The Aunt Hat

Life brings lots of hats. I've got my work hat, church hat, and school hat...friend hat, daughter hat, and sister hat. But right now in life, I think one of my very favorite hats is my aunt hat. I love being an aunt!

I decided to make a quick visit to Idaho this weekend to visit my two nephews. It's amazing how fast they are growing up. When I first arrived, we went to the Idaho Falls Temple grounds to feed ducks. I really enjoyed watching Mark delight in feeding the geese. He's so great! When we got home we had a tickle war. His smile and giggle makes me SO happy. I had to be so careful at what I did/did not do because he would copy everything I did. Part of me just wants to feed him dozens of twinkies to see if I can add enough preservatives to keep him right where he is at. Some say two's are terrible. I like two's...but maybe I'm partial because I'm 22. :D

I was excited to help put baby James to sleep. It makes me feel successful when I can hold a baby and they don't cry. :D In the picture Leslie was making me laugh, but I was so proud of myself for figuring out how I could multitask!

Now,when the kids are asleep...I play! Growing up my grandpa had a go-cart. The rule was if you could touch the pedals you could drive. By the time I was tall enough to drive, the go-cart tradition had been parked. Recently my sister was given the go-cart and I was finally able to drive it. I definitely fit the tall requirement now...my knees are nearly wrapped around the wheel. It was so fun. I was a little nervous at first. Brett says I left skid marks on the driveway because of all my breaking :D I'd like to do a speed race between the go-cart and my bug. There's question in my mind of which would win.

When it comes down to it, I just have to say I am so grateful for family. I love my role as aunt and with it my role as sister and daughter. I have the world's greatest parents, siblings, and nieces and nephews.

A grateful Student

I'm often asked, how/why I decided to major in communication. The answer is kind of simple. Because my ultimate goal is to be the world's greatest mom for my kids. I wanted to get an education in something that would not only make me happy and be beneficial for me in the work force, but also something that would help me be the best mom I could be.

Although I have not been able to use my degree in the way I had planned yet, I have loved the opportunities I've had to help friends, family, co-workers, and people I don't even know because of the skills I have obtained. I've loved creating websites for non-profit organizations, designing wedding announcements (like the picture posted), taking wedding photos, creating gifts for family members, and list continues.

I am so grateful for the tithes of so many that made my education at BYU-Idaho possible. I'm also so grateful that I was guided to a major perfect for me. A major that would allow me to follow my passion and serve others. When it comes down to it, I can't doubt that God is aware of me.

Celebrating One Year

Yesterday I celebrated working one full year at Aspen Grove and so the secretaries in the office made me a celebrating snowman out of shredded paper and construction paper. I truly work with the world's best.

It's amazing fast time goes. I remember driving up the canyon for the first time. I remember I drove the speed limit and took my time, soaking in the scenery. For the first month or so I was quite shy in the office. I tend to be that way when I am in a new situation. However, it didn't take long for me to come out of my shell. Now Aspen Grove is my home.

I love driving up and down the canyon with my window down. I love picking up the mail every morning from the fire station. I love it when Jim yells across camp, "Good Morning, Jenessa!" occasionally when I get out of my car. I love when the fire place is on in the winter. I love when you can smell breakfast cooking in the summer. I love the one on one chats I have in Mark's office. I love the conversations over the radio. I love the jokes and teasing that goes on between me and Jared. I love the bright pink paper in the copy room. I love to stamp the checks--I feel like a kid playing house. I love it when people unfamiliar with Aspen Grove try to say "Huish." I love that Scott says "hi" an octave higher than normal. I love it that Greg doesn't have e-mail so I can be his "personal secretary."I love sitting on the back counter and having girl talk with Charlee, Becca and Michelle (thanks for listening, sisters!). I love talking to people about their summer reservations and being so excited, I feel like I'm going on vacation too. I love it when people speak highly of the work and programs we provide. I love walking out the door and seeing giant Mount Timpanogos.

There are just SO many things about this place I can't get enough of it. I'm so glad I work at Aspen Grove. Sometimes Mark will come into my office and ask me what I'm doing. I always tell him I'm changing the world. When I say this, I'm kidding, but inside I'm glad to be part of this work. The Lord's hand is definitely seen here, helping us succeed. Oh, thank Heaven for ASPEN GROVE!

