.
No more anger.
No more bitterness.
No more resentment.
No more spiteful remarks.
No more of that bitter, sour, nasty feeling I get in my stomach.
I am so happy for you.
I am so proud of you.
You are going to do great things.
I mean it.
Love,
Kaela
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Life is Like a Clock on Steroids
.
Today was my last day of seminary. Ever.
One week from today I will graduate and be done with high school. Forever.
I was thinking about it during seminary today and I realized that I am a completely, COMPLETELY different person now than I was when I was a freshmen. I can't even call that girl me because, it just couldn't have been me. We are so different. There is no way that girl is Kaela Carter. It's impossible.
Of course, Freshmen me was a complete psycho. So that could be it, too.
But it just feels like yesterday was my first day of high school and now I'm graduating! It's like I walked in the doors, blinked, and now I'm wearing a cap and gown. All in the space of four years.
You know what that means. I'm going to blink again, and I'll be married...and pregnant! Okay, I can't blink. I don't want to get preggers. (Just kidding, I know you don't make babies by just blinking. Haha! That was a funny joke...)
But seriously. Time is moving by way too fast. So, mr. time man, take it easy, alright?
I need more time to act immature and get away with it. (I guess that's what freshmen year at BYU is for though).
Ah, what the heck, I'm ready to be done with high school. I'm so excited to move out.
Life is great :)
I mean it.
Love,
Kaela
Today was my last day of seminary. Ever.
One week from today I will graduate and be done with high school. Forever.
I was thinking about it during seminary today and I realized that I am a completely, COMPLETELY different person now than I was when I was a freshmen. I can't even call that girl me because, it just couldn't have been me. We are so different. There is no way that girl is Kaela Carter. It's impossible.
Of course, Freshmen me was a complete psycho. So that could be it, too.
But it just feels like yesterday was my first day of high school and now I'm graduating! It's like I walked in the doors, blinked, and now I'm wearing a cap and gown. All in the space of four years.
You know what that means. I'm going to blink again, and I'll be married...and pregnant! Okay, I can't blink. I don't want to get preggers. (Just kidding, I know you don't make babies by just blinking. Haha! That was a funny joke...)
But seriously. Time is moving by way too fast. So, mr. time man, take it easy, alright?
I need more time to act immature and get away with it. (I guess that's what freshmen year at BYU is for though).
Ah, what the heck, I'm ready to be done with high school. I'm so excited to move out.
Life is great :)
I mean it.
Love,
Kaela
Saturday, May 12, 2012
"We Are A Temple Building People!"
.
Today, I had the magnificent opportunity to participate in a historical event. The groundbreaking for the Provo City Center Temple. (....Provo Tabernacle Temple...)
I was so blessed to get tickets, and I ended up going with my mom and brother. We went pretty early, and were able to get seats directly behind the section marked off for stake presidents. There was about an hour and a half wait, so I worked on some stuff on my laptop while my brother and mom read. It was kind of cold, too. There was also a hot air balloon flying RIGHT NEXT to the tabernacle, and I couldn't help thinking that if that hot air balloon caught the tabernacle on fire...again...I would probably dig myself a grave right where I was sitting, and then just stay there for the rest of forever. Luckily, nothing happened.
But, the ceremony was amazing. It was really cool to be able to look back at how far we've come since the day the tabernacle burned down. The last time I had stood at the site of the tabernacle was when my mom and I drove there the morning it burned down. It was so amazing to see, a year and a half later, even though the tabernacle was just a burned out shell, it still looked bright and majestic. All of the speakers talked about the history of the temple and how important it is to the people of Provo. It was really touching.
Then Elder Holland's wife spoke, and her talk was really good. And then Elder Holland spoke. And basically...yeah. He is awesome.
The thing about Elder Holland is that he always looks so intense during general conference. But he was super perky during his talk, and even said that he was "Downright giddy!!"
He explained how we are making history, since this is the largest gathering there will ever be at the site of the tabernacle. He talked about the significance of there being two temples within a mile of each other.
However, my favorite part of his talk was when he talked about a groundbreaking being symbolic of faith. He talked about how the pioneers had tried and failed many times to build temples, but kept getting kicked out of their towns they had built, and the discouragement they felt. So when they got to Salt Lake and Brigham Young said they were going to build a temple, there were probably people who were thinking, "You really think that's gonna happen?"
I didn't get the exact quote from Brigham Young that Elder Holland gave, but paraphrasing, it went something like "I do not know if we will be able to enjoy the fruits of our labors for this temple....but this I do know. We are a temple building people...we will build a temple wherever we go!"
