I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Yes, Jesus Christ. In other words (and in efforts to clear up any misconceptions), I am a Christian. Thus along with the rest of the Christian world, I celebrate Christmas.

I just want to bear my simple testimony that I know that the Savior lives; I know that He was resurrected by His infinite glory, through the Father, to overcome death - not only for himself, but for all of us. I know that His atonement is something more than my mortal mind can fully comprehend. But I am ever so grateful for the mere glimpses of understanding Heavenly Father has granted me through sacred experiences. I know that we can return to live with Him again, after all we can do. I love that my Savior, in His perfect love, atoned for my many sins, shortcomings, inadequacies, pains, and imperfections; that He, a man without blemish, advocates perfection in all of my flaws.

Merry Christmas. :)

Today.

I will never understand those people who say, "Today was a good day" and actually mean, "I slept in until 2:00."

Unless you're a parent with a baby that was up all night, or something like that.

I'm just saying.

I can't sleep in on Saturdays. The one day we have in a week to get up and go on adventures and enjoy this beautiful world?

How could you want to sleep instead?!

Today was a really good day.

Nothing particularly striking about it; it was just good.

My roommates and I spent some time up Payson canyon, because I'd heard wonderful things about it.

It didn't disappoint.

And I really am so blessed to be surrounded with great people.

P.S. Officially booking Christmas-grams until med-December!

What is a Christmas-gram, you might ask?

It's where I take adorable videos of you and your family. And then in place of a Christmas letter,

you tell people to watch your video so they can see your perfect little family and what you've been up to this year.

Or you can still send the Christmas card, and we can just place a little QR code on the back with a link to your family's Christmas-gram.

Someday I'll actually finish my website so you can see a real live Christmas-gram.

Until then, let's just make you your very own. :)

10 things I learned this weekend:

1: Sometimes, don't make any plans.

2: Always order ice cream. Always.

3: Stay in with your best friend on a Saturday night. It's good for you.

4: Some friendships stay the same, no matter how much time you've spent apart. 

5: Taking responsibility can feel very liberating.

6: September really is my favorite month for video shoots.

7: I've been really indecisive lately.

8: I am grateful for change.

9: I am grateful for those who I love, and for those who love me.

10: Love has its limits. 

Aunt Kalynn.

Tonight while I was watching this cute nephew of mine, he looked over at me so sweetly and said, 

"KK, you'll always be my aunt."

There is probably nothing better than being an aunt.

Unsecret Secrets.

I'm bad at keeping secrets.
Not other people's secrets,
but my own secrets.

But as for now, I will tell you what is NOT a secret.

// It is NOT a secret that I finished off the cookie dough in the freezer. (sorry, mama. You better hide that.)

// It is NOT a secret that I have a crazy awesome location for a video shoot. (Someone book a couples shoot! And remind me of this post when I ask you where you wanna shoot haha...)

// It is NOT a secret that I sing in the shower. And in the kitchen. And in the car. And everywhere.

// It is NOT a secret that October is my favorite month of the year. We're getting so close! 

// It is NOT a secret that I've started going to institute, and it's true what they say. It's a very uplifting place to be.

// It is NOT a secret that starting yesterday I challenged myself to start and finish The Book of Mormon by my birthday. That's 15 pages per day, for 36 days. Now 35. Any takers?

// It is NOT a secret that I really, really, really want to run away to St. George. Especially with the snow that is about to take over northern Utah.

// It is NOT a secret that I've started taking piano lessons again. Level 2, thank you very much.

// It is NOT a secret that tomorrow is my Friday of the work-week, and I'm planning on making the very best of my long weekend.

Until then, tell me your unsecret secrets!

Day 3.

Today I was thinking about the last visit I had with this little guy. He was screaming at me because I wouldn't let him have a chocolate cupcake before he ate his breakfast. 

I will be the first to say that I get nostalgic for naivety. 
I miss the days of believing evil was just the arch-nemesis of happily ever after, confined to story books and Disney movies.
I wish I didn't have to worry about walking to my car alone in a dark parking lot,
or leaving my bedroom window unlocked so I can take in the natural air,
or trusting the simplest gesture of a stranger.
But while I understand the necessity for opposition in all things, it doesn't make the sting of deception any less disheartening.