Things I have learned about me

A little while ago, I decided to keep a list of things I learned about myself. That may seem kind of weird, but it has been a really fun list to make. Instead of just going through my daily routine, I found myself thinking about if I liked what I was doing or not. Of course a list like this comes with a disclaimer, I have the right to change...and probably will. But for now, this is JENESSA!

- I like to stand under trees and shake the snow off.
- My favorite place to read my scriptures is on the kitchen floor, late at night.
- I worry a lot about inconveniencing people
- I like to wear bright socks in the winter. People can’t see them, but they sure make me happy.
- I don’t like it when I get into the car Sunday morning and I hear a song I like, but know I should switch it.
- I love hugs!
- I’m not a fan or mushrooms or guacamole.
- I like to sing out loud in the car, especially when I know the words
- I don’t like to disappoint people.
- I think everyone is great.
- I like it when people call just to say hi
- Often when I run, I get the feeling I need to floss
- In the winter, I like to run on the treadmill to the last 30 minutes of the movie Rudy
- I am conservative on the amount of butter I put on my toast
- I love BYU mint brownies
- I have a hard time asking for help
- When out of state, I love to tell people I am from Utah
- I feel like a million bucks when I wear my red high heel shoes
- I like to burn candles
- I love the mornings I naturally wake up early, before my alarm goes off
- If I get one hand wet, I have to get the other hand wet too
- I don’t like to touch my gum, even to throw it away.
- I like food to match situations (IE wearing an orange shirt and eating an orange or eating black and white food on Martin Luther King Day)
- I like to whistle
- I don’t like to take medication.
- I have never learned how to wink or do a cartwheel
- I like to fall asleep with wet hair, while listening to the dishwasher.
- I don’t respond well to firm commands. I like to be asked to do things.
- Often songs match my situation. For example, when I was giving blood the song “bleeding love” was playing.
- I love to travel….that’s an understatement.
- I don’t like it when I can tell something is wrong, but it is out of my realm of influence to fix.
- I hate being late, but I hate being unprepared more.
- I love rainy and overcast days
- I don’t like spiders, but I’m not brave enough to kill them.
- Playing viola allows me to express myself, better than I can explain myself.
- I love the 4th of July!
- I have a secret wish to be “the favorite aunt”
- I believe saying sorry fixes everything
- I like to drive with the sunroof down
- I don’t like to feel uncomfortable or make others feel uncomfortable.
- I don’t like to be told I can’t do something. I want to try it and see if I can/can’t myself
- My “love language” is quality time.
- I love coconut

And then I was 22...

I love birthdays! There is nothing better. Last month I turned 22 and it was a weekend full of ups and downs, but overall it was great.

The celebration began on Friday when my co-workers decorated my office with streamers and brought cupcakes to celebrate. There is no question, I work with the world's best!

The next day I got my birthday wish! I've never been to the temple with my dad before. We woke up early Saturday morning and did baptisms in the Provo Temple. He hadn't done baptisms for a very long time, so he was amazed how many youth were doing work on a Saturday. As a teen, he only did baptisms once before his mission! Crazy! That really helped me appreciate what a blessing it is for me to be able to hold my own temple recommend and have four temples within 30 minutes. In the temple I was really emotional, which isn't typical. I was so happy to be with my dad. After he finished performing the baptism ordinance, he gave me a hug in the font and whispered, "Happy Birthday." Elder Holland said something to the effect of, "Heaven wouldn't be heaven if my family wasn't there." I understand that now. I'm grateful for temples and that families are forever.









Next up was my mommy/daughter date. We decided to do something girly and go get our toes painted. It was so fun. We sat in this chair that massaged our back as these gentleman from Asia took care of our toes. Near the end they used this scrub stuff on my legs. For those who don't know, I am extremely ticklish. As he was rubbing this stuff on me, I just lost it and began to laugh and laugh. The guy wasn't sure what to do. He didn't know how to talk to me so he just kind of chuckled too and said, "You tickle." What a highlight! There is nothing better than quality girl time with my mom. She is my best friend.

Later in the afternoon I went to lunch with my dear friend, Brandon. We have the same birthday so we decided to take each other to lunch. It was fun. We both love Mexican so we tried this great place in Orem. I like that I share my birthday with others. Why can't everyone be born on February 21st, eh?

Sunday morning came and although I was born at 6:36am, I was not awake to celebrate it. Although shortly after that I woke up and the tutu came on. I had to wear a tutu to celebrate my 22nd birthday right? TUTU (22)? Get it? Awesome!