It was a really powerful example of faith, and it made me think of the groundbreaking in a whole new perspective. He then explained how a groundbreaking is actually an ordinance that we will all get to take part in. Then, he announced that he would be giving the dedicatory prayer to dedicate the site. The way he led up to it really made it seem like everyone in the audience was actually a real part of it all. It was nuts.
And then he said the prayer. I've heard a dedicatory prayer once before in my life. But just think about Elder Holland's conference talks. He gives pretty good conference talks. He gives even better prayers. It was the most beautiful prayer I have ever heard, and the moment he said "we dedicate this site" it was like a spiritual wave went through the crowd, and I could actually feel the difference -- that I was actually sitting on dedicated ground. It was such an incredible thing to witness.
After that, Elder Holland and all of the other general authorities and their wives came down and broke ground. Here is my attempts at a picture of that:
I hope that is big enough...people were going crazy with their cameras at this point.
After that, a million other important city people came up and got a chance to dig and get their picture taken and whatnot. And then they turned it over to us! They told us that we were welcome to come break ground and take pictures, as long as we did so in an orderly manner. So my mom and brother and I braved the crowd, and were actually able to literally participate in the ground breaking!
That....was a really awesome experience. The cool thing about the rack holding the shovels, is they made that out of old beams they salvaged from the tabernacle. Neat, huh?
After that, Elder Holland was on the stand shaking hands with people, so we went up to meet him. We were all kind of gathered around the stand and he was shaking hands with everyone around it. Sadly, my arms were too short, so I was not able to reach enough to shake his hand. I was a little disappointed, but I will always have the tennis ball incident. First my arms were too sweaty, and now they were too short. Someday I will shake his hand.
It was funny, because for how intense he acts in conference, he is SO nice and friendly. He was shaking everyone's hands and he was all "I wish I could shake everyone's hands! Can I just wave??" and he waved at all of us. He was smiling and laughing and it was really cool! I even got a close up picture of him:
Still looking intense. Haha. But see! I was literally right behind that girl he was talking to! Ah!!
After that, we took more pictures around the temple:
And then we went home! What a blessing, and an experience I will never forget.
Love,
Kaela
Today, I had the magnificent opportunity to participate in a historical event. The groundbreaking for the Provo City Center Temple. (....Provo Tabernacle Temple...)
I was so blessed to get tickets, and I ended up going with my mom and brother. We went pretty early, and were able to get seats directly behind the section marked off for stake presidents. There was about an hour and a half wait, so I worked on some stuff on my laptop while my brother and mom read. It was kind of cold, too. There was also a hot air balloon flying RIGHT NEXT to the tabernacle, and I couldn't help thinking that if that hot air balloon caught the tabernacle on fire...again...I would probably dig myself a grave right where I was sitting, and then just stay there for the rest of forever. Luckily, nothing happened.
But, the ceremony was amazing. It was really cool to be able to look back at how far we've come since the day the tabernacle burned down. The last time I had stood at the site of the tabernacle was when my mom and I drove there the morning it burned down. It was so amazing to see, a year and a half later, even though the tabernacle was just a burned out shell, it still looked bright and majestic. All of the speakers talked about the history of the temple and how important it is to the people of Provo. It was really touching.
Then Elder Holland's wife spoke, and her talk was really good. And then Elder Holland spoke. And basically...yeah. He is awesome.
The thing about Elder Holland is that he always looks so intense during general conference. But he was super perky during his talk, and even said that he was "Downright giddy!!"
He explained how we are making history, since this is the largest gathering there will ever be at the site of the tabernacle. He talked about the significance of there being two temples within a mile of each other.
However, my favorite part of his talk was when he talked about a groundbreaking being symbolic of faith. He talked about how the pioneers had tried and failed many times to build temples, but kept getting kicked out of their towns they had built, and the discouragement they felt. So when they got to Salt Lake and Brigham Young said they were going to build a temple, there were probably people who were thinking, "You really think that's gonna happen?"
I didn't get the exact quote from Brigham Young that Elder Holland gave, but paraphrasing, it went something like "I do not know if we will be able to enjoy the fruits of our labors for this temple....but this I do know. We are a temple building people...we will build a temple wherever we go!"
It was a really powerful example of faith, and it made me think of the groundbreaking in a whole new perspective. He then explained how a groundbreaking is actually an ordinance that we will all get to take part in. Then, he announced that he would be giving the dedicatory prayer to dedicate the site. The way he led up to it really made it seem like everyone in the audience was actually a real part of it all. It was nuts.
