May 17, 2012

jessica 101 (crash course)

So much has been going on lately, all VERY thrilling and good things :)
So
I thought I'd do a little up-date on my life.
Partly as a check-list to myself to see what I've actually accomplished and what still needs to be done.

First of all, there is a new ray of hope that I'm actually going to graduate high school! To clear up any confusion, I had failed to earn my (stupid) .5 Fit For Life credit yet :/ I somehow managed to avoid that class my entire high school career... :/ and after YEARS of trying to motivate myself to complete an on-line course
 (which I literally started in summer of '09)
 and finally buying a packet
(which was WAY too pricey)
 I have finally COMPLETED it and passed my final with an A in the class!!
Word of advice to new coming sophomores:
GET IT OVER WITH!
HALLELUJAH! And just in the nic of time! because...

Graduation is right around the corner! 10 school days left. 10 EVER high school days left! Crazy crazy thought! June 1, 2012. announcements will be on their way soon, Thanks to my lovely aunt Jennifer Anderson!
Jenn was SO great and took a few hours a couple Sundays ago to photograph some 'senior' pictures of me! She is very talented and it was super fun :)







Also a few Sundays ago, on the 22nd of April, I had the opportunity to receive my patriarchal blessing. This was the most incredible, coolest, most spiritual experience I have ever had in my life. I love my patriarch, Brother Pincock, SO much and I feel like I've known him my whole life. I have a testimony that they are true and they truly are you're own personal scripture from God. They really are a fathers blessing from our loving Father in heaven and are filled with so much guidance. I've never felt the spirit so strong and I will cherish that moment, and my blessing for the rest of my life! Receiving one is definitely something that you don't wanna pass up in this lifetime.


THIS Sunday (May 20) I will officially graduate from seminary! After four years I can say I've had some great experiences, and some rocky moments haha. But overall I know I would regret it if I wasn't graduating. The program has truly blessed my life. I just can't believe it's over! I remember my first class in ninth grade with Bro. Johnson and I couldn't get over the fact that I was going to 'sunday school' right after math, in my normal clothes, with a bunch of class-mates haha. But I've learned so much and have grown a deeper love and appreciation for the scriptures.
 this definitely isn't the end, bring on institute!
 
 
 
 
 
I am still employed at Bohme Boutique in the Layton Hills Mall. :) I love it! It's been such a fun job and I've learned a lot from it! And i'm SO grateful for it because come Fall, I will actually be able to be transferred up the Logan Bohme! It has been SUCH a relief knowing that i'll already have a job set up for me when I go up to college!
(Between books, food, and sending packages i imagine a poor college student like me will appreciate some extra cash)
p.s. friends and family if you come into Bohme on Thursday, May 17th from 8-10 only you get 20% off!


So some VERY exciting news came today! I got an e-mail while sitting on the couch
(thanks to insta-access to my internet, via iphone)
that I am an Awardee of the TH Bell Scholarship!
Dear Awardees,
Congratulations! You have been selected as an awardee for the T.H. Bell Teaching Incentive Loan Program for the 2012-13 school year. The number of highly qualified candidates was very high and selection was difficult. An official letter from the State Superintendent will follow in the mail. It will briefly explain the loan program and that further instructions will be sent to you from the Office of the Board of Regents.
I am now just awaiting the letters to give me fuller details and information about what it all entails... I know that as part of it i'll be required to teach in Utah for how ever many years they pay for my schooling... or something like that. But teaching was the plan anyway, so i'll take it. i'm stoked! And I feel very Blessed! This really will be an awesome thing.


 Last Sunday, May 13th marks the ONE more month mark til this awesome guy embarks on his journey to serve the Lord for two years...

Let me just tell you, this isn't going to be easy! haha I love this kid so much! But I know he is going to be an AMAZING missionary because he has the type of personality that when he sets his mind towards something, he really gives it 110% no less!! I wouldn't want him doing anything else. and I am extremely proud of him! I just am going to enjoy all the time I can with him while he's still here
(26 days- but who's counting)
 and keep having a BLAST like we always do, and then happily send him off to Mexico to bless lives and serve the Lord!
Who invented 'missing' people anyway? It's silly.