I didn't wear my tutu to church, but regardless, there was a lot of excitement. Right before Relief Society my secretary, Claire, came up to me and told me that my birthday surprise was on it's way. Then five minutes before Relief Society ended, the member of the bishopric pulled me out and told me I needed to go to the Bishop's office. I walked down and the whole bishopric was there to talk to me. I was surrounded.They told me that they wanted to release my first counselor and move her to a different calling. I honestly thought they were kidding. Because Claire had told me a surprise was coming, I thought that she had put the Bishopric up to this. We talked for a while and I was calm through the whole thing. When they asked me how I felt about it I just said, "Well, you're the bishopric!" I really didn't believe they were serious! When I was leaving they asked me if I wanted a picture directory to help me choose a new counselor. I said no. I really was impressed at their acting skills and how far they were going to make me believe they were serious. It wasn't until I went back to the Relief Society room and no one was there that I realized it wasn't a joke or surprise, the bishopric was serious! I went back and approached the counselor, "You were serious" I said. "Yeah." Then I asked for the picture directory. Bummer!

After going home and crying over losing Esther, I prepared for my next adventure. I decided I wanted to share my birthday with the homeless people in Orem/Provo. My favorite dessert and birthday tradition is trifle. Because trifle is hard to share, we made a special chocolate cake for me to pass out. I cut the pieces and put them on a a birthday plate, added sprinkles, saran rapped them them with a fork, and loaded them up in the car. I drove around for over an hour up and down Provo searching for homeless people. And I couldn't find one! I was so sad! I guess it was selfish to be sad I couldn't find homeless people to share with. I should be happy there aren't oodles of homeless! I gave up and was driving home and on the way I spotted one! I was so excited! I pulled over, parked my car, jumped out and ran over to my new friend. I explained to him, "today is my birthday and I want to share my birthday cake with you." I smiled and extended my cake to him. He looked at me and then looked at my cake. Then he shook his head no and continued walking. I was so sad! Turning 22 is emotional business because I cried again! I was just so sad he didn't want my cake. I was so excited to share. Thinking about it, it makes me understand the atonement a bit better. Christ has this gift He wants to share with me, but I have to accept it. What a life lesson for me. In the end, I decided to give my homeless man the benefit of the doubt and assume he was allergic to chocolate and didn't have the heart to tell me. Yep. That's it. Allergy. I think I'm going to go to the store and get like toothbrushes and toothpaste, and $5 gift cards to McDonald's to keep in my car for the next time I run into another homeless person. I don't think anyone is allergic to toothpaste. :D

Finally, it was time to blow out the candles. My parents gave me everything I wanted! The best present was the quality one on one time I was able to spend with them on Saturday. When they asked what kind of gifts I wanted, I said "I love Lucy" (what high class entertainment) and thank you cards. Typically I enjoy making thank you cards, but just haven't made time for that recently and my "need to thank" list is getting really long. Anyhow, when I made my request I simply expected generic cards. Mom exceeded my hope and hand made nearly two dozen thank you cards for me. There's nothing more I could have asked for! I can hardly wait to start writing in them all.

I'm glad birthdays only come around once a year and I'm glad everyone has one. Birthdays give people reason to celebrate life and those who make life great. Thanks to all my friends and family that made my birthday and everyday SO special!

Loves!

A Celebration of Integration

In my life I have gone through many phases. You know... the "I want to be a spy" phase so I'm going to wear a trench coat and carry binoculars everywhere and of course the "I'm eco-friendly" phase so let's ride our bike to church and carry cloth bags to the grocery store. Right now I'm in the phase where I like food to match situations. I touched on this phase a bit in college, but recently I have really put more time and thought into it. For example, I get a kick out of eating Chinese food while watching Mulan or snacking on a Three Musketeers bar while reading The Three Musketeers. Sounds fun, right?

With that said, it makes sense that when Martin Luther King Day rolled around, I felt the URGE to celebrate in style. Sunday afternoon I made what are commonly called homemade oreos. Now, they are my integrated cookie. What better way to celebrate the holiday than to make black and white cookies while wearing a black and white apron! Hurray! (and of course, I also had my tap shoes on.)In all seriousness, Martin Luther King Day is a very important holiday to me. The importance and necessity of integration is not a problem of the past, but something we still encounter daily. In high school I remember walking into the lunch room one afternoon and having my eyes opened to the segregation happening all around me. All the Latinos were on the left side of the lunchroom and all of the white people were clustered in the back. I wondered why... and even tried to start a moment to change this behavior among my peers. It was a sad day when a friend of mine, who is from Mexico, pulled me aside to tell me what I was doing would never do any good and that I was hated because I was American. I was blown away and would be lying if I said I wasn't discouraged. The effect segregation has on society, whether of religion, wealth, or race, is not healthy and can only lead to sadness and hate. But what is the solution?