And then he said the prayer. I've heard a dedicatory prayer once before in my life. But just think about Elder Holland's conference talks. He gives pretty good conference talks. He gives even better prayers. It was the most beautiful prayer I have ever heard, and the moment he said "we dedicate this site" it was like a spiritual wave went through the crowd, and I could actually feel the difference -- that I was actually sitting on dedicated ground. It was such an incredible thing to witness.
After that, Elder Holland and all of the other general authorities and their wives came down and broke ground. Here is my attempts at a picture of that:
I hope that is big enough...people were going crazy with their cameras at this point.
After that, a million other important city people came up and got a chance to dig and get their picture taken and whatnot. And then they turned it over to us! They told us that we were welcome to come break ground and take pictures, as long as we did so in an orderly manner. So my mom and brother and I braved the crowd, and were actually able to literally participate in the ground breaking!
That....was a really awesome experience. The cool thing about the rack holding the shovels, is they made that out of old beams they salvaged from the tabernacle. Neat, huh?
After that, Elder Holland was on the stand shaking hands with people, so we went up to meet him. We were all kind of gathered around the stand and he was shaking hands with everyone around it. Sadly, my arms were too short, so I was not able to reach enough to shake his hand. I was a little disappointed, but I will always have the tennis ball incident. First my arms were too sweaty, and now they were too short. Someday I will shake his hand.
It was funny, because for how intense he acts in conference, he is SO nice and friendly. He was shaking everyone's hands and he was all "I wish I could shake everyone's hands! Can I just wave??" and he waved at all of us. He was smiling and laughing and it was really cool! I even got a close up picture of him:
After that, we took more pictures around the temple:
 |
| Just the place I'm gonna get married. Nbd. |
 |
| Not a tabernacle anymore! |
And then we went home! What a blessing, and an experience I will never forget.
Love,
Kaela
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Kaela's Not-So Realistic College Guide: Chapter 1. Marriage Hungry Males
.
Well folks, today was my first day of institute. That's right, I haven't given up on UVU just yet. I'm taking two institute classes, because I figured that I wasn't doing much with my life and I needed something to preoccupy myself. So I'm taking the second half of Book of Mormon and a class called "The Teachings of Thomas S. Monson" which is an extremely cool class. Oh, and Book of Mormon is taught by Brother Knowlton. When I promised myself that I would not graduate high school until I had taken a class from him, I meant it.
There are many other, more complicated reasons I decided to take two institute classes back to back. All of which I will probably never share on this blog. However, I am not here to talk about why I am taking institute this summer, or even how great my classes are (because, just accept that they are. I'm pretty excited.)
I am here today to blog about this. Remember this puppy? Note the part where I said "Return missionaries can sometimes be likened to a pack of hungry wolves, on the prowl for an unsuspecting female they can eat. I mean marry." Well I was joking. Half joking. That is a stereotype I throw around a lot, but after my first semester of college where not only did zero marriage hungry RM's try to eat me, but any guy I interacted with thought I was a porn addict, (I miss those days. More than I can possibly, rationally express) I realized that my fears of crossing one of these stereotyped marriage crazed RM's were pretty irrational.
WRONG
Before I get into what happened, I have a confession to make. I, in my college experience, have already formed some rather bad habits. Skipping class was one of them, but it ended up being a win win situation because I still passed both of my classes.
My other bad habit was lying. Lying about who I really am. I had too much pride to admit that I was not only still in high school, but not even a legal adult yet. I don't really see why I've done that...I really just wanted to fit in, but I also could have totally bragged about it. "Yeah...I'm 17...a sophomore in high school [meant to say college there...that's awkward]...no big deal..."
I will come back to that in a moment. But now, I am going to tell you what happened on this fateful spring day in May.
I walked into my Book of Mormon class and sat in the back because I was late. Brother Knowlton had us introduce ourselves to the people around us, so the guy I sat down next to turned to me and started talking. Within seconds, I realized that he was what I fear most: a marriage hungry return missionary.
All of the signs were there, I promise. Every time I try to explain this I end up sounding like a jerk, so suffice to say that I knew exactly what was going through his mind and it scared the Schachter Two Factor out of me. As in, I started to feel the physiological symptoms of fear, so I cognitively labeled my emotion as fear. Eh, eh, still remember psychology after the test, because of my great mnemonic device!! Whatup buddy!!
Ahem. Anyways, after that whole experience that left me shaking, I walked into the UVU library and I almost started to cry. Not because of the experience I had just had, but because the library reminds me of delicious cinnamon bagels. And I did not have any way to get a cinnamon bagel. Because...I left my wallet at home. So I went and got on a computer...without a cinnamon bagel. And I thought of all the great times I'd had in that library...eating cinnamon bagels.
