The Greatest Force on Earth

{It's been brought to my attention twice in the last week that it's been awhile since I've written. Thanks Ma. And Annj. (Hehe, Anndrea's comment: "You still have a blog?"). For you.}

Love.

I'm not talking about the romantical type either. I'm thinking about perfect love. The kind the scriptures refer to as the greatest. It casteth out all fear. It never fails. Ever.

I officially started my para-professional job this week. I met Anna and Katrina (Anna's mother) at their home. I rode with them to school, attended preschool, and rode home with them.

It was an excellent first day for her. She was happy. She made gleeful sounds. It brings a smile to my face to think that she was experiencing something new and felt joy.

Let's visit Katie's life about 4-ish year ago. A couple months before I graduated college I walked past the Clark building on campus. Through the window I watched as a student, most likely an E.C.S.E. major (my major before I switched to art) helped a young child in leg braces with a little walker. I paused for a moment observing the scene before me. As I did, hot tears burned my eyes as I realized that had I not changed my major, that student could have been me. I could be the one making difference in a small child's life. I could be the one to support this small physically challenged child. Yet, I wasn't. I was going to point my camera at people, tell them to smile, then click the shutter.

I walked away from the window full of sorrow. I had given up my opportunity to aid this child and many others. Or so I thought. A couple weeks ago I received a call from the school district. The principal of a local elementary school invited me to assist a girl one-on-one named Anna. Immediately I recognized the opportunity the Lord had given me once again to aid a child with special needs. This blessing brings happiness into my soul.

A little background about Anna. Anna was adopted at birth. She was a healthy, beautiful baby girl. Or so everyone thought. At her two month check-up, her head measured larger than average. A few tests revealed that she had hydrocephalus. A condition of excessive fluid around the brain. More tests dropped an even bigger bomb. Anna didn't have a brain, or rather she had a brain but it had stopped growing and developing.

There are many difficulties for Anna as a result of these issues. She has cerebral palsy. She has a vp shunt. She is small. (Though, don't let her size deceive you. She is very study and quite heavy.) She seizures often. She has acid reflux (as in she throws up daily, multiple times). She's in diapers. She has a slow response, if any. She is fed a very specialized diet, mostly through a g-tube. So much to remember. Including medicines, medical equipment, and medical bills. I have no idea how much her parents pay out of pocket or how much help they get from insurance or the government.

Anna also exhibits many strengths. She is content. She is calm. She is loving. She has very good muscle tone. While the part of her brain that processes information is stunted, her brain stem and cerebellum are healthy. She can see and hear, she just can't process the information she receives.

I won't lie. Thoughts such as, "Why do they work so hard to keep her alive? She's hard to take care of, she's expensive, time and energy consuming, etc. Can she really even understand what is going on?" These questions and more have gone through my mind. She's just one person.

Just one person. Just one person?! She is a daughter. A beloved daughter of God. A beloved daughter of her saintly adoptive parents. She is divine. She has a mission. She is beautiful. She's just different. She's her own mold. And I love her already.

It surprised me when I first felt this definite feeling inside me for Anna. I had only spent one day with her. Yet, already my heart was growing for her. What a tender mercy. He has softened my heart of my doubts as well as my fears so that I can love her without hesitation.

I know that this job will be challenging. Yet love makes it easier. I am excited to work with her and allow her to teach me. I pray that my heart will be open, my spirit responsive, to learn all I can from her. I pray that my mind and actions will be intuitive to give her the best care I possibly can.

Love is not that googly-eyed look I thought it was while growing up on Disney movies. Love is not a feeling or an emotion. Love is an action. A motivator. A power. A force.

Speaking of growing up on Disney movies...a few months ago, I visited a friend and Disney's 'The Sword in the Stone' was playing in the room. There was some dialogue between Merlin and Arthur that piqued my attention. Arthur and Merlin had just had their run in with the enraptured girl squirrels. {Tehe. :)} They are walking away when Merlin comments, "You know lad, that love business is a powerful thing". Arthur then asks, "Greater than gravity?" Merlin's response (love it!):

"Well, yes, boy. In it's way, I'd say, yes, it's the greatest force on earth."

I hear that, Merlin. :)

Rosie and Dr. Deth, D.D.S.

Another Halloween has come and gone. How I love this holiday. Today I will be short on words and long on pictures.

