Simply...

Gordon B. Hinckley, "“Be Not Faithless”", Ensign, Apr. 1989, 2

"To all who may have doubts, I repeat the words given Thomas as he felt the wounded hands of the Lord: “Be not faithless, but believing.” Believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the greatest figure of time and eternity. Believe that his matchless life reached back before the world was formed. Believe that he was the Creator of the earth on which we live. Believe that he was Jehovah of the Old Testament, that he was the Messiah of the New Testament, that he died and was resurrected, that he visited the western continents and taught the people here, that he ushered in this final gospel dispensation, and that he lives, the living Son of the living God, our Savior and our Redeemer."

I was reminded today of my Redeemers love as I was a visitor in a New York City, Union Square ward. I'm so grateful that the Church of Jesus Christ is universal and can be found wherever my adventures take me. The speakers touched my heart as I was reminded of my testimony and the power of the Holy Spirit. During this busy Holiday season it gets easy to forget the true meaning of Christmas and our responsibility to love others. Especially at this time of year.

so...

simply believe...

simply take this time and think of Christ. Treasure family and friends and come to know Christ this holiday season. Believe that He is real. Believe that his love is real. And believe that we are entitled to that love! So many reasons to Believe this holiday season:) just a lil sunday holiday inspiration i thought i'd share:)

~Jessie Ann

Utah...Vegas...and now...NYC!!

Today was my first day in New York City!

I woke up in my Jersey apartment to a light snow and a beautiful view of the city...

Attempted some "do at home" yoga...not as successful as I had hoped.

Bundled in layers, a scarf, hat, and boots and made my way to the Path Transit Train.

Kenzie, Jamyz, Karl, Rich, Kelene, and I blindly walked onto the wrong train but after figuring our first train experience out, we walked out of the humid, underground station to the cold streets of New York City just blocks away from Time Square!

This was our first view of the walk we would be making everyday for the next month!

I was all smiles as I registered the fun sites around me and made mental notes of every place I wanted to see and eat! Before you know it, I'll be a polished NYC local:) Although the walk was cold, it went by very fast and I found my self lagging behind the group due to the amount of picture taking that was going on.

and then...BAM! ON BROADWAY! I was slightly freaking out and couldn't stop giggling...

This is one of those moments that I need to cherish forever. Take in this whole experience and enjoy every second. As a young girl I always dreamed and even prayed to be on Broadway. Someone pinch me! I can't believe the crazy turn that life has taken. Blessed...All I can say is blessed. Grateful for this exciting experience and grateful for a family that sacrificed so much to help me get here! I'm giddy, excited, and nervous for them to see the show and experience the city with me. Hopefully I can do them proud!

xoxo

~Jessie Ann

Broadway? What?!

Check out this little sneak peak of what it is to come!

I CAN NOT WAIT! this is something ive been dreaming about since I was 3!

Donny and Marie on Broadway in Time Square!

eeekkk!!!! I'm most excited for my family to fly out and be apart of this incredible experience:) My little siblings haven't seen New York so it will be neat to show them around! Christmas will be a little different with out my family but Carson is flying out to spend it with me! I'm such a lucky girl:)

I fly out of Las Vegas on Dec 5! I get to spend a whole month in NYC and experience the holidays in the Big Apple:) I just bought a camera with a nice little vegas sale and i promise to document my NYC adventure!

~Jessie Ann

Living The Dream

It's amazing to me how life happens. Sometimes life leads us where we want it and other times we want to run from it. How did I luck out to be right where I want it?

...I am one lucky chicken right now and I hate those blogs that brag about how blessed they are but Im going to do just that...so bear with me...

It all started on a Monday morning at my parents house where I was in tears of frustration, complaining to my mom and older sister. Tears due to financial stress and a need to do something more, to experience something different at this point in my life. I left the house that morning feeling defeated and said a quick prayer to help me feel like life was going to be ok. That sounds really dramatic... but I was a stressed out 19 year old:) As I was driving away my phone buzzed with an unknown Nevada number and some news that changed my life. My situation had just gone from dramatic to exciting/craziness in a matter of 15 min....There were still a ton of details to work out but by Tuesday night it was decided that I was moving to Vegas to be apart of the Donny and Marie Osmond Show in Vegas as well as the Broadway run in NYC! What a whirlwind! I had 5 days to uproot my life and get toVegas...

