December First

CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS 

Yeah, I'm really really excited. I'm especially excited because I finally have my own apartment to decorate this year! And let's be honest, Christmas is the best holiday in the entire year. 

There's just something about the glowing lights of the tree at night, of being able to see your breath at Temple Square. 

Wrapping up in your warm coat and scarf and hat and watching the snowflakes fall from the sky.

 About finding the perfect gift to give your sister or dad or mom, thinking about their reaction on Christmas morning. 

Eating pie and ham and decorating cookies, making candy, hanging the garland and decking the tree.

Sledding with your siblings and crashing at the bottom of the hill- maybe accidentally getting a bloody nose or two (whoops!)

Watching the glow and hearing the crackling of the fire in the fireplace (or in this case... the fire on my TV screen). 

Watching "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" or "Santa Clause is Coming to Town" and going to see Ballet West's "The Nutracker" at the Capitol Theater ever year.

My little stacking doll set I got in Poland this year

Listening to Michael Buble's Christmas album, or watching the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing the Hallelujah Chorus. 

All the little crafts that the kids make for you for Christmas, and how excited they get over a popcorn wreath, and the idea that Santa Claus is really coming in just a few short weeks. 

Watching the glow of the Christmas lights reflect in your cat's eyes.

I love Christmas for so many reasons, but mostly I love being together with my family. I've been so blessed to have my grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins and siblings so close. Christmas has always been a time for us to get together and enjoy each's other's company. Making family traditions like going to see the Nutcracker, doing a family Christmas program, making Christmas cookies. Getting pajamas on Christmas eve, and taking turns opening presents on Christmas morning. Spending Christmas Eve, Christmas morning and Christmas night together as a family.

 It just makes me so happy, and I can honestly say I never feel more happy-

 or more blessed- than I do in the holiday season. 

Thankful

This Thanksgiving, of all the years, has me in such a different place than I've been in years past, and I think it's helped me put things into perspective and be a little more appreciate and grateful for all of the tender mercies in my life. 

I think back to last year, home from my mission on medical release, spending most of my days in pain with excruciating migraines and dealing with the emotional aftermath of an early release (which included missing my Mexico with all my heart). Throwing myself into family history and reaping the some incredible and touching rewards as I found so many of my Polish-German ancestors that needed their work done.

I think of the year before, where I was a senior in college, and just went through the temple, all while most of my friends had left on missions, and one of my best friends was preparing to leave on hers. All while I was getting ready to do my student teaching, juggling work and class and driving an hour to St George to go to the temple (and warmth). 

There's a lot of years of thanksgivings, a lot of memories. Remembering my first year of college, and the roommate thanksgiving we held where we made turkey hats and ate monkey bread and pie.

The year I was a senior in high school, and we were having our first Madrigals Christmas concert the next week, and still had a lot of choreography to learn and master.

A few years before, our first Thanksgiving without our grandpa, who was the heart and soul of our family, and who's empty chair made us think back and really appreciate the good things in life, and how quickly they come and go.

Even a few years before that, where we had just finished our pool in Arizona, and Cassidy and I had to test it out, and jumped in the freezing cold water in November. We only stayed for about three minutes before we were chilled to the bone! 

We've had some really good memories over the years. I attribute a lot of that to my sweet family. Food and gifts, music and decorations are all well and good, but it's people that make the memories, not things. 

This year, I'm grateful for so many things- my wonderful job, my car that's already been paid off, my apartment and , but what I'm grateful for most are the people in my life.

My friends. My coworkers, and roommate. My Nana and Gram, my cousins and aunts and uncles, and second cousins. My cats and dogs- But especially- with all of my heart- my mom, my dad, my sisters and my brother and sister in law. 

Friends come and go- that much I've learned, more than once- but family is forever. They're my real best friends. 

And I can't imagine my life without them.

The Best "Two" Years

So-- I've been pretty sentimental the last few days about my mission. I miss it. I miss it with every fiber of my being. If I had a (third) chance to get back out there and put my nametag on.... you bet I would do it.

There is something so different about being a missionary. So difficult at times, but so rewarding. So exhausting, but so spiritually strengthening. So trying at times, but ultimately some of the happiest moments you'll remember in your life.

