Parks and Recreation (Not the TV Show)

I am a college graduate! 



This is me right after I took my very last final. 

I now have a bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation (No, I have not seen the TV show, but I am sure it is very funny).

Of course, after all the stress was over I reflected over the last 5 years. I felt a lot of emotions, mostly relief.  This stage of my life has been rich with experience. I am so grateful for all the all the growth that has occurred because of those experiences. Such a wonderful blessing. 

At the end of my Human Resources class my professor shared a quote with us and on our final had us write about it. The quote was, "Education is what is left after you've forgotten everything you learned." As I pondered this I started to recognize the "education" that I really have received. I have gone to 4 different universities and have studied several different subjects. These are all things that really I was kind of embarrassed about, but in reality it has contributed so much to my "education." 

The last thing that I have noticed is my confidence level. From a baby freshman to a college graduate there are so many more things that I know I can do because of my college education. Throughout this stage in my life I felt a lot of fear and anxiety. The Lord pushed me hard. Looking back now, these experiences are the ones that gave me the confidence and peace that I was seeking. It is exciting and comforting to see this in the past, because I know that the trials and experiences ahead are going to continue to make me the person I am seeking to be. 

June

I thought I would post about our fun month of June while it's more than halfway through July.

What a summer, can I just say that? I cannot believe all that has happened this summer. I am so grateful for the growth and joy that I so needed this summer. So many new perspectives and tests of faith that I truly needed. God is so so good.

The summer camps I did for my internship started in June. What an experience. I'm so grateful for those sweet kids who were so patient with me as I tried to figure out what I was doing. I was in charge of a Sports and Wellness camp and Jr. Chef and Creative Craft camps. In the end I gained new confidence in my ability to do things I really didn't know how to do. I also learned that programming is not really what I want to do. Fancy that. It's not a huge surprise to me because I have never known what I have wanted to do. This has been a source of frustration for me for a long time, but I have started to accept it (I am really horrible at taking pictures, so no pictures of summer camps).

In the middle of June Mckay and I experienced some deep sadness, but it was in the midst of so much goodness and happiness too. Such a tender mercy from our tender Father in Heaven. He really is so good.

My dear, wonderful grandma Panganiban came to stay with my parents last month for a couple of weeks. Oh what a treat that was for me and oh how much I love that woman. When I think of my fiery grandma I cannot help but think strength. She has endured some very hard trials, but also experienced some amazing blessings. She, along with my grandpa, forged the way for all their posterity to enjoy the blessings of this great country. I can never thank them enough. Since we live so close to my parents, they brought my grandma up to our little home. It really was such a treat. We went out to dinner and got to visit, just the five of us. Later that week Mckay and I went down to my parents and most of my family came to spend time with my grandma and to enjoy her amazing Filipino cooking! I did take pictures of this because it was seriously amazing!

Jamie, digging in before the picture could be taken!

Mckay is seriously the best. He loves playing with my nieces and nephews.

Our chatting circle. Having both my grandma's together was the best!

Seriously, my grandmother is beautiful!

I just love these people so much! It was so funny. I told my grandma Mckay and I wanted to take a picture with her before we left. She said, oh, okay honey, I just have to see if I still look sexy! Ha! She's the best. 

After this wonderful time we headed down to St. George for the Lindsey Family Reunion. Can I just say, I married into the best family. We had such a good time swimming, playing games, chatting, and laughing with Mckay's extended family. And then the rest of the weekend we got to spend with Mckay's whole immediate family (except Haley because she was in ICELAND! She's so cool). Being with Mckay's family is the best. We only wish we lived closer!! We played card games, made homemade ice cream, ate lots of amazing food, and enjoyed the sweetness of our nieces and nephews. I learn so much every time we are with them. I am so grateful I have the teachings of my own parents and then on top of that the teachings of Mckay's parents too! Such a sweet tender blessing. 

Shaking our ice cream - Thank you Bryson for buying all the stuff!

Our next adventure from Mckay's house was SAN DIEGO!! Yay!! 

This vacation is one I have wanted to take for a long time. I finally convinced Mckay that it was worth the money and it definitely was. 

(Just a quick note: I am NOT a photographer. I rarely take pictures because usually I am not thinking about capturing the moment. I just want to enjoy it. So if the quality is terrible it's because I have no idea what real photography is.)