WOW. so thats kind of a lot to digest but thats the basics of whats been going on with me lately. I'm super excited for the future and all the new adventures it's going to bring me!
 so grateful for my parents and family to support me with everything.
don't know what I would do without them
they
are
the 
best 


May 13, 2012

Heidi Ann

Heidi Ann(e) Anderson
(my mother has kindly let me know that for the past almost 19 years every time I've written her a note/card i spell her middle name wrong... there is no 'E'... and some how every time I have still managed to forget that)

I know what your all thinking on this beautiful sunny Mother's Day... that you have the best mom in the world.
 Well, i'm here to tell you that your are sorely mistaken.
I have THE best mother anyone could ask for in the whole wide universe!
It isn't even a competition and let me tell you why...
My mother has been through so much in her (short) lifetime of 41 years, and she has come out on top of it all!
She has done nothing but take the positive out of situations, she has a testimony that has grown SO strong.
I have recently been able to have some good talks with my mom and become closer to her, and understand her more and where she comes from. And it has just made my appreciation for her GROW so much more.
She is truly an amazing lady!
Throughout my life she has been the best example to me and my four siblings. She is constantly teaching us with her testimony and has our entire lives. If there is anyone who has an unwavering faith in the gospel it's my mom. Her integrity is divine. She is one who could proudly represent the 'YW' values, all eight of them because she really lives them all to the fullest. & I am SO grateful that I was born into her family, that I get to be the lucky daughter to learn from her kindness, and hopefully grow and develop a spirit just like hers.
My mom has always been so selfless, she puts herself second and always has. She is constantly concerned about the welfare of others, she wants other people to be happy!
A few years ago she was called to Girls Camp Director; and just to show the girls how much she cared and loved us she hand-made all 30 of us a 'value-quilt' So we could have something to wrap around us as a reminder of how important our values are. And how important it is to HER that we realize this.
And let me just tell you how many years it's been since she's gotten a new cell-phone because she willingly gives her updates to me and my siblings so we can have the newer, cooler phone. and she sticks with her old brick.
(except for just recently, she finally treated herself to the new iPhone, You deserve it mom!)
My mother is BEAUTIFUL. she is the prettiest lady I know inside and out.
 And she is my role-model.
She is so creative with everything she does, in the home, garden, with gifts, and decorations; i'm just praying to get some of that from her!
She is also very patient. Me and my siblings alone give her enough reason to pull her hair out, and she somehow manages to find the good in us.
I know that my mother truly loves me and wants the best for me. No one could ask for anything better than a mother who really cares. Looking back at all the times I thought she was being 'strict' or 'mean', and still sometimes getting in those situations, it's just a confirmation to me that she CARES about me. She wants me to make good decisions in life, the best decisions for me that will uplift me, and make me a better person.
She has always told me,
If something isn't strengthening your testimony, it's diminishing it. You're testimony is an alive and real thing, and it never just stays stagnant, it's either growing or dying. Never just staying the same.
So every day decisions are important! She has always encouraged me to do things that will help me grow and become closer to Christ.
Lets just say, I love my mom a lot. & I am so grateful for the relationship I have with her. I'm not saying it's perfect; we have our little bickers and fair share of disagreements. But at the end of the day I'm so glad we are close enough to be honest with each other! I know I can always rely on her, and she will ALWAYS be a best friend to me. We have so much in common, and I know she can understand me and comfort me through my struggles more than anyone else. (except Jesus of course)
God knows us all so well that I know there is a reason he sent me to my mother.
honestly there is a reason he sent ALL of us to our mothers. I know I said mine was the best in the whole universe; but every one's mother is probably the best to them too. mothers do so much for us it's unreal. It's a good thing there is a whole day set aside to honor and love them.
So everyone better have written a note or bought them some flowers, because they deserve to know that we appreciate everything they do.
 I'm so blessed to have mine and i Love her SO much!!
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY HEIDI ANN :)

P.S.
Look how cute..
my mom got this necklace for HER mothers day present to ME!
She told me to wear it at Utah State, and always remember her when I do!
trust me, nothing will remind me more of mom than a cute little owl.
(she's kind of obsessed haha)
I love it :)