Family is Forever!!

Today's post started out as something totally different than what it turned out to be. It started out as a complaining post but evolved and turned out much better. I've been sick this weekend and was home alone because the family was all in Pocatello or Utah or the Beaver Dams. It wasn't bad... I like being alone sometimes. This weekend I had a lot of time to reflect.

I thought about my life over the past two years. I have learned so much! I have some regrets though.

My Biggest Regret: Not spending enough time with my family. If you know me at all, you know that my family is my favorite thing. While living in Salt Lake, I took them for granted. I didn't visit enough, call enough, pay enough attention to what was going on in their lives, etc. I got lost in what my friends wanted me to do and forgot about my family. They are the best family ever and I don't know what I would do without them. They have gotten me through my greatest challenges in this life thus far. I love them with all my heart and will never take them for granted again!

The best Mom and Dad Ever!!

My adorable niece Abby Lynn 

The oldest niece Alexia Jane

Brandon and his fiance Tori

Chase, my missionary brother 

Alyssa, Abby, and Dustin. The cutest little family in the world.

Hailey and Lexi

My nephew, little man Javid. 

Samantha, Javid, Mike, and Lexi. A forever family!

All of my siblings. They are the best ever!!!

As you can see, I have pretty much the best family ever! (No, I'm not biased at all. :))

They are the best examples to me. I have been able to spend a lot more time with them lately and am reminded of their countless qualities that I strive to have one day. I'm going to include the in-laws because they are my siblings too.

Dustin is so smart and organized! He has dreams and never gives up on them. He takes care of all that is his. He has so many good ideas. 

Alyssa is so funny. She is a good listener and will take your side when you need to vent to her about someone. She will agree with you and make you feel better. She is also a great mother!!

Samantha is driven. She knows what she wants and she goes for it. She never gives up on something or someone. She is a great mother and fiercely devoted to her children.

Mike is giving. He will take his own time to help you. He loves his family and does his best to care for them. 

Brandon is his own person. He doesn't care what other people think. He is who he is and you just have to deal with it. He doesn't judge people, and doesn't care if people judge him.

Tori is kind. I don't know her very well yet, but what I do know is good. She cares for those around her and tries to help wherever possible.

Chase is outgoing. He will talk to anyone and everyone. He can find something in common with anyone. He can talk about anything, even if he knows nothing about it. 

Hailey is nurturing. She can take care of kids like nobody's business. They love her and she loves them. She can keep six kids from ages 8 to 1 in check AND get them to clean instead of make a mes.

Alexia, Javid, and Abby are the best nieces and nephew ever. They are such sweet little characters.

My mom and dad have both instilled so many good things in our lives. They are hard working, giving, and so much more. I love them so much!

My Family Rocks!!!

So Much to Say

So much has happened since the last time I posted. A few of those things deserve their own post and will get them. Here is a quick recap of the past few months:

• I moved home to Grace, ID
• I got my mission call to the Texas Dallas Mission
• My beautiful new niece Abby Lynn was born
• My nephew, Javid, turned one
• My niece, Lexi, turned three
• I went to Disneyland
• I got a job at the Caribou Highlands Golf Course
• I received my endowments

There is so much to look forward to this summer as well, hopefully I will post more regularly and post about these upcoming events:

• The Ackerman Family Reunion in Junction, UT
• My sister Samantha and her family are going to be sealed together
• Abby Lynn will be given a name and a blessing
• Chase will leave for his mission in Baton Rouge. Louisiana
• Brandon and Tori will be married in the Rexburg, ID temple
• Disneyland Again!

This summer is going to be great! I can't wait for all these exciting things to happen in my family.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

I was recently reminded that I learn best from children. I can think of many instances in my life where the insight I need comes from the mouths of babes.

The first I'd like to share, that I thought about on Sunday, was during my junior year in high school. I had the opportunity to be a cadet teacher and help at the elementary an hour each day for a semester. I was assigned Kindergarten. This class was quite rambunctious and very, very social. The teacher said no matter where she puts the talkers, they find someone to talk to. In fact, they were almost all talkers. And they spoke their minds. If they thought about something they said it. Sometimes, this was a bad thing, but not always.

One day, I was working with a group of three little boys. They had been working quietly (rare) and then, out of nowhere, a little boy named Bray looks at me. He asks, "Do you know Jesus?" I had no idea what to say. Luckily, he gave me no time to answer.

"I do, he died for me."

All I could say was, "That's right, he did."

He then went right back to work and he and the other boys started talking about the wrestling match they had that night. I'm sure Bray doesn't remember asking me this, but I will never forget it. I think about that question, "Do you know Jesus?" often. I try my hardest to be able to truly answer with a resounding, "YES!"

The second instance was more recent. A couple of months ago my family was driving to Rexburg to watch one of the brothers play basketball. I saw the illuminated Rexburg temple shining like a beacon in the darkness. I pointed it out to my almost three-year-old niece and told her it was Jesus's house. She said, "Can I go there?" My answer was not right now, but when your mommy and daddy are sealed together you will go with them. She then said, "But, I miss Jesus!" I realized how lucky I am to go to the temple and be in His house. It brings me nearer to Him, so I miss Him less. I think we all miss Him, but only a kid is inherently close enough to the veil to realize it and vocalize it.

A Day Without a Mexican

Before you read too much into it, just read the post. :)

So, right now I work in Spring Potatoes. I stand on a conveyor belt all day as potatoes go past me and onto a semi truck to be sold and transported for seed. My job is to take out the garbage, like the rotten potatoes, rocks, weeds, and other such things. Every once in awhile a weird piece of garbage will pass by like rusted pliers. I work with five Mexican ladies that mainly speak Spanish. There is this documentary, I think by Michael Moore, called A Day Without a Mexican. It explores what life would be like if there were no Mexicans, mainly in California and the jobs they do and how the economy would fall apart. I've never seen it but that is what I gleaned from the trailer. If that happened at Jorgenson Farms, where I work, I would be the only one left besides the owner.

