A Treasure

On this eve 4 years ago I was uneasy as I ironed my skirt for the next day and prepared for bed. On the morrow I would begin a new chapter of my life. Everything I knew would be traded in for the unknown as I left the comforts of home to become missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. That night I wished that I could wake up the next morning with the next 18 months behind me.

It's crazy now to realize I've now been home longer than I was gone. Believe it or not, those 18 months do feel like a dream (something I didn't think could ever be true). Not a day goes by that I don't have a memory or a flashback of someone or something from my time spent in Georgia and Florida. A park, a moment, a kitchen, a road, a text, a door, a person, a lesson, a meal, a conversation, an awkward instant, a garage, a voicemail, a piano solo, a baptism, a phone call... so many jewels in my memory. Those times, experiences, places - and most importantly - strangers who became my dearest friends and family in the south - will be forever a treasure in my life and heart.

I love my Savior. I pray I may always live my life so that those around me may feel of His love for them. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ - Now and Forever.

God be with you until we meet again.

'16 Going on '17

Been a while for the ole bloggity blog, eh?

2016 has been a grand adventure. Maybe it hasn't brought me everything I ever wanted or hoped for, but I do have the rest of eternity for that afterall :) I am so grateful for the experiences I've had and for the people who have enriched my life!

Some highlights!

I am a sewing fiend! Okay, not really... but I did take up some sewing projects of my own free will and actually did alright! First off I made an apron - turned out super cute! Then I made a levi quilt from a favorite pair of jeans that fell apart, yet that I didn't want to part with - also turned out awesome!.. ish. Don't look close ;) For something that was made to be thrown on the ground it is absolutely flawless! My last sewing project were these cute little owls that you fill up with corn and warm up in the microwave for a couple minutes to give you some extra warmth on these frigid Idaho nights (and days). It started off on a whim with a good friend, but then all the cute little nieces and nephews saw them and wanted one a piece... and well, I'm just not very good at telling their cute little faces "No". I must say, I got pretty good at sewing on eyeballs!

TRAVEL!! I love to travel!!! And this year brought me some great trips:

SOUTH AFRICA!! I love this place. I hope to have the opportunity to go again and again! You can see some select pictures on my FaceBook. I really need to get more of those RAW files converted to JPGS.... :o

NEBRASKA!! I got to spend a wonderful week with Heidi and her family. We were hit with a surprising snow storm in the days leading up to Easter that had us shoveling the drive way for a couple hours. We cooked the yummiest brownies I have EVER had in my life and - oh - SEWED owl pillows! (I love owls) I loved my week there and was sad when it was time to tell them 'good-bye'. :(

Freak snowstorm!

ALASKA! Have I mentioned I love my job? If it weren't for my job I wouldn't have such favorable circumstances that allow me to travel and photograph places I never dreamed of. Alaska was breathtaking and the bears were so much fun to see! I'd go again in a heartbeat.

SEATTLE! So this was a fun little layover pit stop on the way back from Alaska where I FINALLY got to visit my cousin, Ryan. He spoiled me rotten while I was there! He took me to the coolest movie theatre I've ever watched (and dozed off to {I seriously have issues.}) a movie in, toured me around Boeing, and drove me all over the place taking me to the coolest museums, sight seeing spots, and restaurants possible in a short period of time.

BEAR LAKE! This place that is SO close to home has been one of my favorite places since I was young. This year I was invited to go down with my bestie Sam and cousin Craig. Though I rarely see them, it's times like these that remind me why they are a couple of my favorite people ever and the people who got me through my college and early post college years. They planned a fan-tab-ulous adventuresome itinerary while we were there which included the very entertaining play of Jaunito Bandito at the Pickleville playhouse, setting up a tent and camping, and riding a surrey - so much fun!

FAMILY VACA to Glacier National Park!

We hit up Virginia and Nevada City on the way up

One of my life-long dreams came true! I finally got to dress up for an old-timey photo! 

