Galentine's Day

I live in Virginia now. That is a story for another day, for now I'm going to fast-forward through a series of moments where I either felt awkward, brain dead, or inadequate to arrive at today. Today is “Galentine’s Day.” I don’t watch television, so that means very little to me other than the fact that a group of women from church were having a Galentine’s Day party. After being stuck indoors all day long I didn’t care what the reason was I needed to get out of the house, so I went. The roads were slick and snowy. I had a little bit of trouble getting out of the driveway, but it looked to be mostly okay so I kept driving.

I got all the way to the street where the party was only to catch just enough ice to swerve and get high-centered on a pile of snow. Awesome. I will go ahead and stereotype myself; nobody should ever let a Florida girl drive her prius around at night where the roads are snowy. It should be forbidden.

Of course I am made up of one part stubborn and one part ridiculous so I was out there on hands and knees trying to dig my car out of this mess. It didn’t take long to figure out that wasn’t going to work so I ran at full speed down the street to ask if I could borrow a snow shovel. During my sprint I passed an older woman walking along on the icy sidewalks. When she saw the crazy woman running towards her she got scared, slipped on the ice and fell right over into a freezing puddle.  So I started screaming and she started screaming and she wouldn’t let me help her because she was terrified of me. Meanwhile my car is still half way down the street, hazard lights a’beamin. I'm pretty sure that this lady is just as much of a drama queen as I am. She told me, "just go. Forget me. Save yourself!" So I took off running the rest of the way down the street.

It wasn’t hard to find the party house; it was decorated with cutesy red and pink baubles everywhere. I rang the doorbell and a beautiful, cheerful redhead answered the door. She had a singsong voice and started to say “Oh! Come on…” and I cut her off to demand a snow shovel. I'm sure I was a sight all covered in wet and snow with my hair trying to decide if it would rather be in dreads or produce electricity. Luckily, she was kind enough to get one for me. 

I got the shovel. I dug my car out. I drove back down the street holding the shovel out my driver’s side door. Whatever, I made it to this Galentine extravaganza. The only problem was that I am a socially awkward individual. I didn’t know any of the women there, they don’t know me, and so I just sat in the corner and tried to warm up before I could leave again. I felt like an animal. My hair was getting frizzier on the top and more matted on the bottom and I'm sure I had a scowl on my face from being out in the cold so long. Not to mention I found out that I bashed my hand during all the car madness and it had swollen to the size of my face. So I ate my sorrows away with heavily frosted, heart shaped cookies and bailed.

I would blame Amy Poehler, but that doesn't seem like a very Galentiney thing to do.

It’s been a good run

In April 2012 I graduated from BYU-Idaho after the most rewarding semester of my college career. From there I hopped into a RV with my wonderful, albeit slightly crazy, Brazilian family and spent a month playing on the beach. Then I started my mission. I spent a year and a half helping others learn of Christ and follow him. I met people from all walks of life and I served them with my whole heart. I learned Spanish. I was a friend, cheerleader, mentor, and participant as lives changed for the better all around me. MY life changed forever. My mission was one of those events that completely tore apart the woman I used to be and put me back together far more lovely and strong than I ever had been previously. 

After this two-year whirlwind of finishing my bachelor’s degree and preparing for and serving my mission here I am. I'm just here at my parent’s house. I’ve been on vacation for the past 6 weeks and it has been wonderful. I have spent time with some of the dearest people in my life. I hugged every member of my immediate family. I laughed with long lost friends. I went to Canada for my first time ever and was reminded that normal life is fun and worth treasuring. I have had a long strand of good times, and I’m grateful for them.

Now comes the unwelcome truth--all good chapters must come to an end. Today felt like the end. It had been looming there in the corner for a while now, but today we had our first confrontation. If reality were a human it would have come in with a blanket and a mug of hot chocolate and said something along the lines of “sit down suga, this’un is gonna to be rough.” (In my mind reality comes with comfort food and an accent, deal with it.)