Getting to San Diego was quite the trip. It took a lot longer than we expected! That first night we got to our hotel that was right by the harbor so we walked the harbor. It was such a different scenery than I am used to seeing. Seeing the boats, water, and then the beautiful skyline was really breath taking. We got dinner and then collapsed in bed. The next morning we got up and headed to the temple. 

The famous picture of San Diego that everyone gets. We had to. I have told this to so many, but I am glad I didn't know what the temple looked like before I got married or there would have been no stopping me from getting married there. Seriously, talk about feeling like a princess. Beautiful! It was such a peaceful wonderful morning. 

From there we headed to La Jolla beach. Unfortunately, it was raining so we didn't actually walk around on the beach. We headed to the Birch Aquarium though. Mckay and I love going to things like this. It is so amazing to see all of the creatures that God has created. God truly has an endless imagination and is brilliant. 

Cool Jelly fish - the light in their display would change colors so it made it look really cool.

Humongous eel. Reminded me of The Little Mermaid. 

This guy was a sea horse! Seriously the coolest. It's not a very good picture, but those leaves are coming off of the sea horse!

It was a cute little aquarium. The cool thing about it was because it is so close to the ocean they can pump ocean water into their displays. All the sea creatures have fresh ocean water. Outside they also had a tide pool area where you could touch the sea creatures. I don't touch sea things, but Mckay thought it was really cool. 

One of the best parts about being in San Diego was being able to see a childhood friend that I hadn't seen in years! After our aquarium adventure we had dinner with my friend and her boyfriend, Jessie and Adam. I am kicking myself because we didn't take any pictures! Again, I am too excited about the moment that I don't remember to document it. 

Before heading to dinner we stopped at the beach since it had stopped raining. In my excitement of jumping over waves I accidentally dropped my new phone in the ocean. So it was out of commission for the whole second day while it dried out. 

The next day Mckay and I spend the day at the San Diego Zoo!

We LOVE zoo's! This one was incredible. Not only are the animals cool, but the whole park is a botanical garden. Everything was beautiful. I felt like we walked a marathon or more that day. We didn't even get to see everything either! My favorite was seeing the gorillas and the hippo. And even though I got a little sick on the skyfari, it was fun too. 

After a quick stop to our hotel we got changed to spend the rest of the night with Jessie and Adam again along with Jessie's younger brother Luke. It truly filled my soul with joy being able to see them again and being able to spend time together. Jessie and I discussed and agreed there is really nothing like a childhood best friend. Those relationships just don't change and they bring out some of the best parts of you. We spent the night at Ocean Beach. Jessie and I walked the beach while the boys played Frisbee and swam in the ocean. We all went to their farmer's market right by the beach and walked around trying to find a restaurant. We finally settled on a Mexican food restaurant. Both nights we had Mexican food with them. It was so good. Again we came back to our hotel exhausted, but so happy!

The last day we spent on Coronado Island. What a beautiful and quaint little Island. We were planning on riding bikes around the island, but the day was so beautiful that we ended up staying on the beach the whole time. What an amazing beach! It was exactly what I was hoping and expecting. 

Mckay and I spent the day soaking up all the rays we've been missing while living in Logan, playing Frisbee and picking up sea shells along the beach. We found so many! We found a huge clam. It was so cool/disgusting. After our relaxing day at the beach we headed back to St. George. But of course, not until we had stopped for Little Caesar's (Mckay's absolute favorite). 

Can we just go back?? I miss the salty air that made my hair so easy to deal with, the amazing food, the city sky line, and my friends!

We spent a little more time in St. George then headed to my brother's for a 4th of July BBQ and fireworks at my sister's house. It was an amazing vacation and needed more than ever. 

One last video. Our little clam.

Until our next update!

Peace and blessings.

Peace and blessings.

Be still, My Soul

Yesterday Mckay and I sat out on our hammock. It was a beautiful evening. It was a much needed break from the daily grind of life.

The view from our hammock of our backyard and home.

