Jacob Kent Hansen

As an escort for Miss Russet

Graduation

Seminary Graduation

One of my best friends went to the MTC this week, Jacob (Jake) Hansen. I am so thankful for his amazing example to me! He has always been there for me and supported me! He will be serving the Lord for two years in the Roseville, California Mission. I am so thankful for his willingness to serve the Lord. He is going to be an amazing missionary!!! Good Luck Jake!

I am Thankful for the PRIESTHOOD!!!

This week has been midterms! It is crazy to think that I am already halfway through the semester! I got at least a 90% on all four of my tests that I had! I was so thankful! I also had an amazing experience this week. On Wednesday I woke up at 5 a.m. sick to my stomach. I was miserable. I felt like I was going to throw up but didn't ever end up throwing up. Well at 7:30 I called my hometeachers because I still wasn't feeling better. I couldn't tell if I had woke Trevor up or not but he said that Randy was already at school but he would find a roommate and be over in 15 min. Sure enough 7:46 there was a knock on the door. Trevor and my Sunday School Teacher Josh were dressed in full Sunday clothes with smiles on their faces. They talked to me for a while and then gave me a blessing. I am so thankful for the power of the Priesthood! I was able to make it through my day and the two tests I had that day. I am so thankful for home teachers that love their calling and are willing to serve whenever they can!

I love to SEE the Temple... but I love it more to go IN it!!!

After baptisms.... (explains our looks) Carrie, Jessica, Me, Ashley, Andrea, Tina, Keila

It is so beautiful!

I had the most incredible opportunity to do baptisms for the dead in the Nauvoo temple. Words cannot describe my experience! But it all started a few weeks before the trip.... Ashley and I were talking about the trip and she asked me if we got to do baptisms. I told her that I didn't know because they are by appointment only, but I would ask Brother Wahlquist (my Book of Mormon teacher and co-director of the trip). The next day in class I asked him and he said they had just made an appointment! When I got home and told Ashley we were both so excited! Next jump to Saturday on the trip... the day we are going to the temple. We are on the bus coming back from Carthage Jail and they are reminding us about the day's schedule. They started reminding us that were were splitting into three groups tonight 1. those going to the play, 2. those doing a session at the temple and 3. those doing baptisms. Ashley and I looked at each other and said in unison "I FORGOT MY RECOMMEND!" Our hearts sank! I was sick to my stomach. I told her that I was going to cry if we weren't going to be able to go! Well when we got to our next stop we went to talk to Brother Wahlquist. I said "Brother Wahlquist, we have a problem." He responded, "You forgot your recommends?" We weren't the only ones! He told us that we needed to call our bishop and ask him to call the temple to give them our names so that we could do them. Well after many phone calls I got the bishops number (which I now have saved in my phone with my home bishop's) and called him! He said that he would call right then! I called back a while later to check and he said it was done. I was so thankful! Our group did 235 baptisms and one girl brought family names. It was awesome! I love the temple so much and am so glad that I got to do baptisms!

To Learn more about LDS temples click here.

Smith Family Cemetery

Burial Site One- Nauvoo House

The Bee House

Final Resting Place

(To the left is the Bee house and behind is (what you can't see at all in the pic) Joseph and Emma's first home, behind that is the Nauvoo House where they were buried first.

I learned so much on this trip so I decided that over the course of hopefully the next few days I will share what I learned through a bunch of little posts. This first one is about the Smith Family Cemetery. After Joseph and Hyrum were martyred, their bodies were brought back to Nauvoo. They had a funeral and were buried- well people thought they were buried, but really their caskets were full of rocks because their families thought that there could be a possibility for grave robbing. Really their bodies were buried under the foundation of the Nauvoo House. Later their bodies were moved by decision of Emma, they were moved to under the foundation of the Bee House, but only Emma's family knew. When Emma died she asked to be buried so many feet from the Bee House (I can't remember what the guide said). Years later there was concern about the bodies being lost when the Mississippi gets high, so the bodies started to be searched for. Joseph and Hyrum's bodies were found under the foundation of the Bee House and Emma's was found right were she had asked to be buried so many fee from the corner. All three bodies were then moved and just up a little bit and were given a head stone. The bodies have remained there since. ( Sorry I don't know exact dates... I should have wrote this stuff done it was so amazing!)

NaUVoo and FriEnDs TOO!!!

Most of the group at Carthage

The Nauvoo Temple! It is so beautiful and the clouds made it look so cool!

Andrea, Ashley, Me and Beth at Carthage Jail

Ashley, Andrea, Me and Beth with Apostle Sheldon from the Church of Christ Church, they own the temple lot in Independence.

The fun at the back of the bus! B-F L-R

Andrea, Ashley, Me, Lauren, Keila, Beth, Senna, Laura, Hannah, very front Kelly

Well like I mentioned in my last post I had such an amazing chance to go to Nauvoo with the school. It was amazing! My testimony was strengthened so much! These are some of the things I absolutely loved:

*Being able to walk where the prophet Joseph Smith had walked

*Being able to go to the Nauvoo Temple to do Baptisms

*Having Prayers answered in the Temple

*Being able to sing hymns on the bus

*Making new friends!!!

