My Story: Chapter 1: The Beginnings of Eternity

I was thinking, have I told my story to my readers? I am currently working on an article for a brand new magazine called ldsgirls.org about temple marriage and all the prep it takes and how life fits into all that. As I was brainstorming I asked myself have I told my story on my blog? I don't think I have! So here is chapter 1!

 

 

Our first picture as a couple

Let us start on the night of December 30th, 2009. I had just got off of work at Subway and my cousin Tara was in town from Houston. We were planning on going out to IHOP for pancakes and to just chill with Kyle.  But for some reason my Dad wouldn't let me go out. So being the trouble makers that Tara and I were, we still saw Kyle anyway. He came by the house when every one was asleep and we walked around the neighborhood. I had butterflies in my stomach, I knew he wanted to ask me to be his girlfriend, but I was just terrified! We had gone on a formal dates, and several casual hangouts and I really liked him. I had never truly felt this way before. Tara was committed to witness this event no matter what. She came up with a scheme as he was about to leave. "Hey Kyle, we're starving! If I gave you some cash will you go run to Jack in the Box?" Being the sweet man that he was he went.

 

Us at the Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth, TX

While he was gone Tara demanded that I "cut the crap" and kiss him already! "Katie, this is it! You better get out there and lay one on him or I'll force you!" I was horrified by what would happen if I wouldn't, so I agreed. I saw his car down the street. I panicked and went back inside. Tara yelled "KATELYN LEANNE, GET YOUR BUTT (editing this) OUT THERE RIGHT NOW!" She shoved me outside and locked the door to where I couldn't go back in. I slowly walked to the car and he handed me the bag of food. "Thanks, that was really sweet of you." He then replied with a smile, "Anything for you" It was silent. Here I was, hanging over his car window! I knew Tara was watching, and would kill me if nothing happened! He leans in....

 

"Well thanks again" I said nervously. As soon as I stepped away, I instantly regretted it. I wanted to kiss him but I was just to shy! I knew Tara would rip into me. As I watched him drive away, I noticed there was only one burger in the bag. Was this my second chance? Will I blow this one too? I told Tara about this convenient mishap, and all she said was, "OK, I'll be waiting."

 

Botanical Gardens in Fort Worth, TX

He came back and turns out the burger had slipped out of the bag. There we were again. Just me and him, my stomach drops out of nervousness, my breath short. Am I going to blow this? For the second time?  I started to panic again, was I ready for this? I wanted to scream at myself for being so stupid! Just kiss him, I thought. This is it! He just smiled at me. "Goodnight Katie, I'll be a phone call away." As he drove away I couldn't help but smile. I came back inside with my cousin berating me. "Why are you inside?? Well?? ARE YOU HIS GIRLFRIEND OR NOT??". "Not yet" I said. I couldn't help but smile. "Tara, are you even going to eat that burger?" She just laughed. "No, I'm really not that hungry."

 

Later that night, we were texting and talking on the phone. I told him that I really liked him and the fact that he just smiled at me, not expecting anything and understanding how nervous I was meant a lot. I felt like it was in my hands, and in my time. I told him after that moment, I knew I wanted to be with him. He asked me to be his girlfriend later that night. I (obviously) accepted. As funny, or ridiculous as this sounds, that night was the beginning of our journey to eternity.

Building a foundation

Earlier this week I attended an institute class (religious courses) that it's primary focus was to teach how to  build a foundation in relationships on Christ and His Gospel. This goes for anything we do in life. The relationship does not have to be with your wife/husband boyfriend/girlfriend, but for anyone in our lives. Parents, siblings, friends, family, co-workers etc. When we build a foundation on His words and way of life, we will always have something to fall back on. We will have His everlasting love to lift us up in times of trouble and hardships. We can all say these things, but it is a different story to live what we speak. I find this to be so true especially in my marriage.

foundation is built on his investigation of the gospel, and it made my testimony grow ten fold. We have a foundation of Christ

 When I met my husband, I introduced him to the Gospel and said that this was my way of life and who I was. I wanted everything out in the open and I was scared to death that it would run him off. But to my surprise, it didn't. It drew him in closer. It made him curious and fall in love with me even more. That is how our relationship grew. Our in our marriage, not only because of how we met, but because marriage is indeed of God and a wonderful part of his plan for all of us.

