True T-bird

Well ladies and gentlemen this is the first year that I have not renewed my status as a "true t-bird." Strange, right? For some it would be normal to only become a true t-bird once. 

That wasn't my case, however.

I figured this year [as it is my last] that I would most likely renew my status one last time but..

n   o   p   e

I had no interest.

I simply attended the big true t-bird event and got myself a chapstick but left soon after.

It was an odd feeling but then again I am just fine with it.

<by the way, my new word lately is {odd} so ya'll will just have to deal with it if I say it a lot>

You see, I will tell you the stories from my last couple years of true t-bird night.

Rewind back to 2010

I met Cody Eugene Patterson about a week prior to my first ever true t-bird night. I immediately had a crush on this boy and knew right away that we were going to be good friends. We were both 18 years old. It was our first year of college. Everything was new and exciting. We both new true t-bird night was coming up and it was definitely in the back of our minds as the day was coming closer and closer and as we continued to talk and get to know each other. 

Well the big night finally came and we both kind of figured that we would be each other's true t-bird. We were awkward and nervous. He took my hand and guided me through the big crowd of crazy college kids awaiting the strike of midnight to have the excuse to kiss someone.

We signed a little business card type thing to make it official. 

"At midnight on the night of______,  [insert name here]  became a true t-bird with [insert name here]."

And got ourselves a famous true t-bird chapstick.

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... MIDNIGHT!

I remember both our hands were shaking because we were so nervous. I quickly took his face and kissed him.

We were officially true t-birds! 

We've been good friends ever since then. We didn't kiss again until right before he left on his mission. But that's a different story.

He's in Argentina right now and will be back next July. Crazy how time flies!

Now let's go to 2011

Spencer Barry Budd had my interest ever since the first day of school that year. He's a returned missionary and we {me and my roommates} became really good friends with him and his roommates. We had kissed previously to true t-bird night and it was definitely expected that we would be true t-birds that year.

Now you must understand that I am not a fan of kissing in public. [I'm not comfortable with it, but I guess I'll have to get over that fear of mine someday if I ever fall in love and get married or whatever.]

Well we went to true t-bird night with all of our friends. I was nervous, once again. The count down came and midnight struck.

I was avoiding Spencer and didn't want to kiss him in front of all my friends. However, they told him to kiss me and he turned my head and gave me a quick peck. There was my first renewal of being a true t-bird. 

He was a stinker. Although I was mad he kissed me in front of my friends, I can't say that I wasn't happy as well.

That fling AND friendship lasted like two months. 

He lives right next door to me now and he's a totally different person. It's odd but I don't even care. His roommate is my best friend and that's all that matters.

So now, 2012, true t-bird  night rolls around and I have no one in my sights that I would want to renew my status with. 

Well actually that's a lie.

Here's my new story:

I just recently discovered that I have a crush for the first time this semester on a kid in my ward. Apparently he's the elders quorum president, does that mean anything??

Who knows.

Anyways, he's a native to Cedar City and he's two years old than me. He's a returned missionary and he came with the missionaries to my house the other night to meet with my non-member roommate. He's a great kid and he's really funny! 

I've come to find out that we have very different personalities though. We're quite opposite! 

But it intrigues me. 

Anyways, he came to the traditional celebration before true t-bird night with me and some friends and I learned that he does not like to be around a lot of people. Ha, I think he is kind of shy. 

I was hoping that maybe just MAYBE he would be my true t-bird for 2012 but he ended up leaving early with the others that we were with because they all wanted to go home. 

Fun suckers.

They weren't into A Rocket To The Moon I guess.

What were they thinking? 

Oh that's right, they weren't.

Ha it's fine though, I'm not even mad. 

So they left early and that takes us back to the first of this blog post... I went to true t-bird night and grabbed myself a chapstick and got out of there as soon as I could.

Let's be honest, there are creepers out there and if you're not careful you could easily get kissed by a weirdy. 

Yuck!

So that is my story.

Legend has it that you can become true t-birds on the night of a full moon and only if you're touching the statue "Old Sorrel."

Maybe I'll be able to renew my status sometime this semester before I'm done? Who knows, I guess there are about what, 2 or 3 full moons left till then? 

Meh.... 

We'll see what is in store for me!

Love,

Kate

ps. 75 days left

It's nights like these that mean the most

A random trip up to Navajo Lake with these two great people make for memories that will never be forgotten.

