[Saturday] Scribblings

Yes, I said "Scribblings"

I need to dance more.

I have to usher a concert today that I'm actually really excited about.

I have to go to a dance concert tonight that I'm excited about...

But I'm not excited about the critique paper I have to write about it. 

Yuck.

I'm wanting to read/listen to a talk every day. I fee like I need it; feasting upon the words of latter-day prophets and apostles. Do you have any recommendations or favorites? Ensign, General Conference, New Era, The Friend... Don't matter to me! (Excuse my awful English).

I'm watching FRIENDS from the beginning

And I love it

I'm addicted to Once Upon A Time. It's bad.

My sister goes back to Alaska at the end of the month. It makes me a little sad.

My brother and his wife had their cute little baby girl 2 weeks ago! She's so beautiful!

We found out that a close friend of ours is expecting.

I'm excited, but I won't lie, I cried a little. Not the good kind.

I want a baby so bad...

The 4th of July... On the 3rd.

Since I'll be sitting in a car all day tomorrow, I figured I'd talk a little bit about why 

i love america.

I come from a strong military background.

Both of my grandpas served in World War II, one receiving a purple heart.

Three of my mom's brothers served in Vietnam.

My dad and all three of his brothers served in some branch of the military.

My dad spent about 3 years in Thailand. 

A year of that time was spent engaged and married to my mom.

Bryan sometimes talks about joining the Army, if movies don't work out.

It terrifies me, but--to be completely honest--I wouldn't be a more proud wife than to have a soldier as a husband.

I have several friends who, upon graduating high school, joined the military.

It makes my heart so grateful for the sacrifice.

I know that this country was built upon a foundation of our forefathers,

in the hopes that its freedoms will never break down.

I was told once to uphold all the laws and rights in this country, so that this chosen land will prosper through to the last days and to the second coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I take that very seriously.

Every time I have sung The Star-Spangled Banner, my heart is filled with pride.

Every time I see veterans leading out the parades on the morning of Independence day, 

I weep with gratitude.

I love my country.

Let freedom ring.

God Bless America.

I'm supposed to be grocery shopping

But instead I'm blogging.... It's a good thing Wal Mart is open 24 hours...

Anyway, yesterday was Father's day.

I feel like it should been like "Priesthood Appreciation Day"

I love my husband.

My 21st birthday gift - Mary Poppins!

I'm just so grateful to have him in my life.

He's my best friend.

He's a wonderful example.

He's an amazing friend.

He's a talented film maker.

He's a gifted singer.

He's one of the most driven people I've ever met.

He's a very uplifting person.

He has a relationship with our Father in Heaven.

He has a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

He is my saving grace, my best friend. The father of our future children (no, I'm not pregnant).

Anyway, happy father's day to my wonderful husband. 

I love you most.

I guess I was worrying a little too much...

Last night went like this:

Bryan:  Have you checked out or kickstarter page today?
Me: I've been avoiding it all day, to be honest.
Bryan: Well, you should.
Me: Why can't you just tell me?
Bryan: You just need to see it for yourself.
Me: (walks over to laptop. Turns it on. Goes to kickstarter page) $1,000?!!!


Yes, people. It's crazy, but it's happening.

Be part of something BIG!
Make the pledge!
_______________________________________________________

On to normal life things....

Work has been insane!
We're doing our big semi-annual sale right now and it has been the BUSIEST semi-annual sale I have been a part of in my 3 years at my job.
SO CRAZY.
But it's been good because we need the business.

I miss school. The end.

Bryan's work is absolutely crazy, too. They have a bunch of shoots going on right now, locally and all over the country, and Bryan has been alone in the camera room for about 3 weeks now because his boss is shooting and his co-worker is on set with the boss.
Poor Bryan, he gets calls all the time from people asking about check-outs. But he doesn't mind. It just gives him more to do.

Lately, I've been listening to/reading the General Conference talks from this last April. I worked all day on that Saturday, so I never got to hear the talks. It has been a sweet blessing and experience reading the words of the prophets. It helps me know that the heavens are opened; that God did not and will not leave us alone. He wants to give us guidance and show us that he has infinite concern for us. I know that one of the ways our Father in Heaven does this for us is by giving us prophets and apostles who know the needs of the Church and of the world. They are good men who love God and the gospel.

Things are going... Just going. I hope I can keep up.

In Loving Memory

The first final that I took was the scariest one of all:

Group Piano I 

A B- is failing in this course, so obviously I was intimidated.

But Dr. Hansen was always there to remind me that I was working hard and doing my best.