I encourage my readers to think about every relationship you have in life and ask yourself what is the foundation of those relationships. Whether it be a co-worker, church member, spouse, parent or child. Was it built upon Christ's love? Was it built on charity? Was it built to help one another? I guarantee if you re-establish that foundation with these qualities, improvements will follow. I took a lot from that class this week and felt the need to share. I hope all of you are having a good week. God Bless.

~Katie B.

Gun Control/Video Games/Society as a whole!

This whole mess is just,...well.. a mess! I have many thoughts on the matter that I want to express.

       First off, the Sandy Hook shootings are just the worst thing that can possibly happen to our society. Innocent children at risk in what is supposed to be one of (if not the most) safest environments other then their homes. As a former child care giver, working in an elementary school, this hits me pretty hard. I can't imagine what I would do in a situation like that. It is such a heart breaking tragedy that unfortunately can not be prevented.

How can we predict an event like this? How can we prevent this from ever being a possibility. That's just it. We can't predict/prevent situations like that. There are already security measures in place that he worked around to even get to those children, I mean what more can you really do? Background checks? Ok, this 'argument' I have a major problem with and here is why. Do you think this man thought about a background check? Do you think this man thought to himself, "I'm registering my weapon, but still planning to kill these innocent children, so they won't suspect a thing!" I'm confident in myself that criminals with the intent to harm don't obviously follow laws in the first place. I'm also fairly confident that going into an elementary school with the intent of killing as many people within  sight is illegal in the state of Connecticut.

What other law can you put in place that will prevent something like this from happening? This is what criminals do, they break the laws that are in place. So you think that the solution to this is to put more laws in place for them to break? Will a background check prevent that? Absolutely not! The second argument that I have been seeing all over Facebook/media is that we should just strip the right all together! At least assault rifles, because the Government knows best right? The only people that will be restricted by that are the people already following  laws. Why would you trust the Government to take away your weapons to leave you defenseless? Is it "In GOVERNMENT we trust" or is it "In GOD we trust"? I don't know about you but I'll put my faith and safety in the hands of God rather than Government. The fact that people trust them period is what is wrong with this society in my opinion.

Recently the Supreme Court ruled a Missouri law unconstitutional for requiring a drug test to be done if receiving welfare because it causes 'stereotyping' among it's recipients. So according to this country it is easier to steal money from hard working taxpayers and coast on the earnings of others than the right to bear arms.

Another issue I see is the blame game towards video games. That bothers me immensely. I have had a passion for video games since I was 3 years old. I have good parents that taught that video games were a good part of life, a tool to expand my imagination. They did not use it as a parenting tool. I was taught the discipline of balance. School first, chores, then came the video games. A reward after all the hard work was finished. Those teachings of responsibility have greatly diminished since then. The society now is all about "reward now, work later."

Granted, video games were different in my child hood then what they are now. Is Call of Duty mindless killing? Yes it is. I cannot argue with that. What about Hollywood? The movies Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Django Unchained? The top of the box offices, and the highest violent/Gorey mainstream movies in the history of Hollywood. That's only ok because it is something society likes and accepts. Contrary to that, playing that game is a choice. It is apart of agency. So is going to the movies. It is the parents responsibility to allow a child to play games like COD, and watch movies like Django Unchained. It is their responsibility to teach "work now, play later" and what is best for their child's development. I am the same age as the shooter, and when I play games such as Call of Duty, it does not want to make me go out and kill innocent people.

It bother's me when "Pro-Gun" advocates blame video games on the Sandy Hook tragedy. That is just as bad as blaming the gun instead of the man behind it. They just want the media to leave them alone, so they go to the next thing on the list. Why don't we all take a step back and place responsibility on the rightful target. The man behind the news headlines, behind the gun. Don't blame the video games, don't blame the guns. All that does is infringe on the rights of others that follow the laws already in place and restricts their liberties.

These are my thoughts on the issues. I am not afraid to stand my ground and speak up for what I believe in. I encourage discussion and debates. Placing laws on already abiding citizens only leads to a divided country.

Sincerely
~Katie B.

It's 2013!