Laura and I attended a Murder Mystery Dinner. These are always fun. We get to dress up AND eat? "What?" * Psych fist bump *

Whoops! Didn't get the guy on the right in the frame. :o :)

I found out I look hot in a lab coat ;)

And that I also need to get some lip liner because have a blurry lip line...

My Halloween costume turned out great. (Thanks J for letting me borrow your coveralls! :) )

I thought everyone would pick up who I was imitating. I was proven wrong 87% of the time. I had plenty of people think I was a carpenter... or a plumber?! Really people? She's an ICON! ;) "Uncultured Swine!" Hehe. (PS - Can you name the movie?)

It just wouldn't be Halloween without Laura and my Pumpkin Pancake Guess the Shape Break Break! 3rd Annual. Although we aren't ready to be in any beauty pageants, at least we were picture appropriate this year :)

One is most definitely secure in herself when she is willing to post pictures of herself in superhero jammies, unkept hair and no make up... then again, I have about 3 readers. Give or take 1. And they've most likely already seen me in a similar fashion numerous times.

Flames

Playing with fire is fun! One of my favorite outdoor activities is cozying up near the fire at night, watching the flames and embers and roasting a 'mallow or two. Last night I had my camera handy at a friend's house. I took a few pictures. I must say I liked how a couple of them turned out! :)

All of these pictures are SOOC. In other words, no editing to the colors or textures. However, I did crop them to my liking.

Cool colors, yeah!? I'm not sure what chemical Stark threw on the fire to color the flames blue, green, purple, yellow, and pink... but it sure was pretty!

We also threw little magnesium shavings in the fire. I loved what it did to the texture of the flames. They also ignited bright white too. So cool :)

I want to get some of these printed on metallic paper... sweetness!

Stark also threw together a little fountain firework for our enjoyment. I missed the first one with my camera. No worries though. He just whipped up another :)

This kid loves having his portrait taken in any situation. Definitely the most atypical behavior of most guys I know.

Max too -

Last week Stark's fire venture was disposing of some polyethylene glycol (anti-freeze ;) ) and used car oil. Stark and his friend, Warren, invited me out to see and participate in their methods of disposal.

Good times :)

So little time...

This is my bed stand.

As you can see, soon I should be in the market to buy a taller lamp so all of the books I am currently reading can fit beneath the lamp shade. I love books. I love reading. I love learning. Regardless of how many books I read, my "To Read" list is always longer than my "Have Read" list.

The other day my boss came in and plopped down a bunch of books on my desk.

I inquired of him, "You want me to read all of these?"

"Readers are leaders, and learners are earners" was his reply. I take that as a yes. Not that I mind. Every time I talk to him he has another book for me. "Oh, Katie! That's a good point you brought up. I have a book for you to read." Haha. Love it.

With that said, I gotta go. Les Miserables is staring at me. I told my self I couldn't start another book until I finished this one. Because, as you have seen, I've got a hundred more titles waiting.

(PS, Les Miserables is amazing. I Highly recommend it. :) )

Grandpa's Record Players

Some of my family showed interest in Grandpa's portrait at the family reunion. Here's an whole album for your enjoyment. If you would like a print, comment or send me an email. :)

For a Wise Purpose in Him...

... which purpose I know not.

{*** Disclaimer: It's long. (What's new? ;) ) With no pictures. EEK! I made a diagram though! (In sing song voice) AND there is a link to a awesome video!}

The other night my quick read-a-chapter-before-I-get-to-go-to-bed (shame on me) turned into scripture learning awesomeness. I love these books. :) I learned a lot, and to remember stuff you learn it is recommended to share it. Here I am sharing. Sharing is caring. ;)

I read chapters 23 and 24 in Mosiah. At the end of 24, three peoples are have gathered themselves together under the rule of King Mosiah II in Zarahemla. The events in the chapters leading up to this time are worthy of any action/drama flick. The companies of Alma the Elder and Limhi have just escaped oppressive Lamanite bondage with the assistance of the Lord. I have a difficult time keeping everybody straight in the Book of Mormon. This was one of those moments I needed to be reminded of who was who and which was which... I needed to get it all straightened out.

I made myself this to visualize the comings and goings, and goings:

First we have the people of Limhi. They are descendants of Zeniff, who I am assuming is the leader of the group spoken of in Omni 1:27 who left the city of Zarahemla to find the land of Nephi, a.k.a Lehi-Nephi, the land of their forefathers that the Nephites founded when they first broke off from the Lamanites, then later Mosiah was warned of by the Lord to flee the land (Omni 12:12) They found the land. They received permission to inhabit the land and rebuilt the city. They were strong and prosperous. Eventually under the reign of Zeniff's son, King Noah, the people became wicked, lazy wine-bibbers. Thier weakened relationship with God led their inability to fight off the Lamanites and they soon fell under Lamanite bondage and became heavily taxed.

