Mercies In Disguise

          Another Sunday has come and I couldn't be happier. Today was a special Sunday.

First off, some of my brothers and sisters came down for Labor day weekend. Between hiking, cooking, and games, we have had oodles of fun. There is nothing else in this world that compares to spending time with ALL my family. Seriously the greatest thing to me. Even if not much happens. It's being together that really counts.

Second, we had a really great Sunday school lesson in Singles ward on Job. Or should I say trials? Because lets be real, how can the word "TRIAL" not blare at you when you think, "Job." Haha Rough life to say the least.

The topic lead me on a thought process about what trials really are for. Often our trials are looked at as obstacles, and stumbling blocks to be endured. But what if our trials were more then that? What if our trials are really blessings in disguise? In other words, a stepping block instead of a stumbling block.

This brought to my mind a familiar chorus to a song I hear on the radio,

"What if your blessings come through rain drops? What if Your healing comes through tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know You're near? What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?"

Here's the beautiful song to listen to. I love it.

Sooo, what if our trials really are mercies? I think they are. It's hard to believe it, but trials change us, and transform us for the better, they make us stronger, and they bring us closer to our Savior. If it was up to us, we would never choose to go through what some call "The Refiner's Fire" on our own. We would always back down. In the end, we would be like rough diamond in rock-so much potential and yet no way of gaining it. Atleast, not until our Heavenly Father comes in. He sees us for all our worth and potential and while it hurts to be cut, banged, and thrown around, in the end, we are polished, beautiful, and strong. All because SOMEONE cared enough to spend time polishing, perfecting, and loving us. Yet, it's always the same story, "Why me? Why do I have to go through this? Why has Heavenly Father forgotten me?" "Why has he abandoned me?"

And then our Heavenly Father, in all his love, and mercy reminds us,

"For, Behold, I Have Refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction." (1 Nephi 20:10)

"Wherefore, I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88)

Our Heavenly Father hasn't forgotten us! In fact, as if what I have already said wasn't enough he went above and beyond and chose to sacrifice his only begotten son so we could rise above our trials, difficulties, sins, and pains and find ultimate peace.

And yet we still insist that he has forgotten us...

John 15: 13, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

I know our Heavenly Father loves each one of us to a deeper extent then we can ever comprehend. I know that he has never forgotten or will ever forget us. "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands."
Everything in this world is a sign that God lives, loves, and cares for us. I am so grateful for that knowledge in my life, and that one day I can share it with people on my mission. I feel SO blessed! We are all so blessed.

To top my day off, I had an interview with my bishop so I can start my mission application, and receive my young women's medallion. So happy! So excited!

Apples, and Orchards, and Worms, Oh My!

Yesterday, was one of those "really productive days." Of course, I consider any day productive if I find something useful to do after work rather then hanging out on my computer writing blog posts...Oh, I mean, uh pinterest, facebook...you know, THAT stuff, or napping...you get the jist.
Instead I went straight to cleaning. Who would have thought? Ha! That's usually the last thing that appeals to me since part of my job consists of dishes and cleaning up. (Breakfast server at the B&B)

BUT, if I get straight on it, I can usually accomplish a lot before my body goes out of work mode. Yes, it's an actual mode (or should I say mood?...). I don't find myself there frequently, but on the occasions that I do, I am actually quit productive. Haha

Once I had the kitchen cleaned and dishes done, I couldn't stop there! Besides, the kitchen looked so good I couldn't help using it. Isn't that how it always is? Clean things just to mess 'em up again?

I went outside to our extremely LARGE orchard consisting of one little tree to harvest them apples off it.
Now I know what you are thinking, "How can you have an orchard with only one tree?" Aha! You are a quick one. Well, I will tell you. I guess it's like having a one man band. You can't, and yet you can...I know, I know. It's a hard concept to grasp. ;) I don't quit understand it myself. Maybe if we named the tree, "orchard" then it would make sense right?
Random person: "Where did you get these apples?"
Me: "From the orchard."
See what I did there? Witty I know...

The only problem was, when I went to harvest the apples, there weren't any! That is, there weren't any in the orchard...uh, I mean the tree. Apparently they have minds of their own and decided why be held back when we can be free? and they all fell off together only to discover the ground didn't have much to offer them either.

