Well, apparently I haven't blogged since mid August, and here I am sitting on the edge of where 2013 meets 2014 finally taking a moment to write. Nathan was ordained as an Elder last Sunday, and on Friday he went through the temple and received his endowments! One of the things I've struggled with the most, is feeling like Nathan has had to miss out on so many experiences that so many of us are able to have here on this Earth. My heart is just so full knowing that this is not one of those experiences. Nathan was literally glowing that whole night. I've never seen him so happy or peaceful. I wish I could explain how grateful I am to not only be his sister, but to be the sibling closest to him in age. He's always been my best friend, and he has blessed my life in so many ways. 

Currently

I'm waiting for Brielle to get home from her 8 mile run.

It's past pitch dark, and I have my worries about that girl.

Doesn't she know Provo is a hot spot for rapists?

I'm in the middle of reading Ender's Game for the first time.

Why am I getting into this so late??!

Not just a book for boys. 

I'm getting excited for tomorrow because Nathan went back to school this week

which means we are starting weekly temple sessions back up!

Every Thursday afternoon I'll get to spend a little bit of time with my (favorite) brother

at one of my favorite places on Earth. 

Don't you just love what going to the temple does for your life?

I don't know how I let myself get out of the habit of going.

Missing those nights at SUU where I'd come home 

to a night filled with brownies made by Matthew and

a few episodes of The Office.

But Bri just got back, and King of Queens with her is good enough! :)

{268 days. 

In case you were wondering.}

Mt. Timanogos Temple. :)

Tuesday night was spent with my best friend Abigail at the temple. Going to the temple is a beautiful experience for many reasons. Not only do I get to leave feeling rejuvenated enough to take on the world ahead of me, but I also love it because I believe it is one of the most Christ-like things we can do. Even though I can only do baptisms at this point, it still feels amazing every time knowing that I got to help someone by doing something that they could not do for themselves. Jesus Christ did something for us, that none of us could do for ourselves. He made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could each be forgiven of all of our sins. I think it was President Uchtdorf who said, "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you do." Or something like that. Sometimes there will be people in life that can make you feel dirty for your mistakes, and it can really hurt...repentance can be hard, and you probably suffered a little or a lot already...but can I tell you something? Each and every one of us has short-comings; some blatantly announcing themselves to the world, others only obvious to ourselves. Some physically limiting, others mentally obstructing. Whether visible or hidden, they exist. Sometimes other peoples' mistakes will directly affect us, but I believe it is a part of charity to accept them for who they are now and move past it. Can that be hard sometimes? Absolutely. Will it be worth it? Most definitely. 

Lives and hearts CAN be changed. And President Monson promised us that as we take advantage of the Atonement, those sins will be forgiven AND forgotten. 

I'm so grateful to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! 

There's just no better goal, right?

From the road, it is simply a building. 

Nothing but an enormous amount of cement, bricks, and sidewalks.

But I know better.

Step closer,

climb up the stairs,

move softly into its doorway, 

and you will begin to know too.

Close your eyes and breathe in the scents of

Security and Warmth and Love bigger than any ocean;

as never ending as ones tides.

Surely you cannot help tingling all over,

touched by such warm rays the sun could never even know of.

All your fingers to escape you-

let them caress hundreds of lifetimes locked into every inch of this place.

You are standing in a history tied to thousands of other histories.

Close your eyes, but open your ears and listen.

Listen to sounds and words that can touch you, perhaps soften you,

and make you think of beautiful things;

things you would never dream of in your storm-tossed world.

Now open your eyes.

Open them and see! 

See the source of it all.

Then you will know what I know.

You will know why this place is different from all other places on Earth.

The lips on your face will smile without thick regard for your awkward imperfections.

I cannot help myself. 

I fall happily, softly

into the embrace of the One who makes all worthwhile

and who whispers,

"You can be anything and everything."

Bring it on.

Recently, I have been indebted to a life of servitude - with the slave owner being SUU.

He (with violent force, mind you) manipulates me into giving away epic portions of my life to

textbooks, exams, and lectures on how mechanical pencils are forbidden on text day. 

"Umm hi...,mechanical pencils are my weapon-of-choice in brutal combat, such as my history final. Suck."

Anywho. Kalynn's leetle brain needed a big break.

Then Matthew and I went to the St. George Temple.

The baptismal font room enjoyed our reverent company for the perfect amount of minutes.

 

And suddenly, Kalynn's little brain feels like it can take on these final two and a half weeks of the semester.

love, Kalynn.

Dear Brielle,

You are my BSFF.

You are trying just as hard as I am

to get me a job. 

Therefore, I love your guts.

<3, Kalynn. 

Dear Next Week,

I can't wait to go to the temple

and have a slumber party with my sister.

I'm not looking forward to losing a quarter of a tank of gas...

but at least I don't have to walk.

<3, excited Kalynn.

,

Dear Satan,

You are a douchebag.

I want to kick you where it counts

and throw gummy bears at your head.

Good thing I already know some people who 

are taking care of that.

no <3, Kalynn.

Dear Cell Phone,

If you dare allow the stupid back thing of you

to fall off ONE more time, so help you.

<3, Not happy Kalynn.

Dear Tad R. Callister,

Thank you for writing such a beautifulbook.

"The Infinite Atonement" makes me happy.

everday.

<3, Kalynn.

Dear Mama,

It's weird that I'm not home this weekend, isn't it?

<3, Kalynn.

Dear BYU computers,

please accept the transcripts that I sent you

in January, so that I don't sign up for credits

that I have already received. 

much <3, Kalynn.