We were definitely in the midst of nature's beautiful creations and I could not have been happier.

Among the trees that are changing color, a rainbow decided to add to the beauty of the surroundings. 

A fire.

Hot dogs.

Roasted marshmallows.

Samoa cookies.

& people who I love to be around.

The joy came effortlessly.

Love,

Kate

I am heaven sent, don't you dare forget.

Remember those curve balls that I was telling you that life throws at me every once in a while? Yeah well, life threw me another one a couple days ago!

My friend Audrey had an extra ticket for the Brand New/Manchester Orchestra concert up at University of Utah and asked if there were any takers. I said "pick me!" and then before I knew it I was standing among sweaty concert goers--all with one thing in common-- they all love Brand New.

First Manchester Orchestra came on. He had a monsterous beard. 

He's really good live! I was impressed.

Notice how close we got :) But that didn't last for long because pretty soon Brand New came on!

 

Everyone went crazy. It was a huge mosh pit of sweat, the smell of weed, swearing, piercings, and who knows what else. I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous... okay... I was terrified. Ha but it was fine. I was excited to be there and to be able to experience my first Brand New concert.

I ran into my good friend Ben :) as well as Nic, Brett,  & Kendrick [all from my home town].

I sang at the top of my lungs to the songs that I knew and stood awkwardly during the ones I didn't know.

Ha but it was fine. I made the best of it anyway.

I owe my appreciation for Brand New to my good friend Tanner. Many of the songs I know are associated with memories of him. So that made it for an interesting night!

After it was over I ran into my favorite person-- Jacob Jensen-- from efy this past summer! 

It was great to see him. He is up in Idaho at BYU-I so it was a great surprise to see him at the concert.

We finished the night off by getting some grub at Village Inn. Then the next day we spent shopping at the City Creek Mall in Salt Lake City. Eventually I made it back to Cedar and was exhausted. I still haven't recovered but it's fine. I'm not even mad.

I loved my first Brand New concert. It was an experience I'll never forget.

This is my favorite song of theirs.

Love,

Kate

That is all.

I sleep, pray, read my scriptures, eat, go to school, attend institute, work out, and do homework --repeat-- all day everyday. That is all.

But once in a great while life throws me a curve ball and something cool happens... like getting to take a random trip with my roommates down to St. George to eat dinner at my {all-time favorite restaurant ever} the Pasta Factory, and then to attend Disney's Aladin at Tuacahn! Super rad. I enjoyed it and would recommend going to Tuacahn to anyone if they ever get the chance. It was a good time!

 
 

That is all.

Love,

Kate
ps. 87 days

We run around the rules

I don't know what I'd do with out this girl.

Love,

Kate

We can BE anything | We can DO anything

{{source}}

"When faith is properly understood and used, it has dramatically far-reaching effects. Such faith can transform an individual’s life from maudlin, common everyday activities to a symphony of joy and happiness."

—Richard G. Scott, "The Transforming Power of Faith and Character"

Topics: Happiness, Faith

Just a thought.

Love,

Kate

Qualified for the work?

"And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work.

Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence.

Ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

D&C 4:5-7

Two words: 

MISSIONARY

WORK

Should I serve a mission? 

Should I get my papers started? 

I can now officially submit them.

I'm enrolled in Mission Prep at the Institute and I love it so far. We learned about how we each have our own "orbits." The instructor mentioned how the star that appeared the night Christ was born didn't just appear by chance. It was placed specifically in the solar system so that when the time was right, it would appear brighter than ever that special night the the dear Lord came into this world.

Us, like that star, each have our own individual orbits too. 

This thought got me thinking about my desires and emotions that I have felt concerning a mission. My feelings about serving a mission have definitely been an emotional roller coaster.

But now I wonder if maybe it's just not my time right at the moment... but maybe my time is coming soon? Maybe my timing is off a little bit. 

Because let's be honest, we cannot have "true faith in the Lord without also having complete trust in the Lord's will and in the Lord's timing."

So would I be ready to serve a mission if I could? Would I be qualified for the work, considering the revelation given through the prophet Joseph Smith to his father, Joseph Smith Senior in section 4 of the Doctrine and Covenants? 

I guess all I can do now is to continue to prepare myself and make my eye single to His glory. I need to remember those Christlike attributes and practice them so that I can become better prepared to serve the Lord and to share the gospel with others.

