Fall leaves & Girls night out....

This weekend my friend Lindsay came to visit me.. She is such a funny girl.. We went to the waterfall that is by bottle hollow and spent some time admiring it and of course taking pictures.. Cuz that is what I do best. We then went to the mountains and took a "hike" ha ha ha..All the leaves had pretty much fallen off but it was still amazing with blue sky and crisp fall air..Lindsay was cracking me up cuz I grew up in this area so its not that big of a deal to get wet and dirty.. She was trying really hard not to.. We were walking around in the woods when we came upon a fisherman who was filming a how to video on how to catch a fish.. He let look at his fish & even offered to teach Lindsay how to.. I love Nature it always puts me in perspective of how small I am and how much my Heavenly Father loves me. He sure did create an amazing earth.. Lindsay and I then went to to dinner with my friends from here.. They are amazing people and I am so grateful for them.. It was a good weekend.

.......Its the simple things.......

Its the simple things in life that make the biggest difference..I have had a rough month or so and I was thinking about why I was still here? This is what I cam e up with.. Its the simple things in life that make life so great.. A smile from a friend, a phone call, Nephews giving me hug, sister bringing me dinner, Friend taking the time to spend a few hours with me, a sunset, and so so so much more.. These things remind me I am loved and am thought about.. I am so so grateful for Love my Heavenly Father has for me to let me have these simple things in my life.. I want to also share a part of talk with you that opened my eyes....

We do have a choice. We get what we focus on consistently. Because there is an opposition in all things, there are forces that erode our faith. Some are the result of Satan’s direct influence. But for others, we have no one but ourselves to blame. These stem from personal tendencies, attitudes, and habits we can learn to change. I will refer to these influences as the “Six Destructive Ds.” As I do, consider their influence on you or your children.

First is doubt. Doubt is not a principle of the gospel. It does not come from the Light of Christ or the influence of the Holy Ghost. Doubt is a negative emotion related to fear. It comes from a lack of confidence in one’s self or abilities. It is inconsistent with our divine identity as children of God.

Doubt leads to discouragement. Discouragement comes from missed expectations. Chronic discouragement leads to lower expectations, decreased effort, weakened desire, and greater difficulty feeling and following the Spirit (see Preach My Gospel [2004], 10). Discouragement and despair are the very antithesis of faith.

Discouragement leads to distraction, a lack of focus. Distraction eliminates the very focus the eye of faith requires. Discouragement and distraction are two of Satan’s most effective tools, but they are also bad habits.

Distraction leads to a lack of diligence, a reduced commitment to remain true and faithful and to carry on through despite hardship and disappointment. Disappointment is an inevitable part of life, but it need not lead to doubt, discouragement, distraction, or lack of diligence.

If not reversed, this path ultimately leads to disobedience, which undermines the very basis of faith. So often the result is disbelief, the conscious or unconscious refusal to believe.

The scriptures describe disbelief as the state of having chosen to harden one’s heart. It is to be past feeling.

These Six Destructive Ds—doubt, discouragement, distraction, lack of diligence, disobedience, and disbelief—all erode and destroy our faith. We can choose to avoid and overcome them.

Challenging times require greater spiritual power. Consider carefully the Savior’s promise: “If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me” (Moroni 7:33).

We do have a choice. We get what we focus on consistently. Because there is an opposition in all things, there are forces that erode our faith. Some are the result of Satan’s direct influence. But for others, we have no one but ourselves to blame. These stem from personal tendencies, attitudes, and habits we can learn to change. I will refer to these influences as the “Six Destructive Ds.” As I do, consider their influence on you or your children.

First is doubt. Doubt is not a principle of the gospel. It does not come from the Light of Christ or the influence of the Holy Ghost. Doubt is a negative emotion related to fear. It comes from a lack of confidence in one’s self or abilities. It is inconsistent with our divine identity as children of God.

Doubt leads to discouragement. Discouragement comes from missed expectations. Chronic discouragement leads to lower expectations, decreased effort, weakened desire, and greater difficulty feeling and following the Spirit (see Preach My Gospel [2004], 10). Discouragement and despair are the very antithesis of faith.

Discouragement leads to distraction, a lack of focus. Distraction eliminates the very focus the eye of faith requires. Discouragement and distraction are two of Satan’s most effective tools, but they are also bad habits.

Distraction leads to a lack of diligence, a reduced commitment to remain true and faithful and to carry on through despite hardship and disappointment. Disappointment is an inevitable part of life, but it need not lead to doubt, discouragement, distraction, or lack of diligence.

If not reversed, this path ultimately leads to disobedience, which undermines the very basis of faith. So often the result is disbelief, the conscious or unconscious refusal to believe.

The scriptures describe disbelief as the state of having chosen to harden one’s heart. It is to be past feeling.

These Six Destructive Ds—doubt, discouragement, distraction, lack of diligence, disobedience, and disbelief—all erode and destroy our faith. We can choose to avoid and overcome them.

Challenging times require greater spiritual power. Consider carefully the Savior’s promise: “If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me” (Moroni 7:33).

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

Elder Kevin W. Pearson
Of the Seventy

Thinking....