When we're children, our biggest disappointment is not getting dessert when we want it. Then we come to the age in which decisions over our eating habits become dependent on our own discretion, our letdowns progress to amplify themselves immensely, and suddenly we're wishing our dilemmas were over that little cupcake. 

It's funny. Regardless of what people think, Heavenly Father has a plan. A perfect plan for every single person. And it will go on whether we believe in it or not. I love that. It comforts me to know that I don't need to worry about what I want, because it will work out in a way that gives me exactly what I need-- which is ultimately what I will want.

I love that as we live and learn to serve others, we are reciprocated those blessings. 
I love that trials of our faith simply reap a greater understanding and testimony of the Savior. 
I love that the blessings of the gospel are conditional; merciful, yet just.

See? Perfect.

Day 2.

Oh, hey! 

"Whaaaaat?? Kalynn blogging two days in a row?! I thought she only blogged once every 4 months?" 

I know. I deserve a frozen Reeses. Or something.

Here's the thing. I love writing. I'm not in school anymore, and I miss writing. I've been keeping a word document, that I actually named "blog," but it's not as good as actually writing in my blog, because it doesn't include all of you. (All of you most likely meaning my sister and mother.) So yes. You may see me around these parts more often. 

Let's talk.

I've been trying to keep an open mind when it comes to the "d word."

Dating, that is.

I mean, it's pretty much crammed down your throat whether you like it or not.

The one complaint I have about living in a Mormon bubble, more or less.

Just kind of seems like the same story over and over, doesn't it?

Returned missionary, unsure about what he wants to do with his life,

either wants to marry the first girl he sees post-mish or

plays girls like they're musical instruments. 

I just want someone who knows what they want.

Someone who lives in the world and refrains from being of the world.

Someone who loves the gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints as much as I do. 

Someone who is in no rush to get married, but certainly holds it as a priority. 

Someone who becomes my best friend.

Someone who is 172% down for building blanket forts to eat dinner in.

Someone who laughs at my lame jokes and is always up for an adventure.

Someone who doesn't take my crap, but someone who lets me win when I know I'm right- haha!

Someone whose example encourages me to live a little better each day.

I might put up a Craigslist "missed connections" ad.

Good idea?

Just kidding, mom. 

Personal Statement.

I'm full of contradictions, but contradict that theory often. I go to work, but prefer to make videos. I prioritize my life, yet sometimes make unpredicted things a priority. I expect consistency, but consistently expect change. I spend too much time on meaningless things, yet never neglect the things that mean so much. I surmount obstacles, but sometimes obstacles surmount my motivation. 

My plans are flawed, but I know the plan for me is flawless. 

Last night was really perfect for me. My roommate, Cami, and I asked our guy friends to build us a fire, and pretty soon it turned into 20 of us laughing over s'mores and roasted starbursts. There are some really good people out there. 

And I'm really lucky, cause I've got them right here. 

#grateful

GLMR 2014

The first and only time I met Matthew's dad was at one of Matthew's Junior Jazz games. I maybe (definitely) had a big crush on Matthew and couldn't pass up the opportunity to sit by his dad. So I did, and I'll always be so glad that I did, because he passed away just a few weeks later. Our friend Braden was on Matt's team, and he used to purposely pronounce my name wrong because he knew it annoyed me. haha. So, to get back at him, I would always pronounce his name "Bra-den." (Clever, I know.) So I'm sitting at the game, next to Matthew's dad, we haven't said anything to each other, when Braden makes a 3 pointer! so I shout, "Whooo, go Bra-den!" I remember immediately feeling stupid and thinking that Matthew's dad was going to think I'm an idiot haha. But he just started laughing and said something like, "I knew that boy wore a bra!" 

Haha, he had an awesome sense of humor. He seemed like the happiest guy in the world! I wouldn't have ever guessed he suffered from depression.

The GLMR is being hosted tomorrow morning. It's a beautiful ride that not only allows friends and family honor Gary Ludlow and what he loved to do most, but also helps raise awareness of those who suffer from mental illness. There's still time to register for the ride, donate, or even just come serve as a volunteer. Remember in my last post how we talked about doing something? 

Now's your chance!

Do Something.

