Making Sense of Things

So today I am pretty depressed. I am not usually a sad person. I don't get my feather's ruffled easily. I don't get upset very often. I consider that to be one of my best God given talents. I am resiliant. Today, however,  I am legitimately sad. I am still in my PJ's. I have no motivation to do anything. That is one reason you know you are having a hard day...

I know that everyone is sick of reading about, talking about, and hearing about the election. Myself included. But we live in America, and the political process is important. Also, I need to put my thoughts down in an organized matter or else my head honestly may explode. 

I am sad that Obama is going to be our president again. I wish that it were different, but we have survived the past four years and we will survive the next four. He is the President of the United States of America and I support him. I support any president who will support the constitution, even if I don't agree with everything they do. 

I had faith that things would turn out otherwise, but my heart and my mind kept telling me that too many people didn't want it to be so. THAT RIGHT THERE is what makes me sad. Not President Obama himself. He is fine. The fact that so many people in America were not willing to listen and learn and keep an open mind is what is so frustrating. The fact that so many people are relying on government for everything is so frustrating. The fact that people did not vote for Romney because of his conservative stance on moral issues is so frustrating.

People want free birth control from our government. They would rather have our country provide for them then learn to provide for themselves. I know that not everyone thinks this way or is this way. There are people out there who legitimately need help. I want them to succeed. I just personally think that Mitt Romney's plan would have better helped them to succeed. 

My roommate Emma served her mission in London and we were talking about England the other day. She told me that in the United Kingdom if you get pregnant out of wedlock and the baby's father is not going to provide for you, the government will give you a home. Excuse me? This is the problem with socialism. I know that America will not go that far, but I still think the best way to help someone is to allow them to suffer the natural consequence of their choices and then help them learn how to provide for themselves. After all, that is how God teaches us. Also: it is our job as family members and friends to help those in need - NOT the government's job.

You may be thinking, "Kate, you silly girl. You come from an affluent family. You come from a good home. You have never had to suffer such consequences. You don't know what it is like..." You are wrong. Just like you were wrong when you said Mitt doesn't know what it is like to suffer because he is rich. My parents have allowed me to suffer the consequences of my own choices, and I have made some stupid decisions. My family is willing to help me, but I still have to pay the price for the choices that I make. That is how you become independent. That is how you know you are an adult. 

Mostly I just feel so sad for Mitt Romney today. He worked so hard and he came SO. CLOSE. Think of all the time, the effort, and the money that he spent. I would have felt bad for President Obama had he lost. I always feel sorry for the Loser. I started watching the speech that Mitt made last night and I didn't even make it a minute in. Part of it is pride. I won't be watching the news or getting on Twitter anytime soon. Most of all I just feel empty inside and sad for Mitt. Sad seems like a stupid word. I am sad when the Cougars don't win a football game. This is so worse.  I know Mitt will be fine. I still feel sad. Sad for Mitt Romney - and even more sad for the country that will never have him as a president.  I am sad for my country that she lost such an incredible opportunity. 

I am sad for my state. I am from Washington. Gay marriage and marijuana are officially legal there now. I have nothing against people who are gay or people who use drugs, but I am tired of others telling me that I am judgmental because I believe these things are wrong. You can't have a country where everything is OK and everyone can just do whatever they want. That is called anarchy. It is chaos. It have never worked in the past and it will not work today. 

I feel a little bit today like our Heavenly Father must feel with us sometimes. I feel I know what is best for our country in the long run because I can see the bigger picture. It is frustrating because I can see SO CLEARLY what is best and people obviously don't care. They don't want it. They want something else entirely. They have to suffer the consequences of their choices because God believes very strongly in a thing called agency. Stupid agency. I have often wondered why God doesn't intervene more aggressively in our lives from time to time. Now I know. Agency. He always lets us decide. Stupid agency. 

