2015 is almost over what. Really? Yes.
Im still alive and such grateful for that very much so.
It has been one heck of a year.
Graduating, moving over 1000 miles across the country, dealing with my new found independence.
I also dealt with somewhat surviving my first semester of college and not having family super close
I wouldn't change anything that happened for the world.
I mean yeah there has been some not so great moments this year. I am not going to lie. This year has been so eye opening.
But. I have never been so firm in what I believe in. I have realized that giving up isn't an option. I have realized just because someone says that they love you doesn't mean you are the only person they are saying that too. It also doesn't mean that they are gonna stick around forever too. People change and promises are broken.
One thing stays the same.
The fact that I still have the gospel and my best friends around me still.
I honestly would not have survived without ether one of those things. They have heard me rant and rave about the stupid boy and my homesickness. They get food with me whenever and enjoy the temple trips I ask them to go with me on.
I can't really complain about anything that happened this year.
It hasn't been too bad.
I have grown so much in the gospel and I have never been so thankful for that.
I am grateful for all the opportunities that I have had this year. Whether its been through church or school or just whatever it has been amazing.
I am so beyond excited for what 2016 brings!
Bring on whatever you want me to take on!
Until 2016!
-Kyrsten
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
2 Years
My timehop today reminded me that December 8th was a special day.
Two years ago, it was just a Sunday.
Not just any Sunday well depends on the person.
To me, I was an angry sixteen year old being dragged back to Church for the first time in four years.
Wasn't I in for a treat?
I was angry and mad at the entire world for something that was out of my control. I had to move an hour away from everything I knew.
Who knew that the gospel would be all I need?
I went in that Sunday thinking it was going to be terrible. All these crazy people trying to get me to do something that I didn't believe in anymore.
I left that day happier than I had been in a long time.
In the past two years, I have served as a primary teacher and laurels president in my ward. I have made great connections with some missionaries who actually all but three are home. Funny thing right?
I have grown a testimony in the gospel that saved my life.
I currently attend Brigham Young University-Idaho which is a church school.
No one ever saw that coming. If you would ask the now return missionaries if they ever thought I would return back to church they would laugh at you. I told them I was never going back.
Hence, the angry sixteen year old.
The past two years have been the craziest two years. No they have not been easy.
I have spent days crying and being angry but never as angry as I was two years ago.
I have been through trials and such but I know that He is there listening to me and guiding me.
He loves me. He has a plan for me.
I have to thank my parents for making me go to church two years ago. My life would never be the same.
I have realized that having faith is such an important thing. He is always there for us. He is the light in the darkness.
I am so thankful for the gospel and the second chance at life it has given me. It has blessed me in more ways than anything. Hey it gave me my best friend and I wouldn't change that friendship for the world. I am very thankful for the missionaries who didn't give up on me or my family for that part ether.
I am not perfect but no means. But I am so thankful that someday I can return to Him.
I wouldn't change the last two years to save my life.
I am not the same person I was two years ago. Reflecting back on it, I was very bitter and mad.
I still have bad days and rough patches but I get through it with faith and hope that it will make me stronger.
I love this gospel. I don't have the best testimony of the world but I strive to learn more so it can grow.
Two years really make a difference. Just go ask any return missionary.
-Kyrsten
Two years ago, it was just a Sunday.
Not just any Sunday well depends on the person.
To me, I was an angry sixteen year old being dragged back to Church for the first time in four years.
Wasn't I in for a treat?
I was angry and mad at the entire world for something that was out of my control. I had to move an hour away from everything I knew.
Who knew that the gospel would be all I need?
I went in that Sunday thinking it was going to be terrible. All these crazy people trying to get me to do something that I didn't believe in anymore.
I left that day happier than I had been in a long time.
In the past two years, I have served as a primary teacher and laurels president in my ward. I have made great connections with some missionaries who actually all but three are home. Funny thing right?
I have grown a testimony in the gospel that saved my life.
I currently attend Brigham Young University-Idaho which is a church school.
No one ever saw that coming. If you would ask the now return missionaries if they ever thought I would return back to church they would laugh at you. I told them I was never going back.
Hence, the angry sixteen year old.
The past two years have been the craziest two years. No they have not been easy.
I have spent days crying and being angry but never as angry as I was two years ago.
I have been through trials and such but I know that He is there listening to me and guiding me.
He loves me. He has a plan for me.
I have to thank my parents for making me go to church two years ago. My life would never be the same.
I have realized that having faith is such an important thing. He is always there for us. He is the light in the darkness.
I am so thankful for the gospel and the second chance at life it has given me. It has blessed me in more ways than anything. Hey it gave me my best friend and I wouldn't change that friendship for the world. I am very thankful for the missionaries who didn't give up on me or my family for that part ether.
I am not perfect but no means. But I am so thankful that someday I can return to Him.
I wouldn't change the last two years to save my life.
