Well, I'm a crazy person. About two weeks ago I decided to run in a relay race, we ran today. Our team was amazing! A brother and 6 other sisters from my ward. This relay covered 39 miles, from the Rexburg Temple to the Idaho Falls Temple. We made it! We did it!

I'll start by saying that not only did I (barely) finish my leg of the race, I also strengthened friendships, accomplished something I wasn't quite sure I could do, and strengthened my testimony of Heavenly Father's love for His children. My leg was the final leg of the race, 2.6 miles, the run up to the Temple. It was a beautiful course to run on. I ran through a park, which was the only stretch of my leg with shade. I came around a bend on the path in the park and I thought I saw our car. My first thought was what a weird coincidence, and then I saw my beautiful children and my loving husband. My heart skipped a beat, it was just what I needed. Little Miss had picked me a beautiful bouquet of dandelions and was so excited to see me run. After getting a high five from Little Man I was off again. The course then followed the river and down to the Temple. Even though the Idaho Falls Temple is currently closed for a massive renovation it was beautiful. As I came around a bend there it sat, even though it was the middle of the day it seemed to be glowing. It was a crazy phenomenon that brought me to tears. And soon after, I started hearing the cheers from my teammates. What a humbling experience to have wonderful, dedicated people believe in you when you don't believe in yourself.
As I came through the roundabout my team was able to join me for the last stretch to the finish line. I always finish running with a sprint, its just how I do it, unfortunately this time I started my sprint too soon. My "high" was quickly thwarted with the sudden feeling that I would collapse. How could I come this far and have my body quit, just feet from the finish line? How could I be so selfish and completely let down my team? I had a slight stumble and then I felt a hand on my back and an encouraging word from a teammate. I was not prepared for what I heard next, I heard a familiar male voice whisper, "I know you can do this, I designed you to withstand this." And with that how could I do anything else.
What a wonderful day we had cheering each other on, but I know, with no doubts, that we were not the only ones cheering for us, and not just our team either. As a team we could not have completed without everyone's valiant efforts, and I also know we didn't do it alone.
I know that our Father in Heaven watches over us always, through His divine help we are able to accomplish ALL things. He knows us each individually and He loves us, each and everyone of us. For anyone reading this, if you haven't yet tried to strengthen your relationship with Him, it is my challenge to you now to do so. When your heart has changed so can the rest of your life.

Cheers,
Jessica

Bucket List Check Off

I've been able to cross something off of my bucket list this weekend. It really did fall into my lap. It's something I was working the courage up to doing and thought I would end up doing it in a year or so, always pushing the date out further and further in my mind.

I went to a clothing-optional beach on Sunday.

And I quite liked it.

Except for my now extremely red butt-cheeks. They didn't and still don't like the nude beach.

Here's some things I've learned.

1. No one cares what you look like. Anatomically, we're all pretty much the same -- men are men, women are women. 
2. There are creeps everywhere, even nude beaches. But there's also good people everywhere too and if you go in a group you've always got someone to watch your back. 
3. Naked people are friendly. They'll come right up and talk to you.
4. Sunglasses are a must -- both to protect your eyes from the sun and (I feel) to lend a bit of normality to an otherwise crazy situation.

Will I go again? Definitely. But never by myself. I would need to go in a group again. And there was about seven of us in my group on Sunday. We had good fun and I'm looking forward to having more fun with my new friends.

Now... Where's my aloe?

Cheers and Aloha from Oahu!
LC