I salute you Mister.

He looked up and saluted the flag with honor and sincerity then put his hand back on the stirring-wheel and continued to drive up the freeway. He didn't know anyone was watching and yet he changed my life.  I don't know whether that particular flag meant something or if it was just his respect and honor for the symbolism that it holds, but he was wonderful.

I was driving my Durango up to Logan on Tuesday on my move back to this lovely Valley. Just off I-15 there are some warehouses and on top of one particularly high building flies the American flag. The flag has been there for as long as I can remember and never before have I thought anything of it. But watching this man be so respectful and so sincere caught me off guard.

I have been blessed with the opportunity of living in such a wonderful country. I am free to take pictures, to drive, to eat food I want. I am free to go to school, to have friends of all walks of life, I am free to have religion in my life and to worship the way I want. I am free. Free to read, to write, to state my opinion and to choose for myself the course of my life. I can't even comprehend life without the opportunities that these freedoms have provided me.

And it wasn't until this man saluted this flag that I realized for myself the symbol of sacredness that the American Flag has. 

The rest of the drive to Logan I noticed the flags I passed along the road. Our country is free and as long as these flags fly there will be happiness in this country. The example that this man in the car next to mine set has been burned into my mind. This man who defines his character by the this act even though he didn't know anyone was watching. 

Let that flag fly and let it fly high forever.

Alarms: wake you up

Naps are a terrible cycle to get into, but I must say that I had a glorious 40 minute nap today. . . hence the reason I am awake now.

A cell phone was ringing, but it wasn't mine. . . and I wasn't quite sure where it was coming from. I stood in the back of the gymnasium up against the cold brick wall and looked for the owner. Hundreds of students were filing in and taking their seats, soon the Religion in Life devotional would start and a silence would blanket the room.

I stood in the back because I needed to leave early- I wanted to slip out with ease and simplicity.

The phone was still ringing and I found it quite odd that no one had turned it off yet. The student conducting the program had stood to welcome the crowds and to introduce the speaker - the ringing continued. By this point other students had heard the chimes of the obnoxious jingle and where looking to me to relieve them of the sound. . . 

I looked down.

Next to my feet was an abandoned coat and back pack. I bent down and leaned closer to the deserted articles and sure enough the sound grew louder. I scanned my surroundings for the owner, but I was alone.

What was I supposed to do?

I found the pocket that held the cellular device and squeezed the shape of the phone hoping to turn it off, and it worked. . . or so I thought.

I stood up to listen to the speaker and not even a minute had passed when the alarm went off again. I repeated the "pocket-squeeze" and again the ringing ended. I stood to listen. And then again not even a minute had passed with the alarm went off for a third time. The students on the back row looked back at me with looks of confusion. I smiled confused and returned my attention to the coat. . . I snoozed it again for the third time, but this time I knew I needed to dismiss the alarm.

Again I scanned the area for the owner of the coat - of the cell phone, but no one acknowledged me.

I reached into the pocket and for a moment felt like I was invading someone's privacy. I probably looked pretty sketchy as well considering the fact that I kept looking back and forth for anyone who would come running to turn off their phone. . . still no one.

The phone was small. I am not sure the make or model, but it looked like an old touch screen model, maybe a Motorola. I started flipping through screens looking for the alarm files.

By this point I felt like a complete creeper-thief-snoop-evil person who was searching for juicy details that will lead me to discover this person's hidden past. . . Yep, I was feeling uncomfortable to say the least. 

Alarms! found it.

There wasn't just one alarm either- the phone had nearly twelve different alarms set. I started to scroll down to find the disturbance responsible. As I scrolled though I couldn't help but read the titles of all the other alarms on the phone.

"Sings songs of happiness"

"Be grateful. Today is a beautiful day!"

"Run- because it will make you feel good"

"Smile because there is so much to smile about"

What kind of alarms were these?

I turned off the alarm setting. Put the phone back in the pocket and placed the coat back on the ground. Just the way I had found it. 

Returning to my previous position up agains the brick wall I tried to focus in on the speaker. But I couldn't. My mind was going wild about the phone with the weird alarms. 

Or were they weird?

Each day we live is beautiful, marvelous, wonderful and great. I know that I have been blessed with so much and I feel guilty about announcing this, but there are days that I can't help but complain, there are days where I just go through the motions of life and days that I don't recognize as significant at all. . . and how foolish am I for being so insensitive. 

The phone with the alarms was not mine. I don't know who owns it or why they set alarms that would remind them to cherish each day and to live with a heart full of gratitude. I do know that its ring changed my life though.

Each day is beautiful. 