Lately I've had a few experiences that have left a huge impression on me. For example:

//One morning I was already running late for work, and I had to stop at the grocery store to pick up some donuts for my team. As I was in a hurry to get out of the parking lot, I accidentally halfway pulled out right in front of another car. Usually when this happens to me, I probably put my hands up and make a face that suggests "you're a really bad driver, what the heck are you doing?" But the little old man in the car that I almost wrecked simply smiled, nodded, and waved! I was being stupid. I was in a hurry and wasn't paying enough attention. He had every right to make me feel like an idiot, but he didn't! 

//On a drive through the canyon this morning, I got a big hole in my tire and it went flat instantly. I was having a hard time getting ahold of someone to come help me change my tire, when some biker gang dudes pulled over, went straight to the trunk for my spare, and got the job done in less than 5 minutes! And they were so nice and warm the whole time they were there. It was 100 degrees out there, and they were still happy to help.

//On the opposite end of the spectrum, yesterday some "Anonymous" blog commenter decided it was on her to-do list to try to make one of my friends feel bad about herself. They commented on her blog saying things like, "You're a terrible writer, quit blogging"(Which isn't true at all) and "Go kill yourself." 

This world is already negative enough, isn't it? Can't we all just decide to be people who ONLY build others up? Can't we just learn to recognize that the things we do and say might have more of an affect on others than we realize? Let's be people who not only are simply not rude to others, but who are actively working to make the world and other people's lives better. Let's do something. 

If not us, then who?

Matthew showed me this song yesterday, and I absolutely love it. 

Nearer, My God, To Thee.

I've been called crazy by friends a few times because whenever I have something going on in life, 

happy or sad, I talk to a lottt of people about it. Haha. 

You can call me crazy if you want to, but do you know what I think? 

I may have already said it on this blog before, but my favorite concept is this: 

Shared sorrow is half sorrow, and shared joy is double joy.

!!!

Isn't that the best?? 

That's probably my favorite thing about blogging. I love to read about everyone's lives and be excited for the good things going on for them, and pray for them when times aren't so great. 

Sometimes, though, I think the only person that can really hear me is the Lord. 

So today I drove around until I found this place that I'm deeming as my own version of the Sacred Grove, and we talked for a while.

In the times where patience would be the most beneficial, I find it a difficult and daunting task.

I often fall short of what is expected of me; of what I expect of myself.

I easily slip into feelings of inadequacy- of feeling as though I can't measure up. 

But it's all soothed with a bittersweetness; I don't want to be perfect. 

Perfect requires attention to consequences.

It inhibits the freedom to deviate along the way,

the freedom to learn for yourself what truly brings you happiness.

Thus, in all of my impatient selfishness, I can't complain with the direction in which my life is headed. 

No, sir. 

                                                                                        And you know what else?

I AM loved; by a being even greater than our own.

By a love more infinite than imaginable.

In a way more tangible than life, itself.

Oh, and YOU are too. :)

And in case you were wondering, this perfect little place is Springfield. I invite you out there for a drive sometime soon. 

Tuesday-isms.

^Today I received back a package that I mailed to a client last week. I had put my own address in both the sender and recipient spots, in case you were wondering where my mind is at lately. 

^About two years ago I got eyelash extensions for the first time, and apparently took them out the wrong way, because I've pretty much had bald eyeballs ever since. Today, however, I noticed that my eyelashes are getting full again! It's a pretty big deal.

^On Sunday, I went to my sweet friends Ashley and Justin's house for dinner/games. Oh, and Ashley also gave me a trim and put lots of blonde in my hair. (say whaaaaa?!....) I thought that would help summer come quicker, but then it snowed this morning, so...

^A clean room always makes me feel better. I don't know why I have such a hard time putting my clothes on hangers. 

^Today I met someone so genuinely kind, that it made me take a step back and want to be better. Don't you love it when people can have such a huge impact on you within 2 minutes?

10 things I've learned lately.

1: Laughing is most definitely my favorite thing in the whole world.

2: I can be productive. It is possible!

3: Go with the gut. Say yes to fun.

4: I'm ready for some change.

5: Just give in and go with it sometimes.

6: And sometimes, saying no is totally necessary, and entirely worth it.

7: Some relationships will never change, no matter how long it's been since you've seen each other.

8: Sometimes the hardest thing and the right thing are the same.

9: Make work into play.

10: All of my roommates pee in the shower. Do you guys do this?! Because, gross.