Christmas In Mexico

"The Magic of Christmas is not in the presents, but in His Presence."

I'm having a great opportunity to spend Christmas in Mexico with my sisters and parents. Lexie, Grant and Ellie didn't come this year because they are in Idaho Falls with Grant's family. This is what they do every Christmas. They went to the Ricks' house in Idaho and they will come here next year. I am sad they're not here right now, but I'm having a great time with Nina, Andrew, Breana and my parents.

When I was little, I used to think Christmas was about presents and Santa Claus but when I grew older, I learned from my mom that "Christmas means a little more." It's about the Savior because it's the time we celebrate His Birth, even though he was born in Easter. In my mom's family, Christmas was about the Savior her whole life. If you think of the word Christmas a little more, it means "More of Christ."

"It's not about your scars. It's all about your heart."

~Mindy Gledhill~

This was kind of a sad Christmas for me because I'm not sure if my cousins had changed their thoughts of me or learned from their mistakes. When I saw them at the Ward's Annual Reindeer Run, they seemed excited to see me, but I was uncomfortable when I walked with them even though they wanted me to join them. Maybe my heart is still hurting and it hasn't recovered all the way. Recovery is such a long process.

I heard that time heals all wounds, but wounds can leave scars. Scars that will remind us of our traumas, sorrows, and pains. I was left scars my whole life even though they couldn't really be seen by other people. I try to pray for God's comfort and support to help me let go, forgive and move on. It's hard to tell myself that I'm not a victim, but I sometimes feel like I am because I was bullied and ignored by my cousins and other people who couldn't see past my differences and see me as a human being.

My mom is a wise woman. She's been through the same thing with her in-laws because of the different person she is. I don't really know how she handles it but from what she told me, it's better to be kind and loving than to be bitter and hateful. She taught me and my sisters the same thing and we listened to her.

"Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive, and even spiritual satisfaction."

~E. O. Wilson~

This afternoon, I took the time to go outside and sketch, plus have some conversation with nature. I laid down on the new trampoline we got for Christmas, closed my eyes and relaxed. Peace came to my mind. I listened to Mother Nature; wind was blowing; dogs were wandering around and making noises, not loud ones though; leaves were rustling and cars were driving by. Cars are not really my favorite to listen to in nature, but the rest were good.

It was a beautiful visit. I imagined myself lying on the grass, surrounded by everything of nature; trees, animals and a warm weather. I was in Paradise, the Garden of Eden.

One Nation Under God: Protect Marriage

For years, our country’s been in this debate regarding same-sex marriage. Everyone’s been arguing that it’s equal to opposite-sex marriage while others are arguing that it’s not. As a Christian, I don’t support same-sex marriage because I, not only believe, but also know that it’s only a union between a man and a woman through the power and promptings of the Holy Ghost. As a matter of fact, I don’t support that same-sex marriage should be legal in this country because it doesn’t really make us equal.

All of us human beings on this earth are equal because we’re created in the image of God. Not only are we created in His image, but also with divine natures and destinies. Each of us has an essential role in gender. Men are to provide the necessities of life and protection for their wives and children while the women are to nurture them. But, men and women are to work together as equals. It’s like mixing the colors. If you mix blue with yellow, you make green. But, if you mix blue with blue or yellow with yellow, you will still get the same color. There will not be any difference between the same colors. Some of us may not be married or parents, but I am very positive that we can still fulfill our gender roles in different ways.

To make everyone equal, we ought to treat each other with respect and compassion; that means we tolerate choices, beliefs, feelings, rights and needs. But, we don’t let them have too much freedom because they can still do wrong. For those who are fighting for religious beliefs, we remember the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America, “Freedom of religion.” When our ancestors came to America, it was for religious freedom. They came here with an agency to choose anything, but also to have God’s guidance in their lives. When the pledge of allegiance to the United States was written, it mentioned in there that we were also to pledge allegiance “to the republic for which it stands, one Nation under God.” Shouldn’t we follow that example? Obama may be the president, but it doesn’t mean that he’s always right. He’s a human being and he makes mistakes; we all do.

