Let's Start With a Bang!

Oh, I just had the most amazing week!

School ended and then I headed off to Havasupai!

What an amazing place. If you ever have the chance to go don't let it slip by. 

Everything about this trip was choreographed by the Lord.

The people that I spent time with are just amazing.

Hands down one of the funnest trips I have ever been on.

A little bit about Havasupai if you don't really know.

This is a hike that you backpack down into the Grand Canyon and then camp by the river. There are amazing falls everywhere. April was the perfect time to go too. The hike wasn't scorching hot, but it was warm enough that the water was enjoyable. The rocks were surprisingly not smooth so it was easy to climb up the smaller waterfalls.

I wish I could go back!

On my way back I was dropped in St. George. My awesome brother-in-law competed in the half Ironman in St. George last Saturday so I stayed to support and cheer. It was amazing to hang out with my family. Most of the time I spent with my niece and nephews and I just love them so much!

I was also able to see my dear dear friend Adriana. What a blessing she is in my life. She continues to be an example and a strength to me in my life.

I am a blessed girl. I am so thankful for my life and for good vacations. I am also thankful to come back and start normal life again. Summer has started off real good!

Believe

Prayer and Fasting work.

God hears and answers our prayers. There's no doubt about it. 

Have faith. 

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God..." Romans 8:28

 

Heavenly Father’s interest in you does not depend on how rich or beautiful or healthy or smart you are. He sees you not as the world sees you; He sees who you really are. He looks on your heart. And He loves you because you are His child.

Dear sisters, seek Him earnestly, and you will find Him.

-Elder Uchtdorf "You're Wonderful Journey Home"

Choices, choices, choices. 

So many choices. 

It seems like just when you decide something, another something comes up and it twists and turns the things you decided. I know. Pretty confusing. 

Luckily, the Lord sent the Holy Ghost to help guide our way. 

I got a new job today. 

At this present time I feel like I am in a transition period and it is giving me a headache. There are so many things to think about and none of them are coming up yet. 

The Key Office has been an interesting experience. I have learned so much and met some wonderful people. Because of some changes the atmosphere changed drastically. So I will now be working at the Upholstery Shop. Pretty funny, I know. My boss is going to be awesome though. Just talking to them today I felt so grateful for their understanding of my situation. 

Fall semester is coming so quick. I know that seems silly since Summer hasn't even really started, but in less than two weeks I am going to Havasupai, coming back, starting Spring term, leaving for Wyoming before Spring term even ends, and by the time I get back school will be starting again. 

Do I go through school as quick as I can? Or do I slow it down and prolong this period of life. I am excited to start practicing as a Rec Therapist, but also feel extremely inadequate. Pretty normal considering I just started my major classes. 

Tuesday night was my concert for my choir class this semester. It was so fun. I just love music so much. Do I slow school down and extend it by adding a music minor? Would a music minor really be that beneficial for my field? But then again does it matter? Education is education. I am not just going to be a Rec Therapist in my life. I am hoping to be many things. A mother is included in that. Oh how I wish to bring music to my home. Some of my most cherished moments in my life have been with my mother singing or playing the piano together. 

When I return in the Fall I want to try to get a job at a Residential Treatment Center. There is just so much for me to learn and so much experience for me to gain. 

Today at work my friend Tessa said, "I am not afraid of change, but it is hard for me to let go." Way to hit it right on the head Tess. This is exactly how I am. Letting go of anything is the hardest thing for me. I get comfortable. Even if the changes are good and I know they are healthy I still have a hard time letting go of that part of my life. 

Growing up, man. It is pretty tough sometimes. 

This week I was contacted by Triangle C Ranch. I AM SO EXCITED!! 
When my sister first told me about Triangle C I looked them up online and that night I spent over an hour looking at their sight and day dreaming. Now several months later I am only two months away from being there living a lifestyle I have always wanted to experience.

What is it about this lifestyle that is so appealing to me you ask? Honestly, it is the type of work. Getting up in the morning to go outside, be with horses, fix up a fence here and shovel some poop there. Yes, even shoveling poop sounds exciting to me! The best part about this is that I get to work with kids. It will be a great experience to get my creative juices running for my career. I get to stay in a teepee once a week. I know, pretty cool. 