I wouldn't trade my experiences during my service for anything in the world. And I would give anything to have them all over again. If someone asked me if I would go tomorrow, you had better bet I would say yes in a heartbeat. 

I've finally gotten around to compiling the majority of my mission pictures. I was inspired in this video by another sister missionary, to whom I owe a lot of my excitement towards my mission. I hope as- and if- you watch it, you'll feel the love that I have towards my time as a missionary and know how much it meant to me.

And if you were a part of it- thank you for making it the best experience of my life. 

xx   katie

Perspective

So I've been home for about six weeks, and coming home the second time around meant (you guessed it), the great job search. I'd been pretty stressed because I did graduate in special and elementary education, but I just wasn't sure I wanted to jump into teaching right away. I was still recovering physically, mentally and emotionally from two bouts of mission difficulties and I just didn't know if I was ready for the commitment level that comes with being a full time teacher.

It's pretty intimidating, coming back and instantly having to look for something to support you through the next few months or even years. Especially because I've been thinking more and more about grad school, and what I want to do to expand my horizons and potential jobs. I was one of those people who didn't change their major in college- not even once (unless you count changing from general studies to my real major, which everyone has to do). 

In retrospect, it might have been better to really truly figure out what I wanted to do for work, rather than jump into my major because I didn't want to lose or waste any credits. Not that I don't love teaching-- I do. I'm just not one hundred percent sure it's something I want to do right at this time.

For grad school, I'm looking into a few options. Possibly speech-language pathology, but I'm also looking into something humanitarian-services related, as well as possibly wildlife conservation. I haven't figured out exactly what I plan on doing, but since I want to pay off my undergraduate student loans before I apply for grad school, I know I have at least a little bit of time before I really need to worry about the GRE and applications.

So when it came to figuring out a job situation, I started looking in the education spectre. I had two interviews at two different preschools. One I had to turn down because it was downtown and a bit too far away to drive on a daily basis. The other, I accepted, but after a week and a half, it wasn't working out (for personal reasons). The week that I left that job, I started applying to a bunch of positions on KSL jobs. Again, I was blessed to have two different interviews by two different locations. 

One of these interviews took place last Thursday morning. That afternoon, I got a call offering me the position. I was so happy to be able to accept the job at the Salt Lake Board of Realtors! The pay was exponentially better than my previous jobs, and the benefits and environment were just unbelievably amazing.  

I started this past week, and it's been such an amazing experience. Every day, I learn new things about the job and the company, and every day I go home to my parents and spend ten minutes telling them how amazing this position is, the awesome benefits of working there, how wonderful the people I get to work with are, and how much I am loving everything about this job. 

Following a weekend of General Conference, I just feel so incredibly blessed to be where I am right now in my life. Sometimes, I still fight some bitter feelings about being home from my mission and seeing others out serving and having the most amazing experiences. I'm human, and I'm trying to adjust to the trials I've been given in this life. 

But having this job, having this time with my family before everyone goes off in their different directions (Virginia, Mississippi and Idaho)-- I'm so grateful. Because if I didn't have these trials, I wouldn't have these amazing blessings. 

And I wouldn't trade those blessings for anything in the world. 

"An Attitude of Gratitude"

"We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues." - President Thomas S Monson

I am GRATEFUL... to have grown up in a loving family, with a supportive mother and father who loved me and provided for me.

I am GRATEFUL... for a father who's favorite hobby became his job, and that he is happy where he works and good at what he does.

I am GRATEFUL... for a mother who I can call my best friend, who comes to visit me at school, who shares a love of hiking and books and who knows me better than I know myself.

I am GRATEFUL... for a brother and sister-in-law who sacrifice so much to protect the integrity of this country, and who have gone through so much but somehow still manage to make it through.

I am GRATEFUL... for a older sister, who is the example of hard work and patience, and who believes that being a dork is the best thing in the world if it makes you happy.

I am GRATEFUL... for a little sister who has put enough effort into our relationship that I now consider her one of my closest friends, and has set the most wonderful example for me in recent years.

I am GRATEFUL... for three dogs and three cats that have brought me greater joy than I could possibly imagine in fuzzy four-footed creatures, and whom I love more than words can express.