One of the most well-known events in the Book of Mormon occurs during King Noah's time. Abinadi was sent as a missionary among Noah's people. Ready for a really quick reader's digest abridgement? Here it is - Abinadi taught, Alma listened, everyone else became angry at his teachings, Abinadi became a martyr and was burned to death. The Lamanites came upon Noah's people. Noah is a coward. He ran into the woods to get away from the attack (being the wicked ruler he was, he neglected to provide security for his people). He didn't go alone, he persuaded other men to do the same. The cowards fled, leaving wife and children to save their own hides.

The Lamanites did come upon Noah's people. Being "charmed by the beauty of their women" (haha... Mos. 19:14), the remaining people were spared under the conditions that they pay the Lamanites 50% (!!) of pretty much anything of value they had.

Out in the wilderness, King Noah suffers death by fire (it's his Karma! Mos. 13:10 & Mos. 19:20) by the men who have had a change of heart and want to go back to their wives and children. They don't though. Too ashamed for that. Their leader is Amulon. While wifeless and lonely, they happen upon a few (24) of the Lamanite daughters. Seizing the opportunity before them, they "carried them into the wilderness" to become their new wives.

This creates even more distress for Limhi's people (Noah's son Limhi now rules as a tributary monarch) when the Lamanites come attacking his people to find their daughters.

What I get a kick out of is when the Lamanites do finally accidentally catch up to Amulon and his priests, the guilty party, Amulon sends the women out, the Lamanite daughters, to plead for them to preserve their lives. Story line sound familiar? Maybe this flick? Hahaha!! :)

In addition to finding Amulon's group, the Lamanites also find the Land of Helam where Alma and his followers have settled. They also fall under heave Lamanite bondage. Backstabbing, deceiving Lamanites! Grr... Not only that, but they are ruled by Amulon, Alma's former priest buddy. Ugh. How degrading.

However, during this bondage time two important events happened. The Nephites were taught the language of the Lamanites (Mos. 24:4) and to keep records (Mos. 24:6). Learning the language came in handy... be it 30 years later when Alma ben Alma (Alma the Younger) and the sons of Mosiah ventured out on their missions to the Lamanites to teach and bring them the gospel.

As I was chewing on this spiritual dessert that night, I was amazed at how the Lord works. Anything that happens in this life will work for our good. Eventually. IF our focus is the Lord. That's huge. HUGE! Life is hard. (It's harder if you're stupid. Thanks John Wayne... hehe). There are times when I want to quit. Or give up. Or just be grumpy and give people the stink eye. ;) There is plenty of stuff in life that we can't change. But the gospel can change our perspective.

Also, personal righteousness doesn't eliminate the need for trials and the opportunity to acquire increased character. During these inevitable struggles, the Lord will strengthen us, as he did the people of Alma. When called upon, He will ease our burdens, and we can submit cheerfully. We too will know with surety that our God does know us. He does hear us. And he will deliver us from our sorrows and trials. :)

Kate's Top Five

My favorite things:

1. The Gospel of Jesus Christ

2. Laughing

3. Family

4. Food :)

5. Learning

I love them.

We Can't All Come and Go by Bubble!

A couple weekends ago I saw "Wicked" (Again :) )! The show came to Boise. Who could resist? Obviously not me...

I went along with Laura and Brynn. We ate at PF Changs before the show. I got a fortune cookie, my favorite part of eating Chinese. :)

We were 5th row from the back. No worries though. Dad's binocs came in handy once again :)

It was like being right on stage with them. Side note... Fiyero might not have been the best dancer, but his biceps made up for it! ;D The show was fantastic and amazing and gave me chills. LOVE it.

CUPOOKIES!!

Cupcake

+ cookie =

CUPOOKIE!! Cupookie = Yummy in my tummy-ness.

A few words from the wisened. Only fill cupcake liners half way. Brown sugar frosing... not the best (in my opinion). And it sorta looks like poo...

The Repentant Slacker

It's been, what... five months since my last "real" post. Time to play a little catch up. When I say "a little" catch up, I mean it. Not much has been going on in the life of Kate. Hence, the lack of postage... Do you ever feel like life just goes it's own way and drags you along? Here goes, five months, five paragraphs, five pictures.