*Being able to learn more about what the saints went through

*Martin's Cove-- The saints went through so much!

*Making memories with friends... ONE HEART!!!

*Fried Cauliflower-- Thank you Lisa!

*Carthage Jail-- We had the entire group in the martyrdom room at the same time, the spirit was so incredible. WOW!

*Liberty Jail-- I can't imagine how it was for Joseph and those with him during those cold winter months!

*Historic Nauvoo-- The Mansion Home, Lucy Mac Smith's Home, The Brickyard, The Bakery, The Blacksmith, The Red Brick Store, Joseph and Emma's first home in Nauvoo, Brigham Young's home, and Smith family Cemetery

*The bus ride-- sounds crazy but it was so much fun!

*Seeing the way that the Lord prepared the Saints, they went through so much and there isn't a way they would have been able to do all that they did without the Lord.

NauvoO

(last year in front of the Nauvoo temple)

Last year I had the privelage of going to Nauvoo with Lisa, Parker and Heather Hammond. It was a quick trip but I was so excited to go and see all of the Church History sites, plus I got to watch my nephew and hang out with two of the coolest people ever... (don't worry Alicia... you are on that list too!) Tomorow I leave to go back with the school! I am so excited! Two of my roommates, Ashley and Beth, are coming as well! I will post all about it when I get back!

To look at some of the sites I will get to see while I am there click here.

Chicken Noodle Extravaganza!!!

Today we had our FHE family over for Chicken Noodle Soup! It was so much fun! After church we started the noodles and set them out to dry for a little bit while we had the home teachers over. They gave such a great lesson! We talked about service and the priesthood. It was awesome! They even brought us brownies (which we hurried and ate after they left!). Then it was time to get the soup started! Ashley started the water and chicken while I cut the onions. She kept an eye on that while I peeled potatoes and Jordyn cut them and we got those going. The girls across the hall started croissants (SP!). It was so much fun! We had invited about 20 people over and didn't know who was going to show so we wanted to make sure we had enough... well we did! Our pot was huge! Someone even said that you could fit a baby in it! We had a blast making it! Everyone was so happy while we were making it, we were all smiling so much! We had about 15 people show up, so it was a pretty good turn out! Lance brought dessert which was a sour cream lemon pie... sounds disgusting but it was soooo delicious! We have tons of leftover soup for the rest of the week and maybe longer!

Seeing if it is suitable!

Mashed Potatoes... my mother would be proud!

The girls across the hall

Clockwise: Franco, Lance, Amanda, Ethan, Mark, Kaycee

Kayla, Bree, Josh, Jordyn,  Me, Ashley, Jessica

BasEbaLl

Bri, Jordyn, Ashley and I

This picture is for Chad and Mike... I thought you two would enjoy it!

Last night the four of us went to Lance's (our FHE dad) baseball game. It started at 8 so we got there a little early to make sure we could sit where we wanted. When Lance saw us he looked surprised like he didn't think we would actually come. We cheered loud and stayed the whole game even though it went really slow and didn't get over until 10:30. We were freezing! Lance's team lost but we still had fun watching! There will be more tales from baseball games in the future! (Bri and Jordyn live across the hall they are our FHE sisters).

And So it BeGins.....

To the left of this lovely building is what is known as the beloved TESTING CENTER... I don't really mind it but everyone else despises this part of the Clark Building. I have been there three times this semester and have had quite an enjoyable experience. My test scores have been 96%, 95.5%, and 90%!! I am so happy with these results! The semester is off to a great start and is already a quarter of the way over! I can't believe it! It is going so fast! Later this month I will be going to Nauvoo with the school and my roommates Ashley and Beth, I am so excited! I am loving all that I am learning! I particularly enjoy my nutrition class and foods class! I love being able to learn about the gospel as well and love my Book of Mormon class! My Book of Mormon teacher is co-directing the tour to Nauvoo as well so I am really excited!

AshLeY....

I am back at school for my second semester! The winter break went slow but went fast! I thought I would just post about my amazing roommate... Ashley Nicole Balmforth! Ashley and I have different stories about how we came to be roommates but nevertheless we are roommates for our second semester! Here are a few things about us as roommates:

                              Ashley                Kara

Height                      5'2"               5'11"

Favorite Color         Red               Pink

Hair Color         Light Brown     Brown/Red

Eye Color "Hazel/Green more yellow with brown flex...."   me-Brown

Major                  Biology          Family and Consumer Science Ed

Car                      Pony                Sentra

Favorite Food Homemade Bread and Chicken Noodle soup Me-Fruit

Shoe Size               6.5-7                   10

Just a few random things about us... we are so very different but we are so alike! I love being her roommate! She always makes me laugh, comforts me, makes me smile, makes me sing.... who knows! I am just so happy that the Lord knew who I needed to be my roommate! She is amazing!