Wow, the year ended with so many great occurrences! Kyle and I were endowed in the Salt Lake City Temple on the 8th of December. We were able to go home and visit family/friends down in Texas for the Christmas holiday! Kyle and I were sealed on the 22nd of December for time and all eternity in the Dallas Texas temple. It was a great day. Also, my Uncle Larry was baptized into the LDS church in December as well. AND last but not least my cousin Karlee was called to serve in the Calgary Canada mission and I was there to see her find out! Great things happened! I guess it was the Lords way of trying to even things out from the hell of the beginning of the year, with the deaths of my Nana and Grandpa and other family struggles that came with all that. It was very difficult dealing with all of that, but I am at peace that it was all a part of God's plan for me.

This semester is a busy one, but I feel so incredibly blessed coming into it. I had many worries coming into the spring semester, but each one of them are slowly being solved by blessings that have been put in our path. Anywhere from finances to school/books. I feel like the Lord is letting me know that he is proud of me, and that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. My new years resolution this year is grow spiritually ( i have so much by preparing to go to the temple/being sealed/endowed) but I want to build on that now. I want to be disciplined to kneeling for my prayers every night, and read the scriptures not only with Kyle but my own independent study as well. Also, be on top of my studies, and kick that laziness in the butt. The Lord has put me in this position to go to school, and I want to take advantage of that blessing, because being a married student, it truly is a blessing. I'm glad I started out the semester celebrating my 2 year wedding anniversary. It's a good reminder of why we are doing what we're doing, why we are in Utah, and what we want to accomplish by being here. Another new years resolution for myself is to keep negative thoughts to myself and pray for peace for them to leave so I can only focus on the positive aspects of my life. Having negative thoughts towards anyone/anything only hurts the one who has them, and can just get worse from there.

Anyway, I hope everyone had a great Christmas and a happy New Years. I hope we all make new resolutions for life, and just the year of 2013. God Bless you all! Thanks for reading!

~Katie B.

GIVE more RECEIVE less

Man, this semester has just been both great/exhausting! I'm just so glad it's coming to a close. Next semester for me is going to so much worse though unfortunately. Two math classes back to back, Monday - Friday for two hours a day. I have an Animation class every day of the week, a digital media essentials class, along with an online class (health, Utah requirement) and also another technology requirement. A total of 20 hours. Wow, I mean wow. That's a lot for me. I'm a little worried that I won't be able to handle it. Can I handle it? As long as I stay on top of it. This semester was both a job and a struggle, especially the second half. Finances tightening, classes are harder, it just kind of came all at once to me.

I'm excited for a lot of things. Kyle and I are taking out our endowments in the Salt Lake City Temple this Saturday the 8th of December. Woah. It's kind of surreal. Seriously. It's been a very long time coming, but I NEVER gave up. Never. I always worked hard to make this happen, not just since I've been married (But that is where the sweat and tears came in!) but since I was baptized. It's what I've been taught, by leaders and family by their words and examples. I just need to take a second and soak it all in.

I hope everyone is doing well. I really do. I hope we can get through all of whatever we are going through in our lives. Whether it be finances, family drama/tragedies, relationships/marriages, school, anything. I strive everyday to not focus on the hardships of just life in general, because they are always going to be there. I am by no means perfect, my anxiety has been at an all time high with my mind LOOKING for problems. It's just been stupid the way I've been thinking. I had Kyle give me a priesthood blessing and it has solved my major anxiety.

I have a request to ask my readers. (If there are any ha ha). I made a promise to myself that I will GIVE more than I RECEIVE this Christmas season. I have two things I am going to do. Mostly I am going to do these things when I come home to Texas for the winter break. I am going to take $5 dollars, (5 One dollar bills) and when Kyle and I go out on the town, I am going to give one dollar to either a homeless man, or a charity. I know what you're thinking. "Five dollars? One dollar each? That's nothing..." Anything is better than passing them by and feeling sorry you didn't. I know we've all been there before, and besides, it's all I got. I encourage you to donate your time mostly or just get the coin jar out and next time you head to Wal-Mart, and put it in the Salvation Army. Anything is better than nothing. I hope you all have a great December. God Bless!

~Katie B.

CHRISTmas, not X-mas...

About five years ago, I was sitting in church, and I was passing a note back and forth to my friend, and I believe I asked her "What do you want for X-mas?" She replied by crossing out the "X" in X-mas, and replaced it with Christmas. "I never use the word X-mas because it crosses out the word Christ." I was taken aback by that statement, I didn't even realize what that had meant! I thought that was just a short cut for the word when writing it. That has stuck with me ever since and I can't help but think about that every time Christmas comes around. I think that this is exactly what the world has done with Christmas, they take Christ out of it. We all really need to check ourselves and remember what this time is really for. I know I had too, and it was the best thing I have ever done!

