The Lord is My Anchor

The Lord is my Anchor.

He is my Friend.

He is my Teacher.

He is my Leader.

He is my King.

He is my Redeemer.

Without Him, my soul cannot be saved.

It is His atonement that can save us all.

I'm Back!!!!

So much has changed since I last posted in 2015. I am now blogging on Sunday, September 24, 2017. Since I started typing, I realized how much I missed blogging. To answer one question, I am still dating Alex, whom I met two years ago on Halloween Night and started going out with, and then became his girlfriend. We have been together for three years and things are still going good between us. We have our moments, but we still love each other and continually seek to resolve the problems we have. We make each other laugh and smile, which is a good sign for us as a couple.

We have talked about certain things that could happen in the future, but as of right now, it is not the time yet because I do not feel ready to take the big step. I don't know when I will be ready, but I know I will be someday. Right now I am focusing on finding a job that is in line with my English degree, which I received on July 18, 2017 when I graduated from BYU-Idaho.

Since I hadn't blogged for over a year, there is some catching up that needs to be done. Here are the important things that happened since my last post:

 

Ellie became a big sister in May 2015 when her little brother, Alex came to join the Jones-Ricks family (yeah, that's the same name as my boyfriend, Alex). Although there was some sibling rivalry between the two at first, Ellie and Alex eventually grew to love each other and enjoy spending time together as brother and sister. Ellie is such a good sister to little Alex and always makes sure that he's being safe. Little Alex is 2 years old now, and Ellie, 6 years old, is in school, and they still love each other.

During the summer break in 2015, I got to visit Alex and his parents in his hometown in Michigan, where we visited Ohio on a weekend and walked inside the Kirtland Temple, the first temple that the prophet Joseph Smith founded and dedicated as the House of the Lord. Even though it's not owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints anymore and no longer has the Spirit that I feel in the church, I still have a testimony that this was the first temple dedicated.

Visiting Alex and finally meeting his parents in person was a great week for me. They are such good people and have raised their son very well. Alex does come from a very loving family.

I had the opportunity to visit the Mormon Colonies of northern Mexico with my family and my Mexican roots. Although I enjoy living in the United States where it has more opportunities, I still consider Mexico as my heritage since it is a place where I was born and raised.

It was great being home. Dad took me and a few others horseback riding at the ranch, where it was one of the best times I had. I could be close to nature. Riding a horse is when I feel free to be myself and not worry about other problems. Tanner, of course, loved horseback riding too. He even enjoyed it with his grandpa! He has the cowboy blood in him!

Back in Utah, Bre and Jose took me to a very fun dog show where various canine breeds showed the crowd their amazing tricks and dances with the trainer that hosted the show. I enjoyed that very much! And I sure love dogs!

On the way back, we noticed a pillar of smoke on a mountain, which had been taking place during the 2015 summer in Utah and other places where wildfire had struck. It was not a pretty sight to embrace because people had to evacuate their homes and pack what was important in an emergency while leave everything behind for the fire to devour it. It breaks my heart to see people go through these kinds of challenges. Wildfires can be dangerous, but the pillar of smoke I spotted and photographed was a beautiful view because the sun shining through the smoke could represent hope for the future. There will always be fires, but hope always shines through the smoke.

In the beginning of last fall, I got to take Alex to a rodeo where he got a taste of the rodeo life. I was so glad we went. It reminded me of home and the good times I had with my family when we used to go to rodeos to watch horses run around barrels, cowboys braving the angry bulls, and other riders get kicked off of wild horses. The rodeo is the best place to go to for a Friday Night activity... Or a date.

As usual, I went home for Christmas. I had a good time being with my family, especially during The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. No matter what, I always love spending time with my family because they raised me and loved me, which they still do. Also, I'm stuck with them forever. I don't mind that at all! 

Also as usual, I had to go horseback riding. It is a part of the Jones family tradition. Whenever a Jones member comes down home, there is always horseback riding. That tradition can never be broken or changed.

Now to 2016...