And most importantly, I must PRAY. 

Because I know with all my heart that prayers are heard and they truly are answered.

Love,

Kate

A letter from November

{A letter to myself that I found in my scriptures}

November 2011

Dear Kate,

     Stop thinking so much. Just remember to "TRUST in the LORD with all your heart. Lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct thy paths!" Don't try to figure out how other people are feeling. Just be yourself; always. Respond to every situation the RIGHT way and in a good way. Simply just trust in him and you will be happy:)

     He has a plan for you. He is guiding you in your life... Have faith in Him and put alllll your trust in Him. He knows the thoughts and feelings of you heart. He knows you personally.

     He blesses you with people in your life to teach you lessons and to help shape you into the person He wants you to become... Give your life to Him. Put Him first, everything will fall into place if you do so.

     Read the scriptures. They will give you strength and power to overcome temptation. The scriptures will teach you and will enlighten your mind. Pray often; morning and night; and always have a prayer in your heart. He wants to hear from you. He wants to talk to you and he wants to help you.

     Listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost. Don't do anything that would keep the spirit from dwelling in your "temple." Listen to good music, watch good movies, and surround yourself with good people.

     Share the gospel with others and don't be afraid to do it. Look for opportunities to serve and help others, always. Lose yourself in God/service and you will find happiness. The gospel is true. He hears your prayers and he does answer you... but in His own time. Be patient. Be kind. And most importantly be happy. You are a light unto the world. Others can see your light and can feel your sweet spirit. 

     Don't let yourself get down or feel discouraged. You are never alone. Jesus Christ is always there for you. Let him lift you up and carry you when you feel weak. He loves you. He loves you so much that he died for you.

     Someday you will find someone who will walk into your life and sweep you off your feet. You are loved by many; many friends, family, neighbors, and peers-- whether you know it or not. You will find an eternal companion when the Lord sees it fit.

     As for now, all you should/need to do is trust in Him. Give him your life and he will guide you in the direction you need to go.

Remember to ALWAYS smile. "To be Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal."

     Don't ever forget that. And always, always, bring your own sunshine. You are a daughter of a king! You have great individual worth. Don't forget who you are. You represent Jesus Christ. You represent your family. And you represent the church.

     So with that-- smile, pray, laugh, love, and serve others... and be happy.

You are loved.

Love,

Kate

This is beautiful

This is true.

So what do you do?

Cuz I don't know.

I think I'll just go look at the stars for now. 

Or maybe I'll just stay in my cave.

Love,

Kate

Labor Day Weekend

Labor Day weekend was by far greater than I imagined it would be.

My sister and her friend Emmie came down to chill with us and we went to a mentalist Friday night. After having our minds blown away from all the crazy things that the mentalist did, we went to Cafe Rio for dinner afterwards. 

We spent Saturday in the sun down at Sand Hollow. We swam around, cliff jumped, and soaked up the sun. 

Later that evening we made it back to Cedar and went to SUU's Paint Dance held by DJ Marcus Wing. It was insane!

It was so much fun. We left the dance with paint and glitter all over ourselves. 

Next morning Em and Kam left back to Richfield and Lyss and I attended church. After church we got a text from our good friend Joey telling us to come over as soon as we can. (He lives right next door too us so that wasn't much of a hassle.) He told us to pack up because we would be going to Lake Mead in a couple hours to spend the night at his cabin and then hang out at the lake the next day. 

 Well what better way to live the college life than to be spontaneous and live your life minute to minute, right?

So we quickly made some zuchini squash muffins, got packed, and headed to Lake Mead for our 24 hour Labor Day trip. Turns out it was only us three that went but it was still a blast!

We got to Joey's cabin around dark, put our swim suits on, and then jumped in the lake. We swam for a little while and watched the beautiful moon rise up over the mountains. It was a gorgeous night for a swim and the water was so warm.

The next morning we got up and spent the day out on the lake in Joey's boat. We tubed, wake boarded [attempt=failure], swam, and fished. It was so much fun, there were no cares in the world and everything was so chill. It was a definite needed break from the past week of stresses and craziness from the first week of school.

I also learned how to drive a boat! I'd say I was pretty dang good at it too.

I love Joey and Alyssa. I honestly don't know what I would do without them.

Love,

Kate

ps. 102 days left.