miracles DO exist

Have you ever just had one of the Horrible no good, very bad days? WELL today was that day. But don't worry- it all ends well.

It all starts at the Crack of Dawn- By the Crack of Dawn I mean it was precisely 7:57 AM when it all happened. At this point of my morning I was sitting on the side of the road, blocks away from work, in good ol' Rexburg Idaho with a very flat tire. Yes I panicked. I was supposed to be at work at 8 AM- What the heck was I supposed to do? Who do I call? Should I call someone?? Should I start walking? All the panic questions circled through my head.
Once I hung up the phone with work there was suddenly someone at my window... I cautiously rolled down my window with eagerness to see if the guy would actually help me.

"Can I help you?"
Oh My Heck. YES. I have a flat tire...
"I can see that, do you want help changing it?"
He looked like he was on his way to work, I didn't really want to bother the guy... So I simply said exactly that- it was then his response that calmed all my nerves.
"I actually don't have work until 9, I didn't know why I was leaving my house early, but here I am"

I was literally feet away from a parking lot, so I very slowly inched my way to park so the guy could help me put a spare on. He then went on to tell me that it would take a little time to temporary fix my tire. So to make a long story short the guy offered to take me to work and he would then fix my car and bring it to me at work. I said 'okay' and got in his car.

Reflecting back on this I probably shouldn't have gotten in a strangers car, I mean the guy could have been a serial killer!! And the worst part- I didn't even catch the guys' name. When he dropped me off I handed him my keys and said 'don't steal my car!' and rushed inside. I think sometimes I trust people way to easily, but on the other hand I somehow knew that everything was going to be okay. Yes I could have been murdered today, but here I am. The fact that he calmed my nerves simply tells me that He is a worthy Man of God, very in tune with the Holy Spirit. I couldn't have been more grateful for his willingness to help poor me. I mean I was really helpless...

Shortly after being at work for a solid 40 minutes the strange kind man appeared with my keys telling me my car was safely parked in the back. Wow. Yeah it was right then I realized everything could have gone the other way...

Now let me back track a couple of months... I was on my way to work- again at the Crack of Dawn- Instead of being blocks away from work I was right around the corner when I felt my tire hit something and blow out. SO really what made today a Horrible no good, very bad day was the fact that I had just gone through 2 tires in the last 3 months. #badluck
All I can say is that hopefully it doesn't happen again... for a long time... I mean I did just spend $500 getting my car fixed.

As I sit here writing and reflecting about everything that has happened in the last 12 hours I can't be anything but grateful. God is so good. I honestly have no idea what I would have done if that random guy didn't pull up behind me. His kindness alone shows me that there are caring people out there. Its that small act of kindness that allows me to trust random strangers.

Also. The funniest part about all of this - is that it would only happen in Rexburg. I mean if I lived in California I would be mugged, stranded on the side of the road with no car, and probably dead. What I'm really trying to say is that it is the little things that matter. That guy helped me wanting nothing in return. I seriously can't be more Grateful! I know I keep repeating myself, but how can I not? Miracles DO Exist. So often we hear of Miracles and how people are so grateful and bla bla bla. But really I don't think you truly understand until it happens to you. That bla bla bla suddenly becomes gratitude towards everything that has ever happened to you. And all is well in the end.

Pilot.

In every episode of any series I have ever watched the first episode is always called "Pilot"...and I recently found out why- It means First.

So I have had this really weird urge to start a blog. I mean it's completely acceptable in today's generation to just write your thoughts and feelings for everyone to read, so here goes nothing!

Alright so I am still really new at this blogging thing, So if all my words seem jumbled, they are. 

I actually made this blog weeks ago, I just didn't know how to start posting and having it be part of the norm, you know? But I needed to figure it all out before I head out to Mexico.  I mean it wouldn't have been completely terrible if I figured everything out in Mexico.... But it also isn't terrible if I figure it out before I am in a foreign country. 

Mexico you ask? YES. I am going to Pachuca Mexico for 4 months. Story Time. SO I was actually almost done with my Mission papers, I had the strongest feeling that a mission was right for me- It was a strong feeling that I needed to be Serving The Lord.  I mean it had been My plan since as long as I can remember. 

Everything Changed my second year of College.

One day after I came home from a long day of classes, I get a call from an 801 number... Who from Utah would be calling me?? I answered anyway and was very surprised. 

"Is this Jessica?"

Yes......

"This is ILP(International Language Program)! You have been recommend to us- you are already in so fill out our application and we will get you an interview as soon as possible"

My first thought was Wow. I just answered the call of a lifetime. I seriously thought it was wayyy to good to be true. Dang solicitors. I kindly said thanks and said I would look into it and hung up. 

Later that night I was procrastinating homework and decided to actually go check out if this call I got was real. Let me tell ya- ILP is REAL. Like Completely and Totally LEGIT. As I contemplated and told my roommates about the whole situation I was blown away and torn apart all at the same time. I was going to go on a mission! Not some random place around the world to teach English. Then it hit me... I suddenly had to make a decision and fast. 

As I prayed the next couple of days I felt confident about BOTH a mission and ILP adventure. Great. Prayer after prayer I asked Heavenly Father 'which choice is better?' So Day after Day I continued to ask Which would be the better decision and each time I prayed I got the same answer! I was like 'REALLY? Why won't you tell me What do you want me to do?' I was actually getting really frustrated- Never before have I ever been so confused about what I should do. It wasn't until I was reading my Scriptures that I felt comfort. I was reading in 2 Corinthians 7:16 

"I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things."

IT HIT ME. Any decision I make God will have confidence I will do the right thing. It also made me realize that if God told me specifically what to do, then He would be taking away my agency. Both choices are an AMAZING opportunity. As I contemplated what I should do I decided that going abroad to teach English is an opportunity that was handed to me-Literally placed in my hands- It couldn't have worked out more perfectly. I mean I could always serve a mission when I return right? Right. It is always an option. 

Long Story short I am going to Mexico for 4 months to teach English to little ninos!! It will be an Adventure of a lifetime and I am BEYOND excited. I Honestly can't wait until I am there, I have to keep reminding myself that I have to take life one day at a time. Mean while, I have two jobs that keep me busy. It's not much of a summer working 16 hour days, but it will all be worth it in the end!