I am not the same person I was two years ago. Reflecting back on it, I was very bitter and mad.
I still have bad days and rough patches but I get through it with faith and hope that it will make me stronger.
I love this gospel. I don't have the best testimony of the world but I strive to learn more so it can grow.
Two years really make a difference. Just go ask any return missionary.
-Kyrsten
Monday, December 7, 2015
Trials and Tribulations
What is the first thing you do when you realize you are facing a trial?
Do you get on your hands and knees and pray? Or do you just try to figure it out by yourself and face it.
I am not gonna lie, I have done both.
In reality it is so hard.
It is hard for the fact that sometimes the trial you have just swallows you up and you feel so lost and like nothing is going to go right. You just want to give up.
In some sort way, there is a light in that tunnel.
Faith is such a key aspect in realizing that things get better and something good comes out of trials. You become such a stronger person when you go through a huge trial.
This semester has been the craziest eye opener for me. I have learned how to develop a huge testimony of faith and hope especially with the trials that I have faced this semester.
Faith is one of the biggest things that we need to develop. It is important to know that He will always be there for us no matter what we go through.
Sometimes it is hard to have a little faith but turning to Him in our times of need is so important.
I have grown such a huge testimony of faith in the last couple of weeks. I have dealt with some pretty crazy stuff and a few stupid people along the way but I always pray about what I can do better and about His plan for me.
It brings me such comfort that He listens. I believe everything happens for a reason and that we just have to find a little light in every terrible situation no matter what is going on.
Things get better. It may not be today or even tomorrow but they always do.
-Kyrsten
Do you get on your hands and knees and pray? Or do you just try to figure it out by yourself and face it.
I am not gonna lie, I have done both.
In reality it is so hard.
It is hard for the fact that sometimes the trial you have just swallows you up and you feel so lost and like nothing is going to go right. You just want to give up.
In some sort way, there is a light in that tunnel.
Faith is such a key aspect in realizing that things get better and something good comes out of trials. You become such a stronger person when you go through a huge trial.
This semester has been the craziest eye opener for me. I have learned how to develop a huge testimony of faith and hope especially with the trials that I have faced this semester.
Faith is one of the biggest things that we need to develop. It is important to know that He will always be there for us no matter what we go through.
Sometimes it is hard to have a little faith but turning to Him in our times of need is so important.
I have grown such a huge testimony of faith in the last couple of weeks. I have dealt with some pretty crazy stuff and a few stupid people along the way but I always pray about what I can do better and about His plan for me.
It brings me such comfort that He listens. I believe everything happens for a reason and that we just have to find a little light in every terrible situation no matter what is going on.
Things get better. It may not be today or even tomorrow but they always do.
-Kyrsten
Thursday, December 3, 2015
BYUI and Beyond
The semester is almost done and over with so I decided I should make some blog post.
It's weird but good at the same time.
I came to BYUI in September scared and with some tiny testimony that I had to build on my own because inactivity was all around me and that was the last thing I ever wanted.
I moved over 1000 miles away from everything I had ever known and that excited me and scared me all at the same time.
I thought oh this is gonna be easy. Yeah well I was wrong.
I also had the next two years planned out. First do a semester of school. Then serve a mission. After I come home get married in the temple. Simple enough right?
Heavenly Father laughed at my face and decided that other things were in store for me. I started going to the temple regularly and just praying constantly if everything that I was doing was right.
I hit a rough patch in my faith when I was told that I wasn't meant to serve a mission. I had spent the last two years preparing. I even took a mission prep class. Getting the answer no was probably the most difficult thing to hear.
I did eventually come to terms with it. It is hard especially when some of your close friends are going on missions and you are stuck where you are at.
I have really discovered my purpose of being here. Of course it is to get an education. I love being a communication major. It is challenging but I love writing and learning about the styles and being challenged.
I needed to become closer to Christ. Coming from an inactive family it is so hard. I love my family more than words but having that be an constant argument really puts a damper on how you see things.
I would envy families who all go to church together and are all active. Heck, I still do a point.
I have learned I don't need my family to build my own testimony. I love this gospel more than words. It has saved my life many years ago and I will forever be grateful for it.
I realized that someday when I settle down with my own family that they will have the gospel and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that we will go as a family. They will know that their parents love them and want them to feel the same joy that they do when they live the teachings of the Church.
This semester has not been easy. I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to throw in the towel and be like bye BYUI im done. I will never forget the blessing I got right before I came out here. The words, "He is your constant companion. He has a plan for you."
I'm probably only sane because of the wonderful friends I have made in the last couple of months and the couple friendships that I have strengthened recently.
I love BYUI and I am thankful to attend this university. It has given me a new outlook on life and the future ahead. It has brought me much closer to my Father in Heaven and I am so grateful for it.
Never Give Up!
-Kyrsten
It's weird but good at the same time.
