Are you gettin excited?

People keep asking me... are you getting excited for him to come home? and I reply politely, yes! it will be so fun. When in my head I'm saying, "duh! I've been excited since the day he left!"

Here's some thoughts I've been having. As exciting as it is, it's terrifying. I am terrified for that moment. Mostly because when I get nervous I start talking in a British accent. Awkard meets irony. There's a lot of pressure here, on both ends.

So here's what I've learned in the last 2 years.

• I am an independent person, believe it or not. I have learned to love my alone time. I crave it. 
• I figured out what it takes to be happy with life. 
• It takes faith.
• It takes prayer.
• It takes study
• It takes family.
• It's easy to receive guidance from the spirit. If you're trying. It won't be thrust upon you. It starts with a choice. 
• I don't need Trace to survive. If this blows up in my face, I know that I will be okay. stop rolling your eyes. I'm serious. I really know how to be happy all on my own, without depending on anyone.

With all that being said... 

    everyone keeps saying well it'll all work out how it's supposed to. 

                                I know that. 

However, I know that it is going to be easier to figure out "how it's supposed to" if I am living righteously. If I'm in tune, I'm gonna be a-okay. 

I'd like to publicly apologize to Mom for telling her I didn't want any more advice. Hers just happened to come after everyone who is trying to tell me how Trace is going to act... when they've never even met him. I was very frustrated. If you know me, and you know Trace, advice is welcome. If not, I will smile and nod and then disregard everything you say. And mother, I love your advice. And I love you. 

32 days. 

The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Today was the greatest day of my life. Okay maybe not. But BOY Do I feel good. It all started this morning... The end is the best part. don't skip all the words... courtney...

One day a month, at work, we start late and work late. However, on that day, I am supposed to go in and answer the phone. My good friend Brittany at work has to take her daughter to daycare that early anyway so offered to take the phones whenever I wanted to sleep in instead. So yesterday I was feeling lazy and told her she could have them! Today instead of sleeping in, I got up and went for a little run. (really little) at my mile mark I got a phone call from Lexi. She figured I was working but thought she'd try anyway... well I wasn't working and it's a good thing. Her mom was unavailable to go with her to see her wedding dress for the first time with the alterations. Best friends are there for a reason! 

So I met her at the alterations place and her aunt couldn't make it at that point either. She yelled from the dressing room that she needed help with the zipper... I opened the door and lost it. She looked amazing and it all just hit me that we are growing up and this is real! I don't know why I cried... it's really embarrassing actually. But it was really great for us to have that together. :) 

Then I went to work and had a LONG STRESSFUL day. But, it was nice because it went by fast. 

Then I wanted to get my nails done. I'm a sucker for shellac. It's bad... and getting expensive. Anyway... I heard about a place doing it for $15 so I headed there. While the nice Vietnamese lady was doing my nails. A little girl came up to me (I found out her dad worked there, so she was just hangin out) 

I always wear my CTR ring. Seriously, I NEVER take it off. I shower with it, sleep with it, run with it, tan with it. It's just part of me... well this cute little girl pointed at it and said 

"I've seen lots of people with that ring!"

Me: "Oh yeah? Do you know what it means?"

"They told me it means choose the right."

Me: (stunned) "That is exactly right!"

Then she ran away to the back. She reappeared later... 

"Where can you get one of those?"

Me: "There is a store across the street that has them!"

"What's it called?"

Me: "Deseret Book. They are a book store but they sold me a ring! Isn't that funny?"

"Is it like Barnes and Noble?"

Me: "Ummm yeah! Sort of!"

"I bet I could go there and get one"

And off she went again. I couldn't stop thinking about it. So, when I was done, out I went... across the street, to Deseret Book. I found this cute book... 

 And of course, got the standard CTR ring for her. 

As I went back to give it to her, I saw her going into another store next door, so to avoid being creepy, I went in and gave them to her dad. I said "Your daughter really liked my ring, so I got her one. And here's a cute book about it!" He looked stunned and happy and said "Thank you! What's your name?" I said "Katelin, I wrote it in the back!" 

In the back of the book I wrote...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints taught me to choose the right and to love everyone. Love, Katelin Cook  (I also wrote www.mormon.org)

I walked out and semi-creepily found her in the other store. She recognized me and I crouched down to her level. I said, "You remember my ring? I got you one! And a book!" she thanked me and smiled so big. Off I went. 