I am a worrier. I worry about everything. I don't know where it comes from. My mind can just never sit still and be at peace. I have been thinking lately about how little time I take to ponder, meditate, and be still. I'm either sleeping or going a million miles an hour. I used to be really good at it, but it seems with a smartphone I can't just sit there and let myself think, I have to be constantly cramming information into my brain. I know, pitiful. What a life to live. Seriously though. Always filling my mind with someones else's thoughts besides my own? Never taking time to think deeply about life, it's meaning, it's beauty, and it's miracles. I have found myself overwhelmed with anxiousness at times and now, thinking about it, it is extremely embarrassing that I could work myself into such a mess. It is obvious to me that taking just a moment to enjoy the little, simple things of life can create peace. What's worse is thinking about all the small communications I am missing with my Father in Heaven. I used to feel such love and grace from my Heavenly Father so easily. It would flow into my heart and mind so strongly that it would leave me overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. 

What have I done?

I find peace and solace in the reality of change. In the reality of a living Savior who beckons me in my worst and my best to follow him and to become like him. I find hope in the reality of his sacrifice. That through his boundless love I can love myself and those who have been placed around me. I cannot afford to lose myself to this world. I cannot afford to merely drift in and out of my life never allowing my spirit to reign freely. 

Be still, my soul.

Excitement

Exciting things are happening at the Lindsey home.

First of all, Mckay was accepted into the Masters of Accounting (MAcc) program at Utah State! I am so proud of him. I cannot begin to describe how incredible he is. He works so hard in school and in everything he does. There is an option at Utah State where if you do well enough during your undergraduate accounting degree you can qualify for the five year program. So Mckay will be able to get his undergraduate degree and his Masters degree in five years!

When I asked him if he had told his parents yet he said, "No, because it's not that big of a deal. I didn't have to take an entrance exam or anything." Well, I'm here to tell you it is a big deal because he takes extremely hard classes and does extremely well. The requirement to do the accelerated accounting program is to pass certain classes with certain grades. If he passes those classes then he doesn't have to take an entrance exam, but can immediately start taking his master's classes. Well, he did that and that is something to be excited about! So Mckay will be a part of the Fall 2016 graduating class!

The exciting news for me is that I will be done with my degree next Fall semester! Finally right? I just started my internship last month and then I will have one semester of classes to take. There is a light at the end of this very long tunnel! I have been grateful for my education though. I was able to experience many different universities. I have met some amazing people and learned some really neat things along the way. I am so grateful I have had the opportunity to get an education. It has been something that is very important to me. There have been many times in the last couple of months I have wanted to quit and drop out. This semester has been a little overwhelming, but I am so close and it means too much to me to not get my degree.

Though there are still many unknowns we are excited for what the future holds and are so grateful for the many opportunities we have.

The Ring

I think it's about time to write about the deal that Mckay and I found when we got married. 

A woman's wedding ring, along with a man's, is the symbol that they wear everyday to signify their love, devotion and commitment to each other. 

When Mckay and I decided to get married, I think between us both we had probably $1,500. That's enough money for about half a ring, but I am not super high maintenance so I was determined that I could find what I wanted within our budget. I really didn't know what I wanted. All I knew is that I wanted rose gold or gold and a small diamond.  

So one weekend we went up to Rexburg where my parent's are living. We went to a ring store that said 75% off. We thought wow, good deal. None of the rings were really that pretty and were $1,000 and up. Let's get real here.

#1. That would take all of our money.

#2. We didn't want to go into debt for a ring.

#3. I didn't want a ring that I didn't think was that pretty. 

So we got in the car and cruised on down to Kmart. Yes, Kmart sells diamond rings. Having to pay for everything I owned from an early age I have developed this prejudice against paying full price for anything. I love finding deals! I found a diamond ring that was okay. 

We got back in the car and looked up if there were any pawn shops in Rexburg. I had heard that you could buy a diamond at a pawn shop and then just buy a setting for it. We found the only one! Targhee Pawn Shop. 

AHHH!!!

This is what we pulled up to!

If only we had thought to take pictures of the inside. Hoarders. Times ten. There were huge piles of...junk...clear to the ceiling. Even before getting out the car Mckay expressed his doubt. I made him get out of the car and we ventured in. 

The man inside was the perfect man to own this pawn shop. Again, so sad I didn't think to take a picture with him. He was a little overweight, wore glasses that took up half of his face, and had eyebrows that were trying to eat his glasses and everything else around them. He asked what he could help us with and with Mckay 5 feet behind me I told him jewelry. Rings specifically. He shuffles in the back rummages through some boxes and pulls out two clear boxes full of rings. 

