G-rated

I just have to document this because I never, ever, ever want to forget it. One of the deepest conversations I've ever had with a very dear friend of mine.

Me- "I didn't know how to bring it up. I seriously thought about texting you '[Insert something slightly inappropriate here]' But that would have been inappropriate ;)"

Larissa- "Stating the simple innocent truth in a slightly provocative possibly suggestive manner is not inappropriate...well, not always."

.......

Me- "And then he leaned in, tenderly grasping my face, staring longingly into my eyes for what seemed like a lifetime...I saw his lips quiver in the darkness..."

Larissa- "Haha, if I wanted a romance novel I would've gone to my grandma's and read one of hers...I just want the story! Unless of course that is the story...then continue, but it would be great if you just toned it down to G for me, so I don't feel like I have to close my eyes while I read your texts ;)"

Me- "It IS G rated! No swearing or taking off clothes of any sort."

Larissa- "Ha, please find me a romance G rated movie where a male tenderly grasps a female's face with quivering lips in the darkness, then I'll believe you (but I am glad there's no swearing or absence of clothes of any kind.)"

Me- "Me too. P.S. I'm trying to hack into your work email. What's the username and password?"

I'm really going to miss you, Larissa.

Also, remember that time Donny Osmond thought you were me? Oh, Donny :)

my white christmas!

bit by bit

i feel like my entire semester has been centered around discovering people, & i've learned so much about why people live the way they do. i have loved learning about the cultures, religions, languages, and physical features, as well as the political, economic, and development factors that have created our world's incredibly diverse character.

it's easy to generalize peoples as a group and simply assume they are all alike. over the past few weeks, however, i have been impelled to examine why people are who they are individually.

i've been thinking about the experiences and people who have helped me become me. who am I?

as i've taken a good look at my life, i have been more inclined to examine those around me in a similar way- personally, not generally.

i often wish i could see someone's entire life in the blink of an eye. imagine how much more compassionate and understanding we would be if we could do so.

so why are we less compassionate than we often should be? do we really mourn with those who mourn; comfort those who stand in need of comfort?

i think we often presume we're not making much of an impact in the lives of others unless we're doing something big- something monumental that will change their lives. i believe, however, that most change comes line by line, bit by bit.

there have been countless people who have made me who i am, without even realizing what they have done. the friends from grade school whom i have since lost contact with, the professor who left a kind note on my paper, the young women leader who brought me flowers when my heart was breaking with sorrow, the nice old couple down the street who made me feel like their very own granddaughter, the neighbor who put her slippers on one winter morning and drove me to school when i missed the school bus, the girl in my freshman ward who brought be cookies after i had surgery, the girl at the testing center who genuinely wished me good luck before a test, the professor who remembered my name and waved to me while walking across campus, my very best friends who make me laugh until i cry even when i'm sad, the friend whom i consider a sister after this summer, the "aunt" who surprised me with a sweet note in the mail, the friend who wrote a note in the dirt on my car & the friend who wrote a note with ketchup on my car (haha), my mother who pushed my hair aside this morning and asked if i was okay after i came home sick last night, the friend who always creates the most random adventures, the boss who invites me into his office regularly to talk as friends and in whom i can confide, the old man at the creamery who shared with me his secret to a long & happy life, someone i hardly know calling me by my name.

thank you. thank you for really seeing me.

i hope, with all my heart, you know that i see you too. and i love you.

"Examine your life. Determine where you are and what you need to do to become the kind of person you want to be, and do it." -Joseph B. Wirthlin

what if

"What if what I think is great really is great, but not as great as something greater?"

I couldn't have said it better myself, Matthew McConaughey.

"In the Spirit of Thanksgiving"

remember me

after tonight, i remember.

i remember everything.

and as hard as it is; as much as it hurts; as many sleepless nights as it causes- remembering is the best feeling in the world.

because it reminds me i am the absolute luckiest girl in the world. and i wouldn't trade that for anything.

i love. and i love that i am loved.

you and me found something pretty neat.

long time no see

i know, i know. hello there!

school has caught up to me and i just haven't had the time to spend a few minutes writing (yet somehow i always find time for facebook. funny...)

can i just tell you how goooooood life is?? as busy as i am, and as overwhelmed as i feel sometimes, I love every second!

