Meet Sasha

  So, this is our dog, Sasha. She's a sable color, pure bread German Shepherd. Ben and I got her about two and a half months ago when she was just 8 weeks old!  We have totally loved having her in our little family. In that two and half months she has learned to sit, lay down, stay, come, find treats, and speak! She loves walks and playing softball with us at the park. She is so smart and lovable.
  We wanted a good, loyal family dog before we had kids and couldn't decide between a Husky or a German Shepherd. We kept looking on the internet at all sorts of puppies, and even went and looked at a few, but weren't feeling it with any of them. Sasha's breeder came up, we called and even went to look at her that night. She was the only female left (I really wanted a female. Ben didn't really care). We played with all of the puppies and watched the breeder handle the mom, who was an amazing dog. Sasha just stood out to both of us. It was almost like she chose us.
  We went home and talked about it (because of the amount of money we would have to pay for her if we really did want her. She wasn't cheap).  Needless to say, we went to pick her up the next day after I got off work and I'm so glad we did! She is the best dog ever!
  I'm just so excited to have her already in the family before we have kids because I grew up with dogs and loved it. Plus, Sasha is already so protective of us I'm excited to see how protective she'll be with our babies. You can never come home sad because she's always happy to see you. I totally love my Sasha baby!

Better Than Friends..... Sisters

  Can I just say that I don't know how anyone does it without sisters. I don't know what I would do without these beautiful ladies. They each have their own special qualities that make them the perfect combination of awesome.
  Shiree (far left) is the oldest (and wisest). She is a spiritual giant and is the most Christ-like person I have ever met. She is kind, genuine, and comforting to talk to. She seriously always knows what to say and how to make you feel better. She is the mother I hope to be one day, and the best at making mac and cheese. She's the peace maker, and the most unselfish person I know. I would be successful if I were even a little bit like her.
  Kelle (middle) is the baby. She is the toughest girl I know that takes no crap. She's diligent, determined, and succeeds at whatever she does. If you ever want to hear the blunt truth, ask her. She'll be honest with you even if you have to take a punch to the pride to hear it. She's the best karate teacher around, and can swing a bo like a mad woman. She's leaving the end of July to serve a mission in North Carolina. I can wait for her to have that awesome experience!
  Bree (far right) is the middle. She gets the award for most hilarious! She has the greatest sense of humor on the planet. There isn't a better student with better grades. She studies and works her butt off to be successful at her career, and I'm proud of her accomplishments. There is no one that knows more about the human body and how to heal it. She is a good friend to others and would give the clothes off her back to help someone in need. I hope I can be as smart as she is one day!
  My sisters are my best friends. I know I could go to them with anything and they would be there. Like I said, I don't know how anyone does it without sisters. I would die without mine!

Prayer

  As I have written before, my husband is going to school right now to be a police officer. He is going to be one amazing officer. He's determined and is dedicated to whatever he puts his mind to. 

  While he's been in school I have been working a lot, which is totally fine. I'm happy to do it while he is going to school. But I was getting worried because when he is done with school, I was nervous that I would have to pick up even more hours until he found a job. But finding a job as police officer is not quick. With every department you apply for, there is a physical test, reading and comprehension test, scenario test, background checks, interview with 3 to 4 people, and an interview with the chief before they even offer you a job. Some don't get called at all after the physical test, where some make it to the background check and fail. It's very difficult to get hired on. 

  Well, Ben tested for many departments and none of them were going anywhere and he was starting to get discouraged. We had been praying all along that the right thing would come and that we would take it and be grateful for it when it came. However, being that patient is very hard to do when his graduation date kept getting closer and closer and we still had no job offer. 

   Ben tested for the Roy police department at the beginning of March and made it all the way to an interview with a detective. I even had to be interviewed! It was intense! During the whole process we had good feelings about Roy but didn't want to get our hopes up if it didn't work out. Then came the interview with the chief.... I sent out a text that morning roping in the troops to send as many prayers his way as they could! And I was praying my heart out the whole time! 