I was sitting here thinking and I was thinking about what I do to take away all the hurt in my life .. How can I judge another when in fact I do the same thing they do jus in a different manner.. I dull my pain through unhealthy things.. How does this all work? I mean If you have been through anything that was tragic you can understand when I say this I deal with my pain by trying to find a different feeling even if its more pain but from a different source anything to distract myself from the stress, memories and fear. How often do I stop and find a better way to deal with the feelings I am having? How do you appopriately deal with the trials and afflictions of life? What sources do I use to distract myself from the pain? I guess what it all comes down to is this one thing

DO I TRUST MY HEAVENLY FATHER IN MY LIFE ENOUGH TO TAKE THESE FEELINGS?

jus thinking

Ive got one hectic life....

So how about I have done a ton of things between the last time I wrote.. I have also taken allot of pictures. There has been so many things going on I don't know where to start.. So I will jus tell ya about the things that are on my mind lately.. First I wanna congratulate my friend Jeremy for Graduating.. YEA.. Ok so the last month has been a rough one.. I live in Roosevelt where life isn't always the most exciting.. Well I have 2 friends in which I have become really close to and feel as if they an answer to my prayers. They both moved Labor day weekend and its been rough because even though I have a ton of friends I had a connection with both them that I hadn't found here in Roosevelt.. I miss them a whole ton and wish them the best in their ventures.. I am excited for both of them.. One got an amazing job offer and the other is going back to school.. Next I found out a while ago that my step dad has cancer.. He has been a really good dad to me and my other siblings.. He is an amazing person and I am so grateful for the love, comfort and priesthood he has brought into my life.. Nile had surgery this week and they think that they have successfully removed the cancer.. They found some other problems but I am praying that it will be ok.. Next My sister has started a new adventure trying to be a single parent to 2 amazing kids. Its been a crazy time trying to move start school and her kids starting school. She is a great person who wants whats best for family.. last I have had some health problems but they seem to be getting worse causing some anxiety because I have no insurance.. I really need to get a grown up job.. Hmmm so sorry this hasn't been the happiest of blogs.. I am so grateful for all those amazing friends who uplift me.. For those of you who are a constant presence in my life.
Thank YOU

So not a happy week so far..

WARNING.. WARNING..
If you do not like whining and complaining do not read this..
Ok so It started with Sun of course. I went to the Temple Dedication (which in it self was great) and i couldn't focus I had been tubing the day before and was so sore.. I so badly was trying to be reverent and feel the Spirit but I was in pain, tired and so antsy I couldn't sit still for more then 15 sec.. I hated that I felt that way.. So I got through that with feeling the Spirit at least once( so grateful)! Then went home slept for 4 hours yeah you read right 4 hours. got up and went to my fireside which I go to so I can feel the Spirit yeah same deal as the Temple Dedication. UGH.. Then I was talking to some friends and find out the are moving in 2 weeks.. Just when I felt like I had friends that I really bonded with they are leaving.. (P.S. jus found out my closest friend from Roosevelt got an amazing job offer and accepted it on Sat. is moving far far away. I am so excited for her but at the same time really upset) Then horrible Monday started.. I went to both jobs where things jus kept going wrong. Boss didn't schedule enough of us to handle all the madness of the first day of school.. running around with my head cut off. (I did go golfing with my amazing friend who instantly cheered me up and went to FHE to be uplifted, made a cake for a new friend.so shhh it wasn't all bad). Tues I stayed at home as long as possible then went to work where again things jus went wrong.. I feel so horrible when I don't know how to fix something that I should know how to do.. Then today I went to work and got another nasty bite and some scratches.. Babysat my nephews got in an arguement with my step dad then headed to my other Job.. Yippeeee.. So here i am complaining to you about how bad my life is.. How much I jus wish I could climb in bed and stay there.. How life isn't fair when in truth the whole time I wrote this I thought of all the positives and how I need to Thank allot of amazing people and especially my Heavenly Father.. He mist definitely knew I would need all these great people at least for this week and that I have a lot to learn from those around me.. Signing off with that thought..
Jessica Rae Mitchell Be Grateful for People around you!

PHOTO SHOOT!

OK if you know me I love taking pictures everything from silly to adorable! So I was at my friend Krystal's house and I saw her amazing fence and had all they ideas about how cute it would be to take pictures of my nephews.. They are so adorable and their dark skin looks great with the yellow and green grass.. So I dressed them up and took them.. Granted I had to bribe them in order to get them to cooperate enough to get these shots. They are amazing kids and I am so grateful they are living with me this summer.. they have been my best buddies and partners in crime. They love me despite of all my flaws and silliness..

Love you BOYS

Temple open house, Lost tooth and Lake fun!

I know this is all backwards because it was Temple, Lost tooth and then Lake yesterday.. I decided to take the boys to the lake cuz it was a beautiful day and had nothing better to do. Plus I have discovered if I keep the boys on the move they don't get in as much trouble.. So for the benefit of all 3 of us we headed to the lake. We built sand castles, skipped rocks, tried to catch fish with our hands and tried to see how far we could throw big rocks.. I also got through about a chapter in my book. It was a fabulous day! who could ask for more then sun, sand, water and great company.
*I am one lucky girl *

Cai lost his first tooth this week! It was so funny cuz He asked for a band aid for his mouth.. Such a crack up both Cai and Efrem both have missing teeth and I couldn't resist taking pictures of them..

Saturday I went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house! It was great company mixed with the amazing feelings that come from being in the Lord's house.. I am grateful for the Joy that comes from Choosing the Right. I really debated about going and I am so glad I chose to! The Temple was beautiful!