1. I have been called to serve in the Philippines Angeles Mission!!! I report to the Provo MTC on Wednesday, 19 January 2011. I will be teaching the gospel in the Tagalog language and couldn't be more excited! I still can't believe it! 119 days until I leave!

Here are a few photos of the night i opened my call! Sorry the photos are blurry...everyone decided to take videos instead of photos :)

thank you so much to all of you who were able to make it! it absolutely meant the world to me! salamat at mahal kita!

I'm not nervous at all that I will be 7,343 miles from Salt Lake. I'm not nervous about the food, or the people, or the bugs. I am nervous about the language, though. Tagalog?? I bought a copy of Ang Aklat ni Mormon and a Tagalog dictionary, but I am so very lost. I wish I had nothing else to focus on right now except the language. Soon enough :)

The very few words I know so far include puso (heart), maalinsangan (muggy), mahal kita (i love you), salamat (thank you), banyo (bathroom), kilikili (armpit), putik (mud), ulan (rain), mabuti (good), anak (child), Diyos (god), kumusta (hello), aklat (book), pangulo (president), pagbabyad-sala (atonement), and panalangin (prayer.)

Slow and steady with a lot of help from the Lord!

2. I received my endowment at the Provo Temple last Saturday, September 18. This gospel is so incredible. So perfect. I am so happy!

3. I love letters and I love photos!

-elder brinton and elder vidal.

steve got the opportunity to baptize this 9 year old boy on saturday. this just makes my heart want to explode!!

i can hardly wait for the future! i miss this boy like crazy.

4. I'm learning all about the world this semester and it makes me so happy. I love maps. I love learning why people live the way they do. Can I just tell you how much I absolutely love the world we live in?

5. Seattle! Love it. Here are more photos (definitely in no particular order)...

the incredible condo we stayed in on bainbridge island.

pike place.

merrymere falls.

port townsend.

bainbridge island.

cape flattery.

USPS

i don't know who this girl is, but imagine it's ME!!

you guys...my mission call is in the hands of the trustworthy United States Postal Service!!!

i am ecstatic beyond belief!

and slightly scared out of my mind, you know :)

my entire life, I have wanted to serve a mission.

and in my heart i have always known i would serve.

i don't know how i remember this, but i remember one very specific sunday (i was probably only 5) when my primary teacher told us about missionaries. i remember deciding at that moment that i wanted to be a sister missionary!

i can hardly believe that this time in my life has come!

i want so badly to share the gospel with others. i feel so incredibly blessed to know of Heavenly Father's plan for me, and I can't imagine not sharing this happiness with my brothers and sisters.

i know Heavenly Father knows me personally. He knows my strengths as well as my weaknesses. and He knows where I, personally, am needed most. He knows my heart and He knows my desires. through all my experiences, i have learned how to put my life in His loving hands completely. I know He loves me and is keeping a special eye on me.

I CAN'T WAIT!!

p.s. i'll actually have a picture of me next time with my mission call :)

the last little while

it's late, and i'm really tired...

but happy :)

here's just a little sneak-peak of what i've been up to this past week, though.

SEATTLE!

The Refining Fire

Refined in Our Trials

James E. Faust, Liahona, Feb 2006, 2-7

The Refining Fire

Here, then, is a great truth. In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner’s fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong. In this way the divine image can be mirrored from the soul. It is part of the purging toll exacted of some to become acquainted with God. In the agonies of life, we seem to listen better to the faint, godly whisperings of the Divine Shepherd.

Into every life there come the painful, despairing days of adversity and buffeting. There seems to be a full measure of anguish, sorrow, and often heartbreak for everyone, including those who earnestly seek to do right and be faithful. The Apostle Paul referred to his own challenge: “And lest I should be exalted above measure … , there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me.”

The thorns that prick, that stick in the flesh, that hurt, often change lives which seem robbed of significance and hope. This change comes about through a refining process which often seems cruel and hard. In this way the soul can become like soft clay in the hands of the Master in building lives of faith, usefulness, beauty, and strength. For some, the refiner’s fire causes a loss of belief and faith in God, but those with eternal perspective understand that such refining is part of the perfection process.

Said Alma, “A shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto his voice!” In our extremities, it is possible to become born again, born anew, renewed in heart and spirit. We no longer ride with the flow of the crowd, but instead we enjoy the promise of Isaiah to be renewed in our strength and “mount up with wings as eagles.”

The proving of one’s faith goes before the witnessing, for Moroni testified, “Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” This trial of faith can become a priceless experience.