  He called me afterwards and said that he felt good about it and that he would call either way the next day. If that doesn't test your patience I don't know what does! Those 12 hours were the worst! 

  The next day I was with my sister and nieces when Ben called me. He sounded sad and a little discouraged, which made my heart fall a little, but then he just said "I got the job love". YAY!!!!!! It was the best phone call ever! He told me the details of the conversation and sounded excited. I told him how proud I was of him and that I loved him. After I got off the phone I cried for a good hour! They were tears of relief, happiness, and peace. 

  It gets even better.... He starts his job June 1st and graduates June 5th. 

  I have never been more grateful for prayer. I had a prayer of thanks in my heart the whole day and I feel so blessed and taken care of by the Lord. He didn't have to make everything fit so perfectly, but He did and because He did, our little family will have what we need. I know He hears me and listens. I am grateful for a loving family that is willing to pull together for each other and support each other. What a blessing it is to have our prayers answered by a loving Heavenly Father.

Cute little girls!

  These girls right here are the bees knees! These are my nieces, Ellie (older) and Claire (baby). I adore these girls. I don't get to spend as much time with them as I'd like due to my super busy schedule, but the time I do get to spend with them is precious.
  Ellie, is almost two and is SO smart. She knew a whole bunch of sign language and used them when she was just a little thing to communicate with us. Now, she still uses a couple of them when she can't say what she wants to say, but for the most part knows lots of words and uses those instead. She can count to 10 and knows most of her letters in the alphabet. She is sweet. So sweet and loves to help. She's my honey bunches. I love her to pieces!
  Claire, is just tiny! She is just a couple months old, but is such a sweet and feisty spirit. She is my little shnookie bear!
  These lovely girls have made me very excited to be a mother someday. The joy they bring to our family is amazing. When they come into the room, it's like Heavenly Fathers love can almost be touched. I totally love being their favorite auntie Jess. They make me happy!

He Hushed my Fears

  I have been trying recently to be very diligent on the little things we are asked to do, like reading our scriptures, praying, attending our church meetings, paying tithing, and going to the temple often. I have been really making an effort lately after an experience I hope to never have again. 

  Just about a month ago now, I was feeling an anxious, panic feeling all the time that I couldn't get to go away. I was in constant fear about the near future, especially about when the Savior will come again. I wasn't fearing Him coming, because that sounds wonderful, but I was fearing all of the horrible things that I know have to happen before He does come. We know from the scriptures that things are going to get bad, even really bad right before He comes again and my mind would play situations in my head that put me in a panic. What if I can't find Ben, what if he gets called out to assist in a world disaster and I am left to take care of myself and possibly children alone, what if I can't get to my family, what if we don't have enough food storage for our needs, what if those that I love are severely injured or even killed, what if, what if, what if..... I couldn't stop my mind from just spinning, and my spinning mind made me very afraid. 

  I didn't know what to do, and finally knew I had to talk to someone about it, otherwise I would continue to be a crying, fear stricken, almost paralyzed mess of a human. I knew my parents would have some good counsel for me and decided to talk to them. 

  I told them everything I was thinking, that sometimes I was confused by what to listen to, because so and so had a dream and wrote a book about it, this guy saw God in a vision where He told him blah blah blah and then decided to "warn" everyone about it, this lady had an out of body experience where she was told the Lord would blah blah blah and she posts it on Facebook, and this person just "knows". All of them members of the church and good people probably trying to do what's right, but the feelings I got when hearing or reading what they said made me afraid, fearful and anxious, which I knew weren't feelings of the Spirit. 

  My parents listened to my concerns and gave me the assurance that I would never be alone. That God would help me or send people to help me when I am in need. They also counseled me to be more diligent in doing my part, by reading my scriptures, praying, paying tithing, attending church and going to the temple. They are so wise. I love, respect and honor my parents for the faithful people they are. 

