The Atonement Room

How is it that humans in general tend to forget about the more important things in life? We get into this one-track state-of-being that only allows us to see the here and now. We are eternal beings, children of an all-knowing and all-powerful God who loves us and has provided a Savior, Jesus Christ, to carry us back to our heavenly home. So why is that I forget my best friend and Redeemer in the flurry of school assignments and weekend plans? How is it so easy to disregard the one person that I owe everything to? 

This summer when Elise and I were in Italy we spent an entire day perusing the works of art in The Vatican. My pretentious and pompous little self was so excited to see all of the famous paintings I had studied in school. We followed the swarms of people streaming through the exhibits like little guppies. These paintings were so huge and intricate! You could take hours staring at one painting and not see all of the hidden symbols and details in every stroke of paint. Everyone around us was taking time to say smartsy things in varied languages about the works of Raphael, Michelangelo, and da Vinci. 

We had just finished studying Raphael's School of Athens when we decided to follow the river of humanity to the famous Sistine Chapel. Everyone was in a rush to get there, and so the tiny rooms and exhibits on the way were only casually observed. In everyone's haste a tiny little room was generally overlooked. I will call the place The Atonement Room. It forever changed the way I see Jesus Christ and his loving sacrifice for all of humanity.

The Atonement Room is small, basically a small passageway. It would be so easy to walk right through it and not look up. On the ceiling is a very small depiction of Jesus Christ in The Garden of Gethsemane, atoning for the sins and pains of every individual that has ever lived, lives, or will ever live. An angel is offering him "the bitter cup" of suffering. He is about to perform the greatest and most selfless act in the history of any kind of history. He is about to pave the way back home to our Heavenly Father. 

Elise and I stopped for several minutes in reverent silence. In that moment I was remembering the most important thing, and that was that I have a Redeemer who loves me. I've suffered from imperfection my whole life (haven't we all?) and I desperately need someone to pick me up, clean me off, and show me how to be better. That is what Jesus Christ is to me. He is not some myth from The Bible, He is my reality. Because of Him I can hope for a better future for all mankind. Because of Him I have faith that everything will work out, even when it doesn't seem like it will in this lifetime. 

As we were pondering our love towards Christ and the beauty of His Atonement we looked around, hoping that others would stop and be filled with the same joy and gratitude that we felt. To our dismay we noticed that the majority of the throngs of people walked right through The Atonement Room, not even pausing to glance upwards. 

That is when it hit me. How many of us wander through the passages of life focusing on the frivolous and forgetting to look up? There are billions of people living and breathing across this world at this moment and most of them do not know about or do not care that there once was a man named Jesus Christ who gave everything to heal them. Those people in The Vatican were rushing past the most beautiful and monumental event ever to occur. They failed to see that this life only has purpose because there is a hope of becoming better through Christ. 

Now, I know that there are many people who choose not to see Christ as their Savior. I respect and love these people deeply. But just because the people failed to see The Atonement Room for what it really is in The Vatican DID NOT make it non-existent. For those who stopped and for those who didn't the reality was the same. The painting was there whether they wanted it or not. 

We all have a Savior. I know He lives. I have been broken so many times to count and have felt the healing power of Christ's Atonement. The depth of it is profound. He is the Great Medic of Souls. I truly believe that to my very core. He loves us and has given us a choice to accept his beautiful gift to us. I pray that I may be humble and strong enough to rely on Him and His greatness and mercy. 

Happy Sunday. Happy Day. 

Allen's Is Spooky

I just want everyone to know that; 

1. I went to Allen's today.

2. I bought two dozen doughnuts at Allen's. 

3. Allen's is spooky. 

4. I'm never going to Allen's again. 

For all those who don't live near South Provo, Allen's is a grocery store that is literally a creepy ghost town filled with ghouls and drug addicts. A group project required that I buy some doughnuts on the way to the ice skating rink. Although I tried to find another way, deep down I knew that the only store on the way was, you guessed it, Allen's. 