Maybe later in life when the gospel is introduced to her, she will remember that ring or that book. Or maybe not. But dang I feel good. 

I'll have to go get my nails done there again :)

Charity NEVER faileth. 

Sometimes

The only thing that gets me out of bed is knowing that I get to sleep in the next day.

Here's to late nights and early mornings.

Oh the life I lead.

Is that allowed?

Today I got an email from Trace...

I'm reading your blog, is that allowed?

This blog is more about me than about you! I quite like that.



hahaha Yes Trace, it's more about you because you're more interesting and better looking than me!

80 days ya'll.

The Waiting Game

If you are sick of me talking about trace, you're in the wrong place. Because for the next 99 days, this blog will not be without a trace! (eh? eh?)




I mean look at that face!! Why would I not wait for that face!!



I literally cannot wait. Hopefully school will keep me busy until June 13, then cyndi gets home from china on June 27, then I just get to enjoy summer with her and I'm home free!

Also my dear roommate Emily is marrying her missionary Soren on August 3. So that's something to look forward to.




And much preparation will be given to lex and Caleb's wedding which is the day after trace gets home!

Oh yeah. I can do this.

It is enough, I will.

I'd like to journal an experience I had this evening and I really don't feel like writing. (lazy)

Tonight in my church history class (it's church history and the worldwide growth/impact of the church since 1901) we discussed the persecution of the LDS church. We saw some examples of anti-mormon literature. We discussed in detail how and why former members of the church try to bash it and use small flaws in its history against it.

During our discussion I began to feel like the weakest person in the room. The only one who hadn't been on a mission or been through the temple. However, I felt a strange strength. I didn't enjoy reading any of the anti-mormon things, and I could feel my heart tighten as to not let Satan take control in any way.

The point of the discussion was to determine what we can do as members of the church to combat such accusations. My professor shared a story, and I apologize I don't remember which general authority's father it was about. But he was on his mission in Scotland. As he tried to share the gospel, doors were slammed, names were called, he was spat upon and yelled at. He and his companions began to get discouraged, so they changed their approach. They started just making nice with the people. Helping out, avoiding pushy discussions, and doing service. They were making many friends, but no one was joining the church. Slowly, a darkness came over this missionary and he began to realize it. So one morning he went down to the beach, alone (apparently that was allowed then) and prayed to Heavenly Father, asking how this darkness could be removed from him. In a very distinct voice, he was told to proclaim Joseph Smith and the restoration of the gospel. Immediately he knew that was what needed to be done. He responded "It is enough, I will." He and his companion began to do just that. Again, doors were slammed, names were called, he was spat upon and yelled at, and many joined the church.

As we face the opposition of the world and try to find that common ground on which no personal boundaries are crossed, we often fail to represent ourselves and members of the true Church of Jesus Christ. Boyd K. Packer said, "It is not common ground we seek, it is holy ground we seek." Tonight I learned that even though things may get uncomfortable, I need to be bold, and share what I believe. When someone claims I am not a Christian, not only do I need to correct them, but I need to share the message of the restoration.

People can leave the church, but they can't leave the church alone. They will always be there, trying to defy everything I hold dear. But, my testimony will remain unshaken.

After my class, which happens to be two minutes from temple square, I went to clear my head. I sat in front of the temple for some time reading the Book of Mormon. I went into the visitors center and looked at the Christus statue. Then I went downstairs to look at the display about Joseph Smith. I said a quiet prayer since no one was around. I told my Heavenly Father that I needed some help, immediately a feeling of love and appreciation came over me and then the tears came.

Joseph Smith Jun. did see God the Father and His beloved, only begotten son. Joseph received revelation after that in order to attain the gold plates when the time was right. Then he translated the plates, by the power of God. And those plates became the Book of Mormon. Which book is the truest of any book in existence. I know that because I have asked my Heavenly Father. I know all of this because I have asked.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contains the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the only way to true, real, happiness. It is the reason I will be with my family for time as well as all eternity.

It's true. If you doubt it, ask in faith, believing you will receive, then study diligently and be patient, you will receive an answer.

www.mormon.org

Fall is coming.

I just registered for fall classes. 

Do you know who else is registered for fall classes? 

Hint: He's really tall. 

That means fall HAS to come! 

my heart just stopped for a second. 

wake me up when it's August 16th.