...gratitude isn't just a river...wait, wrong joke.

           So I am a Sunday school teacher (Yes take it in, I'm so spiritual..... Kidding) and I was able to teach 2 weeks ago, the creation in gospel doctrine, but then this week, I taught gospel principles about the creation. So obviously, Gods trying to tell me something important. So I listened. And this is what I came up with .....I've made myself a victim in this world of no satisfaction, thinking  That there is always a flaw in everything and there should be something better always.  I feel like I'm the victim and the world is out to get me, Rachel Jackson.........

I think, especially in Provo, as a community of young( and old), we feel conned into this idea that there is always something better because there are so many babes here duh. No but really, everywhere on Instagram, Facebook, MySpace?? And twitter, prove that someone has or is doing something better than you. So naturally, we feel the need to sit there and wine and go on Pinterest and then post on Instagram something bigger and better and pretend we win the "I'm the best" prize.  We all do it. But I didn't realize this until recently, going back to my lesson God has been trying to tell me, that God created us and this world, and in his own words he declared that "it was good" and that he was satisfied. He didn't sit there and think "nah that tree is way too big". He knew It was perfect before he created us and the earth. He then created a plan just for us.  A plan that can't be put on Pinterest, a plan that can't be topped. It's just simple and perfect.

 So if he did all that in 7 days, why are we so quick to change it all in a matter of seconds? Can't we just be content and be grateful for the things/people we do have?  

That's the question and challenge of the year. 

Super deep right?

...he had a dream

This MLK weekend turned out to be so great!!! Things I can cross off my list. Visa freeskiing Grand Prix. And cabin-ing. And going to a MLK and cookies party I went to when I was a senior in hs in Provo... (7th annual....... Cool but Sad) 

More learned lessons: friendship is important during this time in my life and I I should "yolo" whenever possible with them. They are kinda like my backbone during this time in my life and it's great for now. My mom used to tell me you should always have the attitude of "why not" when doing things. Life is short. Don't take friends for granted just because they said you have bad hair that day. Maybe it's true! Listen to them rather than ignoring them. 

But funny contrast, my friend Elyse m Dial said the other day,  "Friendship won't help you get into the celestial kingdom" haha. So with that being said, there is a time and season for everything I guess. Ive never understood that but now I do. 

Friends are always good to lean on but current and future family members last forever.

Other lessons: Be nice to everyone. You never know who will have a million dollar personality. Using people is bad but using people for there goodness is different. If you truely care about yourself you'll want to improve and be he best version of yourself. So find those that you'd want to be like most. And take notes and soak up everything. Also on he reverse side, be a good example. You really never know who is watching and taking notes of YOU. 

...this year is dunzo

I hope everyone had a Christmas as wonderful as his ^ what a sweet, unspoiled kid....... Any way I thought I'd do everyone a favor and shower you all with amazing music

There is a ton but trust me, you will want to hear all of it.
Music is therapy and sometimes better than words

ame> I like this version better. country, I know favorite cover ending with my favorite

and if you'd like "free music go to my music for your ears page

...life is full of lessons

So I haven't written a blog in a really long time, so I felt like today was a good day to start.

I want to share some life lessons.

1. FIrst life isn't fair, but that doesn't mean you should stop your life or stop you from being happy.      - Nothing should define ones happiness except for your core belief in God, Because if you really believe in him you believe that there is hope and that there is more. More happy moments with the people you love, more happy moments of the things you enjoy, and more happy moments serving and being better.


2. You shouldn't talk negatively about someone.                                                                                  - It's such an easy thing to talk and talk and talk about the things that bother you. Its even easier to hold on to those negative things and pretend it doesn't bother you. It always seems like the best idea. What you don't realize is that you are selling your self short. You are letting evil and pessimism get the best of you. When you over analyze a bad situation or a bad thing someone did, you let it get inside your heart and you could eventually hurt someone or some situation. you'll outwardly treat them/it worse than it actually is. And when its time to fix things, it could be too late. You don't want to live with regrets


3. Be in the moment even when it sucks.                                                                                        - People don't use the word relax for nothing. SO many times i wish that I just relaxed about things. I am always so worried that I could be doing something better or that things are supposed to be better. Why waste time freaking out about something you can't change. It's not worth it. Being so caught up in the future makes you less aware of the present. You hear that phrase "live in the moment and not the past or future". I never agreed with that until now. It never made sense because, we are always doing things to prepare for our future like, jobs to pay for a future family, getting a gym pass in hopes to be skinner in the future, dating someone in hopes that marriage is in the future.  See the confusion. If you understand that life is how you make it , if you have faith, you will be happier. Hope for the future isn't a bad thing as long as you rely on your own happiness and not others to make your happy.