Me being the considerate person I am decided to take 'em, worms holes and all, and make something useful. They were pretty bad, but I salvaged what I could and was pleasantly surprised with how much I got.
Down there is some visual of my little endeavor.
After I had cut 'em all up, we threw 'em in the crock pot with some good ol' honey and cinnamon and now we have applesauce. Who would've thought?

Now while ya'll are contemplating over the extraordinary day I had, I think I will go have me some of that there applesauce right now. And you won't have to listen to my sourthen talkin' no more.
It's just that, you can't write a post about apples (AND ORCHARDS!) without talkin' a little country.

Ain't they pretty?? ;)

Mission Bound

"What are your plans this fall??"
THAT, my friends,...is an over asked question. A question that everyone, and their dog wish to know of me these days. (okay maybe not the dogs. That was a slight exaggeration. Though only slight...). Good news all you random citizens of the world who have asked me that question countless times the past few months, this blog post is for You! And You are welcome!...There is a small fee at the end you will need to pay though. I will be leaving my mailing address so you know where to send the money so no worries. I appreciate it. Have a nice day?...

Okay fine, I was a little rough with you. I actually do care about the interest people are taking in my life. What I don't appreciate is having to explain the exact same thing over, and over again. Haha

"Umm, actually I am not going to school. I am staying home like a pathetic little bug. That's right. Atleast until my birthday, and then I am outta here!"

Usually the conversations go a bit differently, and I don't really think I am a pathetic little bug for staying home. It's just that sometimes it sounds lame to say you aren't leaving when everyone expects you to be going to college. Ya know?

Anywho,...Shall we begin?

After my super awesome summer, which in a sense is still going, my life is finally beginning to settle down in that I don't have crazy fun activities planned every. single. weekend.

It kind of hit me the other day that I am not staying home from college for no reason, and that if I am staying home, I need to be making the most of it.

"A plan is just a plan until carried out." That's what I always say!...just kidding, I actually have never said that in my entire life. I just barely made it up.

This October will mark exactly two years from the prophetic declaration given by the prophet to lower the mission age.
In all honesty, I wasn't even there for it. I had to housekeep that Saturday so I missed the first session of General Conference. When I arrived home, my mom was talking rather excitedly about "some" news that was given earlier that day. Mind you I was completely unaware of anything at this point, but for some reason a little thought came into my head (totally out of the blue), "I wonder if they changed the mission age?" Don't even know where that came from!
When my mom confirmed the truth I was only slightly surprised. Since remember, I had already thought of it on my own in the first place. ;) Haha
No, actually it was quit exciting.

Up to that point a mission was more just wishful thinking in my mind. I wanted to go. I really did, but man, 21? I was sure I wouldn't make it. Haha

But now, to think, I could go two years earlier! Really??

Apparently I wasn't the only one who thought that either since after it was announced, the increase of sister missionaries was staggering.  Lowered age=Increased sisters

It wasn't finalized in my head yet that, I WAS GOING TO GO, but I had my sneaking suspicions that when the age to decide came, I would be right on board.

Sure enough, last fall I began taking the mission prep classes, and ever since then it has been a solid decision in my mind that, YES, I am going on a mission.

The decision felt so right. It still feels SO right. There is nothing I rather be doing right now then preparing for a mission, and there is nothing I rather be doing this coming winter/spring then leaving on a mission.
Anyways, my heart is so set on it now that I am afraid I couldn't possible do anything besides without feeling completely and overwhelmingly discontent and dissatisfied with my life. Haha
But for now, I know it is the right thing to do, and I know Heavenly Father wants me to-thank goodness! Because if for some reason it wasn't the right thing for me to do, I would probably go rebel and do it anyway. ;) Haha (just kidding)

For entertainments sake, I included that fun picture down below

So here's to sister missionaries and LDS missions in general! Yaah! :)

And now you may all rest peacefully knowing that, thank goodness, Jessica isn't just staying home to be a pathetic little bug. Phew! I was gettin' worried... 

Practically Broadway-Wicked

They say, "Patience is a virtue," but let's be real, if you received a ticket to Wicked could you be patient? Ya I know, I barely made it too. ;) It was my Christmas present last year, and not until last Saturday did I finally receive it. So after seven long, tedious, monotonous months, the day finally arrived. For the first time I was actually going to see a professional production of Wicked. Did I already mention how excited I was? Well, I was quit thrilled. I was given the CD as a teaser during Christmas since obviously it would be months until I actually received the present. First day, listened to it probably three times in a row only to be left with the conclusion that it would be months before the songs I was listening to became a reality.

