California!

I'd been waiting a long time to visit my parents in California. Finally that time came! My parents came to Utah for a few days to visit all of our family, and then Kallin and I drove back with them to Cali. We were able to be there for a week and a few days. Here is my post about the whole escapade!!! :)

Day 1- Of course the drive to Cali was about 12 hours! Listening to music, eating food, joking around, and watching the sun go down made it better :)

Day-2- Today we actually went and saw TWO movies in the theater. Hunger Games (for my 3rd time haha) and Avengers. We also went on a walk and went to the pool :)


Day 3- San Francisco was our destination today! My first time, and it was awesome. Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, Coldstone, and The Sea Lion Cafe!

 

Day 4- We rode a trolley for the first time today! Such a fun experience :) China Town, Chirardelli chocolate factory, and The Rain Forest Cafe!

It was so fun and beautiful!!! 

These signs were everywhere. Kallin and I always laughed when we saw them. Became a big inside joke :)

We ordered a dessert called, "The Volcano!" SO GOOD!

Day 5-  Golden Gate Bridge, Redwoods, Muir Beach, and watched Tron!

 

The ocean seriously just went on forever. One of the most gorgeous views I've ever seen in my life!!!

Day 6-9 We spent the last few days relaxing, going to the pool, playing games, and just being with each other. San Francisco was fun, but I once again realized why I never want to live in the city. I love hiking and nature too much. Cities are just too crowded and busy for me. I love being in the mountains and having space :) Visiting my parents was awesome!!!

Love, Karli Sue

Family

My parents flew in from California to visit, so for those few days I was with my family a lot. We went to The Crepery, which was delicious and fun :) We always find something dumb to do when we're together, and we laugh our heads off.

My nephew's birthday was on Cinco De Mayo, and my brother-in-law had a Mexican shirt on. Each member of our family took a funny picture wearing it and sent it to our brother who lives in California. I wish I could put some of those pictures up... but they're pretty horrendous hahaha :) We're a crazy family, but I love it! Here are some pictures of us from the past few months. Us playing games in the yard, eating food, and more. Enjoy!

 The shirt we all took pictures in ^

 

 

 

 

My nephew and I pretty much had the same pajamas! When we went to take this picture he accidentally put his arm on my bum. It was awkward but hilarious at the same time! I wish we could've gotten a picture of it, but oh well!

Love, Karli Sue

Friends Forever

College has really been a big eye opener for me. When you move away from home, you realize the people who truly care and try to stay in your life, and the people who don't. Even some best friends from my childhood barely talk to me anymore, but I know that there's one friend that I'll have forever... and that's Kallin :)

Kallin and I have always been close, but college has made us even closer. We talk every night until the wee hours of the morning :) Sometimes we can't fall asleep because we're laughing so hard about dumb stuff. We put stars on our ceiling and watch the stars together every night ;) Cold Stone is our favorite place to go when we crave ice cream at random moments. We watch movies in the lounge, and just talk in our room. The list of things goes on and on. They're small moments, but they mean a lot. I'm so grateful that I'm a twin, and that I have a friend by my side forever! I love you Kallin!!!

My older brother and sister also live in Logan. I've gotten even closer to them, and I love it too. College is an amazing time to learn about yourself and the people around you. I'm so thankful for it!
I LOVE MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

Love, Karli Sue

Missionary Moment

An amazing experience happened to me on Sunday! I was early for church to find the right chapel, and decided to read my scriptures. This guy walked up and asked if he could sit by me. He wasn't dressed in church clothes, so I wondered if he was a member or not. 


We began talking, and his name was Matt. Out of the blue he tells me that I'm intimidating. He said, "Seeing you at church early and reading your scriptures is amazing. I see that you're paying your tithing too. I mean... then look at me... I'm really struggling." He explained that he KNOWS the church is true, but he often doubts God's love because of the mistakes he has made. 


I then had the opportunity to share with him briefly some of the mistakes I've made, and the lessons learned. I testified that God loves each of us, even when we make mistakes. During the sacrament, he asked me what my favorite scripture was. I showed him Mosiah 24:14. It says, "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."


When he read that, he looked up at me and said, "That's exactly what I needed to hear." I smiled and looked up to the sacrament table. (side note) There were two men who were passing and blessing the sacrament. One of them was blind, and the other man was a midget. I couldn't believe the faith and courage those men had to perform ordinances of God even with disabilities. One of them messed up a little bit on the sacrament prayer, so he needed to say it again. It reminded me of how Heavenly Father wants us to strive to be perfect, but when we aren't, we have another chance to make things right. I hoped that Matt was thinking the same thing.


ALL of the talks were about God's love for his children. I couldn't believe how the spirit was working so strongly to bless Matt to hear what he needed to. At the end of the meeting, he thanked me sincerely for him being able to have met me. I thanked him for the same thing. I couldn't believe how much joy it was being able to share my experiences and apply them to an actual life situation. I felt like a real missionary!!! This overwhelming desire came over me to help people like Matt who are struggling. It was a TINY glimpse of what missionaries feel in the mission field. I want others to know what I know, and feel what I feel!


Matt and I only know each other's first names. We probably won't see each other again because he was moving out of state the next day... but he helped change my life in the matter of a few minutes! 


The whole meeting was just AMAZING! I love The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!!! 

Love, Karli Sue

Mothers

Mother's Day is such an amazing day!  My mom gave me my life and has saved it (literally) many times. We celebrate Mother's day once a year, but I should be thankful for my mother every single day of my life. She has been there from my very first step as a child, to my very first step in the real world. She has sacrificed so much and loved me even through hard times. She's not only my mom, but one of my best friends. I love you Mom! I'm also grateful for all mothers around the world who are amazing, including my older sisters. Thanks Haylie, Lindsay, Paige, Fallon, and Michelle for being examples of good mothers in my life too. 

 I LOVE YOU ALL! 

"The love of a mother comes nearer 

to the love of God than any other kind of love."

"Mother: (noun) One person who does the

work of twenty, for free."

"Home is where your mom is."

"Life began with waking up and

 loving my mother's face."

Love, Karli Sue

Wearing Christ's Name

I've worked at Lee's for almost three months now! I've loved it! I like helping people and smiling at little babies :) It's great because I get to do those things and get paid at the same time ;) 


The other day I was bagging groceries for this cute old man. He said, "Karli? That's a nice name... you wear it well." I smiled and thanked him. I've never really had a compliment like that before. It made me think about my name and how I wear it. Then I thought about Christ's name... and if I wear it well. I'm not a missionary, so I'm not literally wearing Christ's name with a badge... but do my actions represent him well?


I wondered what Christ and Heavenly Father think as they watch me and what I'm doing in this life. Would they think I was wearing the name of the Gospel well, and living up to it? I'm glad that cute old man said that to me, because I've never looked at my name tag at work the same again. 


I'm grateful for the small things that make a big difference in my life. I love living in Logan and knowing that no matter where I go in life, there will always be good and genuine people around :)

Love, Karli Sue