I had a cinnamon bagel yesterday during the AP Psych test...let me tell you...it was delicious. I loved the way it made my hands all sticky.
Moooooooooving on.
While I was sitting in the library, I decided that I needed a plan for the next time I encounter a marriage hungry RM, or in reality a marriage hungry male of any size shape or form. Please understand that I don't hate RM's by any means...I am just terrified of the ones who think they need to get married RIGHT AWAY. Also, it scares me when older guys try to flirt with me. In fact it makes me really, really uncomfortable.
So, my friends, these are the solutions my brain came up with.
The Underage
Also known as the "Jailbait," this method requires the you to inform the marriage seeker that you are under 18 and still in high school. This is what I should have done, but didn't.
Effectiveness: This should be highly effective, if you are, for the most part, being truthful. I'm sure the older and farther into college you get, the less believable it is. Especially if you are say, living in the dorms. If this method is not effective, and you are actually still technically considered "jailbait" then feel free to combine it with another method, such as the....
"I'm Waiting for Someone"
This requires you to inform the marriage seeker that your lover has gone away...for 24 months...to some foreign land...wearing a tie! Casually slipping it into the conversation is the most practical way to go
Effectiveness: I honestly don't know how effective this is, but I'm sure there will come a day when I will test it out. I really think it depends on how determined the guy is. For the most part, I think it should be moderately effective, but not nearly as effective as the...
Fake Wedding Ring
I don't have the words to describe this, so I drew a picture.
I didn't draw these, but I feel like they also portray just how effective this method is.
Effectiveness: Highly effective. Basically about as effective as it gets. This is so effective it hurts. A ring on your left hand ring finger will work not unlike a magical force field. The only way this may lose some of its effectiveness is if the guy starts asking about your husband, because then you have to start making up stuff on the spot, unless you planned out a story already. Which would be a little weird. But not as weird as the...
"I Have a Child"
It's worth a shot.
Effectiveness: Unknown. This also falls under the category of doing weird things in general. Some of which include, but are not limited to...dancing, burping, crying, rapping, making weird noises with your throat, talking excessively about cats, etc.
"Totally Clueless"
This is the method I tried, and I'm just gonna say right now that it doesn't work. It involves reverting back to a primitive state of non intelligence where you realize you don't know how to interact with this type of human being so you do what comes naturally, which in my case unfortunately involved acting clueless and lying about myself to feed the prideful monster inside of me....and I did not use any of the aforementioned methods.
Effectiveness: It isn't.
Now, these methods are not 100% guaranteed. In the same way taking medicine and eating an apple every day is not 100% guaranteed to keep you from getting sick. This is why people invest in health insurance.
And THIS is why I invest in TEMPLE INSURANCE!!!
2015, baby. 2015.
Love,
Kaela
P.S. This blog was not meant to be offensive to anyone. I don't have anything against return missionaries, I have everything against people who are willing to marry any girl in the room as long as she knows how to breathe and birth children. There, of course, are much more logistic reasons for why I am terrified to get married too young and even why I am writing this blog....I just want you all to understand that I'm not a hater of RM's...I'm just afraid of really weird things. Like, getting my face wet for example. And backtracked music. So...lets not judge. The end.
Well folks, today was my first day of institute. That's right, I haven't given up on UVU just yet. I'm taking two institute classes, because I figured that I wasn't doing much with my life and I needed something to preoccupy myself. So I'm taking the second half of Book of Mormon and a class called "The Teachings of Thomas S. Monson" which is an extremely cool class. Oh, and Book of Mormon is taught by Brother Knowlton. When I promised myself that I would not graduate high school until I had taken a class from him, I meant it.
There are many other, more complicated reasons I decided to take two institute classes back to back. All of which I will probably never share on this blog. However, I am not here to talk about why I am taking institute this summer, or even how great my classes are (because, just accept that they are. I'm pretty excited.)
I am here today to blog about this. Remember this puppy? Note the part where I said "Return missionaries can sometimes be likened to a pack of hungry wolves, on the prowl for an unsuspecting female they can eat. I mean marry." Well I was joking. Half joking. That is a stereotype I throw around a lot, but after my first semester of college where not only did zero marriage hungry RM's try to eat me, but any guy I interacted with thought I was a porn addict, (I miss those days. More than I can possibly, rationally express) I realized that my fears of crossing one of these stereotyped marriage crazed RM's were pretty irrational.
WRONG
Before I get into what happened, I have a confession to make. I, in my college experience, have already formed some rather bad habits. Skipping class was one of them, but it ended up being a win win situation because I still passed both of my classes.