Pushing Meg's 'burb at the campsite

This next year will bring China, India... and dare I hope... ICELAND?!?! We'll see. I have began teaching classes at Perfect Light Camera and Supply, along with offering classes at a local community college in Idaho Falls. I love sharing knowledge and helping others. Photography is one of my loves, along with people and teaching. I feel incredibly blessed that I am able to do something I love. I work with great people who make it easy to go to work every day.

Oh! And I turned 30! For a milestone this big, you'd think I'd remember! A couple weeks ago I told someone I was 29... so I guess it just hasn't sunk in yet ;) Or, maybe I'm in denial? ;)

Unforeseen yet inevitable faith trying circumstances occur that serve to strengthen my resolve to follow our Savior's example and teachings. My love for Him never dwindles or diminishes. In trying times and hopeless filled hours I am grateful for the peace He offers. I know that as long as I look to Christ, everything will be okay. :)

This was on the board one week before I began my Sunday School lesson. I couldn't bring myself to erase it, because let's face it, who doesn't want to be a Jedi?!? Come to find out, I've been one my ENTIRE life!! :D

Some other pics:

All of us! August 2016

This little gem was a happy surprise as I was driving up to Glacier National Park. My mission president had this on his wall and it was a theme for our mission (BTW - I've now been home 2 WHOLE YEARS!! I can't believe it!) I didn't even know it was a real place! 

Meg and I attended "Queen of the Kingdom" with Natalie. We all had a good time! This is Meg and I with Kim Duncan 

In February I went with work to WPPI in Vegas. It was an exciting experience!

10,000 Steps

A couple months ago I got myself a fitbit. The standard daily goal is 10,000 steps per day. Sounds easy, right? With a happy grin on my face I ripped the package open. I clipped it on myself as a new fitbit owner and hit the pavement... sort of. :o After a couple of weeks after I had NEVER reached the objective of 10,000 steps per day I realized I didn't move as much as I thought I did. I exercise religiously at least a half hour every day and I have a job that I'm not at a desk. Yet I was struggling big time to get my steps in.

As with most things in life, I figured 10,000 steps a day wasn't just going to happen, I had to make it happen. I set a goal to get 10,000 steps a day. For reals. I was going to make it happen! It was hard (sort of). I had to make sacrifices. What started out as a simple, maybe silly goal, has brought me so many tender mercies and pleasant surprises as I've (gotten creative at times to) attain my goal. Like connecting with my young self by jumping rope in the dark in the drive way at the end of the day because I still needed more steps and I was bored of running in place. Haha :)

Though my goal was a physical one, what I really received was strengthened relationships. Since I was making this goal a non-negotiable accomplishment in my life, what better than to bring friends along? I got to talk as I walked with my sister-in-law, a mission friend, and as well as a best friend I haven't seen in a long time. I spent some quality time with my Dad watching a documentary as I ran in place inside (it was raining outside). I went for a run with my uncle on his awesome trail. I took the opportunity to play freeze tag with my nephews and niece.

And I made it! It was only 7 days, but I did it!! Mission: Accomplished! Next goal ---> 10,000 steps a day for a month! Bring it one :)

I know that when we set goals to better ourselves, God finds ways to bless us in many ways we didn't expect! One of those ways is that as we better ourselves we can help those around us too. 

Serving God With My Emotions

Life 'A-ha' moment this weekend! In preparation for a lesson on Sunday I was reading through different materials. As I read through chapters here and chapters there something clicked for me.

Throughout my mission, like many missions all over the world, we recited Doctrine and Covenants Section 4 every day. Sometimes multiple times a day. Verse 2 of that section holds the secret to success as we pursue God's will:

Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. 

One of the author's I read this weekend defined those as the following:

Heart = emotions and sentiments 

Might = will power

Mind = intellect and reasoning ability

Strength = time and energy

Whoa! Wait? What? Our heart = our emotions?!?! In all my previous studies I had equivalated (I totally just made that word up... my blog, my words! Haha! It is Sophisti-KATE-tion after all ;) )  my heart as my desires -

"Do I desire to serve God? Yep. Check! Done. Next?" 

NO!! Cut off short. I then asked myself, "Can I serve God with my emotions? Yes. Am I doing that?"

That got me thinking, "How can I serve God with my emotions?"