States Peter, “The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” Trials and adversity can be preparatory to becoming born anew....

Out of the refiner’s fire can come a glorious deliverance. It can be a noble and lasting rebirth. The price to become acquainted with God will have been paid. There can come a sacred peace. There will be a reawakening of dormant, inner resources. A comfortable cloak of righteousness will be drawn around us to protect us and to keep us warm spiritually. Self-pity will vanish as our blessings are counted.

The blessings of eternity will surely come to those who endure refining, as the Lord Himself taught: “He only is saved who endureth unto the end.” I testify that Jesus is the Christ and the Divine Redeemer. He lives! His are the sweet words of eternal life.

------------------------------------------------------------------

Today I have been preparing for my Gospel Doctrine lesson I'll be giving tomorrow, and I remembered this talk by President Faust.

Every time I teach, I am amazed to see how perfectly the doctrine in the lesson pertains to my life and how it correlates to the things that have happened during my week- especially this week and the lesson I will be giving on Job. The Lord is constantly reassuring me that He knows me and He knows just what I need to hear. I know my Savior lives and loves me.

I hope you know how much He loves you. I know He is watching over you. I know that when things seem hopeless and your heart feels like it's missing many pieces, He is taking pieces from His own heart and giving them to you to fill those empty spaces.

With all my love,

Katie

rumors

today i went to sister missionary mall. to do some secret detective work.

you see, i've been hearing many rumors on the street, but i was worried to believe any of them because i didn't want to get my poor little heart crushed.

i thought, "what better place to get to the bottom of this than sister missionary mall?"

so i put on my secret sleuth face and walked through the doors nonchalantly.

i poked around the clothing for a few minutes, and then one of the employees asked me if she could help me with anything. "oh, i think i'm just looking, thank you," i said coolly.

she smiled and as she began to walk away, i said, "oh...i do have one question. is it true the church just changed the dress standards for sister missionaries?"

i tried not to get my hopes up while the milliseconds passed. she answered, "yeah! isn't that so cool?? the church is encouraging a lot more color, and skirts no longer have to reach mid-calf. They just have to cover the knee while you're sitting! Oh, and no more nylons!!"

^^^ no more of this ^^^

my heart wanted to burst, and i wanted to just hug that girl!

so the rumors are true!

and now i can't wait to go shopping!

i just need to find out where i'll be going...

tender mercies

i cannot even begin to tell you how blessed i feel.

and i cannot begin to tell you how much i know the lord is keeping a very special eye on me.

my heart wants to explode! i love him so much.

he answers my prayers, no matter how small and how simple.

he gives me strength that i didn't know i had in me.

he turns my loneliness into hope.

he reminds me to have an eternal perspective, and to look to the future with hope and happiness.

he recognizes my sacrifices and blesses me beyond belief.

he forgives me when i fall short and he gives me the power to try harder and to be better.

he reminds me of the most important things in life.

i know his arm is around me, because i have felt it there. i know he is there, because i have felt him carry me when i couldn't stand anymore.

i am so blessed.

it's really really really happening!

on sunday i have my big bishop's interview, so tomorrow i will be finishing up last minute details on my mission papers!

i can't believe it's happening already!!

when i was a little girl, i always thought sister missionaries were so old.

i have always, always wanted to serve a mission. yes, i get a bit nervous about it once in a while- but it's an excited nervous! i've always known this is what i'm supposed to do. there has never been a doubt in my heart that this is what the Lord wants and needs me to do.

I know that my Redeemer lives. What comfort this sweet sentence gives!

18 DAYS until they can go in!

p.s. i'd love to hear which photo you think i should submit!

love, sister breckenridge

younger yesterday

i wanted to add this to my playlist, but i guess it's not as popular as i thought. here are the words, though! (p.s. the music is fairly awesome too.)

All my life I’ve been searching for you,

My flower in the sun.

The fireworks light the city sky,

I can see it in your eyes.

Love is here, it’s clear as day.

We're not too young to know,

Not too young to find our way.

We were younger yesterday,

So much more to know, don’t let this moment slip away.

Everywhere I look, reflections of our love,

The sun shines up above.

Now I see how this love has come to life.

You opened up my eyes.

Love is here, it’s clear as day.

We're not too young to know,

Not too young to find our way.

We were younger yesterday.

So much more to know, don’t let this moment slip away.

It won’t be long before the summer's gone.

