Tuesday, March 19, 2013

In Case You Missed It

For all those who couldn't be there yesterday, now you can watch Kaitlyn open her call. You get to see all of the reactions this way!!



So stinking happy for you Kaitlyn!

Monday, March 18, 2013

The Lesson

Alrighty then!! Now that the dust has settled a little bit (not for long though...) I can compose some of my thoughts!

First and foremost: I have been called by MY loving Heavenly Father to labor in the Pennsylvania Pittsburgh mission. I report to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) April 24th (approx. 37 days from now). Ok now that that is done!

I learned a lesson, because when is God not trying to make us better than we can imagine. As I worked to submit my mission papers and waited for my call, I was given the trial of learning patience. I had to understand that I can't control everything.

I expected my call on Friday March 15th. No luck. Then I thought for sure I would get the best birthday present a girl could ask for. Still nothing. I was devastated. Why was I not receiving my call??? I was forced to my knees in humility. I realized I am not serving a mission for me! This isn't about me at all (ok just a tiny bit) but this is Heavenly Father's work. I am just a tool in His very capable and reliable hands. When I realized that this is God's work and that He gets to call the shots, not me, I received my call to Pennsylvania.

I opened my call, surrounded by people who love me and want the very best for me. Even the people who couldn't be here physically were able to hear where the Lord was sending me. I was emotional and as one of my very amazing friends said...The Spirit was there. I knew the second I read my destination for the next 18 months, that that is where I need to be.

I know that the Lord gave me this trial to strengthen me, for His children in Pennsylvania. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God. He is truly the Lord's mouthpiece at this time. I know that Joseph Smith is also a prophet of God and that he restored the true gospel to this earth under the direction of Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I know my Savior lives and that He loves me. He is mindful of my weaknesses and strengthens me daily. I am so grateful to be serving the people of Pittsburgh and cannot wait to get out into the mission field.

Katie

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Anticipation!!!

Soooo, my beautiful and lovely cousin Juli, and her awesome husband Nick helped put this wonderful blog together so my familia can keep track of me when the Lord sends me off to where I need to be.

Right now, I am approximately 5 days away from opening my official mission call......and I am dying!!! I want to know so badly where I will be serving the Lord for the next 18 months.

Since it is Sunday and all, I was listening in the car as I drove to church, mission prep, and my friend's open house before he leaves on his mission, I was listening to The Miracle by Jenny Phillips (love her music!!!). It talks about Christ's life and His death and most importantly, Him living again. I sat in the car just pondering what the Savior means to me. He is everything. I would be no where good without my loving Elder Brother's guidance in my life every single day.


(Here is one of Kaitlyn's favorite songs from the cd she was listening to!)

This is why I am serving a mission. I know God loves me. I know my family is safe within His plan. I know the true gospel; I have answers that people ask themselves everyday. I am SO blessed and I want others to notice the love that God has for them as His children. I would be SO ungrateful to Him if I did not serve at this time. This is what I am meant to do.

"Surely there is a way for people of goodwill who love God and have taken upon themselves the name of Christ to stand together for the cause of Christ and against the forces of sin. In this we have every right to be bold and believing, for “if God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
You serve and preach, teach and labor in that confidence, and so do I. And in doing so, I believe we can trust in the next verse from Romans as well: “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” I truly believe that if across the world we can all try harder not to separate each other from the “love of Christ,” we will be “more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Romans 8:32, 35, 37)."
       
Waiting for Friday....
Katie (p.s. this is what my mom calls me soooo...it'll stick like everything else she decides to give nickname.)