I thought of how when I do not control my thoughts, which lead to my emotions, I am prone to dwell on petty feelings. For example - resentments, offenses, jealousies, anxieties, self pity, etc. None of these which lead me to ACT (strength) in service to God with all that I have. 

It starts out so little. Lately I have felt so hopeless, or without hope. I know that this is draining my ability and power to reach up to heaven to draw down those powers available to God's children to bring about miracles here on earth... I'll work on that. Today I am carrying a paper around with me so I can track my thoughts. I can catch the Father of Lies in his tracks! When we know the plan of our foes it gives us power to conquer them. I will train my brain to think positively. I will have dominion over this instrument God has blessed me with to be faithful and fearless! :D 

Let's go get today!!

Life's Compostion

Tonight I taught a group of young girls some basic photography skills and composition tips. A perfect union of two of my favorites. I love photography and I love sharing knowledge. I believe that I have found my calling in life! 

Though most people aren't thinking about composition when they look at a photograph, they do notice when it is pleasing to look at even if they don't know why. A snapshot may capture a moment, but a photograph tells a story. Though I can't claim that anything is entirely original we all have unique experiences and points of view. I often say that everyone is living in their own reality made of of their own perspective created by the way they were raised, where they grew up, who they associated with, what they have observed, how they interpret what they see... so many variables that make up one's very own unique perspective. No one tells the same story, which is why it is so important that every one find their own way of expressing themselves. I love being able to facilitate in any way that I can the someone else's ability to create. Whether it's something technical like the aperture triangle or simply being their cheerleader. :) God is a creator. He is THE Creator. So when we create we are becoming a little bit more like Him as well as increasing our relationship with him. The most important thing when creating is to just do it. It sure doesn't have to be perfect. Waiting for perfection before we create will guarantee perfection will never be attained. 

Check out this picture:

Wow! A kitchen sink! Woop-ti-doo! I can hear you now, "Katie... why are we looking at this??"  My friends, this simple and boring picture shot during my early picture-taking career represents a life 'a-ha' moment. Story time!! :D

I was adventuring in California with my bestie, Sam, and staying with our other friends who resided in Cali. Can I just say - cutest apartment ever?!? I loved the attention and time they had given into making their apartment a home. It was SO cute and incredibly well decorated for a couple of young single girls. For example - The first thing I saw when I walked into the apartment was a huge tree painted on the wall! 

The morning before Sam and I left Cali, I made sure to photograph every room - no room escaped the sensor of my camera! As I went to take a picture of the kitchen and checked everything through my viewfinder before clicking the shutter, my eye stopped at the sink... dirty dishes....!! The first thought that came to my mind was, "Well, I could wash them". But I didn't want to. {Hey! Don't judge. Time was short. Dishes are a chore I don't mind so much. Just ask any of my missionary companions :) } My next thought was I could remove them, then put them back after my shot. But there's that time issue again, and I'd probably get dirty dish goop on my hands. My third thought was the winner -

"Kate! This is easy! Just change your perspective!!" So I did. I squatted lower {This is the real reason I've taken up yoga - better camera angle positioning posing strength!}. And you know what happened??! The dishes disappeared! It was a clean, empty sink! At least as far as the photo was concerned! In the moment that was all that mattered! They didn't show in the picture and they didn't exist in the captured moment! 

How often do we have 'dirty dish' moments in our lives? It could be a hurtful comment. Or receiving the cold shoulder. A bad test score. Or feeling like we've been forgotten by those who mean the most to us. How about unmet expectations? From ourselves, family, or life? Our dirty dishes can at times seem overwhelming and exhausting. Yet, does the problem lie in what is really there? Or in how we perceive it? 

I can't count the times in life that I have felt let down or forgotten by God. These feelings - though they seem silly and irrational when I talk about them out loud - seem very real - and has given me a set of trust issues. Haha! But, seriously... ;) When those times come and my mind is filling up with evidence of broken trust, I can choose to change the composition. I search for and count evidences of the times he hasn't let me down and say a prayer in gratitude for those times. I especially look for times when I was hoping for something and got a completely different thing in real life - but it still worked out- often times better than what I could have hoped for. Or as the music group, "fun." sings it, "Man, you wouldn't believe the most amazing things that can come from...Some terrible nights". Most times these scenarios take time to recognize the good fruit that come from hard situations. But they are there if we look for them. Having faith is work, and at times it is hard to be consistent in the little things, especially when we don't see any results when we are expecting them. 