My other bad habit was lying. Lying about who I really am. I had too much pride to admit that I was not only still in high school, but not even a legal adult yet. I don't really see why I've done that...I really just wanted to fit in, but I also could have totally bragged about it. "Yeah...I'm 17...a sophomore in high school [meant to say college there...that's awkward]...no big deal..."
I will come back to that in a moment. But now, I am going to tell you what happened on this fateful spring day in May.
I walked into my Book of Mormon class and sat in the back because I was late. Brother Knowlton had us introduce ourselves to the people around us, so the guy I sat down next to turned to me and started talking. Within seconds, I realized that he was what I fear most: a marriage hungry return missionary.
All of the signs were there, I promise. Every time I try to explain this I end up sounding like a jerk, so suffice to say that I knew exactly what was going through his mind and it scared the Schachter Two Factor out of me. As in, I started to feel the physiological symptoms of fear, so I cognitively labeled my emotion as fear. Eh, eh, still remember psychology after the test, because of my great mnemonic device!! Whatup buddy!!
Ahem. Anyways, after that whole experience that left me shaking, I walked into the UVU library and I almost started to cry. Not because of the experience I had just had, but because the library reminds me of delicious cinnamon bagels. And I did not have any way to get a cinnamon bagel. Because...I left my wallet at home. So I went and got on a computer...without a cinnamon bagel. And I thought of all the great times I'd had in that library...eating cinnamon bagels.
I had a cinnamon bagel yesterday during the AP Psych test...let me tell you...it was delicious. I loved the way it made my hands all sticky.
Moooooooooving on.
While I was sitting in the library, I decided that I needed a plan for the next time I encounter a marriage hungry RM, or in reality a marriage hungry male of any size shape or form. Please understand that I don't hate RM's by any means...I am just terrified of the ones who think they need to get married RIGHT AWAY. Also, it scares me when older guys try to flirt with me. In fact it makes me really, really uncomfortable.
So, my friends, these are the solutions my brain came up with.
The Underage
Also known as the "Jailbait," this method requires the you to inform the marriage seeker that you are under 18 and still in high school. This is what I should have done, but didn't.
Effectiveness: This should be highly effective, if you are, for the most part, being truthful. I'm sure the older and farther into college you get, the less believable it is. Especially if you are say, living in the dorms. If this method is not effective, and you are actually still technically considered "jailbait" then feel free to combine it with another method, such as the....
"I'm Waiting for Someone"
This requires you to inform the marriage seeker that your lover has gone away...for 24 months...to some foreign land...wearing a tie! Casually slipping it into the conversation is the most practical way to go
Effectiveness: I honestly don't know how effective this is, but I'm sure there will come a day when I will test it out. I really think it depends on how determined the guy is. For the most part, I think it should be moderately effective, but not nearly as effective as the...
Fake Wedding Ring
I don't have the words to describe this, so I drew a picture.
I didn't draw these, but I feel like they also portray just how effective this method is.
Effectiveness: Highly effective. Basically about as effective as it gets. This is so effective it hurts. A ring on your left hand ring finger will work not unlike a magical force field. The only way this may lose some of its effectiveness is if the guy starts asking about your husband, because then you have to start making up stuff on the spot, unless you planned out a story already. Which would be a little weird. But not as weird as the...
"I Have a Child"
It's worth a shot.
Effectiveness: Unknown. This also falls under the category of doing weird things in general. Some of which include, but are not limited to...dancing, burping, crying, rapping, making weird noises with your throat, talking excessively about cats, etc.
"Totally Clueless"
This is the method I tried, and I'm just gonna say right now that it doesn't work. It involves reverting back to a primitive state of non intelligence where you realize you don't know how to interact with this type of human being so you do what comes naturally, which in my case unfortunately involved acting clueless and lying about myself to feed the prideful monster inside of me....and I did not use any of the aforementioned methods.
Effectiveness: It isn't.
Now, these methods are not 100% guaranteed. In the same way taking medicine and eating an apple every day is not 100% guaranteed to keep you from getting sick. This is why people invest in health insurance.
And THIS is why I invest in TEMPLE INSURANCE!!!
2015, baby. 2015.
Love,
Kaela
P.S. This blog was not meant to be offensive to anyone. I don't have anything against return missionaries, I have everything against people who are willing to marry any girl in the room as long as she knows how to breathe and birth children. There, of course, are much more logistic reasons for why I am terrified to get married too young and even why I am writing this blog....I just want you all to understand that I'm not a hater of RM's...I'm just afraid of really weird things. Like, getting my face wet for example. And backtracked music. So...lets not judge. The end.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Life is Great: Part 1
.