Some people have been posting in frustration "WHAT IS THE POINT OF EVEN VOTING?!" To them I say - because the righteous will always stand up for what is right even if they are the last people on the earth to believe in their cause. Take some comfort from Mormon and Moroni in the Book of Mormon. They know a little bit about that. They saw their entire civilization destroyed. Thank Goodness I don't have to watch that! I say unto you as Mormon said unto his son Moroni,

 "My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever.

And may the grace of God the Father, whose throne is high in the heavens, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who sitteth on the right hand of his power, until all things shall become subject unto him, be, and abide with you forever. Amen."

I do have faith in our country and faith in the future and I have no doubt in mind that God is very much aware of each of us and our struggles and He is aware of this country and it's president. As Elder Holland puts it, "Trust in God and have faith in good things to come." As President Monson puts it, "Your future is as bright as your faith." Good things will come. I am still allowed to be sad for today. Just for today. Eventually this will all blow over. 

Think of all the amazing missionary opportunities the elders and sisters serving missions are going to have partially because Mitt Romney ran for president and sparked an interest in the Mormon church. That is pretty cool. I am just sad that it can't continue. BUT I am happy for the opportunity I have to vote and to express my opinion. I would not have it any other way. 

  

The First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement Tuesday:

We congratulate President Obama on winning a second term as President of the United States.

After a long campaign, this is now a time for Americans to come together. It is a long tradition among Latter-day Saints to pray for our national leaders in our personal prayers and in our congregations. We invite Americans everywhere, whatever their political persuasion, to pray for the President, for his administration and the new Congress as they lead us through difficult and turbulent times. May our national leaders reflect the best in wisdom and judgment as they fulfill the great trust afforded to them by the American people.

We also commend Governor Romney for engaging at the highest level of our democratic process, which, by its nature, demands so much of those who offer themselves for public service. We wish him and his family every success in their future endeavors.

Personal Biographical Sketch

So for my Genealogy and Family History class we had to write a personal and biographical sketch to our future posterity. The point is to inform them about our life and help them get through whatever they will face in the future...WHO KNOWS? Here is mine. We were suppose to keep it under two pages. That is why it isn't super detailed.

                My name is Katelyn Michael Christensen. I was born on the 24^th day of September, 1988 to Michael and Lisa Christensen. I only weighed four pounds at birth. I could fit in the palm of my father's hand and had to wear special tiny clothes made by my aunt Irma because I was so small.  However, I have always been a fighter.  My parents and the doctors were worried about how someone so small could flourish in this big world, but I was determined to do everything my brothers and friends did.

                I grew up in a small agricultural community in heart of the state of Washington called Royal City. I love the Pacific Northwest and I especially loved being a small town farm girl. I was always outside climbing trees and running around barefoot. I also had a slight obsession with princesses and costumes and was rarely found in normal, everyday clothing. It is sometimes difficult when looking at pictures of me as a little girl to determine if it was Halloween or just a normal day in the life of Princess Kate.

My dad also grew up in Washington and several of his siblings stayed close to home as well, so besides my own siblings, Riley, Jace, and Lindsey,  I was blessed to have many cousins and my grandparents living in the same town. My mother grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. Some of my other happiest childhood memories involve visiting my maternal grandparents for Spring Break and Christmas. If you are reading this because you are my child you should know that you come from a very wonderful family. We are not perfect, but we love each other and we love the Lord.

                As a little girl I loved school. I loved to read and I loved to learn. I was a good student and one of the blessings that I most enjoyed about living in a small town was the ability to participate in my High School in any way that I wanted to. I was not a brilliant athlete like my brothers and sister were, but I did participate in Softball, Tennis, Soccer, Drill Team, and Cheerleading. I was also Class president for three out of the four years I spent in High School, Royal City’s Jr. Miss 2006, a state finalist in the Public Speaking event for Future Business Leaders of America, and an elected city mayor at Evergreen Girls State. As previously mentioned, I enjoyed being involved and it became harder at BYU.

