WORK !!!

Wow! Did Summer even happen? It snuck past me before I had the chance to savor its precious moments. Which is sad, because I know they were there -I just missed them. I have become a full-blown room rat.

In my younger years, my parents couldn't keep me home with handcuffs, a ball and chain! My mom would say, "You're grounded." And I would reply, "I know" As I opened the front door with a smirky grin and walked out into freedom. There wasn't much that could tie me down or prevent me from living life at full speed ahead. I worked hard and played harder. I drove a sporty red Triumph Spitfire convertible that I paid for myself by going to work at 4 or 5 am before school each day, then right after school I would return to the sewing factory to earn more $ and worked til 7:00 each evening.

I started working as a very young child. I worked in the local farms picking cherries with my friends. Then my dad bought 23 acres across from our home and I spent years planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting 5 acres of tomatoes. We also had 5 acres of peaches that had to be pruned, sprayed, irrigated, thinned, and gently harvested. In addition, we had chickens, cows, sheep(bad idea), a goat(another bad idea!), a horse, a dog, and some cats (not pets- just mousers- me + cats = NO)

I always woke up each morning before the sun rose, ate my breakfast, and waited for enough light to leave the house and begin my assigned chores. I wanted all my chores done before 10am so that I could spend the rest of the day playing with my best childhood friend, Jacque. We played all day every day. My childhood truly was what I consider to be a perfect childhood.

JACQUE'S FAMILY
Katy, Wes, Jacque, and Ken

On Christmas mornings each year, my siblings and I would wake up extra early -as soon as Santa left our house ;-) and revel in our gifts while it was still dark. It took every ounce of control I could muster to wait until 9:00am to run over to Jacque's and start ringing her doorbell. Of course that woke up her entire family and I would drag them to their basement where they would begin unwrapping their gifts. 'Santa' had to wrap ALL of their presents because NOTHING would escape Jacque's ever inquisitive spirit. She would even carefully unwrap and re-wrap gifts in order to make her mom think she hadn't snooped. We got VERY worked up about Christmas. We got excited about EVERYTHING in life. We were going to do EVERYTHING and BE everything! We were sure we would conquer the world!!! We were the absolute OPPOSITE of lazy.

But for me, something happened. I really don't know what it was. Probably the combo of MANY things, but I have become a person that would prefer to never leave my room. I am usually ok once I am out and about, but getting there is SOO overwhelming that just the thought of it can do me in. I want my enthusiasm for life back! I don't want to grow old like this. It HAS to change or .......

The Human Race

Living in Utah County has presented many challenges to me through the years. When I was a young college student -so concerned with myself and sure the whole world revolved around me- I saw a culture that seemed cold, self-righteous, full of judgment and completely unbending. But over the years, there are things I have come to understand in a whole new light. And perhaps the most judgmental place in the valley sat squarely in MY heart.

I recently commented on a friends blog that Utah Valley seems to be one thing on the surface, but as you take the time to REALLY get to know someone -or show sincerity and wonder in your interactions with others, you will find unimaginable diversity here. Everyone has a story worth telling. Sometimes the most Molly of Moms can shock your shorts if you get to know their journey. Life is never as it appears on the surface of the glistening pond of humanity. And there is a LOT churning in some of the places least expected. Keep your eyes open and your heart will become swollen by the stories of those you pass every day. The trick is in the seeing -in the vulnerability and compassion you share that allows people to open up. If you allow yourself to be vulnerable and imperfect, people will come out from behind their masks and really show you who they are.

The LOCATION of my journey is not nearly as important as my individual response to those around me. I MUST push myself beyond my comfort zones and be willing to be authentic in my relationships with others. I have a multitude of flaws and imperfections. And now I am adding a layer of fear that seems to be cumulative as I age. I simply MUST push past my fears and replace that fear with faith. For ultimately, all fear is a form of Atheism, as it denotes a LACK of FAITH in GOD'S infinite wisdom. If the future is going to have any value to me and those I interact with, the burden of that VALUE lies squarely with me. For I determine my own attitudes, and those attitudes have an affect on those around me. MOST IMPORTANTLY MY FAMILY!

 I Must Become a

 Beacon of Light to my Family !

I don't want to be a worried old lady when I die! I prefer to become a beacon of light through which God can perform good works. I want to leave a legacy of living life with joy! It is simply time for me to change the course of my path, and move towards a powerful existence that reflects the Light of Christ. I want to be a force for good in the universe -not just one more speck of empty dust with nothing but a plastic shell. Time to step up.