Let me illustrate how my Allen's experience went down. Because this is obviously something that people care about. 

I pulled into the parking lot and was confused to see that it was basically deserted. It was like the Apocalypse suddenly happened as I turned my blinker on and I didn't even realize it. The handwritten signs advertising eggs and milk shook in the tepid air, an eerie rattling of the sorry souls that dwell within. Was it open? Was anyone alive in there? 

Where is everyone??

The automatic doors to go inside were broken and swinging back and forth back and forth. I took a last deep breath of the clean and lively air outside, squared my shoulders, and entered... Allen's. 

I just can't describe to you how unbelievably scary an empty grocery store is. It was a prime shopping hour and yet, NO ONE WAS IN THERE. Where were the children buying candy after school? The moms with babbling babies? The men grabbing some beef sticks and toilet paper after work? The college students stocking up on generic Oreos? 

And really, what do they do with all of that food that surely goes bad? How are they still open? Oh no. Do they kidnap people and turn them into weird deli sandwiches and boxed carrot cake? Is this a torture chamber where desperate people go to rot? WHERE IS EVERYONE??

There were about 3 1/2 employees there. The half person was a decrepit old lady who was so zoned out that her breathing had stopped. I found the bakery and ordered my doughnuts from a woman who told me that she was super tired because her boyfriend had left the oven on all night and it was 98 degrees in her house when she woke up. *insert every single horror movie plot into brain* as I nod my head mechanically. Sweet little Bakery (but most Deli, she said) Lady took about 20 minutes to get the doughnuts in the box. 

Bakery Lady: What doughnuts do you want dearie?

Me: Just an assortment of all of them. It doesn't really matter what kind. 

Bakery Lady: So, do you want glazed? 

Me: Sure. Sounds great. But really, just put any in, it doesn't matter. 

Bakery Lady: What about jelly? They're nice. 

Me: Really, any kind of doughnut will suffice. 

Bakery Lady: No jellies, then? 

Meanwhile, flies were crawling all over the inside of the display case and the Bakery Lady was explaining to me that Allen's had an electrical fire that very morning and yadda yadda yadda. The flies were just MACKING on all of the food in there. Heebie Jeebies, galore. 

Bakery Lady. It's blurry because I was terrified she would turn around and see me and throw me in the oven. 

It was a relief to finally get out of there. When I was exiting I saw a handwritten sign on the wall saying that it was prohibited to take pictures. Cue the sprinting to the car and hoping that the Allen's zombies wouldn't come pouring out and suck my brains out and make me work there. 

And that is Allen's. A great little Halloween gem, brought to you by good ol' South Provo.  

Happy Halloween! 

P.S. The doughnuts were actually delicious. Worth the scare. 

Abuuuuuuu Dhabiiiiiiiiii

If my life were a movie than this scene of my existence would start with a time lapse of a hot red sun rising over a beach with the Koran being sung in the background in Arabic. But since my life is not a high budget film, this trip opened up with me sitting by an Indian man who tried to talk to me the whole six blessed hours. Which would be great, if I understood accents.... Let's just say there was a lot of nervous laughter and generic replies of "yeahhhh" while I played Bejeweled constantly. *face palm* 

No one seems to know where or what Abu Dhabi is unless you also refer to Dubai or the 6th Fast and Furious movie. My older sister Jessica lives there with her family, so I knew all about it long before Vin Diesel. (If you're reading this Vin, know that I'm a total fan and mean no disrespect. Fast and Furious is my guiltiest of pleasures. Te quiero, hombre.) 

Getting out of customs was a total nightmare and apparently people from the Middle East do not understand personal bubbles at all. I repeat, at all. Pushing against me will not make this line go faster people! I think my lip was bloody and shredded by the time I got out from trying not to scream. It was all worth it when I got to the customs officer and realized how absolutely gorgeous Emiratis  (people native to The United Arab Emirates) are. My goodness. Those sultry brown eyes, gandoora (traditional white robe), and perfectly trimmed beard basically bowled me over. They know how to make tall, good looking men in the Middle East. 

