Happiness Can Be Found, Even In The Darkest of Times...

if one only remembers to turn on the light.

It's been a pretty hectic week up here, and I've learned a lot. There's this...I don't know what you'd call it, but maybe a rule that fiction writers keep in mind when making an interesting story line:

Sometimes, as a writer, it becomes necessary to chase your heroine up a tree. And then throw rocks at her. Then you have to help her down.

I, personally, have done this to my heroine many times. It's kind of fun. Until, of course, the tables are turned, you become the heroine of your own story, and the Great Author is at the 'throwing rocks' stage.

It's seemed lately that as soon as I start to make headway with one trial, another (or two) gets thrown at me. I've learned, though, that sometimes little victories lead to big defeats, and sometimes little defeats help prepare you for big victories. The key is remembering after each big victory that there's always going to be another battle after that. You can't just accept the big defeat and call it quits, you have to use the failures to prepare for the next war, and the victories to propel you onward.

I've also had to learn (and accept) that sometimes you really do need to ask for help. As the Queen of ICanSolveMyProblemsMyselfland, this was very difficult, but I'm trying.

In the midst of my world feeling like it is crashing down around me, I've been given small blessings and happinesses to keep me going; things like getting a 96% on the first real English essay I'd written in over a year, figuring out how to change a headlight without needing to ask some guy to do it for me, noticing the beauty in Spring, the birds chirping, appreciating the sunlight as it peeks through for the first time in weeks, having loving roommates, and being (mostly) healthy. In the midst of my trials, I've definitely come to appreciate the little things.

I also take comfort in knowing that it is practically required that the Author eventually help the heroine down from the tree.

Addicted

I'm kind of in love with this guy, and his voice. I want the EP, but I don't want to spend $5 +S&H on his 4 track EP. Oh well. I'll just content myself (for now) with quadrupling his youtube playcount, and share it with all the world. Ok, just my blogs and facebook friends.

In Awe and Wonder

I have about...seven minutes before I need to run to class. I felt I just had to share something:
I love the priesthood.
My roommate Cat was having massive migraine problems yesterday. For me, that sends up massive red flags. She decided to stay home from the first two hours of church, and I agreed to come back for her before Sacrament. (We have an inverted schedule. I don't like it.) The entire two hours I was gone were torture. I could't help but worry about her, and was habitually checking my phone. When I came home to get her, she was so deeply asleep that I couldn't wake her (another red flag when it comes to Cat). So I thought about it, asked the Lord what I should do, and got the feeling that just this once, it was more important that I stay home with Cat. She finally woke up hours later, at which point we both insisted she get a blessing. We haven't met our home teachers yet, so we called our FHE brothers' apartment, and five minutes later we had two young men dressed in Sunday best waiting to give a healing blessing to my beautiful friend. The blessing was very reassuring, and let both me and Cat know how best to proceed (I had been ready to drag her to the ER). Cat said as soon as the young men sealed the blessing, her migraine immediately shifted to a much more tolerable headache.
I am so grateful to live in the kind of place where, even though our fathers aren't around to be our priesthood holders, we have so many young men who are not only able and worthy, but willing to come to our aid.
Sigh. What an amazing Sunday.

This Is Me Wishing I'd Saved The Last Blog Title For This Post

Why? Because it involves a lightning storm.
I've decided if one combines the determination and stupidity of Mormon college students, and promises them even a morsel of food, one will have the best work crew imagined, and quite a force to be reckoned with.

On Saturday this past week, my ward planned a service project at one of the local cemeteries. We were just supposed to clear the creeping grass from the headstone edges, and because a gigantic flood had once devastated this entire valley, and therefore the cemetery, many headstones needed to be raised higher, and some dug up completely. Amazingly, at least fifty students showed up, on a Saturday afternoon, none the less, to help out.

We carpooled the ten-or-so miles to the cemetery, got our instructions, and set to work, the guys cutting sod, the girls pulling it up and throwing it into the truck. We ignored the pitch black clouds to the west and the occasional lightning strike, and focused on the blue skies above us and the task at hand. Not even twenty minutes into the project, it starts to sprinkle, and within seconds, we are being barraged by pouring rain coming at us sideways. Almost everyone immediately ran for cover beside, inside, and beneath cars and trucks. Some (like me) tried to work through it for a few minutes until the hail came, then we ran for cover as well. Then, of course, there's always the handful of boys who prove there manliness by never ceasing through the rain. You just don't get that kind of rain in T-mec. You'd expect us to call it quits at that point, load up the cars, and head back to school, but no. As soon as the weather let up in the slightest, we were back out there working. We were completely soaked, and the rain was still falling, but we wanted to do what was asked of us. For two and a half hours we worked in everything from a drizzle, to pouring rain, to hail. Luckily, the last half hour brought sunshine, and we ended up finishing half of the cemetery. I then rushed home to the comfort of a hot shower and sweats.