Last week I attended a seminar of Rabbi David Rosen. It was fascinating to listen to his ideas on the contention that is happening in the Middle East. And although he didn't have a concrete solution to the problem, he suggested that because religion was part of the problem, religion needed to be part of the solution. I believe that principle can be applied to the segregated monster we face today. I don't have all the answers (clearly), but I do know I can choose to integrate myself among all people and hope and pray others will follow suit.

My dream is similar to that of Dr. King. I dream, that one day, we will be a society of individuals. Each with a unique heritage that makes us who we are rather than a people segregated by petty things we frankly cannot control.

Tapping

I always knew I LOVED school, but I didn't realized how much I loved it until I graduated. After sitting out fall semester, I decided to take a night class Winter. What class? Beginning TAP! I was inspired after seeing the play "Singing in the Rain" during the summer. I just wanted to jump out of my seat and dance! The enthusiasm that prompted enrollment hasn't died down. In fact, it's just increasing. Although I have been in the class for three weeks, I just got my tap shoes last Saturday. From the moment they were out of the box, they were on my feet. Eventually, it came time to go to bed. My dear friend, Claire, was sleeping over at my house and we were up late talking in our jammies...I was still in my tap shoes. I felt like a little kid again in a dress up I just didn't want to take off. So, I did what any kid would do....I went to bed in my tap shoes! Oh the love! (I am 21)
Trouble came in church the next day. I needed to slip out at the beginning of Relief Society to make an announcement in Elders Quorum. When I returned, the sisters were done with the announcements and were diving into a lesson regarding talents. Somehow we got on the topic of dance and a comment was made about my interest in tapping. Suddenly, a sister called out that Claire had told everyone during "good news minute" that I had worn my tap shoes to bed. HA! I was as red as the 2' shoes I was wearing.

Thank goodness for the quirks that make me, me and that I can still get enthused over the small and simple things in life.

His Hand

FACT: I am a terrible journal keeper. It's not that I don't try. It's that an event will pass that I will want to write about, but before I get the chance something new comes up. Eventually, I have lost many intended stories I had plan to write down because I am concerned about chronological order. However, with that said I am going to put an end to that terrible habit of mine and write about an experience I had today with the understanding sometime this week I will hopefully post about my weekend adventures.

As I was leaving home this morning, I yelled from the front door my "I love you's" to my parents, like usual. However, as I stepped outside I felt like I should run back and give them a hug. Listening to this prompting, I ran back inside, leaving the door open, to hug my parents good bye and express once again, my love.

The snow was thick this morning, but I am a fairly confident driver in winter weather. I had already flipped through my radio stations and decided I would commute to the tune of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Just over one mile from my house and into the entrance of Provo Canyon, I lost control of my car and I began to fish tale. My elbows locked and my mind was blank. I am a girl that likes to have control over a situation, but at this moment I had none. Oncoming traffic was to my left and giant rocks/mountain were to my right. It seemed that no matter which way I turned I was in trouble. I remember thinking, I don't want hurt my car. Suddenly, the impression came to me that I had put my foot on the clutch and I needed to take my foot off. After sliding perpendicular to the road, my car landed on the right side of the road, in an open area--between two metal poles. I sat in my car stunned for sometime before making a phone call home to get help. Shortly there after the incident truck of Provo Canyon came to the rescue. Did that really happen? An overwhelming sense of gratitude came over me. God was watching over me and my car this morning on my daily commute and I have no doubt he directed my car.

Later at work I was overwhelmed with a task. I sat at my desk wondering how I would ever comfortably assign all 411 people to lodging and a conference space. Then the thought came to mind to pray about it. I bowed my head and said a little prayer over my paper. The next twenty minutes or so was spent racking my brain, trying to feel impressions on where to put people. It wasn't long before we had everyone in place.

Today was a day of remembering. Remembering the power of God and the influence that he can have on every aspect of my life. I know that He is looking out for me and is guiding my work. He lives!