A combination of my mission and Jessica living on the other side of the world meant that we hadn't seen each other in TWO WHOLE YEARS. Needless to say, our reunion was very tender. It was like coming home from my mission again, except this time I was a dirty, roaming, hippy instead of a clean cut missionary. Tears were shed, the hugs were long, and it truly was like a movie. I love my sister. Jessica embodies strength, charity, and goodness. 

People ask what Abu Dhabi is like. Well, everything is new, flashy, and ornate. Rolls Royces and Lamborghinis are a common sight.  People wear traditional clothing (abaya and kandoora) and there are Muslim mosques everywhere. The Call to Prayer goes off throughout the day. But the biggest characteristic of Abu Dhabi I can stress, is the heat. My goodness it's hellishly hot there. And before you accuse me of my choice of wording, I invite you to go there in the summer months and then you will know that no other words short of describing the burning pits of hell will be sufficient. 

My time spent there was magical. I finally met my niece and nephew. Bear and Jesper are my everything and I love them like they're my own children. We hung out at the pool, went snorkeling, lounged at the beach, cruised around the cities, roller bladed, and went SUP surfing. All with two babies in tow. Life is just better with babies. (Hint to all the men in the Utah area: Wife me up.) 

 The moment I saw those little curls and serious face I fell head over heels in love. She is perfection incarnate. Jesper is my best friend. 

My first morning in Abu Dhabi was spent convincing this tiny to love me as much as I love her.  With the help of a giant pink yoga ball, it worked. 

Jessica's first item on the agenda. Force me into shorts so that those legs could get some sun. Eek. 

She had just had a baby less than two weeks before! My sister is a babe.  

Since I never had an older brother to torture me incessantly, Dan has taken it upon himself to give me that experience. As an older brother he is insufferable but as a dad he is fantastic. 

I call this my nap couch. Hanging with babies gives you so many opportunities to snooze! But on another note, how do I sleep in positions like this? What is wrong with me? 

The beaches in Dubai are extremely crowded. Trying to SUP on the waves was challenging because of the throngs of people who always seem to be right where you're trying to go. And this is a picture of me photo bombing my nephew. Winning.  

Chilling with my main man, Bear Daniel. 

Souks! Old market places where they sell overpriced camel figurines. 

Just stop. 

This is the Old Emirates palace where the King of the UAE lived with his family. Now it's a hotel because they're building a new crib that is about 20 times as big as this one. 

The UAE. The only place I know of where you can get gold bricks out of an ATM. 

The Grand Mosque of Abu Dhabi. This place is incredible. It made me respect Islam so much to see their dedication to the God they love.

Look at me, I'm cultured and stuff. 

Due to some Arabic fast food I was out for a day or so with a horrible fever. Just steer away from  that stuff.  

This is when I caught Jesper Rae drinking out of the fountain at the splash pad. hehehehe

Bear rocking his huayruro bracelet from Peru. They protect him from The Evil Eye.

Jesper learned how to get her own water from the dispenser and now the floor will forever be covered in water. 

Jesper in the Dubai Souks. 

I was absolutely in love with these little boat taxis in Dubai. That is, until they filled with humans and it got unbearably hot and sweaty in there.  

Camel Milk Gelato. The thought makes me a little queasy.  

GOLD SOUKS. My lifelong dream is to own all of this gold.  

Just a causal gold overcoat for dates and things.  

Curried lamb and naan bread every day, please.  

Jesper's first time trying a lime. My heart is splitting in two. 

Snorkeling in the Indian Ocean. 

Another picture overload finished! This trip was so relaxing, it was absurd. A lot of food was eaten, babies were held, and fun was had. Now I know that I am most definitely one of "those aunts" who obsesses over her nieces and nephews, much to the annoyance of others. But really. If you managed to look through all of those pictures then you now know that they are perfect. 