A few weeks ago, Dr. Hansen gave birth to a beautiful  baby girl. But, it was because of that birth, she died of infection.

Her husband is now left with their 3 children to raise on his own, without a job.

I don't have much to give, but I'm giving. 

I ask if you have a moment, to take a look at this blog. Read her story. Make a donation.

If you don't have the means to donate, that's okay.

Take the challenge that Dr. Hansen's sweet sister-in-law gives:  post about it.

Any and all "donations" help.

As most of you know, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise known as the Mormon Church. Dr. Alice Hansen was also a member.

One of the defining beliefs in our religion lies with our temples. There, we know that families are sealed for time and all eternity. Not til death do us part. 

So, even now, as many people are mourning and suffering over Alice's death, there is some comfort.

We will see her again.

She will be with her husband and children again in the eternities.

_ _ _ _ 

If you have any questions about the temple or our beliefs in eternal families, please feel free to send me a message, post a comment, or give me a call. 

Or, you can visit www.lds.org or www.mormon.org. 

You can also contact the local LDS missionaries in your area.

Remember how I disappeared for, like, 4 months?

Hi friends.

I know, I know, I've been slacking. But, hey! What do you expect from me? Sometimes I'm good and oftentimes I'm terrible. Just be grateful you're getting an update now! Ha! :)

This semester was one of the best semesters of my college career. Hands down. I feel like I excelled so much more than I ever have and had so many opportunities opened up to me that made me a better person and performer. It's been such a phenomenal experience! I love UVU!

I took the Opera Workshop class (OpShop for short) this semester. It made me realize so much more how I love performing. And how I am not one who would do well in a classroom with students, but rather in a studio. I know, it's crazy. I love teaching. Really, I do. But honestly, if I'm going to do what I love all the time, the best way for me to make a living and do that would to be to teach privately. So, that's happening. Bryan and I are working on putting together a little "business plan" type thing for me to bring around and start getting voice and piano students.

Anyway, going back to OpShop and why I wanted to talk about that in the first place:
1. I LOVE GERMAN. I'm convinced that when Schubert was composing anything for high voice, my voice was the one singing in his head. And the language is just so lovely! (Yes, with the hacking and all).
2. I was cast as Dorabella for the Cosi fan Tutte scene. SO. MUCH. FUN. I would do it again a million times if I could. And, my Fiordiligi was (who am I kidding? IS.) AH. MAZE. ING. I want to be her when I grow up. For realsies.
This class made this semester so worth it. I mean, I took good classes that I enjoyed and learned a lot from. But this experience was one that literally changed my life. It makes me see the Lord's hand in my life so much more when I can recognize the blessings instead of thinking about the trials. I love my Father in Heaven! I love my Savior! They are so wonderful to me!

Bryan is doing great! Work is treating him well, he's working on a script, we're putting together a kickstarter campaign... There really isn't much more we can say besides The Lord blesses those who have faith in Him and who do all that they can do. It's awesome.

Life is good. It's even grand. I'm trying to be better about writing on here because I can say so much more here than I can anywhere else.

"Christmas Must Be Something More" by Taylor Swift

This song has become a new favorite of mine. I first heard it three years ago at a little Christmas luncheon with my sister and some of the ladies from my ward (the group of people I go to church with).

I just love it and the message it gives. It's like in How the Grinch Stole Christmas when the Grinch realizes that "Maybe Christmas, perhaps, is a little bit more."
When Christmas first came...
It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes, or bags!

It came with a simple babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes. It came with angels singing on the most high, "Joy to the world, the Lord is come!"

It continues to come with charity, the pure love of Christ. As we give our hearts to others in service, we give to our Father in Heaven and our Savior.

Happy 9 days til Christmas.

A much needed update.

Oh my HEAVENS.

It's been a while.
Can't you tell that I'm working full-time and taking 12 credits?!!!

Hi. I'm Kelsey. And I don't think I'll be making it to my 21st birthday.
Holy hannah!

Anyways, the last time I posted was, like, a MONTH ago!!! So, we must recap :)

My brother-in-law got married in March!! (woot-woot!) I wish I had pics, but facebook won't let you save images anymore :( boo.
But it was so beautiful! Leah--the blushing bride--asked me to do her hair and help her get in and out of her dress at the temple and for the reception. It was such an honor! I love this girl to DEATH! We are so similar, it's kind of awesome :) We did a traditional South African dance to introduce the wedding party, there was dancing, good treats... It was just all around a grand ol' party!

We had our FIRST Easter as a married couple this year, and my little sister came!!! It made me so happy to have Kylie here with us!

