Words of Wisdom from my daughter

I just love being able to learn from my kids. I was looking a Katie's blog today and came across this post . . . and it was just something that I really needed and so I am re-posting it here. If you don't already look at her blog you should because she has lots of great words of wisdom on there.

http://katielynn27.blogspot.com/

1. Whenever you think life is great a trial is on it's way. Don't we all know that's how it goes? And yet we are always still so shocked when the trial comes! It seems as though just as soon as everything is fine and dandy BAM! Something hits and you feel like you have to start all over again.

2. This week i have heard this story a few times. It has become my favorite story in all of the scriptures, from Matthew 14. At the end of this chapter Peter and the other disciples are in a boat. They see a figure coming across the water and they become afraid. Christ tells them "be off good cheer; it is I;be not afraid". After hearing this Peter says that if it is in fact the savior to let him walk on the water to Christ. Peter gets out of the boat and walks on the water. However, he starts to get distracted by the storm that is raging and takes his eyes of the Savior. It is at this point where he begins to sink into the water and has to as for the Saviors help. The Savior, of course, comes and helps him but asks him why he ever doubted. I always think how could he doubt the Lord when he is walking on water?!! But as i think about it more i realize that we all do the same thing. We have all seen amazing miracles, we've all felt that God is there and yet we still let our fear of storms keep our eyes from looking towards God. How stupid are we to let the storms around us get in the way of our faith?

3. and that brings me to my next discovery of the week. Fear always competes with Faith. My New Testament teacher today was talking and made me realize that we are the same person. She said that she worries a lot and is afraid of a lot of things and that she always feels awful because people say that you cannot be afraid and have faith at the same time. Even in the scriptures it says perfect love hath no fear. How is it that i can show people the love of Christ if i am so scared? This is EXACTLY how i have been feeling lately. But then she said something that made me feel so much better. She said that it is not that we are not allowed to be scared at all, but that "we have to let our faith be STRONGER than our fear". Well duh, we all knew that right? but still it made me feel so much better to hear that today.

4. Service will make you feel better, even if it's just for a little while. So i wasn't having the best day today if you didn't get that. For FHE we were going to go to this school for mentally handicapped people to just play some games and chat with them. I wasn't going to go because i have a late class, but last minute i decided i needed to go so i asked my roommate to come get me. It was actually really fun and I really enjoyed myself. Plus there was ice cream after and that always helps a rough day right? i concluded that the best way to make your day a little better is this: Service, Ice Cream, and a roommate group hug. I felt a little better after that. :)

5. Dr. Suess knows a lot of things.

You have brains in your head.

You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself any direction you choose.

You’re on your own.

And you know what you know.

And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go.

I just really liked this poem today...because even when we feel like we're on our own and when there isn't really anyone physically there who understands...we have a brain, we have feet, we have knowledge, so we need to act and do something!

6. Once again my mission prep teacher knows everything. And let me tell you he has made going on a mission SO appealing. Two things he said today really hit me.

"Just before or after every

significant spiritual experience

you will always have an equal

and opposite temptation by the devil."

And

"The greater the threat you are

to Satan the greater the opposition

you will face from Satan."

Hello...these quotes are a little depressing i must say, but at the same time make me realize that i really have some great things to do in life if Satan is working so hard to make me not do them. But here's the thing...we all suffer in this life and we all knew we would suffer, yet we still decided to come here. So obviously it'll all be worth it? Yeah i hope so too...

7. Faith is probably one of the most important things to have. At least for me...Let's face it. I worry a lot and i have a fear of the unknown. If i don't know where things are going...i go into panic mode. I believe that my lack of trust in people has somehow brought me to sometimes have a lack of faith. So goal number 1 of life at the moment...don't WORRY so much! Let life happen and control what you can control, but don't worry about the things you can't control (way easier said than done) but I'm trying...

8. and most importantly. God is always there. He knows you. He loves you. And he always has a plan.

Life is Beautiful, even when it's not. And there's always some silver lining somewhere. :)

Thank you Katie. I love you!

Ten Things I am Grateful For Today

1. I only have to work 3 days this week

2. I am going to Utah for the weekend

3. I get to see my bff

4. I am going to a Noteworthy concert on Friday

5. I am going to a session of General Conference in the conference center

6. I will get to spend lots of one on one time with my favorite Katie Bug

7. David's Eagle Project is almost finished

8. Ciara found a dress for Senior Ball

9. Texting friends and nice compliments

10. Love

11. Trails, faith and unconditional love

12. Letters from missionaries that fill help strengthen my testimony

Okay that was more than 10 but it is okay cuz I can say whatever I want here.

