Testimony of the Lord's will

I love those times when I feel like I am exactly where Heavenly Father wants me to be. I don't feel that "perfectly complete" feeling often, but I am constantly striving for it. For the past week or so I have been asking the Lord more specific questions about myself and the purpose of my life. It is hard for me to understand why I am limited in what I can do physically, when I feel like I have righteous goals that I need good health in order to achieve. I've been struggling with the fact that I'm not able to help people out very often physically, because I'm trying to get the basics done in my own life. Because these things take more effort & time for me when I am not feeling well, that leaves a lot less time for other people.

I have gotten many answers since I started being more specific and honest with praying and trying to figure out what my mission in life is. About a year ago my dad gave me a blessing and told me some interesting things about how I should be spending my time. Most of it was about talking and visiting with people every day and trying to lift others up. The ways that I was told I should go about doing this were very specific.

Let me just say that I REALLY want a full-time job. I haven't had a full-time job since October 2005. All I've wanted since then was to work again. I thrive on it and love interacting with different people and challenging myself and learning new things. It's been really difficult for me to not get what I want. I think I've kind of felt like after not having Jackson here, I should have the privilege of working. After I received that blessing from my dad, I realized that that might not be part of the Lord's plan for me. Even though my plans for my life make sense to ME, I have come to the realization (a year later) that I really don't know anything and that the Lord knows everything.

While my sister was giving us a tour at the Mormon Trail Center she challenged us to think of a question that we wanted an answer to. Mine was how to align my will with my Heavenly Father's. I wanted to have a stronger desire to do exactly what He wants me to do, without letting my own so-called wisdom or perspective lead me in a different direction. I know that once we stop pushing and just let Him in, that our way will be made SO much clearer for us. I have been so overcome with the Spirit these last few days, and I have been able to feel the Lord teaching me things every day. I actually feel like my mission in life is special. We are all SUPPOSED to lead different lives and have different experiences and be different people. He is so merciful and wise and knows me & knows exactly what I need. I am so thankful to have the gospel in my life and to have the knowledge that I am a child of God.

I really appreciate the many lives that I am able to witness. All of you teach me so much! I am continuing to feel better physically. It's a slow process but I am so thankful to be able to do more & more every day. I feel very complete right now in my life. :) Just thought I'd share....

Melissa's Open House

I LOVE MY SISTER!!!
My parents had an open house for Melissa. It was so fun to see everyone there to support her.

Picking up Melissa

We were able to pick my sister up from her mission last week! The first time we saw Melissa was outside the Winter Quarters Temple. Of course we all started bawling immediately (except Lincoln)...my family is so emotional & Lincoln never sheds a tear. It's pretty funny. Anyway, I am SO excited that Melissa is back from her mission. The 4 of us did a session in the Winter Quarters temple that night with the mission president & his wife, other missionaries going home, & some ward members. It was really neat. After that they had a testimony meeting in a special room in the Mormon Trail Center that overlooks the cemetery & the temple. It was such a great experience. I love Melissa...she has an extremely powerful testimony & is honestly the most perfect person I've ever met. She has been one of the most influential people I've had in my life. Welcome back Melissa!

Mormon Trail Center

This is our family with Melissa's old companion, Sister Zitting. Melissa served in the Mormon Trail Center for part of her mission. She was able to give us a tour! It was one of the neatest experiences I've ever had. There is something so special about hearing your sister bear testimony of the things that she spoke of for 1 1/2 years. I loved it.
Aaron pulling the handcart...what a stud!
No, this picture wasn't posed. I guess we still act like we're in love sometimes. :)

Nauvoo Temple

My mom, Melissa, Lincoln & I did a session at the Nauvoo Temple while Dad, Aaron & Megan did baptisms for the dead there. This was the first time we've all been old enough to go to the temple. Even though we weren't all in the same place in the temple, it was so neat to all be there together. I can't get over how beautiful this temple is. It has so much symbolism too. This was the view when we walked out of our hotel room each day. It made me want to live there...can you imagine having the temple be the first thing you see each morning?