Life is great. That is one of my favorite things to say. Because I only say it if I absolutely mean it.
So why am I happy?
Well, I'm tired of being sad. Instead of taking the hard things in life head on, I just let them wear me down until I emotionally can't take it anymore But, just in the past week, I have shot up from absolute rock bottom status to life is great status. In just a week. I can look in the mirror and the girl looking back at me is smiling and happy. And I love it. Life really is great.
Why?
Life is great because I passed my government final, even though I only ended up going to class for half the time. I got 85 out of 100, which I was not expecting, but all of this means that I am going to graduate high school. I also got an A in my English class. Woo!
Life is great because next week I am starting summer institute. I am taking Book of Mormon from Brother Knowlton, and then another class completely devoted to the teachings of President Monson. That means three and a half hours of institute every Tuesday and Thursday. Why? Because I'm insane. And it is going to be so much fun. I am so, SO excited.
Life is great because I get to go to the Provo Tabernacle Temple groundbreaking. I am so excited to hear Elder Holland speak, and watch as construction on the temple finally begins. 2015!!!
Life is great because it is summer and it is beautiful outside and I can finally wear shorts as much as I want.
Life is great because on Monday I got to see my cousin Emma, who I hadn't seen in about a year and a half, and she is basically the coolest person ever, so we had a lot of fun.
Life is great because I am graduating in 20 days, and I get to go to an EPIC all night party and hang out with all of my fellow senior friends. Speaking of graduation, I really don't know what to do for the camera at graduation. I've been thinking about this for three years! I need something clever to do! Ah!!
Life is great because I saw Avengers last night, and it was AMAZING. Easily one of the best movies I have ever seen. Definitely somewhere in my top 5...but I'm going to have to see it again when I'm not super tired. Midnight showings are totally worth it though.
Life is great because I am no longer worried about anything. I have received closure and assurance for every single problem I've faced for the past...very long time. And wow, it feels really good.
Life is great because, after next week, I don't have to go to work for the next two weeks. It'll be really nice to have that vacation.
Life is great because this chapter of my life is coming to an end. And while I'm sad about that, sad about graduating and moving on, I'm also unbelievably excited. I'm so excited to see what my new life will be like.
Sooooo life is great! Nuff said :D
Love,
Kaela
Life is great. That is one of my favorite things to say. Because I only say it if I absolutely mean it.
So why am I happy?
Well, I'm tired of being sad. Instead of taking the hard things in life head on, I just let them wear me down until I emotionally can't take it anymore But, just in the past week, I have shot up from absolute rock bottom status to life is great status. In just a week. I can look in the mirror and the girl looking back at me is smiling and happy. And I love it. Life really is great.
Why?
Life is great because I passed my government final, even though I only ended up going to class for half the time. I got 85 out of 100, which I was not expecting, but all of this means that I am going to graduate high school. I also got an A in my English class. Woo!
Life is great because next week I am starting summer institute. I am taking Book of Mormon from Brother Knowlton, and then another class completely devoted to the teachings of President Monson. That means three and a half hours of institute every Tuesday and Thursday. Why? Because I'm insane. And it is going to be so much fun. I am so, SO excited.
Life is great because I get to go to the Provo Tabernacle Temple groundbreaking. I am so excited to hear Elder Holland speak, and watch as construction on the temple finally begins. 2015!!!
Life is great because it is summer and it is beautiful outside and I can finally wear shorts as much as I want.
Life is great because on Monday I got to see my cousin Emma, who I hadn't seen in about a year and a half, and she is basically the coolest person ever, so we had a lot of fun.
Life is great because I am graduating in 20 days, and I get to go to an EPIC all night party and hang out with all of my fellow senior friends. Speaking of graduation, I really don't know what to do for the camera at graduation. I've been thinking about this for three years! I need something clever to do! Ah!!
Life is great because I saw Avengers last night, and it was AMAZING. Easily one of the best movies I have ever seen. Definitely somewhere in my top 5...but I'm going to have to see it again when I'm not super tired. Midnight showings are totally worth it though.
Life is great because I am no longer worried about anything. I have received closure and assurance for every single problem I've faced for the past...very long time. And wow, it feels really good.
Life is great because, after next week, I don't have to go to work for the next two weeks. It'll be really nice to have that vacation.
Life is great because this chapter of my life is coming to an end. And while I'm sad about that, sad about graduating and moving on, I'm also unbelievably excited. I'm so excited to see what my new life will be like.
Sooooo life is great! Nuff said :D
Love,
Kaela
Monday, April 23, 2012
Not Ashamed
.