The Easter Bunny came a day early with our baskets... (She must have known we would be spending Sunday with Bryan's family **winks**)Bryan wanted the soccer ball, Kylie wanted a monkey, and I thought the little bumble bee's were too cute to resist. SO AWESOME! :)
I made us breakfast burritos Saturday morning and Kylie helped me set up my Skype. I felt so old trying to maneuver it. She was laughing at me half the time, I swear!
The afternoon rolled around and we took Kylie to the BYU vs. Colorado State Softball game!
It started totally pouring rain, but we had SO MUCH FUN! BYU dominated, so the game ended in the 5th inning. We curled up in our blankets, ate hotdogs and pretzels, and cheered on our Cougars! So fun!

AND IT GETS BETTER!

After the game, there was a meet-and-greet with the team! They handed out posters to everyone who came down to the clay and the team signed them.

Livin' the dream!!!

Then we went back to the apartment to color eggs! But we ran into a problem...
I didn't know that you needed vinegar for the egg dye. So, we ended up making faces :)

Then I started school. I'm taking 12 credits. Online. Again. You'd think I would have learned my lesson. Oh well... I have 2 A's, 2 B's, and 1 C so far (I'm working on that C. It needs to get higher!)

My nephew Tristin was blessed on May 1st. He's getting so big! It was also fun to see most of my family that weekend. I missed my mom and dad.

Eliza asked me to do her hair for her FIRST EVER PROM!!!! Her dress was amazing and she looked amazing! It was kinda fun watching her come down the stairs and seeing her date's reaction. His jaw basically dropped and he said, "Wow! You look amazing!" It was fun :)

Today was my first REAL day off in about 2 months. Every time I've had a day off from work, something was going on with the family; wedding, baby blessing, prom, blah blah blah... ANYWAY, Bryan and I went and hiked the Y --which is hard but SO FUN--but on the way down, it started POURING rain and we got SOAKED!!! It was pretty funny :) After getting home and cleaned up, we went to the mall for a bit and got me my 16-bar audition book (more on that later). Then we came home and I finished homework. It was a good day.

Tomorrow I will give my first lesson as a Relief Society teacher in my ward. I'm super excited! I've missed teaching! I'm a little nervous, but I know that the Lord will bless me and those that are in my class to have the Spirit and be inspired to teach one another.

Happyness :)

This is my day today and tomorrow.

I love my Heavenly Father!
I love my Savior!
I love the Prophet, Thomas S. Monson!
I love the Apostles!
I love the Gospel.

:)

Day 27 – Your favorite place

My favorite place? The temple.



This is Bryan and I the day we got married outside of the Mesa, Arizona temple where we were sealed together for time and all eternity.
I love the temple because it is a place that can give me peace. It is the house of God. I can worship and commune with Him. I can escape from a world filled with remorse and torment and take time to think and be close to the Spirit. It is a place of comfort and learning. A place that is sacred and special. I love it there, in the temple.

Day 10 – Your belief

Well, the first thing that comes to mind that describes what I believe is a little song that I learned when I was in Primary:

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!
I know who I am!
I know God's Plan!
I'll follow him in faith!
I believe in the Savior, Jesus Christ. I'll honor His name.
I'll do what is right!
I'll follow his light!
His truth I will proclaim!

It's probably the best song EVER. For real. It's pretty fun to sing.
Anyway, like the song says, I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Or LDS. Or "Mormon"

What I believe is simple:
I know that God lives and that Jesus is the Christ. I know that they both love me infinitely and want me to return to their presence after my life on earth is over. I know that I came from my home in heaven to this earth because God has a plan for us; a plan I like to refer to as the Plan of Happiness because God made this plan for us to BE HAPPY. I know that by being baptized, I have been washed of my sins and have the opportunity to have the full fellowship of the Holy Ghost as my companion. I know that I can be forgiven of my sins and that I can keep myself unspotted from my sins. I know that FAMILIES ARE FOREVER. Through temple ordinances and sealings, families can be united NOT JUST TIL DEATH TO US PART, BUT FOREVER. I know that my family--that of my parents and siblings and my new family that Bryan and I have created--is forever and I am grateful for the sacred covenants I have made. I know that the Bible and Book of Mormon are the word of God and that there is a modern-day prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. I love him and sustain him to be the messenger of God. I know that God still teaches us today through revelation. I know that the trials we face in this life are given to us because GOD KNOWS WE CAN MAKE IT! He knows our strengths, our weaknesses, our knowledge, our faults, and He would NEVER give us something that we couldn't handle.
I love my Father in Heaven and I pray every day that I will live a life worthy of His presence.