Each day there are wondrous things to be discovered.

Each day there is something to smile about.

And sometimes we just need to be reminded.

Don't forget how great life is - because it is marvelous.

Work hard, but love harder.

I love having a plan and knowing exactly what I am going to be doing EVERY SECOND OF THE DAY.

Some days my planning is so compulsive that people could consider me as being OCD.

But I like it. I like having a schedule. . . most of the time-

Other times I rebel . . . like today.

I should be reading a lovely book called A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper


I could be getting ahead of my classes because this week is going to be wild to say the least.

However I find myself looking at pictures and contemplating BIG decisions.

In the back of my mind I am telling myself to be anxious and worried, but for some reason I am calmer

now than I have ever been in my entire life (not counting childhood) . . .

I don't have a plan.

And the plans I do have change constantly.

Yesterday during fast and testimony meeting my roommate bore her testimony and said,

"The only constant plan is the Plan of Salvation."

I like this eternal mentality.

Life is constantly changing and I can't predict one day from another, but I do know this.

The church is true.

Christ lives.

And Heavenly Father loves me more than I can even comprehend.

Indescribable, but so alive.  

As for tonight. . .

I am on a Spiritual-high.

I want to crawl out my window, stand on the roof  and sing songs of happiness.

I want to yell down to everyone who passes by and wish the a beautiful day.

I want to dance in a summer rain

And I want to climb a tree and sit there thinking about the world below.

Life is beautiful, marvelous and sweet.

I hope I never let a day go by without tasting all of its miraculous flavors.

Merry Monday to you all!

Work hard and love harder.

Thanksgiving.

I am 20-years old.
Twenty.
Some times I forget and say I am eighteen. . . that is not a spelling error.
I don't feel that old- and technically it isn't old at all.

When I was eleven I would steal the razors that my brothers shaved their faces with to shave my legs. (I wasn't suppose to shave until I turned twelve.) I have my own razor now, but I still feel like that little girl.

My twenty years have life have been full though. Each day blessings rain down on me and I have so much to be thankful for. So for my twenty-years I am giving twenty thanks.

1.     love

2.     prayer

3.     faith

4.     gospel

5.     family

6.     testimony

7.     opportunity

8.     determination

9.     optimism

10.   work ethic

11.   good health

12.   writing

13.   art

14.   communications

15.   charity

16.   service

17.   friendship

18.   laughter

19.   books

20.   sincerity





inspiration for blog post found here

Perspective.

I know.  I have blogged a lot lately. . .

goodness I have just had a lot to say and you obviously like reading!

Please, try to enjoy it as much as I do.

. . . and yes Shay, this is your shirt.  I have had it at college for nearly two months now- Thanks for letting me borrow it without asking!  Love you!

Today is my last day in Logan- until next school year of course.
I move home tomorrow and even though I am so excited for the change I know it is going to be bittersweet.  There has been a lot that has happened this year.  I have grown so much and yet, it is hard to believe that it is over.  Where did the days go?

Last semester at this time I was having a rough time.  I got more homesick than I had ever been and to encourage me I came up with the moto that "I am in Control"- check it out here.  And for a long time it really helped me to feel happy- after all I had total control on how I felt, whether I wanted to be happy or not was entirely my choice. . . . Or so I thought.  My perspective has change however, I am not entirely in control.  Now of course I an choose how I react to circumstance, but there is more to it than that.

I was reading some passages from my journal last night- I was on a journal kick and to be quite honest I didn't want to study for a final that I have today (I am really not all that worried for it though, I know the material- and no matter the outcome my grade will stay the same).  It was fun to read about some of the problems that I was going through and then as I would read on I would see how the Lord played a huge roll in the outcome.  Over and over again blessings were pouring from my treasured pages.  While reading I felt foolish in a sense to have gotten so down on myself.  I felt ridiculous for ever questioning "why"- when every little trial shaped me.

PERSPECTIVE.  Goodness gracious.  This word has so much meaning to me and it has taught me so many lessons.  Have you ever wondered what life looks through another person's eyes.  I do this a lot.  While carrying on a casual conversation I will wonder what it is like talking to me through another's eyes.  Different experiences, behaviors, values, beliefs change the way we look at things- Changes our perspective.  Oh what I would give sometimes to have the perspective of another being- of course I would never trade my own, but think how intense that would be.