Carthage Jail

Lincoln & I outside Carthage Jail
Here is the bullet hole in the door leading to the room where Joseph Smith was shot. I think this was the bullet that killed Hyrum Smith.
Joseph Smith fell from the top window after he was shot.
Our family in front of the window- There is a very unique spirit at Carthage Jail. I have a deep love for Joseph Smith & his family and could never adequately express how thankful I am for him & for his example to me. I constantly strive to emulate the traits & characteristics & faith that he possessed.

Family History

Lincoln is a descendant of Parley P. Pratt. We love this great man who played a big role in the church during Joseph Smith's time. We named Jackson after him...his middle name is Pratt. It was so fun to find the street named after his great ancestor!
I couldn't resist taking a picture of Lincoln walking down Parley Street...the same street that I'm sure Parley once walked down!
















While in Nauvoo, we discovered that my mom's ancestor & dad's ancestor lived on the same street! Jacob Earl lived on the corner that I was standing on when I took this picture. Orville Morgan Allen lived a few houses down...you can see his property from the corner. This was such a neat connection to make!

Just Hanging Out

We had lots of fun just hanging out with each other for a week, & of course enjoying Melissa's company! I missed her SO much! It feels so good to have my best friend back. All of the girls back together again! :)
Megan & Aaron
Sister Allen & Megan

There were so many neat statues in Nauvoo. My dad has a miniature replica of this statue of Joseph & Hyrum on his desk at home. The real one just happened to be right outside our hotel room!















Me being a dork & pretending to fall in the well












This statue faces the temple & is across the street from it.

BEAUTIFUL PLACE!!!

I loved taking these pictures...the flowers in front of the temple were gorgeous. The colors were so vibrant & there were so many different kinds of flowers planted there. SO BEAUTIFUL!!!

Linc took this picture of the Nauvoo temple all lit up. This is my favorite temple. I had a really neat experience in this sacred building while doing baptisms for the dead 6 years ago. It was life-changing & continues to hold a very special place in my heart.
I saw the sun setting behind these statues & ran to get my camera. It was so much prettier in real life...but I still think this picture is cool. These statues of Joseph & Hyrum are right across from the temple. This shows them riding through Nauvoo on their way to Carthage Jail. I'm so thankful for these righteous men & for the impact they've had on my life.

We were flying on buddy passes so my mom & sisters flew back Tuesday. My brothers, Dad & I waited at the airport for 4 hours for the last flight going out that day. I passed the time with a new addiction that I have now, that my sister introduced me to...SUDOKU!!!

There was one seat available on the last flight, so I got to go. However, as I was sitting in the seat with my Ipod & book out, my carry-on luggage stowed, & ready to go, I hear over the loudspeaker, "Passenger Hiatt...". They then repeated my name & asked me to come to the front. I had to get my luggage & squeeze past everyone (we were in a smaller plane) with everyone totally staring at me. The guy next to me was asking, "Did you get on the wrong plane or something?" and I think some others thought there was a security breach. It was so funny....kind of embarrassing though. :)

We went out to a nice dinner & then hung out at the hotel. Aaron was pretty excited to be out of the airport after waiting there all day. :)

The night was complete with watching episodes of The Office & Lincoln throwing pillows at Aaron & Dad in the middle of the night, so that they'd stop snoring. Pretty fun! We flew out the next morning. It was a great trip!

Memories of Us

I thought this was such a cute idea. Post a comment telling a memory that you have with me (or Lincoln). Then ask others to do the same thing on your blog. It's fun to read what everyone says. P.S.-Heather, you can only tell one so it better be good. :)

Melissa & Shawn's info

I was going to try to contact everyone I thought would want to know about this...but then realized it would be easiest to just put the info on my blog.

Melissa will be released from her mission on Thursday, July 10th. We're going to pick her up in Nebraska, so she'll be back in Mesa on July 15th. There is an open house for her at my parents' house on Thursday, July 17th from 7-9pm. She speaks in church on July 27th at 11:30am at the Val Vista/Adobe building.

