The beginning...

Lately I have been thinking about how I got to the church. I have told this story many times, to the missionaries, to ward members and at zone conferences. So I thought I would share it here...

Two years ago, almost to the date my best friend Larisa gave me my first Book of Mormon. It was our junior year in high school and it was the first time we were separated since 6th grade. Needless to say, it was a really hard year for her and I. We had no classes together. The only time we ever were able to see each other was at lunch time and even then we had other friends we wanted to communicate with.

January 2010 I started to have a major downfall. I began burning my arms, work was horrible, I quit swimming and Karate. It was a disaster. I was holding so much in that I needed to write a letter my best friend. I knew that Larisa would read it but I wasn't counting on her writing me back. This letter was 6 pages front and back about me hurting. I gave her the letter after school one day.

The next day we were in the seminary building having lunch. I had bandages all up and down my arm so I needed to wear a jacket to cover up. The one I had on that day was too heavy, so I walked out to my car to get another lighter coat. I left my backpack and Larisa in the seminary building. It was also finals week.

I walked into my dreaded English class with the dreaded English final. I reached into my backpack to grab a pencil. That's when I found this brown paper bag at the bottom of my backpack with a note on it. The note said "Kaitlyn you may want to open this later. Probably in private. Good luck on your final. Love Larisa" Of course I was not patient, I went through my final in no time flat and opened the package.

When I pulled it out, I saw the back of it that said "Another Testament of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" I bawled when I saw this. I was over filled with joy and hope. She had highlighted many scriptures that she felt would help me through. I spent that night flipping through the book, reading scriptures and reading what she had to say. At the back of the book I found a passage from her. This book is the most treasured item I have.

Larisa was also the first person to take me to a church, and I have gone with her several times. She has supported me with every decision I have made.

Kaitlyn^2 on my baptism day

Wonderful friends at my baptism day

My Washingtonian friends from Provo who came to my baptism

This is my best friend Larisa

Life of a convert

I decided to write this blog because I received a calling today in church. As I was talking to Brother Bowen today in church he was explaining to me how he understands that I may feel like a foreigner because I am a convert. It's true. I am surrounded by so many people who have grown up in the church. They know all the Book of Mormon stories and the Bible stories. I however know none of them. I do know that the church is real, that Jesus Christ is our savior and that we all have agency. I believe in the Holy Ghost and partaking in the sacrament every Sunday. I am getting better at  praying to our Heavenly Father as well as reading the scriptures for answers. I know that He sees the bigger picture and if things are not right now, they will be.

The purpose of this blog is to track my journey as a new LDS member. I am very excited to begin this new part in life!

Washingtonian friends from Provo! Kimber, Kaitlyn, Whitney, Sadie, Becca, Jessica and Larisa

Kaitlyn^2!! She was a little surprise!