It was seriously like a treasure hunt. There were some rings that were off the wall weird and then there were some that were absolutely gorgeous. With my two criteria in mind it boiled down to two. One was so beautiful. It was simple, gold, and exactly what I was looking for, but it only fit my pinky. Having it sized would have been a little tricky just because they would have had to add gold to it, but not a huge deal. The other one fit me perfectly. It was a diamond shape which wasn't what I preferred, but with this ring it was so pretty and I kept going back to it, putting it on, and admiring how perfect it was. 

After deciding we asked about rings for men. Mckay looked through some and actually found one that he liked and fit him. We are both simple people and weren't looking for anything fancy. 

So....$318 later we walked out with both our rings. $318 people! We were ecstatic! Who buys wedding rings for that much money? Who buys wedding rings at pawn shops? 

Oh, the Lindsey's do. 

My ring isn't just the greatest deal I have found in my life, but the symbol of the covenants I made with my Father in Heaven and with my sweet husband in the temple of the Lord. It reminds me of the great blessings that can by mine if I live worthy of them. It reminds me that this marriage isn't just for this life, but for eternity.

It was a great tender mercy from the Lord to help us find rings that we liked and were affordable. And it is the greatest blessing and gift from the Lord to be sealed forever to my husband and future family. 

 

Blessings

I love when semesters start and end. Everything in between is a roller coaster, but the start and end of a semester is exciting and rewarding. 

There is so much I want to do this summer. I expect I will only get half of it done, but that will be good enough for me. We have kicked off our summer with a visit from my mom, brother, and his sweet girlfriend. We had a great time working at my grandma's house with all my cousins and aunts. We went shooting, played games, and ate lots of food. Mckay was a great entertainer for all of us. He has enough energy to power a small city. Like usual, I didn't catch any pictures of all our fun. 

I love Sundays. It has always been a day for me to reflect and let gratitude fill my heart for the life that I have been given. Mckay and I were just talking about how blessed we have been. He is my greatest blessing. I learn so much from him everyday. His patience with me humbles and motivates me to be so much better than I am. This has been a trait of his that I have admired since we started dating. He has brought so much light and joy into my life that I really didn't know I could experience. It felt unreal that I could ever be so blessed to have a husband so loving, forgiving, and so kind. When he was serving his mission I felt like I could never keep up with the rapid growth he was experiencing. I was convinced he would take one look at me when he came home and decide I wasn't what he was looking for, but the Lord worked a miracle and Mckay decided he still loved me. Truly a miracle. 

Another great blessing is my mother. This Mother's Day I was so blessed to have my mother here with me. She has been my best friend, my comfort, strength, and nurturer. She has sacrificed so much of herself to be what I needed her to be which has given me the ability to become a better person. I am so grateful to be her daughter. 

I have truly been blessed. 

A Miracle!

I want to share a short, but sweet experience I had yesterday. It may not seem that sweet to you, but it was to me. 

School is ending. Spring is here. I am ready to be done. For one of USU's university requirements I was enrolled in an Introduction to Christianity class. Cool right? No. Not cool. The only reason it isn't cool is because we have to write 3 page essays every other week. 3 pages, I know, it's not that bad, but it's the reading that makes it hard. My poor attention span is about the size of a peanut. So yesterday I sat down to write two of these little essays. 

I prayed and plead for Heavenly Father's help. I told myself I just have to get started. I can do this! Then, the spirit, the sweet, sweet spirit reminded me of a lesson I have learned several times in my life. In order for Heavenly Father to help us we first have to do our part. For example, to split the Red Sea Moses and the children of Israel had to take the first steps into the water. In order for a miracle to be produced we have to show our faith first. 

So last night, after this sweet reminder, I dove into my horrible essays and got them both done. At the end of the day Mckay was so impressed. He told me that he didn't think I would get even one done by this weekend (he knows me too well). I was actually surprised as well. 

God hears and answers our prayers. As we are worthy and seeking the spirit he will teach us and bring truths to our remembrance. Faith is more powerful than we can imagine. It can truly produce miracles, small and large. Like writing two 3 page essays.