Whatever happens, God is in it if we have invited him. Most of the time all it takes is permitting ourselves to shift our perspective from what we want now in the moment {if you're like me then you know what it's like to not know what you want - but whatever it is you don't know you want you still want it right now!} to what God sees and is showing us. We are here to fail. But we are here to get back up and try again tomorrow. As long as we give God our best we have done our part. Some days our best may be better than other days. Other days it will not be as good. I think God understands. 

Here is the good news with the perspective shift - When we feel like this it means we've mastered a another life level! When things get hard or we feel emptiness  growing inside - I can choose to see that as an invitation to dig deeper within myself to stretch upward and reach higher to increase my relationship with God. There are moments when I despair in my thoughts. On occasion, in weakness it even leaks out of my mouth. A quote from one of my favorite people comes to mind when I do, "Don't be defeatist dear. That is so middle class". I remind myself that we truly are royalty. Our Father is the King. He is in charge. I limit myself by allowing the adversary to convince me that I am empty. I'm in no way saying that what we feel isn't real, because it is real and it is hard. Once I accept those, I give myself power to overcome :) 

Life really is so good. These past few weeks have been a struggle. A struggle I blame on my own shallow perspective. I spoke to my bestie, Sam, on Sunday and she commented on how happy I sounded. I told her I was working hard (sometimes, it really is work - most definitely a concerted effort) to be happy and not let life get me down. It's tiring. But it's working! Fake it 'til you become it, right?! :) There are moments I just want to give up. But I won't. I will keep trying. I will continue on. I will hope on. I will plead and pray for strength. I ask God to send me messages that he is aware of me every day and every moment when I feel like I have been forgotten and set aside. I pray that I will be able to see and recognize those moments to not only give thanks, but to give proof to the faith that I think I already have.

There it is. In a nutshell - Change our perspective = Change our story. :) 

Nailed It

Lily Allen wrote a song specifically for my life!

Strangers

I don't love Chinese food. I could take or leave it. I usually leave it unless I'm with a friend who loves it and I get a fortune cookie :) It's a good deal! Last Saturday I got a fortune cookie:

{Somebody needs a manicure!! And her name starts with 'K' and and with a 'T'}

How true and how perfectly timed. Last Saturday was the last day of a four day training I attended - Present Yourself. This training focused on being a messenger. Every day there are troubled people and times surrounding us. We can choose to see a problem and come up with solutions. As we share these solutions to those around us we become a messenger. We can be a messenger about anything! Any thing that we are passionate about that we feel will add to the value of others' lives. Whether its sharing the message of magical water from the mountains of China or, in my case, teaching others an art form so they can have a way to create to bring them closer to God.

While at this seminar I was blessed to meet so many amazing people! I started out in a room with 200 strangers. By the end of those 4 days a few of those strangers had become my trusted friends who did bring great meaning into my life and I believe they will continue to do so.

Angela: I met her the first day during our lunch break. I had walked over to the closest eating establishment and went outside to eat. She followed me out there, sat down next to me and then we were friends!

Mike: When I went back to the seminar I saved a seat for Angela. As the training was beginning a big burly man came and sat in the open seat next to Angela. They knew each other! They had gone to high school but hadn't seen each other since. What are the odds?? :) As the training came to a close tears were streaming down his face and his nose was running as he hugged me good bye. Tender hearted big cuddly bear!

Thomas: I saw Thomas the first day and thought he looked super familiar. I thought so again when I saw him the second day. I finally approached him and asked if he was from Rexburg. He was! We had met years ago at a trade show. He is a fireball - full of energy and very funny. He is my age, the father of 5 kids and one of the most creative minds I have ever met. He is the owner of a distributing company and is an amazing business entreprenuer who knows how to get things done!