So, here I am. I am a college graduate. I am a returned missionary. I am also unemployed, and frustrated with my lack of professional, academic and social prospects. I am annoyed that this need I have to change the world seems unrealistic. I am tired of feeling socially inept.

Someone once told me to never worry about anything that will be insignificant two weeks from now. Two weeks from now I will be living in DC and fulfilling an internship. I will have reunited with yet more long lost friends. By then it is likely that I will have reverted back to my “I can do anything good” attitude. However, for right now I’m just a little scared, and I decided that it’s okay. If there were never fear there would never be a reason to be courageous. 

Christmas, Christ más

This Sunday on the way to church my mom handed me her phone and said, “here, watch this.” I didn’t know what it was. My mom has been known to show me everything from jib jab videos to pictures of ingrown toenails…but instead I saw this:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

I love my Savior. That’s really what this whole little post comes down to. I will never be able to fully express the immense gratitude that I feel for Jesus Christ. He is my dearest friend and the only hope I (or anyone) have for joy and peace. In a season that is full of celebration let us remember to be a little more like him. For me that means being more patient, treating myself kindly, thinking before I speak, and being consistent in the things I do that are right (as well as a million other things, but it’s a step-by-step process).

I know that by myself I could not develop the attributes and attitudes I need to be more Christ-like. That is why I am even more grateful that he helps me along the way. Through prayer we can ask for help. With heavenly aid we can change who we are and become better. There’s a scripture in the Book of Mormon that always motivates me to be more like Christ. It says, “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.” (Mosiah 3:19, page 153)

So bring on the wassail and cocoa dusted truffles. I’m ready for wrapping paper tube wars and watching “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” However, I also pray that God bless each of us as we show our gratitude for the gift of His Son by trying to be more like him and help others along the way.

Merry Christmas

Feliz Natal

Feliz Navidad

Eternally Grateful

“Hello, this is Sister…Jari…this is Jari”

That is how I answered the phone the other day, and I feel it sums up everything I have been feeling over the last two weeks or so. I am a returned missionary.

What does that even mean?

For 18 months I served as a full time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and it was the most incredible experience of my life. So many people have asked me “how was your mission?” All I can seem to offer in response is “it was wonderful!” However, those words do not even begin to describe it. No hallway conversation will ever be sufficient enough for me to explain the incredible emotions that ranged from the most profound sorrow to the most exquisite joy…not to mention all the experiences that caused those feelings.

Any story worth telling is too personal to include on a public blog, but there are a couple things I have learned that are worth stating:

• God is MY loving Heavenly Father. He does not call us to fail, but to be wildly successful.
• Jesus Christ is mt Savior. All good things are possible for me because of his atonement. 
• The Holy Ghost is the perfect teacher, by him we can know all truth.
• Joseph Smith was a prophet called by God. 
• The Book of Mormon is true.
• Obedience brings happiness. 
• Life never stops being difficult; it also never stops being enjoyable…if we choose it.
• I have a specific purpose and the ability to achieve it.
• God answers prayers.
• Charity NEVER fails
• Miracles are real.
• Families are the most important. Period.
• True love actually does exist, and it takes a lot of work.
• Sometimes you just have to persevere 
• I can change! I may not be “super awesome” today, but I can decide to be so tomorrow if I want.
• The gospel refines us.
• It is possible to be a dear friend to anyone.

The list goes on and on, as do the stories; but if you want to hear them you’ll have to get me some nutella toast and ask me specific questions because for the life of me anytime someone says “what was the best/craziest/funniest/most life changing part of your mission?” my mind goes completely blank.

As for advice, I have plenty. I have shared this video before, but really it covers all that I could ever hope to inspire in anyone.

All I know is that I am forever grateful for my mission. It is uniquely mine. All the experiences and people seemed hand picked to help me become more the person Heavenly Father promised me I could be. My life is forever blessed for having served a mission.

Now, bring on “real” life. 

Mission Log: 4 November 2013

 

                                       That skyline will forever make me miss Jersey City. Forever.