4. Learn lessons the hard way and move on.                                                                                           -If you feel like life is supposed to be blissful and easy and without worries, you are in trouble. Being naïve and ignorant isn't always bliss. I've learned that doing so will hurt in the long run when other rough patches show up unexpectedly. If you figure out what was the problem and motivate yourself to move on, you'll be that much stronger for the next one. Some one told me about a girl who was climbing this mountain. It was really windy which made it really hard to get up the mountain. She stopped and said a simple prayer to ask God to make the wind stop. she then proceeded up the mountain. Still the windy was very strong, but she kept going. Finally she made it to the top, but confused and mad rather than accomplished. She asked God, "Why didn't you answer my prayer, why didn't the wind stop?" He told her, "Instead of making the wind stop, I gave you strength to be able to finish and make it through." You have to push through things and realize things aren't always great but in the end it's always worth it if your learned from it.


5. LIfe isn't about yes' or no's, It all about Faith.                                                                                     - We have always been taught that it's Black and white and that there is no gray. I've always been a believer of that because my life has been somewhat simple, no hard struggles, no drama, no big decisions. That changed when I went on a LDS mission and grew up. Every experience after my mission has changed me and taught me that you can't live without faith. I recently went through something really hard. Nothing awful, but just hard. I learned that if the Lord said yes or no to everything, we wouldn't grow. If he told us everything about everything, we would,of course believe him but, then there would be no need to pray, no need to repent (go to church), no need for hope and no need for faith. How boring would that be. With that being said, You can't expect everything to go your way without some sort of guidance. It doesn't work that way. I feel that Decisions determine your destiny, ( talk given by Thomas. S. Monson, read it) but I also believe that things aren't always in our own hands.


6. Timing ISN'T everything unless...                                                                          -unless it is everything. How can you know when the right time is? How can you know it's meant to be? How can you know it's whats suppose to happen? The truth is, you'll never know! How crazy and awful! Timing really is awful if you think about it. Like, "Why did he get die NOW, his life was going so good.","why did this have to happen NOW". So many question will always go unanswered, it's just timing.  Maybe they weren't as strong then or prepared or maybe their faith wasn't secure. The possibilities are endless, but that in no way means people have to be perfect to have the right timing. This is something hard for me because it's so hard to see the future and its so hard to understand the Lords time when situations are bad. But I do know that things are possible. Always.  Elder Dallin H. Oaks gave a talk about "timing" and this is what struck out to me the most: “The issue for us is trusting God enough to trust also His timing. If we can truly believe He has our welfare at heart, may we not let His plans unfold as He thinks best? The same is true with the second coming and with all those matters wherein our faith needs to include faith in the Lord’s timing for us personally, not just in His overall plans and purposes.” Indeed, we cannot have true faith in the Lord without also having complete trust in the Lord’s will and in the Lord’s timing. In our service in the Lord’s Church we should remember that when is just as important as who, what, where, and how. For a vivid illustration of the importance of timing, we can look to the earthly ministry of the Lord and His succeeding instructions to His Apostles. During His lifetime the Lord instructed the Twelve Apostles not to preach to the Gentiles but “rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 10:6; see also Matt. 10:5; Matt. 15:22–26). Then, at the appropriate time, this instruction was reversed in a great revelation to the Apostle Peter. Only then, at the precise time dictated by the Lord, was the gospel taken to the Gentiles (see Acts 10–11). As this example shows, continuing revelation is the means by which the Lord administers His timing. We need that revelatory direction. For example, many of us or our descendants will doubtless participate in the fulfillment of prophecies about the building of the city of New Jerusalem (see D&C 84:2–4). But in this matter the timing is the Lord’s, not ours. We will not be approved or blessed in clearing the ground or pouring the footings for that great project until the Lord has said that it is time. In this, as in so many other things, the Lord will proceed in His own time and in His own way."

So I heard life is hard..... but life is still great and fulfilling!!!

...Will sasso is funny

Taylor Swift Goat Remix Re-Remix.

I cant sing that song without thinking of this

...It was awful

But it was wasn't that bad. Being my second movie on the Big screens in 1 year and a half, I rate it a 8. Twilight was a hit,( we all know you too wore fangs and colored contacts for opening night) and i think The host will be too. I forsure thought it would be about Aliens

I really didn't appreciate Britney Spears appearing in it,

total bummer. 