Abrianna: We kept running into each other throughout the seminar and even danced it up together during the rockstar night. She is a young mother of a four year old. She aspires to be a mentor and is focused on her goals and will do anything to make it happen. She's an inspiration and we will be friends for years to come.

I love meeting people and getting to know who they REALLY are. How they think and what experiences have shaped their perspectives. I love finding out about their dreams they are pursuing. It reveals so much about their hearts.

My takeaway:

The love of God breaks down any barriers : social, age, schooling... ANYTHING. If we are focused on loving and helping others, we can lift any body wherever they are and great friendships will follow! How wonderful it feels to know we are not alone. :)

In God I Trust

These past few weeks and months I have sent many questions heavenward as I have searched for life answers and direction in my life. Sometimes Heavenly Father is a little slow coming with the answers or maybe I haven't recognized the answers as they have come yet. I've noticed that as I have not gotten the answers I've wanted or when I wanted, my brain takes the initiative to fill in the void. Problem is, when my brain does that it tends to come up with the best worse case scenarios!!

This week as I was walking into work I spotted a copper speck in the parking lot. I bent down to pick up the penny and remembering a story my dad shared with me years ago I asked myself, "Am I trusting God right now, this moment?" 

I was so grateful for this reminder. If I am trusting in God I will not allow the questions of the future worry me so much that today becomes bitter. I will not let the questions of tomorrow rob the pleasantries of today. I will keep trusting and take everything a day at a time, a moment at a time. And as weeks, months and years go by I know as I look back I will realize that our Father in Heaven was guiding me all along. 

Because of The Book of Mormon!

Because of the Book of Mormon I.....

My 'rememberer' wasn't working when I first discovered The Book of Mormon. As far as I know, the Book of Mormon has been a part of my life since the womb. After all, my mom is very diligent in her scripture study. In first grade I would walk over to my grandma's after school. She insisted on teaching me how to read from it! (And I did NOT like it for many reasons - She made us read the heading, I struggled with the words, and I was so done with "looking" in 1 Nephi 11... thank goodness for the patient women in our lives who do the hard things with us!) 

Because The Book of Mormon has literally been in my life every day since I can remember, (even the days I days I didn't read it, I thought about reading it :o ) I know I take it for granted, as well as the effects that it has had in my life. I didn't realize the incredible, monumental changes taking place in my life a page or a verse at a time. 

But now I know. 

At least in a small way how the Book of Mormon has altered my life for the better. As I have looked back at my life and realized the REAL power the book has given my life. I may not have understood the words and I KNOW I didn't catch on to a lot of the principles being taught. I still don't. Regardless, it has done more for me than I know. Because simply by reading The Book of Mormon we invite God's spirit to join us in our lives. And that, my friends, is real power. That one simple principle is huge! Life-altering.

To answer the question I have asked myself so many times - Because of the Book of Mormon (drumroll please):

I know who I am. 

I am a daughter of God. So simple - and yet it is everything! There is an infinity of lessons we can learn from this book. This is the one I have narrowed it down to that has been the foundation of everything else. Because of the Book of Mormon I have been given strength every day from the knowledge of knowing of my divine lineage. As I have grown up I have struggled with low self confidence and low self-esteem. Yet I have never questioned my self worth. Somehow, deep down, when the world whispered to me that I am fat, ugly, dumb, that nobody wants me or loves me, or that I don't have friends and I'm a loser - I believed it. Yet - and this is the great conundrum - I still KNEW that I was of infinite worth. Somebody loved me. Somebody cared for me. I did have purpose. I knew that I was beautiful, smart, intelligent and that my real best friend was the only one that really mattered. I only had to care about what He thought of me- that is Jesus Christ. That knowledge has enabled me to push through and reach up at times when all I wanted to do was melt into the ground and be forgotten. That single knowledge that was planted so deeply within me got me through all my darkest days. It is why I've made the good choices I have made throughout my life. It has got me out of bed when I didn't feel there was a purpose or the thought of facing another day seemed too daunting.