Provo is trying to decide if it is Spring yet or still Winter. Please pick Spring. I just want the sun to turn everything bright and vibrant. The rain is kind of nice though. It reminds me of Redding (my hometown). 

Havasupai! Can't wait! It's going to be amazing. 

Paradise+hiking+good company=one happy Joanie

Well, need to study for finals now. Work then play. 

Be happy. Tomorrow is Friday!

The Joys of Modern Technology

So apparently the first presidency is now allowing missionaries to email whoever they want, not just family. 

This morning I had a HUGE surprise.

My email account is synced to my phone, which on days like today I am super grateful for. 

This adorable guy:

He emailed me today!

What a joyful surprise! 

I pulled down my notification bar and saw his name as the sender. Maybe my heart skipped a little bit...Okay, a lot. 

116 days. He gets home in 116 days. Time has been on my side these last 20 months. I feel like it was yesterday that he left. 

Sorry for the sappy post. I just had to share this simple pleasure of the day. 

Happy Monday people!

What is Your Center?

Sometimes I wish I could be a wildflower.

They are freedom to me.

Thinking of me as a child I was so much like a wildflower. 

Being the baby of the family I did whatever I wanted. I was free from stress, soaked up the sun all day long, and played to my heart's content. 

I love watching wildflowers sway in the wind.

This is corny, but I love watching wildflowers sway in the wind because it makes my soul feel free. 

There is a poison that I sometimes fight. 

It's like the winter frost that freezes over flowers when Spring comes too early, killing the natural beauty and freedom of my soul.

This battle, I know, is one that many fight.

It is laced with lies and sprinkled with truth.

Along with all woman I am bombarded with the world's perception of perfection.

It really hit me my Freshman year of college. 

As Winter gradually buried Rexburg, my weaknesses, compared to this perfection, gradually buried my soul.

There was so much I needed to learn about God. Most especially about love. True Love. 

So the Lord sent really patient and loving people into my life:

 

My amazing Mother

My brother

Adriana

 

Kurt

 

Blaine and Ladd Family

Mckay and Lindsey Family

These are just a handful of the people who have shown me what true charity is.

These people have pointed me to the source of love, encouraged me to have hope, and strengthened me through the light that they emit by being true disciples of Jesus Christ. When I am around these people my soul feels as free as wildflowers swaying in the wind. The beauty that is inside of me is set free around these people and I actually feel beautiful, inside and out.

The same being who created beautiful wildflowers, created me. I am his daughter along with all other women. God sees beauty in me and loves me for all that I am and all that I am trying to become. 

"...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." - Samuel 16:7

It is what is inside that is most important. The beauty from within is what shines out.

I watched "The Rise of the Guardians" with my brother last night. It was a great movie.

At a crucial time in the rise of the guardians, Santa asks Jack Frost, "What is your center?" Santa illustrates what his center is through stacking wooden Santa's (don't know what they are actually called). It almost felt like Santa was asking me the same question. "What is your center?"

Today, while I accompanied my brother to Walmart, we talked about the movie and how we both stayed up last night thinking about this question. Jokingly we both declared "I don't know!" But like Jack Frost we will figure out what our center's are. We will figure out why we were sent here to earth at this particular time.

The Gospel is true. We are God's children.

"I pray thee, O God, that I may be beautiful within." - Socrates 

Dreams Do Come True!

Where, you ask, is this beautiful place? 

This, my friend, is where I will be working this Summer!

I have been offered a job at Triangle C Ranch this Summer being an assistant children's counselor. This afternoon I was called and tomorrow I will accept the job!

This is my dream. Literally my dream. I cannot wait to be on the Ranch watching the beautiful sunrises and sunsets, breathing in the fresh air with a hint of animal smell, and meeting new and awesome people! 

I am going to buy me some cowboy boots!

AHH! I am so excited!

Being a children's counselor is going to be awesome! This is exactly what I was looking for this Summer. I really wanted to find something that could give me experience in my field of study and fulfill my dream of living on a ranch. 

I cannot wait for all the things that I will learn this Summer. Every new experience brings so many new lessons and self-discoveries.

Oh I just feel so blessed and so excited!

Happy Wednesday ya'll!

I will just leave you with one more picture...