The host Rating:

Para Que Sepan

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19 March, 2012 12:17

Thank You for anyone that has written me lately I truly appreciate it! The surprise macaroons were so amazing words cannot explain how happy I was Jessica Maloney!!!!! And Thank you Rachel Haslam that sweet letter!!!!!!! The main reason why this post is important is because its Kyria Dials birthday this week well as my MTC companions birthday, Liz Wiglama

SO HAPPPPPPYYYYYYYY BIRTHDAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY<

24 October, 2011 13:21

everyone!!!! hiiiii so this is my last preperation day!!! then off to Fresno, cali!! oh my i am so excited. im going to share somethings in the mtc. if you wanna know the really good stuff you have to email me or write me........ anyway so somethings i like at the MTC: i really like the cereal wall, the other food isnt that great actually it looks good for about 2 weeks, you think to yourself i could stay in the mtc forever!!!! then you realize oh wait we aren't in the real world......the Choir is the best its one of my favorite things to do. the teacher is really funny. The devotionals are amazing the second week we had Elder Holland, then the next week Elder Ballard came then the week after was Elder Nelson oh it was great then it was conference. Conference i thought in the mtc, was going to be hard because there wouldnt be couches, my moms cassarole, blankets, but it turned out to be the best session ever. I really loved all of the talks even Sis. Elane Dalton about fathers, so sweet. Tall lab is really fun. its a computer program where we talk into a microphone and repeat spanish words. most of the elders in the lab, where me and Hna Wiglama are, get really annoyed with us because we repeat words like 20 times. During breakfast, there are some WEIRD i mean super sweet elders. They act there age most of the time. Thankgoodness the sisters are here to help them...anyway some elders like to make animals with their fruit and today an elder made a dolphin from a banana and then he started making the noises! very interesting.......

oct 22,2011

im in fresno i have no time to update but write me and ill write back

1814 n echo ave. fresno ca 93704 love you all. oh shout out to sara v Martinez.....a girl in my ward in madera served and your dad was her mission president. she said he was awesome!!!!! her name was sister mendez!

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

24 October, 2011 12:30

Pictures!!!!

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

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Guest Blog Post

I miss Rachel.

Xoxo elyse

its my 3rd week!!!!!

hellllllllo everyone! I am in the famous mtc laundry room and it is super super hot! today is my p-day and the temple was closed!!!!! so we had a lot of free time. well the first 4 days were veryyyy verrrry long. lots of lines and we went straight into teaching in spanish by the 3 day we were teaching our first "investigator" alfonzo... I can now roll my r's. yup impressive i know. the food i heard was so bad everyone lost a lot of wait. Wrong!!!! ITS so good! there are even vending machines!!!! I am in the laundry room and elders are talking about the narnia boxes!?!?! and the pillow room. so the sisters are on the search for our pillow box in our residence!!! I love my district so much! and my zone is really great! i really dont know what else to talk about.....oh Elder Holland came to the tuesday devotional and the week before was elder Zivic. I Really do love it here, but i cant wait to be in california with all the fresh fruit!!!! I LOVE AND MISS EVERYONE!!!!
also it was fast sunday and i bore my testimony in spanish!!!!!

if you want to write me you can dear elder or send me a physical letter. at
sister Rachel Jackson
mtc mailbox #252
ca-fre 1019
2005 n 900 e
provo ut 84604

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.

...The MTC is....

Sooooo Im in provo packing and getting ready to head to the MTC tomorrow. Really weird feelings is all I can say on how I feel. I am so grateful to be going but I really have to no idea what to expect. The best advice i've gotten is to forget myself and serve. Sounds simple to me!
my mom and dads flight were at 6:30 am and mine was at 7:30. So glad I had an extra day in provo instead of going straight to the MTC. We got to Provo and got my Motor vehicle report. my mom was super proud that I didn't have any arrests on my record! Then of course I took them to Jdawgs and they loved it! We shopped and shopped and got all the last few things I needed. I was so happy that I got to see Jessica Maloney today. We met up and had my last meal paid by my dad at Pf changs. It never tasted that good as it did tonight!!!!

I am so excited to tell everyone about the gospel and share with everyone my experiences. Please write me if you have time to say hello. You CAN send me candy or cookies. Im totally okay with that! Also, Thank you so much for everyone that came to my farewell! So much fun to see everyone, one last time.

Olive Juice.(a little inside joke)
-Hermana Jackson

...Rachels actually doing it

Its true. Lots of non believers out there but I AM going on a mission. To Fresno California: spanish speaking. My email address is rachelj@myldsmail.net and if you want to subscribe to my blog click the link on the side. My plan is to email my letters and pictures to my family to them and to my blog email. so I can't update it, some one else will!

I havent really started packing up until last friday.

I was avoiding it because I ABSOLUTELY hate packing. so I just laid out my clothes and I think that's good enough for now. Play time because my summer semester ended yesterday and I finally get a summer until Monday night, when I get set apart.......I am nervous but excited. I honestly don't know what to expect because when I think of the MTC I think of a giant long EFY session and I loved EFY so I mean I think I'll be fine, right? and If I think of only others and not of how much ill miss shopping at Sephora and getting goodies from them or Nordstrom's half-yearly. I think ill be fine...... I really do love serving I mean that is why I am going, so I probably should? I'm so excited to help people in every way possible. I'm to teach people what I know about the church. If they see how happy and (stylish) I am, I mean they have to join right? Duh. but I have to work on another strategy to convert though. No flirting to converting like in high school!