I received a blessing years ago, and the words may have become fogged up my somewhat unreliable mind, but I remember being told that as I studied the word of God, my confidence would grow before others. I wanted this blessing because it is something I knew I struggled with. I didn't understand it, but I believed it anyways. It didn't happen magically overnight. Yet, as the days became weeks and the weeks months, and the months years, I slowly gained more confidence as my relationship with Heavenly Father increased. I cared less about what others thought of me, or what I judged them to be judging of me. I began to care more about being worried and embarrassed about what God thought of me and my actions. I realized that if I can stand confident before God, I can stand confident before anybody! 

Life really is all about choices. I'm sure not perfect or even as good as I want to be. Yet I know each and every day we make tiny choices that effect us for the rest of our lives. Going to church. Saying prayers. Reading the scriptures. The day I changed my major to art. The moment I was landscaping with my dad and a thought turned into a decision- It had only been a month since I had last talked to the Bishop and he had sent me away. But for one last time I was going to schedule another appointment with the Bishop, and I WAS going to start mission papers. I was determined. These tiny little choices that completely alter where we are, who we are, what we do and ultimately who we become. 

The Book of Mormon is amazing because it is TRUTH. Knowledge of truth is the key to unlocking our minds to be happy regardless of anything we encounter in this world. We know Christ through this book, and we can overcome anything and everything as we look to Him. The Book of Mormon has changed my life, has changed the life of others, and will continue to change more lives all over the earth because it is TRUTH. And truth sets us free. “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32.)

Don't have one yet?! Get your free copy here!!

(Because, who doesn't love FREE?!? ;) ) 

And!! Watch this video! 

My Favorite Pen

The S.K.B. SB-1000 Pen



I found one of these pens in my penholder which I'm sure was probably kidnapped from my mom's house from one of her many pen stashes. It doesn't look like anything spectacular. Just a regular pen. Right? But I LOVE it. About a year ago I lost it. I was devastated. I couldn't remember the brand. Just what it looked like and how much I loved it. I searched and searched. Wal*Mart, Porters, K*Mart, Staples, Office Max... no bueno. No favorite pen.

My friend called me after it had been MIA for a couple weeks and told me she had been cleaning out her car and asked if it was mine. It was! A miracle! I'm surprised she didn't just take it inside to stash with their pens - seriously, it looks like it's nothing special. But, I love it. Blue, super fine point, makes my handwriting look better than it usually does and fits more letters onto a line. It's awesome. Christmas is coming up, so is March 6. And I love colors. Hint, Hint ;)

http://www.skbpens.com/

Pumpkin Carving

It's October! My favorite season deserves a post, huh? :) 

Last night for FHE we carved pumpkins. I started gutting out a pumpkin and saw a kid in my ward standing around watching.  I asked him if he wanted to pick out a design for the one I was working on. He did. It became a VW Bus. Super cool. :)

PS - I'm not sickly. I forgot to put make-up on. Whoops! :o How did that slip my mind?

The license plate has our initials, "J K" :)

Man I like boys... I sure am going to miss them  :-/ ;)

The Good Life

AKA - "Catching Up". In April I took a vacation to visit Heidi and fam in Nebraska. Woot woot! :D

My trip commenced with a countryside scenic tour across the lands of Wyoming and Nebraska. The company was excellent:

(Yeah, that's the Old Testament she's reading. By choice, too. Smart little girl.)

It was a very comfortable, roomy ride.

Or not... given the option though, I'd take less leg space any day for snacks! :D

Once we got to Nebraska, there were lots of fun things to do. Like, watch Allie play soccer

read Talia books (she's so cute!!),

tornado preparation,

and play at the park!

Wayne is a beautiful city and I loved driving around and looking at the beautiful houses and buildings.

Heidi also drove us around and we explored a lot of cool places!

Mmm! I love me some peanut butter!

The technology in Nebraska (or was it Iowa?) is a little stunted. Where I come from we are a spoiled. We only need one button.

Whenever I travel I always find me a man! Unfortunately, they are never real. Maybe that's why they are so agreeable. 

All good things must come to an end. But only in favor of different, good things. Bye Nebraska. Hello, Utah. (My first solo airplane ride. I'm a traveling rock star. I did kind of hope I'd get lost and find myself in Louisiana. No luck though.) 

Thanks Heidi for letting me come stay with you!! Can't wait until I get to come again :D