 Me and the Lady, she's a beaut

No words from Jari this week, just pictures. 

Mission Log: 28 October 2013

Today is the anniversary of Hurricane Sandy. I know that it was a really devastating event, oh how much I know about the devastation of Hurricane Sandy, but thinking about this day last year just sends me into a fit of giggles. Last year I was in a small apartment with 5 of my greatest friends. We were attempting to make frozen pizzas with no stove. We were playing random family reunion games to keep ourselves distracted from the fact that we couldn’t go out and teach the gospel. We were struggling with the most disgusting of plumbing issues as the bathtub kept filling up with “poo water.” I had just broken our brand new phone. We had no gas. Everything was going not according to plan and there was nothing to do but just enjoy the ride and laugh, and I still laugh when I think about it.

I am mostly impressed by how much I have felt in just a years’ time. I am amazed at how much I have learned to love. I am grateful for difficult moments, moments when I was certain the emotional pain alone was enough to kill me. I am grateful for the chances I have had to come to know my Savior better and to appreciate the atonement. I am grateful for the power and guidance I receive as I depend on him. There are still so many things I need to work on, but I know that if I am humble enough to accept that I can’t do it alone that I will be blessed to see the hand of the Lord in my life. I love the gospel. I love my Savior. I love teaching the gospel and feeling the truth of it myself. Life is so good.

Mission Log: 21 October 2013

 stop it. so cute.

Faith is a principle of power. I think most of us forget that too easily. If we have faith, if we really believe that God loves and wants to help us, if we really believe that Christ is the Savior and has power to uplift and guide us then our actions change. We realize we can do things beyond our own capabilities. I want to cultivate greater faith and watch as miracles happen, because they will.

Have a great week all.

Love,

Jari

Mission Log: 14 October 2013

We went crabbing again!

 crab!

  the district

we took the train to the temple. it was the first time any of them rode the train. they hated the train :)

Something that I have come to appreciate is the joy that comes from repentance. I spend most of my days with people who have to make big and often difficult changes to put their lives in harmony with God’s commandments. I watch them struggle. I pray from them. We talk and read the scriptures together. They are my friends, more like my family really. This week was one of rejoicing. I listened as my friends told me of the great peace they feel personally and in their families. I listened to their stories of gratitude for the changes they have made and the blessings they have seen as a result. Christ asks us to trust him and repent because he wants us to have joy. I am so grateful to may Savior for making all good things possible for me and for the people that I love. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! (Doctrine and Covenants 18: 15&16)

Have a great week!

Love,

Jari

Mission Log: 7 October 2013

These are all the girls I get to go on exchanges with and love to death!

IT'S FALL IN JERSEY!

This is Sister Clark...i LOVE her

I don't really know what I was doing here...celebrating my birthday most likely!

I just had the best weekend EVER! I love listening to prophets and apostles testify of Jesus Christ and give instruction on how to follow him and apply our teachings in our own lives. I hope everyone had a chance to see at least some of it. If not, you can still check in out online: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2013/10?cid=HPFR100413105&lang=eng

The truth is that the gospel is designed to help us be happy. Sometimes we have to make changes, and sometimes we have to experience difficulty but if we will just depend on the Savior, exercise faith in him and repent we can be freed from our burdens. He offers us hope, the greatest hope of all is that we can return to our Heavenly Father and live with him and our families in peace FOREVER! It is a blessing that our Heavenly Father really, really wants to give us. That’s why he gives us commandments, and that is why he reminds us over and over that we must do what is right. He wants to see us happy, drenched in joy.

I hope you have a great week. I don’t have the time I need to tell you all the glorious stories of mine. Sometime we’ll sit around a fire with some hot chocolate and I’ll tell you all about it ;)

Love yous!

Jari

Mission Log: 29 Sept. 2013

The branch!

Birthday cake #1, really early in the morning.

 

The english sisters, me (in the tiara, classic birthday), and Sister Kranewitter!