I believe gays and lesbians should be treated like they’re one of us because they have feelings, beliefs and rights. But, they also have trials and make mistakes. It’s fine for them to have a union in partnership, but not marriage because it is not the same as opposite-sex marriage. How can anyone live with two moms or two dads? I could probably live without a mom or a dad, but how else will I be able to understand what it means to be a boy or a girl? Wouldn’t it be better if I had a mom and a dad? I believe it is. Some of us don’t have biological parents around, but they can still find role models in others.

Pictures 1 and 3 are from "Protect Marriage: One Man, One Woman" https://www.facebook.com/marriage.one.man.one.woman/photos_stream

20 Years Later

I woke up this morning to find a special surprise in the bathroom. One of my roommates, I don't know who, put the birthday sign by the sink and mirror and I didn't notice it until I washed my hands. Whoever did this, I thank you for making my day special.

My birthday started out like any other day. I didn't really do anything to celebrate earlier in the day until my roommates took me out to dinner, gave me a cupcake and went to the movie theaters to see the new Christmas movie, "The Christmas Candle." It is a movie based on Max Lucado's book. I recommend everyone to go see it because it is a movie of believing in miracles.

At five years old, I was diagnosed with a learning disability called high functioning autism. It changed the lives of my family and mine forever. Ever since my diagnosis, I went through a lot of challenges. Other kids made fun of me at school and wouldn't include me in any fun activity that they were doing; teachers weren't willing to work with me because they had no experience with disabled kids; I felt like I wasn't important because I wasn't like the other kids. I wasn't "normal."

But with the support of my parents and sisters, teachers and friends who were willing to look past my differences, I was able to succeed and beat the odds. I was only looked at as a little girl, instead of an alien, who needed help and the support from the people who love her.

I received awards in academics, became one of the leading scores in Church basketball, overcame my autism with speech therapy, and graduated high school with honors. I was born a champion... I am now a champion... and I always will be a champion. Anyone is a champion if they choose to be.

Look at me now, 20 years old and a sophomore at BYU-Idaho. I have changed into a better person because of my trials, experiences, and faith that grew stronger and helped me grow close to God. I succeeded because of His help. I learned to turn to Him for strength, courage, and faith. I proved those who doubted I would ever succeed that I can.

I've learned to accept my autism as a gift instead of a weakness. I won't deny it, there are times I've struggled on things because I only think in pictures. But, I was able to understand by asking for help. I think in pictures and I try to connect the pieces together. 

I've also learned not to let autism define who I am. It is my learning disability, but it's not me. It's something I'm born with, but it doesn't mean that it's my identity.

I am Micaela Jones. I'm 20 years old and I'm autistic. But, I am NOT my autism.

Rescue The Dolphins

I fed my first dolphin when I was seven years old at SeaWorld in San Diego, CA. Ever since that experience, I’d been learning about dolphins, the magnificent creatures of the ocean kingdom. Such intelligence do they have; they use their echolocation to communicate with other dolphins, find food and form bonds with humans. They’re also known to protect us when in trouble with sharks or shipwrecks. They use their strong noses to fight off sharks, which can hurt them. It’s a warning to them they should leave their friends alone. Not only can a dog be a man’s best friend, but also a dolphin can be a man’s best friend.

Years later, I discovered that there are some countries who eat dolphins, instead of forming bonds with them. In Japan, fishermen capture many dolphins for meat. They consider themselves fishermen because they’re out at sea looking for food. The truth is, they’re not fishermen. They’re whalers! Whaling is totally different from fishing. Whaling is hunting whales for meat, oil and bones. Fishing is only hunting for fish. Whales are NOT fish, and fish are NOT whales.