Life is full of challenges, trials, and destruction. I struggled overcoming a trial that I never expected to experience because I was always so cautious when driving. On Friday, February 19, 2016 at 4:51 a.m., I was in a car accident on my way to work. I was driving south on Canyon Road in Provo, UT to BYU where I worked as an early-morning custodian. When I was driving, I saw ahead that the light was red at the intersection, so I started to slow down. But then the light turned green before I could make a complete stop, so I proceeded through the intersection. As I drove into the middle of the intersection, a Ford Ranger truck hit me on the passenger side of my car, going at full speed. 

Thankfully, my car was very sturdy and I did not get hit on the driver side. I would not be here sharing my experience if I got hit on the other side. I am also thankful that no one was on the passenger side. It's a blessing and a tender mercy from God that I was protected and spared. I now know that it isn't my time yet. I'm happy I could still be here.

It's also a blessing that I didn't suffer very serious or critical injuries from the crash. I walked away with only few cuts, bruises and swellings, which I prefer than having broken bones, landing in a coma or worse. I am truly blessed.

At the time of the accident, I felt people from the other side surrounding me and holding me in their arms, as if they were my shield. I felt them holding me so tight that nothing bad would happen to me. They also wanted to comfort me and tell me that things would be okay, and that I would be okay no matter what.

There were a certain number of spirits I felt to be present at the crash: my Grandma Meyer, my friend Christian, my Uncle Scott, and many other angels who came for me. I strongly believe and testify that God does protect and love everyone.

Like me, Ellie is such a trooper. She had her first open-heart surgery, which was successful. She remains the happy, energetic & sweet little girl that her family and friends know and love. So proud of you, Ellie, for being so brave! I love you! :)

I've mentioned this before, but I'm proud to be a Wildlife Warrior dedicated to love animals, appreciate nature and conserve wildlife like my childhood hero, Steve Irwin. To show that I am and make myself feel like one, I ordered a shirt and wristband. With those things, I am a Wildlife Warrior! I even look like one.

We were sad to have lost one of our dear, loving and loved family members, David Meyer, one of my mom's brothers. We were greatly saddened by his passing because we had loved him so much, which we still do. We will remember him always for the good person he was, the good deeds he had done in this world.

I scream 'Ice cream' to you, Uncle David!

I got to go to Michigan again the second time during Summer break, which was as fun as before. Alex took me to a lot of fun places, like the Henry Ford Museum, the Detroit Zoo, and the outdoor shooting range. I had a great time there!

After my trip to Michigan, I celebrated the wedding of one of my very good friends from high school and Young Women's, Lacy, and her new husband, Will. So happy for them both! Will, you make sure you take good care of Lacy!

                               

Lexie and her kids came to Utah, which meant a lot to me. Since I was born, I was sort of her baby because she, along with my other sisters, would help take good care of me. Though I am older and in college, I am somehow still her baby even though she has her own family because she always checks on me and pushes me to go the distance. That's what sisters are for!

To make the summer break more special, Lexie took me to California where I was very happy to be at. It brought back a lot of good memories when I was there. Mexico was and still is my home and heritage, but I also consider California as my second home. I felt like I just came home when I visited there. I don't know if Alex felt the same way when he visited since he served his mission in that area, but he was excited to be in California. We did a lot of fun things when he was there: he showed me the places he served, we walked around the Oakland Temple and ate ice cream at Fenton's, explored through the Redwood Forest, and visited the beach, one of my favorite places to go to.

I'm glad I came to California, and thankful to Lexie for making it possible for me and Alex to come. It was a good vacation there!

On September 13, 2016, Melina brought in another bundle of joy, another beautiful baby boy named Oliver Jeffrey, aka Ollie or Ollie Bear. Since he came into this world, he has been one of our greatest joys in life. He has also been one of our greatest blessings, reminding us to always turn to the Lord in the trials we go through, even in our darkest hours.

Ollie has been a fighter since the day he was born. He came prematurely and went through a lot of health problems and surgeries to help him live a healthy life. It broke our hearts to see him as a little baby go through those trials, but it built up our faiths more and helped us draw closer to God, turning to Him more.

After battling with jondis, the multiple surgeries he underwent, including the most recent one on his ear tubes, Ollie proved to us the fighter he was. He has grown more, become more chubby, and responsive like a baby should. He and his parents are going through another trial that they do not wish to go through, sadly. Ollie was diagnosed with Smith-Magenis syndrome, a learning disorder that had the similar symptoms of autism, down syndrome and other developmental disabilities. But, Melina and Andrew are working together and seeking ways to satisfy Ollie's needs. He is lucky to have loving parents like them. And a fun, loving brother like Tanner to be with. These two love each other a lot.

