Homeless Coming

A few years ago my brother and his best friend decided they wanted to break out of the traditional homecoming activities and make one of their own. The dances were just too much. 

And that is when homeless coming was born. I've joined them in this activity for the past two years. We dress up as hobos, drive up into the canyon, have a bonfire, eat stew out of the cans, and have hobolympics. This year hobolympics consisted of hobo-soccer (milk jug substituted for a soccer ball), garbage can races, three-legged race (each partner's leg in a garbage bag instead of tying the legs together), and hobodines (sardines). 

Check. It. Out. 

Half of the Group

Eating Stew

Hobo Soccer

Garbage Can Races

A Gay Mormon

A friend of mine posted a link on Facebook to a blog entitled "(Gay) Mormon Guy." Intrigued, I clicked on the link.

 I am so glad I did. 

This man has more faith that just about anyone I know. I cannot even imagine what he goes through each and every day, yet he still loves the Lord and has hope for the future. It makes me wonder if I would be as stalwart as he.

The first post of his that I read was a commentary on President Packard's talk from this past General Conference. He didn't even touch on the changes that everyone is freaking out about, instead he wrote on the content. I strongly suggest you got to his whole post (here) and read it, but at least read these few excerpts:

"The reaction was immediate and vehement, from all corners of the world and seemingly every walk of life. From the Church and without. From men, women, family members, and hundreds of others. Some simply disagreed with his statements; others wished for violence to befall him. Everyone seemed up in arms.

...

"President Packer was not claiming that we could change homosexual attractions... he was simply stating that each of us has the power to choose to overcome or give in to temptation.

...

"President Packer gave a clear, direct, and concise talk on pornography and other sexual sins. I don't know if he realized that everything in his talk could also be applied to same-sex attraction... or how painful that application would be. But I know that his final statements were heartfelt and true.

...

"As I read the talk again this evening, the Lord confirmed to me that I'm on the right path. I'm doing what I should be. I'm moving forward. And that is what matters.

Ultimately, as I go through life, it is my responsibility to listen with both my ears and my heart - to know when the Lord is speaking to me - and to follow Him. Then President Packer's promise will come true in my life. I will find peace and happiness... and the strength that comes through Christ the Lord."

I hope someday to acquire the faith that this man has. 

To read more of his blog posts (each one is amazing, I just spent forever going through many of them), click here to go to his blog. You won't regret it. 

kendra says it all.

I have never quite known how to explain the Elementary Education Program to people. I don't want them to think I am complaining, because I love it, but I also want to get across the message that it isn't just some cop out major and we all aren't in it just because we want to get married. In fact, this is probably the WORST major to be in to get married. I have ONE boy in my classes. And thats rare. Most girls in the major never see a single boy the entire time.

Anyways. That's not what I came here to say. PLEASE read what Kendra's post. I couldn't have put it better.

Kendra's Wisdom (click here)

Lunch with the Homeless

Yesterday I ate lunch with a homeless man. Actually, I bought him lunch. At the delicious Cafe Rio. The weird part of this all? I know the homeless man. I've known him for quite a while. Yes folks, it was my good friend Sean Donner. The weirder part of this all? He is homeless on purpose. Yeah, he chose to be homeless. Wonder why? The basics of it is he wants to write a book about what it is like to be homeless in America. It was really interesting to spend time with him and learn about what he has been up to since he has been homeless, and his thoughts on it all. To learn more about his reasoning and hear more of his adventure, check out his blog: seantheranger.blogspot.com. 

photo taken by sean donner, from seantheranger.blogspot.com 

Gread food. And great [homeless] company. 

Just call me Katie Mechanic.

Yesterday I changed the battery to my brother’s car. With the help of two awesome friends—Taylor and Cody.

Thanks, guys.

Ok I’ll be honest. I didn’t real do a whole lot. I asked them to help and they pretty much took over. I did mix the baking soda and water solution, though. And cleaned off the wires with it (probably getting lead all over myself and according to Cody I’ll get cancer now). And helped hold cords out of the way as Taylor unscrewed the battery, put the new one in, and screwed it in.  

Close enough to being a mechanic, right?

Also, thanks to apartment 7 for letting me borrow their tool kit. You guys rock. 

oh hi.

Seems I’ve neglected my blog lately. So this is just a quick boring post about what’s been going on.

SCHOOL.

Yup. That’s basically it. I am taking 17 credit hours, which in the Elementary Education program actually means 21.5 hours.

The other great thing about the El Ed program? Projects. Lesson plans and projects. Aka. More Hours.

But who is complaining? Okay, maybe I am a little. Really though, I love my major. I learn so much every day, and things that are actually worthwhile. I learn about people, I learn about God’s children, and I learn how to teach God’s children so that they can reach their full potentials. Now what is more worthwhile than that? Nothing. That’s what. [sorry every single other major, i love you all, i just love mine the most :)]

If we want to add a little more complaining though, I also get to work 10 + hours a week (I pick my schedule so it varies up to 15 hours). Even there, I also get to learn about people, and give people the opportunity to give. I’ll post more on that later.

Random other things that I have been doing since being back at school:  missionary council co-chair responsibilities, wedding receptions, dance parties, ice blocking, movies, pillow fights [its ongoing, and I’m totally winning by the way], long drives [slc/midway…ok so not that long…], roommate late night chats, etc, etc. 

Now, back to my homework. 

Roadtrip and Eternity

11 hours. I drove in a car for 11 hours. To most people, this might be a typical road trip, or even a wimpy roadtrip. To me, its the longest road trip I've ever been on in my entire life. [Yes, I was spoiled from my airline employee father]. And, unless you count a couple 6 hour car rides I've been on, it was my first ever. So, to me, this was a momentous occasion! 

Not only was this the longest and only road trip for me, it was also the longest I have ever driven a car. Yeah. I drove 11 hours. All the way there. I'm awesome. [Let's ignore the fact that I almost collapsed from being so tired once we arrived at Leah's house.] 

I drove down with Carrie and Jason Akinaka. We entertained ourselves by music, homework, the GPS ["i think someone hacked in and is actually taking us into the mountains to kill us"], the scenery, the cities ["Penguich? Is that like a penguin sandwich?"], and delicious snacks. 

So why did I drive to Arizona?

 For my roommate of three years to get married and sealed for time and all eternity to the man of her dreams! Leah Marie was such a beautiful bride! 

I had a blast being one of her bridesmaids and being able to participate in the ring ceremony.

Love you Leah! So happy for you!