Thanks Jessica and Dan for being the best hosts! BESOS. 

We Rode More Bikes: Austria

After the hustle and bustle of Italy it was time to high-tail it to the mountains. We were reunited with our beloved bikes again. As I grow older (saying that makes me sound so wise), I realize more and more that riding a bike is the easiest way to feel pure bliss. When you have a bike you can get places! You can go fast and be in control! You can feel your lungs expand and fill your soul with joy! This is getting sappy so I'm going to move on.

But I do love bikes.

 

For anyone that knows anything about Geography, Rome is quite a ways from Austria. So we took the train up to the border. We mostly spent the day doing hood rat things like this;

Let's just say that we're known for our rowdy ways. Eating and sleeping baby, that will get the train conductors all in a tizzy. But on a more serious note, getting three bikes off of the train when the stops are only about 15 seconds long is a struggle. And when I say it's a struggle I mean that I got off first and left my friends to get repeatedly smashed by the closing doors as the alarm went off. To each their own dude, unless it's me that is in distress and then everybody better be saving me from the shutting doors.

Before I move on I would like to draw people's attention to a serious condition I will refer to as PTDBSD ( Post Traumatic Dirty Bathroom Stress Disorder). Riding the train system in Italy made me realize that I hate the whole human race. Urine covered all surfaces of the bathroom, including the ceiling. WHY? Aren't humans advanced enough to be better than common monkeys? ugh.

This image is that of a stick person but it's actually a perfect representation of Elise getting stuck while getting off. 

Oh Austria. The cheaper, less-perfect version of Switzerland. So under-praised. But gorgeous, holy moley. It was so relaxing to bike up and down the mountain passes and eat pastries and chocolates. I'm kind of at a loss as to what to say about it. It was nice! The people were nice! They also don't speak that much English but it was still a better situation than in Italy.

No more words! Pictures!

Ride over a mountain, buy some pastries, repeat. 

Innsbruck was too hip for it's own good. It was like the European Portland.  

The main attraction in Innsbruck. A roof made of solid gold. I think I'll just go ahead and put this on my Dream Home board on Pintrest.  

I liked Austria but I felt pretty loyal to Switzerland and it's perfection. This traitor right here found her dream home. At least they're close together so we can visit each other.  

Selfies of people taking pictures of people taking selfies. 

Wanderer! I had plans to Instagram this and say something like, " I was born to wander" and then I realized how pompous that sounded. You're welcome. #iwander

When Elise pretends she's Blake Lively chilling in Austria and I'm the paparazzi.  

We went and experienced the "local scene" and got the "traditional food" of Austria. They brought out a giant chicken strip and fries. I like this country. A lot. AND THE GIRL BEHIND US. Straight up horror movie status. 

Our theme song was "Uptown Funk" and we would randomly bust out some moves in strange places. The side of the road, the aisles of a train....  The Cougarettes can go ahead and recruit us now. 

We went mountain biking on rigid frame bikes. What a hoot. 

That look of determination...

Meet Babara. We biked to the top of this mountain and asked her for a drink of water. She ended up giving us slice upon slice of homemade birthday cake and told us the secret of Austrian pastries. (It's in the unpasteurized milk and eggs.) 

Made it to the top of the mountain! 

I like to call this picture; Elise Explaining That This Is Actually Not A Large Amount Of Chocolate To Buy, You Should Of Seen How Much I Bought On My Mission. 

Austria was honestly the best way to end the craziest trip. It was so relaxing and leisurely and helped us come to terms that our money had run out and it was time to go home. I am so grateful for the opportunity we had to go see so many breathtaking places. There were also countless individuals who took pity on two poor college students and gave us food to eat, beds to sleep in, rides to train stations, directions, and kindness in general. We can't repay or thank all of them but we promise to pay it forward someday!

Toodles Europe!