                When I was nine years old I diagnosed with a chromatic abnormality called Turner Syndrome. I remember very distinctly being measured by the school nurse and having her tell me that I grew half an inch in the past year. I didn’t know how much that was. I thought it was a lot. She sounded positive.  I happily told my parents, “Hey! Guess what? I grew half an inch this past year…” They were very concerned. That is when we took our first trip to Children’s hospital in Seattle and met Doctor Gunther. He diagnosed me with Turner Syndrome.

                After my diagnoses my life changed in two was. First, I frequently visited Children’s Hospital and I was able to associate with many children who were very sick and dying. I learned that each of us are very blessed and should be thankful for everything we have.  I also started taking daily Growth Hormone injections. This was difficult at first, but I was able to learn that we can all do hard things. Today  as an adult woman I only stand 4 foot  10 inches tall, but I love every inch of my almost five foot frame.

                After high school I attended Brigham Young University. I loved my time at the Y. I met some of my closest and dearest friends there and I learned some of life’s most valuable lessons during my time as a college student. I enjoyed living in Utah and getting to know my mother’s family better.

                I was able to spend a semester abroad in Israel at the BYU Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. It was a wonderful time in my life. I love the Holy Land and I hope to go back someday. My respect for other people and different cultures grew and my testimony of Jesus Christ as our living Lord and Savior was strengthened.  A desire to serve a mission was planted during my time in Jerusalem. I especially loved Galilee and how beautiful and peaceful it was. I really felt the spirit there and I can see why the savior spent so much time on the coast.

                After returning from Jerusalem I began my studies in the field of Communication Disorders. I originally was thinking about becoming an elementary education teacher. However, I have two aunts who are Speech Language Pathologist and they convinced me to peruse a Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology. It has been a very good decision and I love my major. There are not many career opportunities out there where you have the ability to help people and receive good pay for it. It is a very rewarding career and I enjoy learning about how to restore the human necessity of communication to those who have lost it. When you restore a person’s ability to communicate you restore broken relationships and it a joy to see the tiny every day progress that people make.

                While working as an Especially for Youth counselor  on BYU Campus the summer after returning home from Israel I was called to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the Texas Houston Mission. I was called to preach the gospel in the Spanish Language.  The experience was the most difficult thing that I have done up until this point in my life, but I would not trade any of the experiences that I had or the lessons that I learned for anything. I love the people of Texas and I grew as a person in ways that I could never imagine. I now teach Spanish at the Missionary Training Center.

                My life has not always been easy, but I have tried to work hard and be happy and follow the Savior. One thing that I learned on my mission is that faith plus obedience equals miracles. I know that as you do your best, the Lord will always be there to lift you and sustain you. Here’s to another 23 years – and hopefully a lot more than that. 

                                                                        CHEERS

Back to Blogging

I have taken a two month break from blogging. It was nice for what it was, but I have missed it and I am not really great a keeping a journal. This is probably the only way my children will ever know if I even lived and what I was interested in. Long story short: I'MMMMMMM BACK. Lucky you. HAHA! Most of you probably didn't even notice that I was gone. Like I said, mostly this is a blog to help me organize my life and I really don't care if it is interesting to you as a reader, but you are welcome to stop by anytime.

Things that I am currently obsessed with:

1. FALL

 Let's be honest. This is my favorite time of year. It is BEAUTIFUL outside and the sun still shines, but the afternoon is nice and crisp and you can wear jeans and boots and scarves without burning up. It includes my birthday and Halloween, two of the best days of the year in my opinion. I blame part of this on Pintrest. You can follow me there if you wish. Basically in my mind I am going to be awesome housewife. Look at all these adorable fall crafts:

Speaking of which...what should I be for Halloween? Seriously. I need ideas....Last year I went to the Hale Center Theater to look at their costumes for rent with a friend. Let me just say it was one of the highlights of my life. I do so love a good costume. Here are some ideas from the theater just to get your mind jogging. Really. You should post an idea.

I am sad that Riley left. The four of us were suppose to be the Mystery Gang. It is so perfect...