HOLD THE PHONE.  Are you putting two and two together?  There is someone who has ultimate perspective.  The Lord.  There is nothing that He doesn't know and doesn't understand.  By the Atonement Jesus Christ suffered for not only our sins, but all our afflictions. (deep breath)  It is a simple, yet MARVELOUS truth.  He feels our highest highs and lowest lows, loving us through it all.  He is ALWAYS ready to help us up and guide us through our troubles IF we turn to Him.  The ultimate perspective.  He knows what we must go through to become the Kings and Queens of His kingdom.  Can you feel the truth?  Pray.

Love. Gratitude. and Joy.

11:33 PM (dedicated to my IWA squad)

It is my bed time, past it actually.  About a month ago, give or take a few days, I gave myself a bed time.  For a few reasons:

1. In institute I learned that when you have more rest you are more open to receive personal revelation because you are tuned into the Spirit.
2. I have started to get up early to go to the gym to work out- I have needed to get back to a schedule.
3. Early to bed, early to rise is just healthy- look it up.

Tonight however I am awake and as the minutes pass by (it is now 11:36 PM)  I am feeling guilty for staying up so late.  I just need to write though- writing is my escape.

I had the best time tonight.  It was the last activity for my IWA (Institute Women's Association) group and we went out with a bang.  I absolutely love Mama B and all the girls that surround me while I am there.  I feel so loved and so welcome!  The Lord loves me, knows me and has put these strong girls in my life to remind me of these simple truths.  I wish I could capture those feelings in a jar and whenever I needed a little pick-me-up I could just take some out of the jar and relive it all over again.  I do know that no matter what, those girls will always be there for me.

Top 10 Favorite things of tonights activity (no particular order):

1. Mama B's AMAZING FOOD!  We had soup in bread bowls- I can't describe the marvelousness!
2. Getting to REALLY know more of my IWA sisters!  They are just so perfectly lovely!
3. Mama B's house is so charming and Spiritual.
4. Testimony and story time! (LOVED THIS PART!)
5. Baring my testimony- it was such an overwhelming feeling
6. THE SPIRIT!
7. The love and unity I felt for everyone in the room.
8. Discovery of fellow blog-buddies! 
9. Laughing!  When the Rebekah Chapter gets together we GET TOGETHER!  'nuff said!
10. Drive to Lewiston!  (We didn't get lost! AND we didn't even have to turn around once!) 

It was simply marvelous in every way.  I am going to miss my girls and Mama B.

Current time 11:40 PM.

I have been on a roller coaster of sorts the last few days.  Not necessarily a bad roller coaster, but it has had its fair share of ups and downs.  One moment I am happy, the next sad- then I am hyper and bouncing off the walls, not too long after I find myself deep and concentrated on thoughts.  I will admit I called my mom on the phone Monday evening and just cried to her (if you know me I am not much of a crier) I felt better afterwards though.  

Maybe it is because it is the end of the year.  With everything coming to a head like an ugly zit just waiting to explode with forces of puss- aka: emotion and stress.  Actually that probably has a lot to do with it.  There are other factors too of course- there has to be.

Time: 11:46 PM.

I just got off of a Facebook chat with my mom.  She asked why I was still awake.  It made me laugh a little bit because when I was living at home there is no way I would be even closed to going to bed at this time.  We talked about my night and how great IWA was.  (If you haven't picked it up already I talk to my mom nearly every day,  usually more than once- I like talking to my mama.)  We also talked about some other things  that were weighing on my mind.  My mom always has the best advice, this is what she told me:

"One thing that I know that helps is to pray about all probolems not that things 

change but the way you look at things does."

I have been taught this principle since I was little, but little reminders help.  They help so much.  

Prayer is a powerful thing.  My Heavenly Father loves me, He thinks I am beautiful.  Oh HE LOVES ME and that is all I need.  Sometimes I forget and get caught up in the craziness of the world when all that really matters is the Love that I feel from my Savior.  Simple truths are so pure and beautiful.

Ending time: 11:54 PM.

This picture really has nothing to do with anything despite give you something pretty to look at while you read my post.  I took it last summer coming home from a movie with my friend Kaden.  It makes me excited for summer sun sets!

Can I just say. . .

CONFERENCE WAS AMAZING!

if you haven't listened to it do!

Click Here!

On Sunday I watched EIGHT (8) hours of General Conference.

I couldn't listen to the Saturday Sessions so I played catch up all of Sunday.

Those eight hours were worth it, even if by the end I felt like a little child in sacrament meeting waiting to go to primary!  

So many of the words spoken have applied to my life right now and I simply love it.

This church is true- I know it.  I feel it and the words that these men speak are words straight from the Lord.  If you don't take my word for it I challenge you to listen it these men with an open heart and you will feel it too!

Happy Tuesday!