 

The bought me TINKER BELL balloons!

 

This weekend is general conference. I hope everyone is as excited as I am! We get to hear from a living prophet and apostles as they share with us the things that God wants us to know so that we can be happy and successful. We will learn the things we need to do to protect our families from temptations and how to endure trials. We will receive guidance. We will better understand the scriptures. We will learn how to use the atonement of Jesus Christ more fully in our lives. We will feel the love of God. This is the greatest weekend of fall, and I am pumped!

The more I work with people the more I realize that we all have questions. We all want to know our Heavenly Father better. We all need direction in life. If you will watch general conference and pray that you can receive answers to your questions I know they will come.

In the relief society general broadcast on Saturday night I came with a question on I got a clear answer. Sometimes I make comparisons that rob me from joy, I wanted to know how I can be more happy. As I listened one of the speakers suggested that when we are being self-critical we should ask ourselves “is this how Heavenly Father wants me to feel?” I instantly realized that I am a little hyper and sometimes I hold myself to ridiculous standards of excellence and then beat myself up for not accomplishing them. That’s not what Heavenly Father wants for me. I know that as I focus on the feelings of peace, love, and comfort that he promises me in the scriptures that it will be easier to be happy.

See, easy right. Ask questions. Open our hearts. Receive answers.

Watch General Conference, you won’t regret it.

Love yous,

Jari

Mission Log: 23 September 2013

 Jersey is everything beautiful!

I look like wednesday adamms

It’s September! The greatest month of the whole year! The weather is perfect. The trees are beautiful. And this little girl has a birthday THIS WEEK! All is happy in the world.

Sometimes being a missionary means I have to do hard things…really hard things. BUT we can do hard things. Actually, we were created to do hard things. We were created for greatness. We were created to have joy. We were created to learn to enjoy things the way God enjoys them. It’s funny how the great and the wonderful are pretty much always accompanied by the difficult. In times like that I think of the Savior, the greatest of all. His great struggle as he performed the atonement. He experienced every difficult thing so that we could have all joy and all hope. When hard things come up remember that you’re not alone. Pray and call down the powers of heaven to help you. Never give up, never surrender.

“Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:6)

Mission Log: 16 Sept 2013

The young women made us treats. Sister Morrison came out with me.

I just adore these two. Sister Dorneles and Sister Schultz. They let me be their companion for 2 days in New Brunswick

 

This elder is so tall...it's ridiculous! 6.9 and not even the tallest in his family. I don't know where they shop for anything!

 

This was the weirdest week. I was only in my area for 2.5 days. And I got sick so I’m all sorts of hazy and confused.

This I do know.  This week I felt the Spirit. This week I grew in my testimony that Christ is my Savior and that he can heal me from all things both physical and spiritual. I know that I am a growing, learning thing. I was meant to change and improve each day…and I do. I know that the scriptures hold answers to the questions that weigh heavy on our hearts and that if we read with sincerity and faith those answers will never be hid from us.

I know that we can each grow and change each week if we put some effort into it, and we will find joy as we do.

Love yous

Jari

Mission Log: 9 Sept. 2013

CARLOS GOT BAPTIZED!

He's the greatest and we love him!

 

I love a quote by Thomas S. Monson, “decisions determine destiny.” I love it because it is true. Life will always be crazy. There will always be situations, people, or occurrences that invite us to feel negatively. That’s life. The important realization is that we are not objects. You are not a rock, you’re a person. You and I are acting things and with a simple decision to be happy or to change or to improve we can change our circumstances. Our fate is not determined by outside factors, we determine what happens in our lives and how we feel about it.

In the Book of Mormon a prophet, Lehi, teaches this idea to his sons. He says, “And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon… Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself.” (2 Nephi 2:14 &16)

I’m so grateful for the freedom to choose. I hope you are too. Now, let’s all choose to be happy. Let’s choose to love and serve others. Let’s choose to see the miracles that our in our lives each day. When we do our worlds change from being dreary and frustrating to everything wonderful!

Love you!