I have learned a lot from working with these amazing ladies. They are so giving and full of life. Laughter can almost always be heard, even though the job we do isn't the most pleasant. Everyday Sylvia brings a hot drink and this delicious bread with sugary goodness on top. My dad told me what it was called, but I forgot and he isn't in the vicinity to tell me. They refuse a "No, Thank You" as a good answer to the offer. I once got scolded for only taking half of the loaf of bread and not the whole thing. This is the before lunch snack, after lunch they break out the fruit and pass it around. Some days they even add to the deliciousness with candy. One day, they even fed me lunch. I had my own but they served me good sized helpings of everything they had prepared. Best food ever!! I am so grateful for the opportunity I've had to work with these ladies. They are amazing!

Life as I Know It

It's been a while and a lot has happened in my life since the last time I updated this thing. First, I moved. I left Salt Lake and moved home to prepare for my mission. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, but I know that it was right. My life has been greatly blessed because of this decision.

I get to spend so much time with my family. I was able to be there when my cousin, Andrew, got home from his mission. I was able to see my awesome little brother, Chase, open his mission call (Louisiana Baton Rouge mission). I was there this fabulous weekend and I have been able to spend some quality time with each of my siblings.

This weekend was Easter. Best Easter I've had in a long time. We spent Saturday in Preston for Alyssa's (my sister-in-law) baby shower. Then it was over to my aunt Mabel's house to prep for the Easter egg hunt. It was the first of what should become an annual glow in the dark hunt for the "big kids". The big kids are almost all 18 or over, but it was so much fun! Dad, Todd, Mike, and Dustin hid the eggs which were filled with candy, glow sticks, and pieces of paper that indicated you won a prize. Some of Alyssa's brothers and sisters came as well and we had a blast. I won a Green Lantern power ring that is legit and lights up. Yes, I am kind of a little kid. I didn't take a real picture of it, but I found this on the internet.

Isn't it cool? Lexi is kind of jealous, she hid it from me today. :)

On a completely unrelated note, I am also almost done with my mission papers. I can turn them in on May 7th and all I have left is the dentist and the doctor. I have yet to get my wisdom teeth out so that is going to be on the agenda soon. Luckily, I only have 3 wisdom teeth so maybe it won't be so bad. Here is the picture I am submitting with my papers. Hopefully I will get a better one taken for the plaque, but this will have to do for now.

I am so excited to have the opportunity to serve the Lord full time for 18 months. Watching General Conference reaffirmed for me that I am supposed to serve a mission and I couldn't be more stoked. Let's hope it gets to May 7th soon so I can turn my papers in already!

Blessings in Disguise

I  had a conversation with a friend this weekend about blessings in disguise. He told me about how the car he had just bought broke down. He continued to say this was a blessing in disguise because he had two hours to kill while he waited for a friend to come take a look at his car and spent that time in the library watching Mormon messages, praying, and reading his scriptures. He said he grew closer to God in those two hours than he was previously and he was grateful for that opportunity. We then talked about how our greatest trials are more often than not, blessings in disguise.

I am currently going through something that is very hard for me, but I have been looking for the silver lining. One experience that would not have happened without this trial has been getting to know a friend of mine much better than I previously had known him. I needed to get away and he offered to take me on a drive. We drove, talked, laughed, listened to music, and just had a good time. It was a good mental break and even though we had only had two very short and simplistic conversations prior to this it was like we had known each other forever. He provided me the respite I needed from my own little world and everything that was going on in my head. He shed light on things that I never would have surmised alone. He invited me into his world and he got to experience a little bit of mine.

The Lord knows exactly what I need to hear. In testimony meeting I felt like all the testimonies borne were said just for me. I felt the love God has so strongly it was palpable. I know that the only way we can become who we were meant to be is going through trials. Just remember, you are never alone. Even if every person around you leaves you, He is always there. His hand is stretched out still, all you have to do is reach up and take it. I can do hard things, with His help. We all can.

The Power of A Smile

Tuesday, as I was walking home from class I walked passed a woman who looked distracted and rushed. I smiled at her as I passed. She smiled back and her face transformed. Her eyes shined and I realized that a smile changes everything.

I have been struggling in my life lately, but recently life has been looking up. As I look back on these difficult months the Lord has showed me many tender mercies that have helped me through. Many of them were just smiles and hellos from friends, members of my ward, and strangers.

During this time, I have had the opportunity to attend the Jordan River Temple every Tuesday and Thursday. I have come to love the temple workers I see weekly and am always happy to see their smiling faces. Yesterday, as I entered into the baptistry and greeted the lovely sisters, one asked if she could give me a hug. I said of course! The love they show me weekly is evidence to me that He is ever mindful of me. His hand is always there, we just don't always see it because it is in the form of other people.

There were many small tender mercies, but also some big ones. One being my dear roommate who loves me and listens to the guidance of the Holy Ghost. She has been the greatest asset in my steady increase. He has truly blessed me with her friendship. I know she was placed in my life for a reason and this is one of the many. I strive to have a Christ-centered life such as the one she emulates.

The people who have helped me is inumerable and the majority of them have no idea the scope of their kind words in my life. Just remember, that there is power in a smile. A smile can strike you to the very depths of your soul and uplift and brighten you. Love shines through the smile and gives all a taste of His love for them. And don't we all need to feel His love?