  My dad then gave me a blessing. In the blessing, he blessed me with peace, comfort, and a calm spirit. He also counseled me to only listen to the brethren of the church, meaning the prophet and the apostles. To tune everyone else out and wait for further instruction from the Lords chosen and set apart messengers.....  Duh Jessica! Totally makes sense! I was instantly at peace and felt my spirit take a breath of relief! Why do we make things harder then they have to be? We have learned since we were in primary that we read our scriptures, say our prayers, go to church, pay 10%, go to the temple and follow the prophet. It really is that simple. We as adults just complicate it and make it harder than it has to be.

  So, today as I was driving to work, I listened to the conference talk by Elder Bednar "Therefore They Hushed Their Fears" (link below). He talked about how in this world of bad things happening, crime on the rise, and men's hearts failing them, the Lord blesses those who seek Him and keep His commandments with hushed fears and peace in their hearts. I can say that through doing what He has asked all along, my fears have been hushed and I do feel peace. I love Him for the comfort He gives me if I do my part to deserve it. I am grateful for His patience and kindness towards me, even when I forget. I love Him. Oh, how I love Him.   

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/therefore-they-hushed-their-fears?lang=eng

Italy

  I am missing my Italy very much today. I served my mission there and loved every minute of it. I've been home for two years but sometimes it feels like I just left. I left my heart there and I am still working on getting it back, however, I don't think I ever will. I think part of my heart will always be there and I'm ok with that. 

  Italy is everything people think it is. It is wonderful! The food is amazing, the cities are beautiful and full of history, the driving is insane, the people are loud and full of love for everyone, and they are as catholic as everyone thinks. 

  I served in three different cities. Catania, which is in Sicily, Rome, and Taranto, down on the cost in the heel of the boot. Each city had it's unique things I loved about them, but I loved the people I met the most. Italians are..... How should I put it..... Loud, stubborn, obnoxious, crazy, and absolutely wonderful. They show love like I've never seen before and they are so easy to love back. They would give you the clothes off their backs and then bring you to their house and feed you all of their food. They are generous, kind and determined people. There is never a dull moment in Italy. 

  I am really hoping to go back one day very soon and visit the place and people that stole my heart. One day very soon I hope!  

I love this man

  Sappy post for the day.... I am totally in love with this man. Marrying him was the best thing I have ever done. Our relationship has definitely had it's bad days, even some really bad days, but the good days always make up for them. He understands me; the deepest parts of me that are scary to show anyone else without feeling vulnerable. He challenges me to be better and pushes me to try harder.
  I swore I would never marry a man that was in the military, younger than me, or that had a scary job, however, I broke every one of those rules with Ben and I'm so glad I did. His determination to be all he can be in his work life and personal life is inspiring.  He works so hard to be a successful Sargent, Student, Police Officer, and husband and does it all 1000%. He is patient with my crazy and busy schedule, doesn't complain when I get home late and the dishes aren't done, calms me down when I stress over nothing, and makes me laugh every day.
  Eternity with him sounds wonderful and I can't wait to see what forever has in store for us. I love you Ben!

This is the start of ME

  I decided to start a blog to help me just write. I love writing. Especially in journals. I have so many that are full! I write all the time, but I wanted to write some things for others to see because, well, sometimes I learn some really cool things about life that I really want to share!
  So, a little about myself: My name is Jessica. I am a 24 year old woman that is a little weird about how I like my cupboards organized. I enjoy being and auntie to two beautiful little girls, Ellie and Claire. My husband, Ben, thinks that I could get into heaven with my homemade mashed potato's, but really all I use is a Ranch packet and cream instead of milk to make them. I am a work-a-holic. I work two jobs that keep me very busy, however I enjoy them both very much. I am excited to be a mother someday but already feel very inadequate to be given such a special and sacred responsibility. I enjoy being with my husband and family. They make me happy. I love to play and watch sports and try to be active when sleep isn't on the top of my to-do list. And I love listen to opera when I cook. I find it soothing and it relaxes me after a long day at work.
  Now that I have introduced myself a little bit, I am excited. I am excited to just write. That is exactly what this blog is for. To write the things I am experiencing and maybe even touch or help someone in this crazy world. I don't claim to know all there is about life, however, I can share what I do know and ask questions about what I don't. This is the start of ME!