The Best Summer of My Life

Hello Everyone!

This is Jonna. Remember me? I had a blog once. It was nothing special. Just a place I liked to share things. Then, I abandoned it for a mission. Which I do not regret :) More on that later.

I came home from my mission nearly a year ago. I figured it was time to start up the old blog again. 

I will write more about my mission in a few weeks. But, for now, I want to share with you why this summer was the best summer ever. It was LIT-ER-ALLY the best summer I've had in a long time (I even went back like 8 years to be sure). 

Brief background: my job ended in May, by now I knew full-well what relationship rejection felt like and I was reminded of it again, I was missing my mission extremely, I was struggling in my calling, and I had no plans past August 6th. It wasn't the worst place to be in the world, but it wasn't too fun either. I don't say this for pity, I say this for your benefit as you read what is ahead. 

My summer began! My brother AJ returned home from his mission in Orlando, Florida. It was the first time in nearly four years that our family has been together. What a wonderful reunion it was! 

Next, a week later our family saved up and went to Disneyland! Again, it was the first time in a long time that we had done this together and it was awesome. Loved every minute!

From LA as my family was traveling back home, I flew to Utah to start my summer as an EFY counselor. I had done this before my mission, but in all honesty, it was not exactly my favorite job. It was a rough experience and I thought to myself on the way to Utah, "Why am I doing this again?" I  knew it had to be the right decision...after all...everything fell into place! How could it not be? Nevertheless, I went forth (1 Nephi 4:7).

I spent a week in Provo doing a training session even though I had done this before. I was exhausted! I was just coming back from Disneyland, an airplane flight, and I now had to turn off the tired and turn on the excited. That was difficult. I found myself being down most of my training week. Why was I doing this? How could I do this all summer?? Well, the answer came that Thursday. I felt the Spirit of the Lord touch my heart, soften it, and opened my eyes to what He was trying to show me. I was going to have a spiritually charged summer. I was going to go back to my mission days temporarily and I was fixin' to have my life changed. I was sitting in a testimony meeting in Provo, Utah when I though, "OK, now I remember why I'm here."

The very next week I was in Flagstaff, AZ! Had a little road trip to myself and began as a real counselor. I had awesome Co-counselors ("co's") every single week. It was a tremendous blessing! I met some wonderful people and made some great friends. I had two weeks of EFY in Flagstaff. I loved all my kiddos and I loved my Co's. All of them blessed my life. I started to learn that I was going to be ok. I started to realize that there were righteous men out there who hold and honor the Priesthood of God. Honestly, I had started to give up on that. And, more so, I was starting to give up on the fact that there was one out there for me- that one would team up with me. In Flagstaff (and continued through the summer) I realized that I couldn't give up-that all things in their own due time :)

I also began to see how strong the rising generation is. They have some AWESOME potential to change the world.

Well, my days in Flagstaff ended. I went home for a two week break. It was nice to get the extra sleep, but I was itchin' to go back to EFY. I came back to my calling, frustrated that I didn't know what else to do to magnify it. I also spent those two weeks being with friends, thinking about what I had learned thus far, and trying to figure out my future in the fall. Nothing was coming to mind.

But, soon I was headed to EFY once more! This time, I was going to be gone for three weeks in Utah. My awesome friend, Monica drove up with me and we had an awesome road trip. We stopped in Vegas for fancy crepes even!

Well, I made it to Provo/Orem for two weeks of Stay-at-Home sessions. These two weeks were awesome. I got nearly 7 hours of sleep every night (a luxury at EFY), made awesome friends, sang a solo in FRONT of an actual audience, partied counselor style at In-N-Out and Applebees, and again, had awesome Co's and kiddos. 

I was so happy!! I was teaching the Gospel again. I was testifying of my Savior and I was learning so much from these wonderful youth! I was loving my experiences in Orem! I truly was. Once again, my awesome Co's were supportive, helpful, kind, and honorable. And, once again, the youth were so great to teach and learn from. They even taught me new dance moves. They were looking out for me.