What did I learn? As said before, Mormon college students are amazingly determined and kind of stupid. I mean, we worked through the hail. Still though, if a group of kids can do all that, what else could we do? Better yet, how much can an even larger group of adults accomplish? Finally, what better group of people could there be to spread God's word than groups like these?

At school, we're told over and over that we're attending a DTC: a Disciple Training Center. If my little ward is any example, I think the training is working. I feel so blessed to be involved in a group like this one. We have another service project on Tuesday. I'm so excited to see what will happen this time!

On a side note, my Bestie Breezy is back at her school in Provo, but before she left we took this picture, and I just wanted to share it:

And When The Storms Come...

...I say let it rain. I was here first.

And also:

"I love this crazy tragic, sometimes almost magic, awful beautiful life."

It's a little before midnight, but most of my roommates are already asleep. Honestly, even though I proudly hold the title of Resident Insomniac, I might join them soon, because the weekend has been kind of crazy. On Wednesday I sent an email to my Breezy, the girl I've been closest to for the longest time. When we both got accepted to both BYU and BYU-I, the hardest choice we've ever made was parting ways. In a way it was good for us, as hard as it was. Anyway, I sent her a quick email letting her know what was going on in my life, and that everything hadn't been all peaches and cream lately. She got the email in the afternoon, immediately called my roommie, settled things with her classes, and arranged to come visit me for the weekend. Within 24 hours she was in Rexburg, and I was so excited I thought I was going to burst. It took all of a couple hours to readjust to how we'd each changed, but in almost no time we were finishing each other's sentences, making random animal noises to express our emotions, and giggling at secret memories. Breezy did her homework while I went to class, and we were able to spend the rest of the time just talking. I guess life has been kind of scary for the both of us lately, and we needed the confidence that comes from years of knowing each other better than we know ourselves. On top of that came the long walks that are our trademark, whether it be around the meadow and lake at home, up and down the beach, or through the gardens and up to the temple. How I'd missed them!

Luckily, my roommates quickly fell in love with Breezy and welcomed her back anytime, which is good for both of us. Turns out 200 miles isn't too big of a separation after all. It was sad to see her go this afternoon. Luckily, the miracle of modern technology means I can talk to her whenever I want.

Which fact segues nicely into Mother's Day! Why, you may ask? Because modern technology also allowed me to see my mother's beautiful face via Skype today, along with my dad, sister, and dog (now if only we can discover a way to let me pet my dog from 1000 miles away...). Hopefully modern conveniences won't fail me, and the letter and gift I'm sending in the mail with get there quickly and safely. Maybe next time I write I'll post a picture of what I'm sending her, because it's so cute and I'm in love with it, but mom reads this, and I want it to be a surprise. I'll post a picture of something I really want though:

It's called 'Brother and Sister' by WillowTree. Isn't it just so cute?
Anyway, Mom, because you'll likely be reading this eventually, Happy Mothers Day, know I love you and am so grateful for all you've done for me. I wish I could have been there to spoil you and pamper you to no end, but a small blip in my blog will have to suffice.

There was a bit of excitement today at church. See, last week my Bishop had discussed being the Relief Society Music Specialist this semester. Of course, I agreed, no big deal, and today I was sustained for it in Sacrament Meeting. A minute or two later, though, my name was called again as a member of the Temple Committee. I looked to the Bishop in confusion, but stood and was sustained for that as well, sure that a mistake had been made. When I talked to him before being set apart though, he said it was no mistake, they had simply forgotten to ask. This will make me one of a very small number of students with two callings this semester, but I'm sure I'll love them both. If nothing else, it just means that soon I'll get to attend the temple regularly, which will be amazingly awesome. I mean, have you seen this building?

It definitely comes in close second to the San Diego temple.

Finally, I shall wrap up this ridiculously long blog entry with my new motto:

It's one of the many things I've become obsessed with lately. I want to find a decent copy of it and put it on my wall.
For the record, I'm also currently obsessed with:
Crackle nail polish
Wearing multiple watches and hunting for 'new' ones at DI
Denim jackets
Mail/ Writing Letters


Have a great week everyone. Much love from Rexburg,
Katie Helen

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