I have always believed that life is a story. We are each the authors of our own book. People I have met over the course of 23 years each have a place in my story. No matter how big or little their presence is/was in my life, they have a place. Currently, my story is on yet another new chapter, titled Graham, Texas. Kyle and I love it here. We love the small town community, we love the Graham Branch, we feel that we have the opportunity to make a difference.
If you didn't know, I was asked to become Young Women's Camp Director of our Branch. At first, it felt overwhelming. I was afraid I could not fill whatever shoes that were there before, or fail in some sort of way. But as each meeting passes, I feel confident that I can help assist in providing these girls a good uplifting girls camp experience like the one I had. I can't thank my past young women leaders enough for all their time and devotion and sacrifice into making our experience something that we will never forget.
Graham is another chapter for us. A new beginning. A new adventure. Who would have thought this is where the Lord would take us? I never would have imagined. The year and a half in Houston was a spirit shaping one. There were lots of trials we faced together, but lot's of amazing experiences as well. Experiences that have shaped us, and our marriage. We have come out stronger, and that is what I love most about my marriage with Kyle. When we endure these difficult trials that test our faith, test our love and our eternal bond, we come out stronger. That doesn't mean we handled the trial perfectly. Far from it. But in my view, all that matters is what we learn and what we take away from these trials the Lord gives us, not necessarily the mistakes we made.
For example, when Kyle worked at Avis, he worked every Sunday. We rarely were able to go to church together. That was very difficult for us, because we all need that Sunday spiritual rejuvenation from the week. It took a toll on us both, individually and as a couple. When he got this job, we make it a priority to try and go each and every Sunday. We never want to take that ability to go to church for granted again. That is a result of the trial. The Lord wanted us to make it a priority, but we had to learn why, the hard way.
Another thought I wanted to address is a specific lesson I learned in my religion course "The Family" this semester at BYU-Idaho (online). Each week, we do what is called a Provident Living Plan. We set up a new plan every other week, in various different topics. This past week was about our "love language". How we can show signs of love to the ones we care about, and how they see signs of love. I picked Kyle, obviously, for who I wanted to show different signs of love too. I did little things, like send him a quick email of love and encouragement on a rough week. I also baked him some brownies (he has a major sweet tooth). It's the little things we do, especially in a marriage, that make the biggest differences. It's not about big expensive gifts, or trips, it's about showing how much we care by doing the little things that mean the most. Like telling your spouse you appreciate everything they do for you, make them their favorite meal, watch their favorite movie (even if you hate it), do household chores for them, and so on.
Marriage is at the center of a family. Take care of the marriage, the family will blossom, and your children will know what is truly important in life. I know that to be true, and I look forward to the day that I will be able to tell my children all of this. I look forward to the day when my family expands and I can practice these principles.
Do a kind deed for someone you love today.
God Bless
~Katie B.