I am GRATEFUL... for my education, that through hard work and wonderful opportunities, I can now pass on my knowledge to younger generations and shape their lives in unimaginable ways.

I am GRATEFUL... for my sweet friends, who have helped me through the hardest times of my life, who have never given up on me, and who have made me laugh and have made me far happier than I ever thought I would be

I am GRATEFUL... for a car that runs and keeps me safe, that I can call my own, and that I have loved since the day I started driving it almost six years ago.

I am GRATEFUL... for a warm bed at night, a fireplace, a house with a large kitchen and spacious backyard where my dogs can play and I can see the trees and mountains and watch the rain on the windows when the storms blow in.

I am GRATEFUL... for the health that I enjoy, that I only have minor complaints and issues and that I am still alive and able to find joy in every day.

I am GRATEFUL... for the many people I've had the opportunity to meet in the thirteen houses and three states I've lived in in the past twenty two years, the things I've learned from them, and the knowledge that my life is forever changed because of their influence and kindness.

I am GRATEFUL... for modern technology, that allows us to keep in touch with people half a world away, and gives us opportunities to make a livelihood, maintain relationships, and change the world.

I am GRATEFUL... for the opportunities I've had to travel the world, for each cathedral or museum I've visited, each bridge I've crossed or field I've trekked, for bringing me knowledge and experience, and a desire for adventure that will never be quenched.

I am GRATEFUL... for the mountains that are so close by, where I can climb the rocks, hike the trails, smell the wildflowers and see the world from an unforgettable vantage point.

I am GRATEFUL... for a gospel that brings me so much peace, that teaches that all injustices will be made right in the end, that teachers that we can live with our families forever, and we will get to see them again, that we have an older brother who loved us enough to die for us, and that we can find happiness in this seemingly dark and bitter world.

I am GRATEFUL... for the time that I had to serve in my mission in Mexico, the lessons and language I learned, the people who influenced me more than they can possibly know, and the hope for a future where I can be a missionary once more.

I am GRATEFUL... for the blessings which I can't count, the ones that I don't remember, the ones that I used to have but no longer enjoy, and the endless and unimaginable blessings I will be able to enjoy in the future.

I am GRATEFUL... that I have so many things to be grateful for.

A Curious Work

All I have to say about this last week is that.... wow. I never would have expected any of this.

So Dublan. We are missionaries assigned only to the Dublan ward. The Dublan ward is an English speaking ward.

Yep you read that right.

ENGLISH.

SPEAKING.

My first area in Mexico is an English speaking ward. I just about died!

It is an interesting first area to have because our "area" is anywhere in Casas Grandes that speaks English. Including those who live half an hour, an hour away, that would attend the English speaking ward in Dublan. We have about six young men and women who are descendants of the apostate group in Lebaron that are ready to be baptized. However we are working on the paperwork now because they have to be approved and interviewed by the First Presidency before they will be allowed to be baptized. We have met only two of the girls but they are absolutely wonderful and so ready for baptism. We pray every day that they will be able to be baptized soon. Both of these girls are already planning on serving missions.

We need more faith like this in the Church!

So the ward.

There are 17 families in this ward with the last name of Jones and the rest of the ward is probably related to them in some way. Well I know at least half the ward is somehow related to each other. 

Entonces... it has been more difficult to learn Spanish. We practice in the streets and sometimes with the members. Needless to say, it hasn´t been as rough of a transition here, and my companion is learning English very quickly!

The food... also American.

Although we traveled with Presidente Derbéz yesterday back to Juárez and we had gorditas (papas con queso) and that is about the only Mexican food I have had since being here. Oh yeah. I am in Juárez to see a neurologist for my migraines. We hope things will be ok and I will get better but things have been difficult in that respect. I spent half of Friday, all of Saturday and Sunday and this morning in bed. It has been rough but I know that things will work out the way they need to. 

Also... there has been so much rain here! Who would have thought I would use my umbrella this much in Juárez? It has rained every day, either during the day or at night after we have returned home. So it has been more humid here but the days have been cooler.

Mexico is so beautiful. I do love it here.

I don´t have my camera right now to send pictures or I would. Maybe in a little bit! 