Shawn will be released from his mission on Thursday, July 31st & will be flying into Phoenix. There is an open house for Shawn & Stetson at Stetson's parents' house that night. They will both be speaking on August 10th at 11:30am at the Val Vista/Adobe building.

I AM BEYOND EXCITED TO SEE 2 OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE, WHO I HAVEN'T SEEN IN FOREVER!!!

Trip To Cabin

Lincoln's schedule ended up to where he had a week off of work. It was awesome. We probably should have stayed home because we had so much to do, but we decided to play as hard as we could this summer. :) The cabin is seriously breathtaking...it's such a nice place to get away & just relax!
Linc & I hanging out on the deck. It was actually COLD at night there! I loved it!!!
Todd & Em came with us to the cabin for the weekend. We just love them! Emery & I were roommates at EA & we lived in a tiny little studio apartment together...so we know each other quite well! We both met Todd at EA...he is a great guy. They're moving to Texas to go to law school...we are really going to miss them!

Whenever Lincoln was suddenly missing, we knew that he had hidden away somewhere to read his book. That guy can't put that thing down. He gets so into it!

Frisbee Golf

Lincoln's uncles have a crazy frisbee golf course by the cabin.
This is Emery in action...this picture cracks me up
because Todd looks so into the throw.







I hadn't played it in a few years & forgot how hard it is! This is me with my arm totally stuck to the raspberry bushes, waiting for Lincoln to take a picture & then get me out of them. I obviously didn't throw it where I was aiming. :)

Another Trip To Snowflake

We have really taken advantage of Lincoln having the summer off school. We're trying to go up to Snowflake as much as we can before he gets too busy again! This trip was great, as usual. A few things I didn't have pictures of: riding bikes with Lincoln's cousin Erin & stopping every 2 minutes for a shade & water break, going on a picnic with Matt & Danielle's family, & hearing Jarod tell Jayten to go away because he needed some "alone time with Aunt Anjane'".

Claire's 2nd Birthday

Claire blowing out the candles on her awesome Elmo cake. My sisters-in-law will definitely have me beat in the kid cake department...I don't know if I'll ever be able to make any that are so cute!
Claire got a new slide for her birthday. She loved it but insisted that Shrek go down it with her at first.
Dancing in her boa...she loves anything girly. I love it! She makes me laugh ALL THE TIME!
The kids really enjoyed the pinata. We also made yummy homemade ice cream!

Feeding the Horses

Linc's a pro at feeding the horses. You can tell he's done it a million times.


Me on the other hand...I was so scared that they would bite my fingers off! I finally got to where I wouldn't drop the apple on the ground before they could eat it. :)

The horse started kind of chasing me wanting more apples & I didn't know what to do. I was freaking out. I hate that I'm such a city girl...I'm trying to change!

Claire & Her Sword

Claire was just loving pretending to get Lincoln with her sword. He would make a sound like she hit him & she would just laugh her head off. It entertained her for a long time & entertained me too. :)

Visit to Cemetery

Lincoln, Alyssa & I went to visit Jackson's grave one of the mornings. I probably should have dressed up a little more...but I'm guessing that Jackson doesn't care. :) I can't wait to get his headstone up!

Lincoln's Uncle Reaves's headstone. We love that Jackson is buried next to him & that we can visit his grave when we visit Jackson's.

Girl Time

Linc's aunts, his mom, my sister-in-law & I tied a quilt one night while we were there. I have to admit, I have absolutely hated tying quilts in the past...I've probably only done it twice for like 5 minutes in YW. Anyway, Linc's aunts taught me how to do it better & I really enjoyed myself this time! It was fun to get some girl time in! I love all of these ladies.

The future Dr. Hiatt taking care of Lea's knee.

Visiting Kenny & Cleona

Lincoln's parents, us, Jayten, Jarod & Erin made the trip to Kenny & Cleona's house to celebrate Rans's 2nd birthday. We had a lot of fun eating, hanging out, riding the quad & watching cute Rans with his bday cake.

The boys hanging out outside.
Putting coins on the train tracks & watching the trains go by. The kids loved it...except for the noise. :)