Today the world is ours.

You’ll always be the only one.
Today the world is ours.

Love is here, it’s clear as day.

We're not too young to know,

Not too young to find our way.

We were younger yesterday.

So much more to know, don’t let this moment slip away

love, katie

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

I really wanted to tell you about yesterday. The topic of our Sacrament meeting yesterday was peace.

John 14:27 says: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

This Sacrament meeting was one of the meetings in which I have felt the Spirit the strongest. I couldn't hold back my emotions, because I felt like the Savior was so mindful of me. I could truly feel his love and his concern for me. Next time you can grab a hymn book, read "Master the Tempest is Raging." I've always liked this song (mainly for the tune,) but I never truly understood it until today. We sang this for one of our hymns, and I could hardly sing because the tears just streamed down my face.

During Relief Society, I met with President Lifferth (my branch president) to talk mission stuff. Before we started, however, he looked at me and told me he had been watching me during Sacrament meeting. Oh boy, this started the tears all over again. We had an excellent talk.

I am very sure and I feel very hopeful about the future. But sometimes life gets really lonely. Even though I'm surrounded by people, there is a big part of me that is always lonely because there is only one person who can fill that spot in my soul.

The Lord is our only true source for peace. I am so grateful that He knows me so well to know that I needed a little reassurance after this last week; a little extra love; a little extra peace.

I am so grateful that my heart was open to receive this revelation.

somewhere

"...well I see trees of green and
red roses too,
I'll watch them bloom for me and you,
and I think to myself,
what a wonderful world."

goal #1: check

7.10.10
hiking timp. easy enough, right?

we hiked alllll night.

and almost froze.

when we saw the saddle, i thought we were almost there. ha ha ha...silly girl.

<---fat fingers!

^ i have to admit, i
actually cried at this point.
much scarier than the
photo makes it look, folks.

best part of the whole thing? sliding down the glacier.

my goal #1 this summer was to hike it. honestly, one of the hardest things i've ever done.

also, one of the most terrifying things i've ever done. i was sure i would just slip off a cliff any second to my death 4,000 feet below.

after the pain subsided the next day, i was able to fully realize and appreciate what i had just accomplished.

and it made me feel awwwwesome.

if only...

if only i were rich. and a model.

i would buy these. and every vintage dress and accessory in the book.

yes pleeease??

shabbyapple.com

also...i would travel the world in my classy vintage dresses.

laugh out loud

my chronic diseases class this semester is awesome. i definitely haven't learned a lot about chronic diseases yet, but i've learned so much about leading a healthier, and therefore happier, life.

you've heard it plenty times: laughter is the best medicine.


it may not be the "best" medicine, but it's certainly a good one!

did you know that a two-year-old laughs about fifty times a day? compare that to adults, who only really laugh about two times a day.

i still refuse to text or type "L.O.L." during daily conversation (except in this case.) but get this:

laughter oxygenates your body, leaving you feeling more energized.

laughter can increase your level of infection-fighting antibodies.

laughing during the day can help you sleep better at night.

laughter promotes good relationships.

laughter reduces stress and helps you become a more positive person, therefore helping you through challenges.

not to mention, laughter is a good workout for your abdominal muscles as well as your heart.

. . . . . . . . . .

cool, right?
two-year-olds laugh at the simplest things! i don't recommend laughing as much as a two-year-old (because people will think you're c.r.a.z.y.) but i'm definitely going to try to laugh a little more!

LOL

the learning process

so i'm taking classes this summer.

and sometimes my head wants to explode.

especially during my geography class.

i love the class, don't get me wrong. geography :)

but there are two downers:

1. it's at 8am.

2. it's just hard to like the class when there's a certain boy (well, he's at least 35) who sits front and center everyday and has something to say about everything. quite literally, everything. and they're not even close to being intelligent comments. yes, i know interacting during class helps in the learning process. but please... please stop or i'ma throw my pen at the back o' yo head!

(...i will be keeping a tally of the number of times he comments in class on Friday and will report back shortly thereafter...)

sweet dreams

"If I could write out my own dream
For the next time that I sleep,
You'd be the first one that I see
And I the last one that you keep.
The dream would go on and on
While we sway
Against all things thrown our way.
And the morning would be so cruel when it came,
With sunshine and warmth to bring,
For announcing the end of my sweet dream.
For announcing the end of my sweet dream."

-Greg Laswell