This past thanksgiving was a great experience away from home! My 3 cousins, Kymberlee, Kaelene, and Karlee, my older sister Ali and my niece Audrey, and Kyle and I all sat with our Bumpa (My mom's dad) and enjoyed our meal together, going around the table saying what we are thankful for. It was a great experience that I will never forget! I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving at home, away from home, or where ever you were. It has been an interesting semester, but I think I speak for most of us college students, that I am glad it is over. (Almost). I look forward to many things! I look forward to taking out my endowments in the Salt Lake City Temple (my favorite since I was a little girl!) and getting sealed in the Dallas Temple! Kyle and I are on the right path! I know it!

So a little update, I changed my major. BUT I still want to help families, and society, and I am going to continue to do so. I am inviting you to like my page "Marriage Matters" on Facebook, to talk with a community that values the institution of marriage, and helps those in need as much as possible. I changed my major to Graphic Design, concentration in Game Design. I am very excited about this change. I am very passionate about video games, more so than the average girl (that goes without saying) and I think I would thoroughly enjoy this field. I am very excited at what lies ahead.

Thanks again to everyone who takes the time to read my blog, and I hope I help people in one way or another. I strive to be a good person everyday, I live my religion every minute of every day, not just one day a week. I encourage people to do the same. Pray to Heavenly Father, our God for peace, for the right path, or whatever it is you need, because I have a testimony that He does hear our prayers, and always has great things in store for us! I hope everyone is having a fantastic week and God bless!

~Katie B. 

November, the Thankful month!

Ah, beautiful November. I absolutely love this month. There are SO many things to love, Thanksgiving, more fall colors, cooler days, more hot cocoa, cute winter clothes, the smell of a warm fire and so much more! Also it is the "Thankful Month". I'm going to share a few things I'm thankful for, and also a trick I learned. I am thankful for the wonderful man I am proud to call my husband. He takes care of me, works for me, and loves me unconditionally. I am thankful for my awesome dog, my sweet and loving dog! I am thankful for UVU, and the great education I am receiving! I am grateful for my faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, without that, to me, there would be no reason to get up in the morning.  I am thankful for my family, my cousin's Kaelene and Kymberlee, all 4 of my sisters, my wonderful niece, my brother-in-law, my awesome parents, hopefully I continue to make them proud. I am grateful for my wonderful in-laws, and my best friends.

There are so many more things I can say, but I feel like it would go on forever. I learned a trick, I don't remember where I heard this from, but if we say what we are thankful for BEFORE we go to bed we will have a more restful night's sleep, and wake up with a clear head and surprisingly more happy. I know this sounds cliche, but I have tried it and both Kyle and I wake up better and refreshed because of it! So please try it!

I am not going to lie, the election was a huge disappointment to me, but I cannot dwell on it. I have a life to live, school to go to, and things to worry about that I CAN control.  But, I do feel that my faith in Christ will keep me safe from any misfortunes, and that when Kyle and I graduate we will be okay. That is a huge worry for us, the job market and the economy. Obama supporter or not, that is undeniable. That is why I am glad it is the thankful month, I can be grateful for what I have, and not focus on things I cannot control.

I try for this blog to be an uplifting for anyone who needs it, including myself. I try to put myself out there, for anyone to see, because I have nothing to hide. Absolutely nothing. I am a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, I am a hardworking married college student, a house wife, and a life partner! I try to have fun in anything I do, no matter what it may be, and I love being married! I want my life's work to be rebuilding the family unit in this country. I am thankful for families! I have a huge one myself, on both my father and mother's side. One's catholic and one is Mormon, and I am grateful to be apart of both! I absolutely love it! I take pride in both. I am no longer ashamed to make mistakes, because it is what makes me a stronger and better person. I will never stop fighting for what's right, I will never change my views, and I will not cave in the sight of adversity. Never. I try to be a loving, non-judgmental person, but what's right is right and it cannot be swayed. I am grateful for my values and firm standing in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I leave this with you with a heart of gratitude for reading my blog. I hope you all have a great November and a very grateful Thanksgiving.


~Katie B.