2. School

Everyone should have a semester where they only have to take two classes to graduate and can take whatever other classes they want. It is THE BEST. I am taking a world dance class. I am taking a genealogy class. I am taking creative writing and LDS Marriage and Family from Brother Newell. It is the best semester. Besides the one I spend in Israel. Check out THAT experience at www.katechristensen.blogspot.com 

3. Fall entertainment

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THIS: 

or THIS

or THIS 

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/watch/downtonabbey3_preview.html

Apparently I like period pieces. Who knew? What movies and fall TV shows are you looking foreword to? 

Life is good. I have no idea what is going to happen after December, but I am really not worried about it. It will all work out the way that it needs to work out. I will keep you updated. Enjoy TODAY. 

The One Where America is 236 Years Old

Yesterday was the 4th of July. After all this time in Provo I finally went to the famous Provo City Freedom Festival Parade. It was a fun experience. I had a lovely day. I really love our country.

Last week I went to the Sound of Music at the Hale Center Theater with a friend. Remember when Captain Von Trapp is called to the German Navy and refuses to go because he does not support Hitler and the Nazis?  He and his family are forced to leave their homeland of Austria and cross the mountains to Switzerland in the middle of the night. That's right - those of you uncultured people thought this was a sticky sweet movie about singing nuns and a silly nanny. WRONG...kind of. Before they leave they sing in a festival as a family and Gayorg gives this speech before he sings Adlewise, a beautiful Austrian song. At least watch between minutes 1 and 4...

"My fellow...Austrians. 
I shall not be seeing you again for perhaps a very long time. I would like to sing for you now a love song. I know you share this love. I pray that you will never let it die."

Enter tears as he sings - not just because of the two sweet older veterans crying and singing along in the front row of the theater who probably fought in this war, but because I feel this way about our country and I hope that all of you do as well.

AND SO - my fellow Americans, I would like to share with you the lyrics to another love song. I know that you share this love and I pray that you will never let it die.

O say can you see by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;
O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

O thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation.
Blest with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

The One Where I Am Ready To Run

My family is on some kind of "health kick" lately and apparently we are running RAGNAR next year. I went to the gym and did two miles THREE TIMES this past week. I also attended a Cycling class with Lindsey...Did I mention that she is living here now? ; ) Let me just say that my body hurts...

HERE WE COME - 2013

RAGNAR

The One With The Crazy Commencement Speech

Apparently a certain english teacher gave THIS speech at graduation, and all of the parents freaked out. WHY? Because it is entitled "You Are Not Special." Don't stop reading. This is an interesting speech and it has some interesting points.

"Here we are on a literal level playing field. That matters. That says something. And your ceremonial costume… shapeless, uniform, one-size-fits-all. Whether male or female, tall or short, scholar or slacker, spray-tanned prom queen or intergalactic X-Box assassin, each of you is dressed, you’ll notice, exactly the same.  And your diploma… but for your name, exactly the same." 

"You are not special.  You are not exceptional."

"Contrary to what your soccer trophy suggests, your glowing seventh grade report card, despite every assurance of a certain corpulent purple dinosaur, that nice Mister Rogers and your batty Aunt Sylvia, no matter how often your maternal caped crusader has swooped in to save you… you’re nothing special."

"Yes, you’ve been pampered, cosseted, doted upon, helmeted, bubble-wrapped. Yes, capable adults with other things to do have held you, kissed you, fed you, wiped your mouth, wiped your bottom, trained you, taught you, tutored you, coached you, listened to you, counseled you, encouraged you, consoled you and encouraged you again. You’ve been nudged, cajoled, wheedled and implored. You’ve been feted and fawned over and called sweetie pie. Yes, you have. And, certainly, we’ve been to your games, your plays, your recitals, your science fairs.  Absolutely, smiles ignite when you walk into a room, and hundreds gasp with delight at your every tweet. Why, maybe you’ve even had your picture in the Townsman! And now you’ve conquered high school… and, indisputably, here we all have gathered for you, the pride and joy of this fine community, the first to emerge from that magnificent new building…"

"But do not get the idea you’re anything special.  Because you’re not."

