Blessed Beyond Measure

Dear Grace,

I know some of this is old news, but I have not yet written about or shown pictures of some of these things, so just bear with me!

This year, for the very first time I got my own Christmas tree (which the roomies and I made an evening of by watching Christmas films and making strings of popcorn to hang up).

Next, Mom and I went to The Forgotten Carols this year together (at my insistence, as I'm sure you gathered after my last entry). We took an alternative route from the freeway to get there, when we happened upon this lovely sight:

The Tree of Life!!! I'd heard about it this year, but had had no idea where it was, and had been sad to miss the lighting of it, but what a pleasant surprise. 

We had a bit of a learning experience finding it, too. I usually take Redwood Road to avoid traffic, but Mom suggested that we take a different road on the other side of the freeway, which I didn't want to do. But, after a bit of gentle pressing on her part to "just try it and see" I relented and we took the other road. That's how we happened upon the Tree of Life.

I was reminded of the many times in my life I've had it in my head how I want to do something, and God tells me to take a different route, even though I'd rather do it my way. In the end though, when we listen to Him we are blessed with even more things than we could ever have hoped for.

Next, I attended the Yule Ball. Yes. THE Yule Ball, as in Harry Potter, and wizards and owls and magic and glitter and dancing....It was awesome.

Roommate Cassandra (who will be an amazing wifey - boys, ask her to make you her famous chili. If you don't believe in God, you will after eating her food) did my hair for me and made it look like the very work of magic.

Then I got all dolled up in my favorite (and only) evening gown and met up with a group of friends from work at the ball.

As it turns out, one of my coworkers (Joe) actually used to do ballroom when he was in school, and as he and I were there without dates, we ended up dancing together several times. Can I just say HOW FUN ballroom dancing is when you have a good partner to lead you?! Joe is hilarious, fun, and a wonderful dancer. How in the world he's still single is a plum mystery to me.

On Christmas Eve, we went down to visit Holly and Brooke's graves. We lit illuminarios, sang Silent Night, and then I read a poem Michelle sent out to the family last year:

I'm spending Christmas With Jesus This Year

I see the countless Christmas trees,

Around the world below.

With tiny lights, like heaven's stars,

Reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular,

Please wipe away that tear.
For I'm spending Christmas,
With Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs,
That people hold so dear.
But the sounds of music can't compare,
With the Christmas choir up here.

For I have no words to tell you,
The joy their voices bring.
For it is beyond description,
To hear the angels sing.

I can't tell you of the splendor,
Or the peace here in this place.
Can you just imagine Christmas,
With our Savior, face to face?

I'll ask Him to light your spirit,
As I tell Him of your love.
So then pray one for another,
As I lift you eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful,
And let your spirit sing.
For I'm Spending Christmas in Heaven,
And I'm walking with the King.

~Wanda Bencke~

We are so blessed to know where we go after this life, and it's strange that my grief over my sisters being gone has been swept away. I think perhaps it's because I know without a doubt that they are with me always, now, and that although our time of being together on earth is done, we'll all be together forever in the eternities. 

Next, I had an adventure and learning experience in dying. No, never you fear, my pet, I did not almost get myself killed. I got a "red" coat for Christmas, which we all quickly came to realize was actually more of a road-cone orange. Rather than waste money buying a new coat, I insisted on dying it to a more red color. I failed on the first try, learning that regular fabric dye does nothing to synthetic fabric, but works WONDERFULLY on organic materials. For instance, a hand...

...turns out there was a hold in the glove. But, my second try (with synthetic fabric dye) met with more success, and now I have a red coat! (and normal colored hands).

Behold! The coat of a more pleasing pigment! My inner Brit is quite pleased. Also, my new valiant steed, whom I have christened "Ted," as in "Haaaaave you met Ted?"

If you've never seen How I Met Your Mother, this reference will be lost on you, and you make me sad.

My first road trip in Ted took me to visit the family in St. George for Dad's birthday weekend, where all of the roomies and I got together for dinner and a show together before Jamie left to go serve her mission in Rome, Italy.

I love this gospel so much, and I feel blessed beyond measure for the way it always seems to give me opportunities to meet such amazing people, like this group of girls I've been living with this year.

I love you Gracie, and I'm so grateful to have you in my life again.

All my love,

<3 Katie Jo

Franklin, The Turtle

Dear Grace,

Well, I'm sad to say it, but it finally happened. I got into my first car wreck. Yes, sadly, my dearly beloved Franklin has gone to dwell with our god in the great parking lot in the sky :'(

It's funny how getting into an accident has a strange way of making me feel so blessed. There were kind strangers who helped push my car into a parking lot, my parents who both came out to help me, the fact that this happened on a long weekend which gave me enough time to find a replacement, and my completely amazing roommate Meghan who willingly dropped everything and came to be with me, drive me home, wrap me in a blanket and make me a cup of tea, and then listen to me blubber about how sad I was to part with the car I've created so many memories with over the years. 

(Meghan AKA best wifey EVER. Fellas, start lining up for this lottery of a woman.)

It's funny how losing things has a way of opening your eyes to so many blessings. For me, I have the best parents in the world, the best of friends, my dream job, my life, my health, and the support and guidance of a loving heavenly father who strangely enough helped me to be prepared for this accident long before it ever happened.

I say this because first off, for no reason in particular I had been car shopping for a month already before the accident, and I had felt compelled to do a fair amount of research on what type of car I wanted and to determine whether I could afford a new car right now, which I was amazed to discover I could.

Second, my school schedule got about as messed up as it could get, which oddly enough allowed me to work more hours each week, thus providing a way for me to pay for things involving a car. On top of that, the refunds I got from student loans gave me near to the dollar the amount I needed for a down payment on the car.

Then more blessings came the day after the accident. 

My roommate Meghan happens to work near my own workplace, and was able to give me a ride to and from work the next day. When I got to work, my coworker Wendy saw me walk in and immediately jumped up and ran over to give me a great big hug and tell me how glad she was I was all right. Then she contacted her husband and the two of them tag-teamed for the rest of the day to help me find a new car.

(Wendy and her husband, Chet)

Then my coworker Cindy...

...(the company massage therapist and a dear friend of mine) learned of my accident and made time in her busy schedule to give me a massage (on account of my getting some pretty wicked whiplash).

Then Dad spent the better part of his weekend searching online and then driving me around the county, insistent that I test drive a number of cars so I would be sure that the car I chose was the one I really wanted. Ultimately, Dad found the exact car I wanted at good price, and then helped me with all of the big and scary paperwork and insurance. My dad is the best man I know. I don't know what I did to deserve him, but I really don't know what I'd do without him!

(Best. Daddy. EVER!!!)

Last of all, I have ten years of memories tied to that wonderful old death machine that I get to keep forever. Road trips, deep conversations, people I was able to serve, places I was able to go, and the countless times it was a refuge for me when I had nowhere else to go. 

Needless to say, my old friend Franklin will be sorely missed!