Diciembre:

This month claims the day, 4 December, that my best friend officially traded me in. For no other than another Ashcraft!

Who would have ever guessed? Not me. Not her. I wrote Craig while he was on his mission. During part of that time Sam and I were roommates living in Grandma's basement. (Thanks again, Grandma!) I invited her to write him too. Missionaries need mail, girls need male, you know? ( Hahaha... I cracka myself up! ) She insisted that he was too young... as Craig said, good thing he got older.... ;)

I couldn't have picked better for her. They are blissfully happy together. Babies 1 and 2 are on the way. APRIL FOOL'S!! (I missed that day too in my hiatus.)

Not to self: don't get married in December.

or any other winter-y month. (Which is 3/4 of the year in Idaho.) (I don't mind though. I like Rexburg.) Although, if a cool enough guy wanted to marry me, I'd take him up on that offer despite any snow storm, any typhoon, or negative degrees.

Chrismas Eve dinner was fabulous. Mom was off celebrating the holiday festivities with the new niece in Indiana (Still can't wait to meet you in person, Talia :) ) We all missed her. Isaac made ribs. I had never eaten ribs before. I didn't know how to eat them, so I just dug right in! It felt barbaric.

I looked like a barbarian too. (All over my shirt and pants too.) Eet's okay, though. I loved every lick of it!!!

As is tradition, we all opened new jammy-jams on Christmas Eve! All of the nieces and nephews got theirs at the dinner party. I went home with Dad that night to spend Christmas Eve with him. Dad hit the sack pretty quick. After searching for minutes on end, I found my specially marked present under the tree.

The PJ's were da bomb! But... I was kinda lonely. :(

2011!!!

Celestie the Bestie decided to move back to Rexburg after spending most of the past year in Portland attending and graduating from the Portland Culinary Institute. Happy coincidence was that I was going to Portland to photograph a wedding. We road-tripped it up there and back together with the assistance of our friend Jordan and his big truck to move Celeste's stuff back home.

That's all the pictures I have in my personal file. Only got us through January. I told you I was a slacker. Since the new year I have taken on a few new hobbies:

and

I'm still sports stupid, but I'm not as sports scared anymore :) That in itself is an accomplishment. My friend, Christina, has commented to me that I don't play volleyball, I play Volley-ballet-ball. I can't help it if I'm naturally graceful. ;) I also miss about 99.8% of all the shots I make in basketball... But my willingness to try is up 100%.

I've also taken up the art of cross-stitching. (I'll get pics later) Talk about becoming domesti-Kated!! You've heard of, "If you build it, they will come," right? Field of Dreams? Well, a thought occurred to me about a month ago that if I cross-stitch it, he will come! :D I just have been sewing little x's like crazy. (PS, no sure prospects. Yet...)

I've also been reading a lot of good books. The most recent has been the Fablehaven series.

I'm still pushing forward with SophistiKate Portraiture and Design. It's still my dream. As is going to Scotland. (And England, and Peru, and Jamaica, and Hawaii, and Georgia, and India, and Africa and, and, and.....) Hard work. As they say, learning something new every day. I'm learning 2 things per day, just to catch up. ;) I'll hook up with my dreams. Sometime. I'll make it happen :) I'm learning that although we are given many things we can't change in life, the gospel allows us to change our focus and therefore our perspective. Making ordinary and sometimes annoying things become miraculous and purposeful.

I've already uploaded more pictures and have typed more than promised... you know how I get carried away. If you are still here, thanks. I'll make you some cupookies. :) My next project of domesti-Kate-tion. Mmm... domestikation tastes good. Can't wait.

Sophistikate Portraiture

It's a day of firsts. I made a video AND put it online! Check it out, I'm on YouTube! :D

Showering Starring Samantha

Last Wednesday I threw a bridal shower for my BFFLE. She gets married in less than a month now!! Crazy! And then we will share the same last name. How cool is that? (Although it's pretty awesome, I sure hope we don't share that last name for long... While she's tickled pink to get it, I'm turning blue attempting to get rid of it! ;) ) More craziness! Who would have EVER guessed?

Sitting pretty awaiting guests and presies.

Table decor
My attempt at warming up the Young Women's room in my church building. Kinda cute, yeah?

Please ignore the ribbon hanging down on the left side. This picture was pre-scissor arrival.