Here are some pictures from last semester....

Thanks for being so amazing Ashley! I am so thankful that you are my roommate and couldn't ask for anyone better for me! You are wonderful!!!!! I love you!

ThAnKfuL...

I was just thinking how blessed I am! I am so lucky to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints! I am so thankful that I have a loving Heavenly Father who has blessed me in so many ways! I have an amazing family that loves me and supports me in all that I do. I have wonderful friends that love to laugh with me. The reason I have been thinking about this is because I just moved back to school for the semester. I came up a night early and slept at my brother's house (Chad, wife Lisa, two kids Parker and Julia). The next morning I woke up to go and check in at my apartment. I jumped in the car and drove down the road when I realized why my car sounded so noisy... my passenger window was down! I was thinking to myself the motor for that window doesn't work, how is it down? I put my car in reverse and went back to their house. I grabbed my mom's keys and went and checked in to my apartment. When I got back to Chad's house he was in the driveway with the passenger door open, in his work clothes (he was supposed to be leaving any minute to go to work), with the inside of my door taken apart fixing my window! I helped him hold the window and after fifteen or twenty minutes, some duct tape, and some string my window was just as good as it was before! He was putting the screws in to finish putting it together when his ride came for work! My brother is pretty much amazing! He can do anything and he will do anything to help anyone! (which is why I won't give out any kind of way to contact him... his wife likes to see him too!) And not only did he fix my window but the next day he built a stool for Parker! Chad is the best brother anyone could ask for! I am so blessed to have him as my brother and thankful for him! I will miss him and his family when they move in a couple of weeks!

Thanks Chad! I love you and your family!

I'm seeing......

HAIR BOWS!!!! I decided I wanted to try the Gerber Daisies... and I fell in love with them! Daisy $3 Crochet Headband $2

Hair bow with Knit Headband

Hair Bows $2

Large Ribbon Flower $4

I also found a new type of head band so I have 3 different kinds to choose from. The nylon ones are $1.50, knit and crochet are $2 each or 3 for $5.

CONFERENCE!!!!

I had the wonderful and amazing opportunity to go to Conference last weekend (for the first time that I will remember) with some friends! It was AWESOME!! We went down Saturday night and stayed with my Aunt Glady (THANKS!). When I was telling my friends we should stay with her I was like "She only lives like a block and a half away!" Well when we got there around 11 p.m., I realized it had been a while since I had stayed with her.... she lives RIGHT ACROSS the street! Every 20 min or so somebody would say "I can't believe how close she lives!" On Sunday morning we were planning on being in the standby line between 7:30 and 8 a.m. We got there at 7:45 and there were tons of people there already. I was so nervous we wouldn't get in. Well by 8:15 we were waiting outside the conference center on the top balcony(I don't know if that is the correct word but as high as you can get besides the roof)! We waited there for an hour. Then we got in! We were all so excited! Since it was Sunday morning we got the privilege of being there for Music and the Spoken Word with the Tabernacle Choir. The Spirit was so strong! Conference was amazing! I loved every minute of it! Jamie and I also had the privilege of attending the afternoon session! My Aunt Sandee called Saturday night and told me she was counting her tickets and realized that she had two extra! (THANKS!) What a blessing! So while Jamie and I watched it in the conference center while Jessica and Rachael went to the tabernacle. I loved the talks but I also loved the little things that you don't see when you are watching it on TV. For example how many people saw Elder Oaks lean over and give Elder Perry a thumbs up after he spoke (Sunday Afternoon)? Or saw President Uchtdorf keeping time with the music on the arm of his chair, or grab President Monson's hand during 'God Be With You Till We Meet Again'? Afterwards President Monson waving, President Uchdorf giving thumbs up, or Elder Bednar helping his wife down the stairs from where she was sitting and giving her a kiss? It was awesome! I don't mean to brag but I think that if you have never had the opportunity to attend General Conference then you should as soon as you can!'

I loved Eider Hollands talk "None Were With Him," Elder Hales talk "Becoming Provident Providers: Temporally and Spiritually," Sister Margaret S. Lifferth's talk "Respect and Reverence."

(Just to name a few!!)

Flowers on Temple Square
The Beautiful Salt Lake City Temple

I love taking pictures of flowers!

The Temple in the reflection pool.

The gang Jamie, Kara, Jessica, and Rachael


I am so thankful for the chance that I had to attend General Conference. I am also thankful for the good friends that I went with! On the way home we sang Hymns and Primary Songs for like an hour and a half! It was amazing! I am so thankful that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I know that President Monson is the Prophet on the Earth today and that the other leaders of the church have been called of God. I hope that I will get to attend General Conference many many more times in my life!

To read the talks from this session of General Conference click here.

To learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints click here.