Song of the Day! - dedicated to you ;)

It is a marvelous day today!  And to tell you the truth I can't exactly tell you why.  It snowed last night which usually leads me to being bummed, but no not today.  It is freezing outside, my pants are soaked clear up to mid calf, but still it is a beautiful day.  I am home for school on my break, I should be doing homework, but I can't.  I am too giddy for homework- my thoughts are running in circles and jumping up and down wanting to scream out at the top of my lungs!  In fact if we didn't have plastic on our windows I would open it right now and yell at the people standing in line at the bus stop and wish them a beautiful day!  (There is plastic on our windows to keep the cool air out- well at least that is what it is SUPPOSE to do. . . )

So yesterday I set up an appointment to change my major. . . FOR REALS this time.  I am actually going to go through with this, and I feel really good about it!   I am getting really excited to pursue this dream of mine.  Okay now for the my decision: I have decided to go into Journalism and Communications!  When I was younger I wanted to be an author, I wanted to write children's books.  Not very many people knew this, but then again growing up I wanted to be lots of things.  I do love writing though- I do it all the time.  This major also includes Human Relations which is another big thing I am interested in.  Life is good- I have direction and I love it.

Did I mention life is good?

It is.

And I love it.

Let it be known that I, Kelsie, am on a high! Dah! 

Hope your day is as splendid as mine! (:  

Love,

Miss Dawn

P.S. Last night was amazing.  Let me just say that I love having the Priesthood in my life.  Thanks guys! Really, thank you all so so much!

Yesterday I walked home barefoot in the rain.  It was beautiful!  I love the rain, it reminds me of all the good things on this earth-
Conference weekend was marvelous.
I could go into detail about how my eyes have been opened, about the spiritual experiences I had, all that I discovered about myself but I won't.  I can't.  Not here anyway-

Conference was amazing.  I don't think I could say it enough.
I went to the conference center on Saturday and was able to go to both sessions.  I now want to go every conference, at least one session.  I love it.
After conference I went home!  My home home, where my family is!  I didn't realized how much I missed them until I went home!  Sunday we celebrated my birthday-  I have so much love in my life.  I am so blessed.

I feel gratitude and love.
I feel motivated to improve my life and to follow everything the Lord said to us through the voices of his servants.  I feel empowered.  I feel invigorated.  I feel humble.  I feel hope because there is a future to hope for.  Life is good.  Life is beautiful.  Celebrate it.

I have made goals to improve my life since conference.

1. exercise every morning I have school-
2. study my scriptures daily
3. write in my journal daily
4. follow the Prophet in all things
5. Pray morning, evening, every meal, and when ever else I feel the need
6. give love
7. have patience
8. go to the temple- I live too close to pass up the opportunity
9. go to bed early
10. get on top of my studies

P.S. purple frozen grapes are simply the best ever!

two more feet!

I have noticed that I like to take pictures of my feet.  Bahaha!  

I am not one of those people who are grossed out by feet, in fact I am so grateful for them.  Can you imagine life without feet?  Gosh we are so blessed.

Today I walked up a hill 

I walked to my classes

I went to the store

I stood on my tip-toes

I pranced around

I crossed my ankles

I wiggled my toes

I picked off my toe nail polish

I ran up the stairs

. . . I ran back down the stairs

I stood up out of bed

I wore shoes

I walked in the grass with bare feet

I jumped off a curb

I got onto a bus

I stood in line to get ice cream

Marvelous isn't it? 

What a beautiful day.

I love Sundays.

I even love Fast-Sundays.

Today I have been touched.  I was humbled.  I was taught.  I absorbed.  I was humiliated. I was blessed. I was overjoyed.  I was loved.  I did love.

Finding joy in what I have right now. 

"There is no tomorrow to remember if we don't take time for today." President Monson

I am one who likes to make plans.  I spend days planning on what to do- even though I hate to admit this I like to be structured and organized when it comes to scheduling. . . I give all credit to this attribute of mine to my mother who has forever kept a daily planner.

Don't get me wrong I think it is super important to have a schedule and a plan, to always be prepared and on top of things, but sometimes we get too caught up in these calendars that we forget to live for today.

"Actively seeking happiness!"

Yesterday at women's conference President Monson did absolutely amazing!  Even by watching him enter the room on a t.v. screen I could feel the presence of the spirit.  He is a mighty warrior of the Lord. He said something that I have been processing through my head all last night and today- he quoted Mother Teresa saying, "If you judge people you have no time to love them."  I like that.  I want to always remember that.  So when I am walking down the street people watching I want to fall in love with them instead of pick them apart.  Think about it.  Love is amazing!