I was horrified to see dolphins treated cruelly by fishermen who aren’t even fishermen. I saw it on the news. I also saw American actress Hayden Panettiere trying to stop the slaughter. As a marine conservationist, she came all the way to Japan to save these creatures. The Japanese whalers viciously fought her off, including the others who were in support of saving the dolphins. While she was forced to go back to shore, she cried in tears of horror, sorrow and anger. She just couldn’t bear seeing innocent creatures being slaughtered for the selfish deeds of the world. I was impressed and amazed by her courageous effort. Even though she couldn’t save all of them, she was a hero. Still is today.

Still, the slaughter of the dolphins continues. They don’t deserve this. They only deserve to live long happy lives where there are love, respect and compassion. THEY ARE NOT FISH! THEY ARE MAMMALS! Mammals have lungs and their tails move up and down. Humans don’t have tails, but their arms and legs move up and down when they’re swimming. Fish have gills and their tails move side-to-side. Dolphins are whales! NOT FISH!

As an animal rights supporter, I will fight for the animals that are treated with cruelty and misery. That includes marine animals like the dolphins. No matter how often I get laughed at, mocked at for foolishness, beaten for a crime I never committed, and what others think of me whether I’m crazy or a hero, I will never leave the dolphins defenseless while they’re about to be slaughtered for oils and bones. I will never stop fighting. No matter how long it takes, I won’t stop fighting. Save them! Save the dolphins!

Thanksgiving Break and December Snow

Last week was a huge blessing for me to come home to spend Thanksgiving in Utah. It was a long drive from Rexburg to Salt Lake City on the shuttle, I have to admit it. But, it was worth it. Our Family Thanksgiving Feast was a blast because of the hard work and effort we put forth to it. We didn't have the turkey this time because it took forever for it to cook all the way through. So, we just stuck with the ham, stuffing, mashed and sweet potatoes, and the pies. Other than that, we had a great Thanksgiving.

Between the feast and dessert, we sang Thanksgiving songs, read a quote we picked to read out loud and shared what we're thankful. When my turn came, I said "There are a lot of things to be thankful for, but I'm very thankful to be in a family where there are love and support."

The whole family didn't gather together this year. The only children that were left to celebrate with my mom were me and Breana. Nina and Andrew went to Illinois with the Chaffin family; Lexie, Grant and Ellie had their own Thanksgiving in California. Dad didn't come this time as usual because he had to work and it's not a holiday in Mexico. We didn't let that ruin our Thanksgiving though. We moved on. I was able to spend quality time with Mama J and Breana.

I accomplished a goal that I planned before I went down there. My goal was to spend more time with my family than on my computer. In the times before, I spent a lot of time on my laptop writing stories and going onto the internet. I cared more about my computer than my family, which is very selfish of me. Looking back, I want to do better. Before Thanksgiving arrived, I made that goal and I achieved it. If I keep up with this habit, I will be more in the world than of the world.

My computer is a good tool of resources, emails, writing and blogging, but it can be used in negative ways. Elder M. Russell Ballard gave a talk a long time ago that we should only use the internet and other technology for good use. Technology isn't inherently bad. It can be used in good or bad ways. From these experiences, loved ones are more important than other things, especially families. My computer is not my real friend or my real world. It's only a tool I use for resources.

To finish the last day of Thanksgiving break, Breana took me to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple where we did baptisms for the dead. It's been a long time since I've done it because I went onto college and the Relief Society program. When I was in the Young Women's program, we did baptisms almost every month. I may not be in that program anymore, but I still have a strong desire to do temple work, including baptisms for the dead.

After I baptized for the dead, I felt spiritually clean. It was a good feeling! I love going to the temple. At the end of the day, Breana took me and her boyfriend, José, to the Dollar Theater. We got to see Austenland. Love that movie so much! Totally recommend it for chickflick movie fans.

I was sad to leave home for Rexburg, but I was excited to be back with my roommates. Plus, I only have three weeks left this semester. After I finish strong, I will spend Christmas in Mexico and then come back to Utah. Now, doesn't that sound like a plan?

Last night it snowed a lot. There are still some left today. Probably shouldn't say some because there are more than couple inches of snow. Looks like it's going to be a winter wonderland in this part of America after all. I love the summer heat, but as a Utah girl, I also love the snow.