You know what? I don't care what people think about me. If you want to judge me, that means you are too lazy to actually get to know me.
You know what? I don't care what people think about me. If you want to judge me, that means you are too lazy to actually get to know me.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Sunday Post #9
.
Yesterday, I learned a very important lesson.
Several, actually.
Back story: have you ever had a question about something, and prayed and prayed to know the answer, and while waiting for that answer, you just accept what you think the answer to your question is on faith?
I'm gonna give you the condensed version of what happened. The full, 5 page story is currently sitting in my journal, where you will never, ever read it. Actually, when I write in my journal, I just like to ramble. So whatever is written in there isn't much different than what I'm about to tell you.
Anyways...
I've had a question about like that. I have, for the past several months, been accepting something on complete faith. Something I know next to nothing about:
Missionary Work.
I'm not going to go into much detail about why, other than that I can basically count on one hand how many farewells I've been to, and how many people I know well who are currently serving. I have only ever watched two guys open their mission calls, and it was at the same time. I have only received one letter from a missionary. None of my siblings have served a mission, yet. My most memorable experience with the missionaries was when I drove past the MTC wearing a heinous wig and about 20 of them walked past and laughed at me. I don't blame them. But essentially, it's just an area I know nothing about.
I'm not saying I've been thinking that missionary work is bad. It's just something I don't know a whole lot about, but have been accepting, on faith, the importance of it.
I didn't know why it was important, I had just been accepting, on faith, that it was.
But, remember the whole "witness comes after the trial of your faith?"
Sometimes, the trial of your faith takes a long time. But the Lord really does have a time and a place for everything. And my prayers were eventually answered.
I was working at Spicy Thai (my last day there, thank heavens), when two missionaries walked in. So I walked over and greeted then and sat them down at a table, and went to get their waters. When I came back, they started talking to me, asking where I was from, how long I had been working there, etc. They were the only people who I ever served who asked what my name was, and asked about, well, me. So we had a pretty good conversation, and I learned that the senior companion was from England (not gonna lie, he had a pretty awesome accent), and the other was from Minnesota.
I left to go seat another customer, but the minute I sat down again to start folding napkins I realized that the Spirit was like, overwhelmingly strong, for a reason I can't possibly explain. I was experiencing some major spiritual heartburn, which actually doesn't happen to me all that often. At that point, the voice in my head said, simply, "Those missionaries will answer any question you have." And I realized that this just might be the answer to my prayers.
At that point, it got busy, so I didn't get much of a chance to talk to them. But I racked my brain through every single question I had about missionary work and narrowed it down to one, which I asked while I was ringing them up: Why? Why did you choose to serve a mission? Why is it so important?
The British elder explained to me that there are people in the world who don't know who they are, or why they are here, and they (the missionaries) are sent to them to help them, essentially. He told me he chose to serve a mission because he knew the Lord expected him to, and he wanted to as well.
This part is about to get pretty confusing, so hold onto your hats, and I'll try to keep this in English.
It wasn't him answering my question that answered my question. It was the fact that they not only willingly answered my questions, but were eager to answer them. Largely, it was their example. They wanted to know who I was. They wanted to know about my life. They were easily the nicest people I ever served. And they had nothing on them except their wallets and a Book of Mormon.
Essentially, they were perfect examples of what the Lord's servants would look like.
So it hit me, that's what a mission is. Being the Lord's servant 24/7 for two years, where literally your main purpose is to serve others and bring them the gospel. For two years, you are sent into people's lives to change them. You get to be the answer to other people's prayers, daily. Knowing you are the answer to somebody's prayer is one of the greatest feelings in the world. So to be the answer to people's prayers, daily? Wow. That is pretty cool.
So I finally understand. I understand that the Lord will always answer your prayers, even if it does take months and months of faith and lots and lots of praying. He will answer your prayers when they are meant to be answered. No sooner, no later. I understand why people serve missions, and why they are so blessed for doing so. I finally understand why they are called the Lord's servants. They literally are. I had been praying for months, and he literally sent two of his servants into a restaurant simply to answer my prayers, and then leave to go change somebody else's life. That is what they do. They go where the Lord wants them to go.
I know running into the missionaries at work really isn't that big of an event, but I still feel so amazed that it happened. It's basically just a witness to me that Heavenly Father really does hear my prayers, and a witness that missionary work is basically the coolest thing ever.
You guys, the church is true. Seriously. And I know that I mess up, a lot, enough to come off as somebody who seems like she doesn't really care about the church, but I promise, those days are over.
