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. :)

The best kind of validation. :)

There is always an instance from my day that inspires a blog post. :) Today, my thoughts revolve around the social need and human desire for validation from those around us. We crave to have the people we love and care about support, praise, and love us. We constantly need the approval of our fellow men. As much as these sort of affirmations are a good thing, I think that sometimes it can diminish our light and dim the image that we perceive for ourselves. When we do something that we believe is noteworthy and then don't receive any recognition for it, most allow it to affect their souls and make them angry, hurt, or confused. I came to realize this morning though that we do not need the validation from others. Humans validate things that they perceive are noteworthy or praiseworthy. They can only give you validation from what they witness on the outside of you. God gives you validation and praise based on what He sees on the INSIDE of you. His acceptance and love are perfect and un-biased. He is not influenced by today's standards and ratings of what is good and what isn't. He is only influenced by what he sees in your heart. :) The next time that you are struggling, remember that even if no one else understands why you are making the decisions that you are (for me, it's not going on a mission), He does. As long as you are seeking to do what is right, He will ALWAYS find a way to endorse your actions. Christ gives the very best affirmations, and He always, always will. :)

Help to heal the hurt.

I can't help myself. This has been on my mind for a solid week. Like, all day every day for a week. 

2,000 years ago, a man committed the most solitary, unselfish act that has ever been done/recorded in the history of our knowledge of everything. What does the Atonement mean to you? Why is it personal? Why don't enough people understand it fully? Yesterday in sacrament meeting, my lightbulb powered by this subject turned completely and fully on for the first time in almost twenty years. The Atonement is a process of constant re-conversion--to ourselves, God, and the gospel. Every time we sin, we go back to it, and we become re-converted and stronger than we were before. I think that this is why the Atonement is so personal and deep. You can memorize the scriptures word-for-word and read every conference and Ensign talk that has ever existed in the history of this church, but until you come to Christ to be healed of pain or wrongdoing, you cannot fully experience what the Atonement is. When you go to Christ to be healed, his Atonement is the means to your becoming whole again, and that stays with you for eternity. To those who still do not feel like they have a solid understanding of the Atonement, I can assure you that you can have one this very day if you want it. GO to Christ. Seek His help, love, and healing. He will re-convert and heal you every. single. time. Now, at this point, you're probably all thinking that I have committed some major sin. ;) I can promise you that I have not. My lightbulb turned on for another reason. I have been battling with feeling alone for the past week. I am a home girl, and I have just really, really missed my family this week. Yesterday, our YSA ward held family day, and mine wasn't able to attend. As I looked out over the congregation of students and their families, it hit home just how much I really missed mine, and I cried. I realized that what I was feeling must be what our Heavenly parents feel when they see us making wrong choices here and realize that they will not get to be with all of us again. I think that they have probably cried, too. The Atonement healed me of my homesickness and loneliness this week, and I know that it can heal you of anything you are struggling with too. Christ atoned for YOU. He atoned for Hitler, Stalin, Ted Bundy, the terrorists who flew two planes full of innocent people into the twin towers 12 years ago, the people who martyred Joseph Smith, and YOU. You and me both. Go back to Him. He is waiting to give you that hug that you need when your family can't be with you on family day in your YSA ward. ;) He WILL give you at testimony of the Atonement, because you are giving Him the chance to forgive and bless you. God delights in nothing more than blessing and forgiving his children.

Why is she superwoman by today's standards?

Pinterest tonight is my inspiration. I mean, isn't that how women gain inspiration? Going to Pinterest? ;) I was looking through some of the quotes, and I was surprised by how many of them were really, really sarcastic, mean, and rude. Our world has turned a corner. In order to be an empowered and successful woman, by today's standards, you have to be tough, mean, and know how to "dish it out". You have to know how to tell people off and walk away with that proud, swinging gate of just having accomplished something. You have to know how to put others down in order to build yourself up, and you have to tell the world that you are a WOMAN, and you are INVINCIBLE. Since when did being mean and telling people off make you successful and powerful?

I began to wonder what happened to being soft-spoken, non-offensive, and warm hearted. I began to wonder why we feel the need to stir the pot so often to create drama...or I guess, ACCOMPLISH something and "set things straight". Whatever happened to courtesy, love, and acceptance? Whatever happened to being humble and approachable? As women we need to be genteel and kind. We need to be nurturing and open-hearted. We need to let go of grudges. I am not saying that we should not be successful in life and pursue the things we want, but why is it that a teacher who whispers has a quieter, more obedient class than the one who yells to gain the attention of her students? Let's stop role-playing the model of today's empowered and successful woman. Let's change the world by whispering. Let's be kind, loving, and infinitely more powerful because of it. Make a change today. Apologize first next time...don't write that nasty note to your neighbor who lets their dog poop in your yard...love as Christ did. Infinitely and purely. 

Just a box. :)

I had one of the most humbling experiences of my life today. I have been humbled before, but for some reason, this experience took me to a whole new level of gratitude today. I went to the cafe in the music building up here at USU, tired and sore after a long day of rehearsals, practicing, and classes. As I was sitting waiting for for my food, I noticed a young lady sitting on the couch across from my table. I observed her for a moment. She has a walker due to physical and mental handicaps. This isn't what humbled me, however. She had purchased a piece of cake that was packaged in a clear box. As I watched, she picked up that box and began to try to open it. Due to her handicaps, her hands were not physically able to open the box. I watched her struggle for just a moment, and then I couldn't take it any longer. I walked over and opened her cake box for her. As I sat back down at my table, I tried not to let the tears slip out of my eyes. This beautiful girl was going to school and doing amazing things with her life despite her struggles and disabilities. She couldn't even open a cake box on her own, but she is here, trying and learning. I realized how ungrateful I am sometimes for my education. It is such a blessing to be able to be here, learning and growing. I also realized that I really don't appreciate my functional body and mind. I take it for granted EVERY day. This girl humbled me beyond measure today. I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to help her....It made me appreciate my beautiful, charmed life. So today, I challenge you to be grateful. Grateful for your working hands and legs. Grateful for your sharp intellect. Don't take it for granted, guys. We can open our cake boxes on our own.