" “But, Dave,” you cry, “Walt Whitman tells me I’m my own version of perfection!  Epictetus tells me I have the spark of Zeus!”  And I don’t disagree.  So that makes 6.8 billion examples of perfection, 6.8 billion sparks of Zeus. " 

 "If you’ve learned anything in your years here I hope it’s that education should be for, rather than material advantage, the exhilaration of learning.  You’ve learned, too, I hope, as Sophocles assured us, that wisdom is the chief element of happiness.  (Second is ice cream…  just an fyi)  I also hope you’ve learned enough to recognize how little you know… how little you know now… at the moment… for today is just the beginning.  It’s where you go from here that matters."

"Resist the easy comforts of complacency, the specious glitter of materialism, the narcotic paralysis of self-satisfaction.  Be worthy of your advantages.  And read… read all the time… read as a matter of principle, as a matter of self-respect.  Read as a nourishing staple of life.  Develop and protect a moral sensibility and demonstrate the character to apply it.  Dream big.  Work hard.  Think for yourself.  Love everything you love, everyone you love, with all your might."

"You’ll note the founding fathers took pains to secure your inalienable right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness–quite an active verb, “pursuit”–which leaves, I should think, little time for lying around watching parrots rollerskate on Youtube."

"The poet Mary Oliver tells us to row, row into the swirl and roil.  Locally, someone… I forget who… from time to time encourages young scholars to carpe the heck out of the diem.  The point is the same: get busy, have at it.  Don’t wait for inspiration or passion to find you.  Get up, get out, explore, find it yourself, and grab hold with both hands."

Now don't you think that speech was interesting? I understand what he was trying to say. We all have the spark of divinity within us, which makes all of us special. However, I don't think that that makes none of us special. Where is the logic in that? ; ) That only makes us equal to a degree. We are not "more" special than anyone else because we have certain things or are presented with certain opportunities. God loves each of us for exactly who we are, and we should not be prideful or think we are better than others..because we aren't. All of use are children of God. I think that is the point the speaker was subconsciously trying to make : D Wasn't that what President Uchtdorf meant when he said that God does not care one bit if we work in marble halls or stable stalls? Anyway - there is your food for thought for the day. 

C.S. Lewis said “It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you can talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship. … There are no ordinary people. … Your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses” 

The One Where Lindsey Graduated From High School

I went home this weekend for my baby sister's graduation. SHE DID IT! We are all so proud of her. Congrats, Babe. You are awesome. 

I love this little girl SO MUCH. She is the textbook definition of a beautiful person. There is a bit in Pride and Prejudice where the characters are having a conversation about what it means to be an "accomplished" young lady...


Caroline says "A woman must have a thorough knowledge of music, singing, drawing, dancing, and the modern languages, to deserve the word; and besides all this, she must possess a certain something in her air and manner of walking, the tone of her voice, her address and expressions, or the word will be but half deserved."


Mr. Darcy adds ""All this she must possess, and to all this she must yet add something more substantial, in the improvement of her mind by extensive reading."


To which Elizabeth replies, " "I am no longer surprised at your knowing only six accomplished women. I rather wonder now at your knowing any."


Miss Lindsey McCall is an accomplished young lady. She is beautiful - just look at her! She is the smartest of the Christensen siblings (and we ain't a dumb group, so that is saying something) - scholarships all over the place, She is a sports queen, she can sing, she can write, she is a social butterfly. She is confident and comfortable in her own skin. She has her own ideas and opinions. She is a thinker. She is also kind, compassionate, and she is the classiest person under twenty years of age that I know of. 

I am over the moon excited for her to move her fanny down here for school so we can once again live in the same city. I am a lucky girl to be a part of such a great family. I love them.