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Being autistic
Originally published October 7, 2017, on Jepsonfiles.com Everyone with autism is not the same so I don’t know how my experience will compare with others. But I can tell you what it is like for me. When I was really young, I didn’t really know that I was different. I just knew that my parents were worried about me and started me working with all types of therapies and interventions. It was really tiring for me to have to work that hard all of the time, but it is probably why I am able to function at my current level and I can look back on it and appreciate what…
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A simple truth
Originally published October 1, 2017, on Jepsonfiles.com I learned an important lesson in the general conference of our church this weekend. The leaders of our church, who we consider as prophets, seers and revelators give inspired messages to the members of the church about topics that they feel that Heavenly Father wants us to know. Yesterday, one of these leaders gave a great talk about how we should be heeding the advice of the prophet, Thomas S. Monson, and studying the Book of Mormon every day. That leader is very likely going to be the next prophet and his name is Russell M. Nelson. I was impressed that even someone…
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My testimony
Originally published September 3, 2017, on Jepsonfiles.com This summer has been an important one for me and for my development. I have had more experiences that have helped me to understand how God knows us and is watching out for us as individuals. First, I had another opportunity to speak in church. That is always something that brings a lot of growth because it is so hard for me. Second, my brother Ben got home from his mission. It was awesome to see him and to see how much he has grown spiritually. He really has the light of Christ with him as such a recent full-time servant of God. …
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Costa Rica–cool place to visit and my first big international trip
Originally published June 14, 2017, on Jepsonfiles.com This past week, my mom and dad treated me to an awesome adventure. It was a gift for graduating from high school. I wanted to go somewhere in a foreign country and somewhere by the ocean so we decided on Costa Rica. My dad had heard that it was a cool place and not as touristy as some places like Mexico. So, we got our passports updated and made our plans. The plane rides were kind of painful because we had long layovers getting down there and the seats were uncomfortable. But, we made it without any issues. As we got there, we…
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My next big thing
Originally published June 2, 2017, on Jepsonfiles.com Now that I have graduated from high school, I’m ready to start some big changes in my life. Big changes are not easy for me but it’s time to make progress and that means doing some things differently. My mom has been trying to get me to eat better for a long time. I used to be on a gluten and casein-free diet when I was younger. I’m not sure if it helped or not but my mom thinks that I need to try it again. I haven’t wanted to because I am a picky eater, but I know it will probably be…
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The goal of words
Originally published May 28, 2017, on Jepsonfiles.com Now that school is over, I am going to start writing every day so I hope that you enjoy the increased volume of blog posts. School was very important but now I plan on focusing all my energy on my communication skills. Like I said in my previous post, I want to be a missionary and go to college but I need to be a better communicator to be able to do that. Dad and mom have challenged me to write for 30 minutes every day. I think that is a great start and I plan on doing that. Maybe I will start…
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Hello, life after high school
Originally published May 27, 2017, on Jepsonfiles.com This week, I graduated from high school. It was a pretty cool moment, I must admit. High school as an autistic person is very different than it would have been for me if I was normal. Instead of AP tests and extracurricular activities like music or sports, I am stuck in IEPs and a contained classroom. No offense meant to my teachers, but I was never really challenged at school. I understand why it is hard to teach me at the level that I am capable of because I still have a hard time communicating what I know in the school setting. It’s…
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What do we sacrifice to see baby Jesus?
Originally published December 26, 2016, on Jepsonfiles.com Much about Christmas comes from stores. Small Jesus Christ statues and Christmas carols are the only things that make some people even realize that Christmas is supposed to be about Christ. Wise men traveled years to meet the baby Jesus and gave him precious gifts. Shepherds left their flocks by night risking all to see him. What do we sacrifice on Christmas to see the baby Jesus?We can show Christ that we love him and are willing to be with him by serving his children. Christmas is a time when it is easy to lose ourselves in gift receiving and the material part…
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My half marathon-sized accomplishment
Originally published September 6, 2016, on Jepsonfiles.com Today, I did something that I never thought that I’d be able to accomplish. My dad and mom always encourage me to push myself to do things that are hard and that will take much effort. So, my dad and I decided that we were going to run a half-marathon. We have been training for it all summer and today was race day. We got up really early and headed to downtown Colorado Springs. The race was at a park called America the Beautiful Park and it has a great view of Pikes Peak, the mountain that inspired that song. I was quite…
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Hurricane
Originally published July 18, 2016, on Jepsonfiles.com A long time ago, my ancestors on the Jepson side moved to a place that was out in the desert of Southern Utah. I am not sure how they survived the heat and the lack of water but somehow, they turned an arid place into a town that they called Hurricane. I guess that it was windy there and it felt like they were going to blow away. My great, great, great grandpa James was instrumental in digging a canal that brought water from the Virgin River to the town of Hurricane. It took several years to complete and most of the people…