Another thing I have a concern about is the bikes. My mission president which is no longer the mission president said that the bike this is for real, he wasnt joking, like I thought he was. He sounds serious like I would be doing a lot of biking............. my New mission President is this guy (You might know Him from the evil dad from "desperate housewives or the coach in "Forever strong:

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="598" caption="."][/caption]

Im kidding. Its actually the guy he is playing in the movie "Forever strong" President Larry Gelwix, the real Highland Rugby Coach:



I heard he is really really great. I can't wait!!! Anyway. I'm not sure how the riding bikes thing will work out. In a skirt, any advice???? All I know is that my legs will be great by the end of the 18 months.

twins are double fun but double the trouble

sorry late late post super short too, I just loved this so much this is kingston. Isnt he so stinkin cute.

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/23357294]

... I might die

So first to update. I went on my cruise to the Bahamas. It was a success. (side-note don't go with 2 two-year olds) Disney cruises aren't the biggest but they are the nicest and bestest.... Then it was right to work with finishing my mission papers. (oh by the way I'm going on a mission) hopefully to Italy. I hear if you pray really hard that's where you'll go... So I went to the doctors 3 weeks ago and took a urine sample for my physical. came back negative. Had to do it again. Still negative. Did it again. oh you guessed it still negative. I drank so much water during that time. I consider myself pretty healthy. so Today I went in hoping that my pee would be a good pee. WRONG. So my doctor pulls me into his office and said that we might need to do an ultrasound of the kidneys to make sure everything is okay! That was about the worst thing to say to a hypochondriac like me! My kidneys could be failing as we speak and I could have 3 more days to live... He realizes how I've been waiting for the urine sample to sign off my papers for my mission. So he signs them and I sent them to the stake president!!! EASY. (other than dying) SO FOR EVERYONE WONDERING I WILL HOPEFULLY GET MY CALL APRIL 28th! I'm ready to leave Utah. I miss my family a lot and want to get going on this whole mission thing.

...James Franco is coming to Provo.

[caption id="attachment_215" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Oh Franky, you're so cool"][/caption]

Today has been a James Franco kinda day. Im sure if I was to define that it would mean; hot,fun,sexy, lazy,great kinda day. Instead of Celebrating Presidents day, I celebrated him, because we all know his birthday isn't enough.  I have a few websites I want to share. They are really great. and here they are:

Record Tripping

The Infinite Oz

Neon Bible

This interactive video for a song by Arcade Fire is weird and hypnotizing at the same time.

Paul Neave


Echogenesis

Google Gravity

Sound of Hamburg

Zach Galifianakis- Cant tell me nothing(kanye cover)

Ps if you want some more pictures to stare at instead of studying......JESSICA M. Click here

....March is coming

Which means it will be March 16th 2011. It CANNOT get here soon enough. I am very lucky enough to go on a Disney cruise with my lovely family! I have never been on one before but I heard Its #heckadope.- Hash tags have some how made it outside of twitter into my daily life, and that hashtag is one I use on my twitter alter-ego.  Who knows.

I have a list of things I Think are a must for a cruise:

[caption id="attachment_198" align="aligncenter" width="187" caption="Cover up"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_199" align="aligncenter" width="246" caption="Floppy hat"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_200" align="aligncenter" width="222" caption="J.crew dinner outfit"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_202" align="aligncenter" width="232" caption="Silk maxi dress"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_203" align="aligncenter" width="110" caption="bon voyage outfit"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_204" align="aligncenter" width="204" caption="fancy dinner"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_205" align="aligncenter" width="235" caption="New Marc Jacobs In season swimsuit"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_206" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="and beach bag to match"][/caption]

...Mormon mommy blogs are addicting. I heard right!

So over Christmas break I saw this article about mormon mom blogs (here) and the hip moms and the queens of blogging. The pro's. All it made me think about was how much I want a house, and a baby and a husband and hip crafty DIY' projects. Pretty much I want to write a blog about how great my life is and my kids and my cool hip life. I envy these super moms because they manage to make people love them and their life but they also show the things they are thankful for. They show off without being show-offy, and I am jealous of that in itself.

Natalie Holbrook

The langs

NIE NIE Dialoges

 

...Rachel sleeps a lot

I got sick last week and slept a ton because that was the doctors orders. Now



that I am healthy, My sleeping schedule is all screwed up. Does my doctor still need me to sleep it off, for how long? I've been getting to sleep really well mom. I still take a non-prescribed sleeping pill but, Its getting easier to fall asleep to Grey's Anatomy. AND Grey's Is not becoming boring. That would be such a HORRIBLE lie. It's actually getting juicier ( Meredith and McDreamy are for real practicing baby making not just for fun) , But this post is not about T.V, It's about sleeping. I love it.