Prayer is real, faith is real, the church is true. I promise. You guys are great. Thanks for reading the awkward novels I churn out every Sunday.
Have a great day!
Love,
Kaela
Yesterday, I learned a very important lesson.
Several, actually.
Back story: have you ever had a question about something, and prayed and prayed to know the answer, and while waiting for that answer, you just accept what you think the answer to your question is on faith?
I'm gonna give you the condensed version of what happened. The full, 5 page story is currently sitting in my journal, where you will never, ever read it. Actually, when I write in my journal, I just like to ramble. So whatever is written in there isn't much different than what I'm about to tell you.
Anyways...
I've had a question about like that. I have, for the past several months, been accepting something on complete faith. Something I know next to nothing about:
Missionary Work.
I'm not going to go into much detail about why, other than that I can basically count on one hand how many farewells I've been to, and how many people I know well who are currently serving. I have only ever watched two guys open their mission calls, and it was at the same time. I have only received one letter from a missionary. None of my siblings have served a mission, yet. My most memorable experience with the missionaries was when I drove past the MTC wearing a heinous wig and about 20 of them walked past and laughed at me. I don't blame them. But essentially, it's just an area I know nothing about.
I'm not saying I've been thinking that missionary work is bad. It's just something I don't know a whole lot about, but have been accepting, on faith, the importance of it.
I didn't know why it was important, I had just been accepting, on faith, that it was.
But, remember the whole "witness comes after the trial of your faith?"
Sometimes, the trial of your faith takes a long time. But the Lord really does have a time and a place for everything. And my prayers were eventually answered.
I was working at Spicy Thai (my last day there, thank heavens), when two missionaries walked in. So I walked over and greeted then and sat them down at a table, and went to get their waters. When I came back, they started talking to me, asking where I was from, how long I had been working there, etc. They were the only people who I ever served who asked what my name was, and asked about, well, me. So we had a pretty good conversation, and I learned that the senior companion was from England (not gonna lie, he had a pretty awesome accent), and the other was from Minnesota.
I left to go seat another customer, but the minute I sat down again to start folding napkins I realized that the Spirit was like, overwhelmingly strong, for a reason I can't possibly explain. I was experiencing some major spiritual heartburn, which actually doesn't happen to me all that often. At that point, the voice in my head said, simply, "Those missionaries will answer any question you have." And I realized that this just might be the answer to my prayers.
At that point, it got busy, so I didn't get much of a chance to talk to them. But I racked my brain through every single question I had about missionary work and narrowed it down to one, which I asked while I was ringing them up: Why? Why did you choose to serve a mission? Why is it so important?
The British elder explained to me that there are people in the world who don't know who they are, or why they are here, and they (the missionaries) are sent to them to help them, essentially. He told me he chose to serve a mission because he knew the Lord expected him to, and he wanted to as well.
This part is about to get pretty confusing, so hold onto your hats, and I'll try to keep this in English.
It wasn't him answering my question that answered my question. It was the fact that they not only willingly answered my questions, but were eager to answer them. Largely, it was their example. They wanted to know who I was. They wanted to know about my life. They were easily the nicest people I ever served. And they had nothing on them except their wallets and a Book of Mormon.
Essentially, they were perfect examples of what the Lord's servants would look like.
So it hit me, that's what a mission is. Being the Lord's servant 24/7 for two years, where literally your main purpose is to serve others and bring them the gospel. For two years, you are sent into people's lives to change them. You get to be the answer to other people's prayers, daily. Knowing you are the answer to somebody's prayer is one of the greatest feelings in the world. So to be the answer to people's prayers, daily? Wow. That is pretty cool.
So I finally understand. I understand that the Lord will always answer your prayers, even if it does take months and months of faith and lots and lots of praying. He will answer your prayers when they are meant to be answered. No sooner, no later. I understand why people serve missions, and why they are so blessed for doing so. I finally understand why they are called the Lord's servants. They literally are. I had been praying for months, and he literally sent two of his servants into a restaurant simply to answer my prayers, and then leave to go change somebody else's life. That is what they do. They go where the Lord wants them to go.
I know running into the missionaries at work really isn't that big of an event, but I still feel so amazed that it happened. It's basically just a witness to me that Heavenly Father really does hear my prayers, and a witness that missionary work is basically the coolest thing ever.
You guys, the church is true. Seriously. And I know that I mess up, a lot, enough to come off as somebody who seems like she doesn't really care about the church, but I promise, those days are over.
Prayer is real, faith is real, the church is true. I promise. You guys are great. Thanks for reading the awkward novels I churn out every Sunday.
Have a great day!
Love,
Kaela
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