Day 08 – A moment

A moment...?
Really?
We couldn't be any more GENERAL?!!!

What does this MEAN?!!!!

Okay, I will just choose a moment and tell you about it.

When I took out my endowment and walked into the Celestial room for the first time... I knew at that moment what my heaven--God's heaven--was going to be like. I had worked so hard to be there. And when I walked in, the first person I saw was my (at that time) future eternal companion. Bryan smiled, came to me, and hugged me. That was the purest happiness I think I have ever felt. Then, there was my parents. After that, my siblings. And then, my in-laws and dear friends. Those are the relationships and the people that I want to be with forever. And, because of that day, I know I can be.

I know that God lives. That Jesus is the Christ. That through the atoning sacrifice of our Savior, all things are possible including eternal life and eternal families.

I've never been a "New Year's Resolution" type of person

But this year, that's changing.

My sweet husband is a SUPER GOAL MAKER! No really. He is.
Anyway, so I decided that this year I would make a few goals that I know I can attain or at least get close to attaining. I read this talk not too long ago that was pretty awesome. It's called "Go For It!" by M. Russell Ballard. And... I loved it! It really put a new perspective on goal-making for me.
I always felt like if I made a goal, I was more likely to fail. I felt this way with almost every goal I made! (I'm super hard on myself; something I need to work on). But this talk that I read just helped me out so much!
Elder Ballard said that we need to make righteous goals that lift us up, but those goals also need to be ones that we know we can attain.
HA!
I needed it in simple terms to realize that I needed the confidence to attain those goals!
I'm retarded. Simply put.
Anyway, I made a few goals. And I'm hoping that I can attain them by the end of this year.

Change

Well, Bryan was denied from BYU's film program.
I cried.
My husband held me, and I cried.

I used to like moving... And change... But after living in Arizona for so many years and then living in Idaho for so many years, and now starting to get used to Provo... I'm not liking change so much anymore.

But Bryan may not stay at BYU.
I may not get accepted to BYU.

do we go back to Idaho?
Do we move to Salt Lake?
Do we try Southern Utah?
Do we just make a movie?
Do we write our book?
Do I go back to school?
What will we study?
Where will we go?

While I cried, I just sat in my state of confusion. I didn't really think about anything; I just cried.
But then, I leaned forward and said a silent prayer: "Father, I'm trusting you. We'll pray and ponder and study out our options, but I am trusting you to take care of us until then."
I felt peace come over me.
Even in all my confusion and worry, God still came though and touched my heart. He always does.
I know God lives and that Jesus is the Christ. They love us so much. I pray for their protection and for their forgiveness daily, so that I can try and become more like them.

So, like I said, we may be moving soon. We may not. At this point, I don't really know what God has in store for us or why we are here, but I'm trusting Him.
At this point, I kind of hope that we don't have to move. I like our little apartment and I will miss our friends that we have grown close to. But, I guess I could find that enjoyment in change that I used to have. Change is good. Maybe we just need change.

I can't help but think I don't deserve this

I feel like God is blessing Bryan and I so much.

Most of the time, I feel like I don't deserve it.

But then it reminds me that I have an all-knowing, kind, generous, and loving Heavenly Father who truly wants the best for me.

I feel like every day I have something new to thank Him for. I fall on my knees and with tears, I thank Him for how wonderful and gracious He is.

I got my promotion yesterday. The extra money that I will be making will allow Bryan and I to go on a little trip for our 1 year anniversary AND I will probably be able to pay for school.

I found out that I will be able to apply for graduation in the summer.

He's looking out for me.

This was too cute to pass up!

So, I saw this on Annie's facebook page. It's so stinkin' cute! But it's also so tender and sweet. Truly, the simplest and most powerful testimonies come from children. They are not corrupted and they are blind to the world. They only know God and his love for them.



I am so grateful this holiday season for my Savior, Jesus Christ. He lives and loves us! I know this to be true.

It's hard to be happy today.

My high school dance coach had a little girl. Her name was Savanna. She was so beautiful and was 7 months old. Now she's gone. I wish I could hug Tabby. I wish I could be with her right now.

It's times like these that I wish I could cry out my testimony to everyone that I love, but it's times like these when it's scary for me. So, I'm saying now that I know that God lives and he loves ALL his children. I know that those children who leave this life before the age of accountability are sent straight to His side to be in His comfort until their parents come in righteousness to raise them. I know that families can be forever through the atonement of Jesus Christ and through the sealing power of the temple.