I came to BYUI in September scared and with some tiny testimony that I had to build on my own because inactivity was all around me and that was the last thing I ever wanted.
I moved over 1000 miles away from everything I had ever known and that excited me and scared me all at the same time.
I thought oh this is gonna be easy. Yeah well I was wrong.
I also had the next two years planned out. First do a semester of school. Then serve a mission. After I come home get married in the temple. Simple enough right?
Heavenly Father laughed at my face and decided that other things were in store for me. I started going to the temple regularly and just praying constantly if everything that I was doing was right.
I hit a rough patch in my faith when I was told that I wasn't meant to serve a mission. I had spent the last two years preparing. I even took a mission prep class. Getting the answer no was probably the most difficult thing to hear.
I did eventually come to terms with it. It is hard especially when some of your close friends are going on missions and you are stuck where you are at.
I have really discovered my purpose of being here. Of course it is to get an education. I love being a communication major. It is challenging but I love writing and learning about the styles and being challenged.
I needed to become closer to Christ. Coming from an inactive family it is so hard. I love my family more than words but having that be an constant argument really puts a damper on how you see things.
I would envy families who all go to church together and are all active. Heck, I still do a point.
I have learned I don't need my family to build my own testimony. I love this gospel more than words. It has saved my life many years ago and I will forever be grateful for it.
I realized that someday when I settle down with my own family that they will have the gospel and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that we will go as a family. They will know that their parents love them and want them to feel the same joy that they do when they live the teachings of the Church.
This semester has not been easy. I can't tell you how many times I have wanted to throw in the towel and be like bye BYUI im done. I will never forget the blessing I got right before I came out here. The words, "He is your constant companion. He has a plan for you."
I'm probably only sane because of the wonderful friends I have made in the last couple of months and the couple friendships that I have strengthened recently.
I love BYUI and I am thankful to attend this university. It has given me a new outlook on life and the future ahead. It has brought me much closer to my Father in Heaven and I am so grateful for it.
Never Give Up!
-Kyrsten
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Endless Miracles
I know I had a post like Sunday but who cares right?
I have a firm belief that everything happens for a reason. I know for a fact that we each have a unique plan that our Father in Heaven has for us.
Why did He not want me to serve a mission after telling me that I was going to go for months and months? Especially after two mini missions and me almost starting my papers. He has a plan and slowly I am seeing that.
My best friend called me out on my feelings yesterday and it really tested me in more ways in one. Hello he doesn't need to know how I feel. He has like ten weeks left no thanks. Then he made me tell him.
Clicking the send button after telling him was the most nerve wracking twenty minutes. I was like freaking out because losing him would suck.
He has literally been my support system this semester. He has made sure I have stayed completely sane and he is my connection to the Great Ohio!
So when he told me that he felt the same way oh man.
Things never work out for me. I have been praying about this single things for months. And ive gotten the same answer for months.
Be patient the time will come.
Well hello friends I only have to wait ten weeks.
Now you are probably like okay why the heck is this a miracle.
Because for the last week or so everything has been falling into place. I have been feeling the Spirit more. I have been listening to promptings more. I am also getting my patriarchal blessing soon.
I haven't been this excited and happy about things in awhile. Things are finally falling into place. It is insane!
I don't think I can go into detail of how excited I am about the future. It is so bright and full of joy.
I have a firm belief that everything happens for a reason. I know for a fact that we each have a unique plan that our Father in Heaven has for us.
Why did He not want me to serve a mission after telling me that I was going to go for months and months? Especially after two mini missions and me almost starting my papers. He has a plan and slowly I am seeing that.
My best friend called me out on my feelings yesterday and it really tested me in more ways in one. Hello he doesn't need to know how I feel. He has like ten weeks left no thanks. Then he made me tell him.
Clicking the send button after telling him was the most nerve wracking twenty minutes. I was like freaking out because losing him would suck.
He has literally been my support system this semester. He has made sure I have stayed completely sane and he is my connection to the Great Ohio!
So when he told me that he felt the same way oh man.
Things never work out for me. I have been praying about this single things for months. And ive gotten the same answer for months.
Be patient the time will come.
Well hello friends I only have to wait ten weeks.
Now you are probably like okay why the heck is this a miracle.
Because for the last week or so everything has been falling into place. I have been feeling the Spirit more. I have been listening to promptings more. I am also getting my patriarchal blessing soon.
I haven't been this excited and happy about things in awhile. Things are finally falling into place. It is insane!
I don't think I can go into detail of how excited I am about the future. It is so bright and full of joy.
I am so thankful for this gospel. It brings so much joy and happiness to my life. I want to end with a scripture that means a lot to me and it just describes how much love I have for this Church.
2 Nephi 31:20-21 from the Book of Mormon says, "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen."
I love you all and I am so glad that you guys support me with my blog! Thanks for everything!
Until next time!
-Kyrsten
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