Happy Day!

Sunshine

I am just tired of the rain and am feeling like Sunshine. So, these are some things that make me feel sunny inside even when it is rainy on the outside. These are in no particular order by the way. And one more thing on my mind today. Life is like a rollercoaster. Fun, sometimes scary, sometimes you want to get off but in the end you are glad you went for the ride.

Cleveland Ohio

Katie received her mission call and she will be serving in Cleveland Ohio. She reports to the MTC missionary training center on May 25th (the day after her 21st birthday). She is so exicitied. She will also be serving as a tour guide at some of the church historic sites. . .the Kirtland Visitors Center see picture


She will get to give tours and learn lots about church history. Which there is lots of back in Ohio. And she will also get to spend time sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of Ohio.

It was so wonderful when she opened her call. We were able to have some family over and a couple of friends. Katie had been waiting for a couple of weeks for her call to come in the mail so the anticipation was great. It finally actually came about noon and then she had to wait until 5:30 when everyone gathered. We also had several people on the phone and Courtney was there on skype. Once everyone was finally all there and ready she opened it with a little trepidation because well because this is where you will be spending 18 months of your life. Then she read it and it was emotional for her and me and she said she just knew when she read it that this was where she was supposed to go. Ya, it isn't somewhere totally cool like Paris, or Italy or Spain and if you are not a member of the church you probably really don't get why anyone would be excited to go to Cleveland, Ohio but it is just as exciting for us.



So, now we are trying to learn all we can about Ohio and church history and we are trying to find clothes that are appropriate for Sister missionaries. Now there is a challenge. We have 3 months to get her ready and 3 months for me to try and prepare myself for missing her. But I am just so proud of Katie and her decision to serve a mission. It will be a great adventure. The Church is true.

Still Waiting

Well, we are still waiting. At least another week. Now we are hoping for Thursday, the 17th. Stay tuned.

On another note, today is a beautiful day here in Sacramento, California. Sunshine makes me happy! Also, makes waiting easier:)

Short Funny CJ Beats - PREORDER!!!

Missionary

Well, it is actually happening . . . the mission papers are in and we are just waiting. Waiting to see where Katie will be serving the Lord for 18 months. I am so excited. This is such an exciting time. We have a map up on our wall with everyone's guesses of where they think Katie will be called to serve her mission. And it is fun to just walk by and look at that map. Soon there will be just one place marked on the map, oh my!

I am so proud of Katie and her decision to serve a mission. It was unexpected. She first mentioned that she was thinking about a mission last April but even then I didn't think it would really happen. But soon I realized that she was actually quite serious and it was going to happen. That was a bittersweet moment for me. I mean as a parent who wouldn't want their daughter to dedicate 18 months of her life to serving the Lord but on the otherside is me thinking "how can I live without her for 18 months". We talk everyday even when she is away and now I won't have that and just thinking about that makes me sad. Although my happiness really does outweigh any sadness I may have. I know she is going to have some incredible experiences. It will be life changing for her. And I know that she will not regret this decision.

Katie will be a great missionary. She has a compassionate spirit and is a peacemaker. She is obedient and has a strong testimony of the gospel. And is just so excited to go and to share the gospel with others. She is so excited, in fact, that she turned her papers in exactly 4 months before her 21st birthday (that's the earliest she could turn them in). She has grown so much in the last two years. Going away to college and being in Noteworthy has helped her testimony to grow and helped to her learn many life lessons and to know that she is a stronger than she thought she was. I am just so proud of her.

So wherever she does end up serving - they will be blessed to have her. I still can't believe that I am going to be the Mom of a missionary.

That is all for now. I will post again when we find out where Katie is going. We are thinking she will get her call on Feb. 10th.

Sara Bareilles performs with THE BACKBEATS on The SING-OFF Finale

Backbeats You Give Love A Bad Name

Another great performance from night 3. I love Courtney's vocal percussion on this number. Pay attention at 1:27 . . . .so cool!!!

backbeats love shack

Here it is Courtney and the Backbeats performing Love Shack from the 3rd episode of the Sing-Off. This was one of their best performances so far. And, an inside tidbit. . .I am told the 4th episode is someone's very favorite of the whole show. So, you won't want to miss it.