Between my Orem sessions, I had the opportunity to hear my Mission President and his wife speak at their homecoming. I was looking forward so much to this event! I drove up to Salt Lake and walked into an unfamiliar chapel. I heard "Sister Jackson!!" Oh the sound! I miss being called Sister Jackson. What a thrill it was! I spent the next 4 hours reuniting with fellow missionaries and hearing words of wisdom from a couple I adore. They are second only to my own parents. I cannot describe the joy in my heart as I saw people that I had served shoulder to shoulder with in Houston. We were laborers in the vineyard together. We laughed and cried together. I share a bond with these people like I've never share a bond with once-strangers before. 

I left that reunion feeling so energized! I called my mom crying. I weeping for joy from the happiness I was feeling. I told her that I felt something changing for me. I was going to do things with my life. I didn't know what, but I knew that I was going to do things. My eyes were opening at the possibilities. I could travel, I could move to somewhere new, I could make new friends, I could find a job that was once beyond my reach, I could stop waiting around for my life to go on. I was going to do something about it!

I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for sending me on a mission. It changed my life and this reunion reminded me of that. I needed to let it continue to change my life. (More on my mission in the future)

Going on...I left Orem and drove to Cedar City for my last and final EFY session of the summer. I stopped by a couple temples on the way...

Mount Timpanogos (saw an old high school friend there! Tender mercy)

Payson, UT (where I was born!)

I arrived in Cedar City and ended up with more awesome roommates, awesome Co's, and awesome youth! We had an awesome week. We won banner and cheer-I have never seen such unity among youth as I did this week. I was in charge of solos for the musical program. Never had to run auditions...new experience!

I learned once again that there ARE righteous men who hold and honor the Priesthood out there. And, I learned that one day, I'll find one. But, that day is not this day. And, that is OK! I also learned more about the rising generation of youth. Already, many of them have experienced intense hardships that I can barely fathom. And, alongside of their trials, they are finding courage to stand strong and stay faithful to the Gospel. This rising generation will work miracles in the Lord's kingdom and I felt humbled that I was entrusted to share with them my testimony. The future is in good hands.

I drove home alone from Cedar City. Sad to see Utah go. I never want to live there, but it treated me very well this summer. I drove home, took my time, and enjoyed the trip. I love long road trips :)

I arrived home and now it was time to be back with the family. My sister, Jeri, was getting ready to leave on her own mission. I spent the week applying for jobs, cleaning out, going to Institute, and organizing my mission letters/photos. I decided to use my downtime wisely while I had it. I also felt new energy and motivation to continue to work hard in my calling. I felt revitalized and it has been a great experience in finding new joys in my calling.

Just as the summer began with welcoming home a missionary, it end with one departing. Soon, the very next week, it was time to say goodbye to Jeri. Another Sister Jackson is taking her place among the ranks of missionaries serving the Lord. She will do an awesome job. She was ready to go. Well, in MY opinion she was ready. She was sick, she was sad, she was a little unsure. But, knowing what I know now about my mission and life thus far, I know that she will be ok. Yes, there were tears, but I wanted her to leave so bad! I had just experienced an amazing summer -much of it due to the things I learned on my mission. And, although she can't see it, she is about to experience the same thing. I was happy to see her leave and to see her begin that journey. It is hard right now, trust me...I know! (Again, more about the mission to follow in another post) However, I know the joys that come from it. I'm excited for her.

Now, my summer is coming to a close. After 2 1/2 years, I am back in my old room (Jeri was using it). It feels strange. Things are different. But, that is ok. I am on the brink of exciting things in my life. I can feel it! 

This summer was full of life lessons. Heavenly Father showed me how far I had come in my life and He turned me around and was showing me what possibilities await in my future. I'm going for it. It will still be full or trials, saddness, even heartbreak and rejection. However, I know in Whom I put my trust. He has led me thus far and will continue to guide me further. I may need reminding. That is another reason why I've written this blog. I'll be re-reading this in the future I'm sure. 

This was the best summer I've had in a long, long time. And, it has been a turning point for me. Look out world. I'm on my way!