(Before we headed off I had to make sure I looked decent for the night out. So here I am taking selfies in the bathroom of a smoothie shop-classy)

Tada! And here we are in front of the lovely capitol theatre about to watch one of Broadway's biggest hits so far! The whole production was thrilling! and I loved it all! Maybe one day I can be awesome like them and perform in big broadway productions. ;) I'll keep dreaming... ANYWAYS, between Lake Powell Thursday and Friday, Wicked Saturday, and a friends farewell on Sunday, I had quit the weekend. One of the busiest, but definitely funnest so far. So glad my parents had the patience to get me to and from all my events that week. I was so happy for it all.

Lake Powell

As I write this blog post I am currently sitting on my bed exhausted, sunburnt, and sore. Any ideas on what I could have possibly been up to? If the thought 'boating' popped into your head, you are quite right! 

Two days at Lake Powell can really take a toll on someone's body. It definitely has mine. However, I am glad to say that from my two day excursion to Lake Powell I can now successfully check off Wake boarding ["check"] and Wake surfing ["check"] on my list of accomplishments. 

It was incredibly tiring and somewhat discouraging, but eventually I had it figured out-something I thought I was incapable of and therefore not worthy of my time, or effort. What a sad excuse don't you think? And yet, to this day I am still so pleased with myself for accomplishing it.

I think it is disappointing the things we put off or ignore all together because we are afraid of failure or essentially, lack self-confidence. Don't worry though, I understand if you back down. This coming from a girl who is far from perfection and knows what it feels like to fail. On the flip side though, I also know the feeling of success and sometimes it's worth it to be daring in order to discover for yourself what you are capable of. Anyways, no need for further explanation. Back to original subject.

Once evening hit, a group of friends gathered around to watch the stars. The stars were beautiful at Lake Powell! I attribute this to two reasons:  A) You could actually see them  and  B) You could actually see them.      Get the point?

That's the beauty of adventures into the great outdoors, and away from the city-numerous stars you didn't even know existed pop out of no where! (If I didn't know better I'd say stars are shy of city lights) 

I camped out on the beach that night and watched the stars as I drifted into a dreamy sleep. Thank goodness I wasn't attacked by Coyotes, Kangaroo Mice, or Spiders. All legitimate creatures inhabiting the beaches of Lake Powell. 

The next morning we set out on the water again, and put in a good half days work of play before I had to abandon the fun at Lake Powell. Don't worry though I was going on to something bigger and better. Something that will for sure get a future blog post dedicated to it. ;)

All in all, I was very glad for the opportunity to go on this trip with my Singles Ward friends. To me it was the last hoorah before we left on our separate paths. Which, for most is college. I, however, do not get to join them because I have a very important mission to embark upon before I settle down in that happy little world we call college life. Though I would argue that not a lot of people would agree with me in calling college a, "Happy little world." I imagine it is actually quite stressful at times. Haha I guess I won't know 'til I go, and I won't go until I have finished my mission in two years from now.
No worries, I am way too excited about my life to be truly disappointed.

Moab, Utah-The Place I Call Home

One of the few Saturdays I've had free this whole summer so what did I do? Woke up at 4 in the morning with Neal, Dallin, and two friends to embark on an epic hike up to Delicate Arch to watch the sunrise. Best decision ever! And totally worth leaving my comfortable bed to do so.

(Short disclaimer: I was not the talented photographer who snapped this amazing pic. However, I do have a few of my own below)

Get this, even though we left at 4:30 and arrived around 5:00am we still weren't the first ones there. Plus a small group was not even five minutes behind us. By the time we left, people were everywhere! The parking lot that had been empty was now overflowing with cars. Moral of the story: if you want to hike Delicate Arch, 4:30 is the time to do it! Haha but really...

If there is one thing I love, it is the outdoors. Anytime all the time. I have to say though, being at Delicate Arch early in the morning watching the sun slowly caressing over the horizon was a new kind of thrill. I think Moab is beautiful and I feel so blessed to live here! As someone once said, "Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away." The beauty of nature and God's creations never cease to amaze me.

My Blog

I am so excited to be starting my blog-Sugar & Spice-Everything Nice. This blog will be a collection of my adventures, insights, passions, recipes, and creations. In essence, it is the sugar, spice, and everything nice about my life.