Christmas 2016 was a good time for the family. We followed our traditions as usual, only this time, we had Alex down for New Year's. He was so excited to be down in Mexico for the first time. We even got to celebrate our birthdays, which made his trip more special. His birthday is December 30, mine December 14.

 Alex also got to ride a horse for the very first time in his life, although he was a little nervous. But when he got on a horse and rode like a cowboy would, he loved it!

2017

Whenever a new year comes, so do changes. For the Max Jones family, a change that happened for us was with my grandma Christine. She found love in another man whom we now call Papa John, a very good man whom we were acquainted with our whole lives. We are grateful that he could be a part of the family.

 Alex and I had to return to freezing-cold Rexburg to start another semester at BYU-Idaho. Another change: it was my off-track semester, but I had to attend BYU-Idaho that semester to re-take a class, which I finally passed!

Ellie lost her 1st tooth this summer! She even lost her 2nd one!

This year, Alex and I both graduated from BYU-Idaho a semester apart--Alex in the spring, me in the summer. Through all the hard work and effort we put forth in our studies and our classes, we both got rewarded with graduating from BYU-Idaho.

Since I was a little girl, attending college and graduating from there has been one of my dreams, not only because my grandma, my mom, my sisters and my dad did, but because I wanted to prove to myself and the world that I could do hard things, even with my autism. I learn things differently because of my autism, but I don't let it become a barrier for me. It's just another way for me to learn things. And I learned a lot from my autism, I even learned how to live with it, even though it's still hard to deal with it on some things. But, I am proud of myself for the huge accomplishments I made in my life, especially the most recent one: graduating from college.

Another tragedy struck us again this year, although we knew this would happen. My dear Grandpaw Meyer passed away at the end of July this year, the same day that my uncle David left this earth. Although I knew that day would come, I dreaded the thought of it because I would grow sad to think about it. I would not hear the trick he would make with his tongue in my ear for the rest of my life, except in my mind. And I would not get to hear anymore of his stories from his serving in World War II.

But, I will never forget my dear grandpaw. He is someone that I have loved and enjoyed spending time with, despite my not being able to see him very much growing up.

While I will feel sad that he's no longer with us and miss him, I will be happy that he is in a better place with my grandma, two of his children who passed before him, his parents, his siblings, his grandparents, and all those who have gone before him. He is also with God and the Savior, who love him very much and are happy to have him home with them.

 No matter how bad things get, good things will always come to pass. Hope always shines through, and blessings are received.

To celebrate Ellie's 6th birthday early, we did a party at Melina and Andrew's house. And Ellie opened a present from her uncle Jose and auntie Bre that had a very exciting, special surprise not only for her, but for the whole family. Ellie is going to have another cousin soon! And it's a girl!

After having Ellie and three boys, we finally get a girl in the Jones family!

Now that I am graduated from college, I am now on my way to finding a job in line with my English degree and writing a book, one of my dreams. And I am on my way to become an artist and illustrator, plus achieve other goals that I plan to achieve in my life.

It will not be easy, but it is not impossible to accomplish.

The Worker Bee

From February to April, I've been a worker bee for BYU in the custodial services, earning myself enough money to pay tithing, buy enough food & gas, pay off my debts and keep a roof over my head. During these past few months, I've spent three hours a day cleaning to ensure a welcome environment for the students, other employees, and everyone else who comes to the campus.

It hasn't been an easy job for me. Waking up at 4 in the morning is one of my biggest challenges. I hate waking up when it's still dark, not the time to wake up yet. However, I was able to self-discipline in getting up no matter how tired I was, for I remembered my reasons for having a job. I had to work!

Being employed as a custodian led to positive learning experiences that are worth remembering. I've learned that cooperation, communication, honesty, patience and optimism were the most important qualities in a job. I've always known about those things before I worked, but I learned more through experiences. As a result, my boss realized that I was a good employee, which I still am.

