could meet with the my Bishop today, and I willingly agreed. I was a little confused--I already had a calling, and my temple recommend was up to date...no mission plans either. Maybe he was going to chastise me for not doing my visiting teaching this past month........yeah..... Anyway, I put it to the back of my mind until today. I showed up at his office at the appointed time and he ushered me in. I sat down, still a little perplexed as to why I was there. He proceeded to say, "Jessica! How are you? You're here for a temple recommend, right?" Me: "Um, Bishop, you most certainly gave that to me last week." Bishop (dumbfounded): "Wait, really? Man! I thought I hadn't given you your recommend yet!!" Me (proceeded to pull recommend out of my wallet): "Well, you most certainly did!" So, instead of having a temple recommend interview, we just had a chat instead. I just sort of asked him some questions that had been weighing on my mind really heavily this past week, and the things he said were EXACTLY what I needed to hear. I needed a little bit of assurance this week, and that is how I got it. The Spirit knew that I needed to confide in someone and get some help this week, and He knew exactly how to get me into that office, because I am often too nervous to ask for help even if I need it. And maybe I didn't think that I needed that talk as much as I did, but afterwards I realized how much a simple conversation with a wonderful, spiritual Bishop had helped me. The Lord works in amazing ways, friends. I know that He is ALWAYS there for you, even if you are not there for Him. The church is true, guys. It really is. :)