Not much to report but I love you all and I miss you! 

Make me proud!

All my love,

First transfer meeting

Companions!! Taking a tour of the factory that our Bishop owns

Walking the streets of Dublan

A beautiful night for a companion selfie! :)

Sister Missionaries

My beautiful companion outside the family history center where we emailed

All my drugs. Actually this isn't even all of them. Ha

Spending the night in Cd. Juarez

Companions!!

Weird stuff they had in our house. Yeah... definitely NOT creepy.

We had a piano!

Hna Hernandez likes to practice playing the piano

With the lovely and beautiful Jones family

My companion and the other two Hnas we lived with! Hna Hernandez, Hna Ramirez and Hna Nunez

Dos días hasta el campo!

I don't have tons to share this week but I do have a lot of photos! 

This week was our last week in the MTC. Whoaaaaaa. Time flies. Ha! You think I'm kidding. It feels like we got here two weeks ago. 

We had a really amazing speaker on the Tuesday night devotional. It was Elder Joseph Sitati. In his talk, he said "Your success in life depends on whether or not you have a clear vision of where you're going." I don't know what the future holds right now. I have an idea, and I know where I want to go, and where I to end up, and who I want to be. I may only serve a mission for eighteen months, but I DO know that I can be a missionary for the rest of my life. It's my OBLIGATION, my RESPONSIBILITY to be a missionary throughout the rest of my life, formal missionary or not. That's why I- and you too- have been saved for the last days. Because we proved ourselves in premortal existence, and Heavenly Father knew that He could use our strengths and abilities in THIS day. 

I know I am meant to be here right now. So many things in my life have led up to this. So many people, so many little things that have guided me in the right direction. Heavenly Father has been with me all along, and He will not lead me astray because I have seen and recognized His hand in my life, and I know that all He wants is for me to be happy. I'll say again that I do not know what the future holds for me. 

This week has been our final week in the MTC, and while it's been exciting, it's also been nerve-wracking. I've learned a lot in the MTC about the ability and capability that we have to love those around us- whether it be our companion, our investigators, ward members, people on the street... I've always know that one of my strengths is my ability to love deeply those that I associate with. Other people make me happy- other people being happy is what makes me happiest. That's one of the reasons I knew it would be a good idea to serve a mission, and that I would be able to succeed as a missionary. Because other people are my joy.

We've met a lot of people in the MTC. Some difficult investigators, some difficult members of our district, some difficult people in general. We're going to meet a lot of people in our time in the field, and the important thing to remember is that we are expected to have a Christlike love for everyone. It's easy to teach the sweet, kind people that feed you normal food for dinner. But the real test is finding a love for those that shut the door in your face, or throw something at you as you walk by, or yell vulgar things at you in the grocery store. If we can find a love for someone that has such obvious disdain for you... that's when you begin to understand how Christ feels and what it means to have Christlike love. If you can honestly find love for every person on the street, and you can see their divine potential without even knowing their name- that's when you'll be able to be the best missionary, because you'll genuinely want to help them reach that potential. A similar, yet more potent love, exists between parent and child, but the love between a missionary and their investigator is as close as we can get in this time in our lives. Understanding that love and how to grow that love will help you as a missionary bring your investigators closer to Christ... and it will help bring us closer to Christ.

I love you all so much. I want you to know that, and I want you to know that no matter what happens, I will always be here for you. I'm here to help you and support you in whatever way you need me to. Please always remember that.

All my love,

Our district got to host the new missionaries!

Hosting :) 

Fútbol with the elders

with Hno Ashby

Mexicanos! 

With our friends Elder Rumsay and Elder Wood (our gym friends)

With Elders Labrum and Nielsen (our park friends)

With Hna Toleafoa

Last p-day temple visit with our teachers!

Gorgeous people :) 

With our district and Hna Toleafoa, Hno Ashby and Hno Rowley

With Elder Demars and Elder Nisson (our friends... but I don't remember where we met them)

With Elder (Max) Webb!!! and his companion Elder McQuivey. Max and I were in Madrigals together in high school (which was a loooooong time ago) and I flippin' love his guts and it's the highlight of my day when I get to see him