Since I have to go back to school in a few days, I ended work last week. It was a bit of a sad time because I enjoyed working there despite me being excited about sleeping in a little longer. But, today I'm grateful for the opportunity of being employed there. Now I had my first job experience.

When you look for work, always be open to every opportunity. You never know how often that will happen. It may or may not be a job that you'll want to do for the rest of your life, but it doesn't hurt to try something new. Take a chance to perform your skills. Working is a great way to build up new hobbies or talents. It's another way of self-discovery. At least for me.

Success!!!

Today was my first day of my first job. It was a SUCCESS!!!

For preparation, I went to bed early. I had a little hard time sleeping because one thought always pops into my head, "Work!" Nevertheless, I was able to get to bed early and sleep.

I woke up at approximately 4 a.m., got dressed up and ready for work, and headed to BYU. For your information, I'm currently working as a custodian. Even though it's only the first day, I'm starting to like my job. It's early-morning, but it pays more, has a set schedule, and it's something I'm comfortable doing.

The Lord does hear & answer prayers. I finally got a job to have work experience. It's probably not something I want to do for life, but it keeps me busy.

Let's see how this job turns out next time.

Possible

Anything is possible. This year, I didn't think I could get more than one job interview. It was because I didn't get one last year. But earlier today, I got called for another job interview at BYU. I don't know about the outcomes, but it's possible that I could get a job soon. Maybe even before I know it.

I didn't think it was possible that I could graduate from high school and go to college. But, look where I am now. I just finished my second year in college and became an independent young woman. Possible things happen because people make them. All it takes is faith and action. Doubt doesn't help.

"The world is full of zanies and fools who don't believe in sensible rules and won't believe what sensible people say. And because these dafty and dewey-eyed dopes keep building up impossible hopes, things are happening every day!"

Live Life. Love Life

A lot of things have come up this January, the starting month of the year. One is I'm currently job hunting while I'm off-track for about 4 months. I got a job interview at a cafeteria on the BYU campus. It went well... Quite well. I don't know what will become of it. Yet, I must stand strong and positive. Plus, keep moving forward.

Life is good. It has its challenges, but it's good.

Many more blessings are to come this year. I get to be an aunt the 3rd time. After having Ellie, Lexie gets to have another baby. My little niece is excited to become a big sister soon.

I also got to celebrate Breana's birthday with her and her husband. We shared chocolate cake, which was rich and delicious. Everyone loved it!

I got to see my boyfriend over the 3-day weekend, which was nice for both of us. I enjoyed every minute with him. We were sad to separate, but school was calling his name. Every night, we talk to each other. He is one of the sweetest guys that I know. I am the luckiest girl in the world to have a man love me.

I love my life.

Starting 2015

Well, it's officially 2015! I can't believe how fast the past year has gone by. While it has been a good year, I'm happy for the opportunity to start a new one. This year has had its moments, good and bad. Nevertheless, I love life. It is a beautiful thing. There are many highlights that I've had.

Discovered a lot of doe in my backyard in Utah.

Experienced a new makeover.

Went on a magnificent field trip to nature, a place where I can be close to God.

Became an aunt the 2nd time.

Participated in Bre's wedding.

Dressed up like a cool zombie for Halloween.

Spent Thanksgiving with Lexie and her in-laws.

Got my first kiss from my first boyfriend two days before my birthday. It was one of the best birthday presents I could ever ask for. My boyfriend is, too. He's one of the amazing guys I'm happy to see and talk to. FYI, his name is Alex.

I turned 21! I am now legal enough to consume alcohol. However, I've made the decision to NOT drink. It's not just because of my religious beliefs. I've seen the effects of alcohol on people and they were never pretty sights. Not one of them.

I'm grateful to be born to a family of love, happiness, faith and support. Also, I'm grateful to be born and raised in a church where I can learn about God, discover how to be like Him and maintain a strong relationship with Him. He has helped me in unexpected ways that helped me grow, succeed and become a better person everyday.

I don't know what will happen in the year 2015, but I look forward to having another good year no matter how hard it is. Life's not easy, but never a waste of time. In the words of my Grandpa Meyer, "Life is not meant to be wasted. It is meant to be lived."

I encourage you all to make this year a good year for you. To make it look good, you have the power to do so. Everyone does.