Obviously i just gave the shortest version of all the craziness but it was amazing to me how everything all fell into place. There have been a number of blessings that have come my way. I have a darling friend who is in the Elvis cirque show who is letting crash at her place till NYC! Then hopefully we'll find a place together! Its a

huge financial blessing and if I'm going to be apart of a Vegas show, what better show then Donny and Marie. I know ill never be asked to do anything that makes me uncomfortable or wear anything immodest. The show is dark sunday/mondays and the other dancers are great people.

I've been in rehearsals all week learning the show and tonight is my first night going in! ahhh wish me luck:)

~Jessie Ann

Thriller's on the road!

ODT Tour Cast began our adventure in Park City...

New performance in an old theatre, new city, and a new crowd!

The stage was a little bit smaller than we were used to so we got real close and personal with the audience. Park City loved the show and we sold out for the weekend!

The theatre was nice enough to provide condos for us to stay in. These weren't just any run of the mill condo's....we were living large! I wanted to move in after a few days! Fully furnished with darling decorations and a full kitchen! Better than what I'm living in now:)

Next stop on the road we headed to the Covey Center for the arts in provo! We opened on a wednesday and had 5 shows! We sold out most shows and had a blast. Provo was a success and I had so many awesome friends and family members that made it out to see me!

Jen gathered the cast and we had a night full of good treats and scary ghost stories!

NEXT STOP....

ST GEEZY!

Rehearsals at the theatre are incredible. The largest amphitheater i've danced in and our back drop is a huge red rock canyon! Turn the lights off and it gets real creepy! The Theatre seats 2000 people and our opening weekend is sold out! Cant wait for opening night tonight!

~Jessie Ann

And It Begins...

6:45: Wake up...

7:00: Breakfast of champions
7:10: Pack my little red lunch cooler full of food

7:20: Throw on a Leo and Tights and pack at least three outfit changes for the day:)
7:35: Apply what little makeup I wear
7:40: throw my hair in a bun on top of my head and run out the door...
7:50 arrive at the Pointe and run into the studio
8:00 ODT begins and a day full of zombies, mummies, and panda bears begins:)

I consider myself one lucky girl to love what I do. How many people can say that they wake up excited to go to work? Or that they consider their colleagues a second family?? Not many... I have atleast 3 moms, a whole slew of sisters, and atleast 10 older brothers who watch my back. Its a blessing to associate with these people who make me feel loved and remind me whats important. I never fear I will have to compromise my morals or be asked to do something I believe is wrong. The love and support I feel everyday at ODT cannot be found anywhere else. No amount of fame or money will ever provide what I receive with my second family. Like I said, I'm one lucky girl:)
~Jessie Ann

Growning Pains

At the ripe old age of 3, I was asked...
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
Simple answers like, a fireman or an astronaut are the things my friends answered, but what did I say? I told my mom I wanted to be a Star. I told her to enroll me in "How To Be A Star" lessons. I'm not sure how she held back the laughs but now as I reflect back on the 19 yrs of life I can see the many "Star" lessons i've learned....

Growing up is hard and I often find that I'm constantly faced with decisions. Its no wonder they call this the decade of decisions...So much pressure rides on all of my choices and the simpliest one can alter the rest of my life. Most of the time, I'm making a choice between two good things. But which one is the best? I still want to be that girl who does it all, achieves everything she wanted but never at the cost of my happiness. I'm can now see that these things are possible if I really make the decision to chase them and never look back. Im ready to run full force and with no regrets but at what point do i sacrifice the beautiful life I have here? It's a risk taking that step, but I can't let these moments and experiences pass me by because of fear.

Dreams have changed and goals have been reached but that tiny desire in me to be a Star still remains. No longer do I dream to be famous, or a star on broadway (which requires being able to hold a note, and we all know how good I am at that) but I still have big dreams that I get nervous I'll never see fulfilled. What is to hold me back? My own fear? Will I ever see that dream of being a Star come true? Only time will tell but I do know im going to do everything within my power to fight for what I want, and hold to what I Love!

~Jessie Ann