15 gelati in 10 days :))))

This morning I am feeling super grateful as I reflect on the time that Kinny and I had in Italy.
Ever since I came back from my mission 18 months ago Kinny has been saving all of her money. She saved birthday money, christmas money, any kind of money that she could earn. Whenever I would start to get into a serious relationship she would tell me I would have to wait to get serious until after we went to Italy. I really laughed at all of this and in my mind I thought we would never make it back to Italy. Well we kept working hard to save our money, got some help from mom and dad, and found plane tickets roundtrip out of Salt Lake to Venice for $400!
We were oh so lucky! Kinny's desire to go to Italy and diligence helped us to keep looking for tickets and find tickets cheap enough to go.
On the airplane rides over we started to lose our luck a little. We were stuck on an airplane for 3 hours not moving, the pilot telling us that the engine had problems and they were checking it. (That is not something you want to hear when you are about to be flying in that plane for 9 hours). As we kept having flight issues and had to take a random flight to Germany haha I decided that all of these "trials" that werent really trials could relate to the bigger picture! God is our pilot. When you are on an airplane you only see through the side windows and the people around you on the plane. The pilot is totally in control and sees the whole picture up front. He knows how the engine is working and the procedures to help make the trip safe. Long story short, we are freaking out because we only see clouds, hear the baby behind us screaming, and trying to get through the flight by watching a whole season of Friends. But our pilot knows everything and will do everything he can to get us to our final destination safely even if that means trials and waiting, lots of waiting sometimes.

Anyway that's my preachy thought for you.

I loved my time in Italy with Kinny. We ate 15 gelati in the 10 days we were there, so I would say it was a huge success. We ate pizza, lots of pizza. We saw a few of my friends while being over there. Many who invited us into their homes and treated us like royalty. We saw all of my favorite places in Italy. Venice, Vicenza, Verona, Florence, Lucca, Pisa, and Milan. We bought lots of leather stuff from my salesman Raffi at the San Lorenzo leather market. We went to church in Florence where the spirit was so strong and faces of friends filled the chapel. I saw Julia & Henry and their family just days after they entered the temple and got to see the light in their eyes as they spoke of their experiences there. My heart was so full as I heard this couple who I saw baptized just two years ago talk about the promises they had made with God and the feelings they had felt in the house of the Lord.
Most importantly I got to see my sister, Kindra, experience and grow to love the people that I love so much in Italy. I loved being with my sister and showing her a place that is so dear to me. I know it was a once in a lifetime experience! Kinny taught me so much on this trip and I grew to love her even more.
These memories we shared will last forever! Ok...now that I took her to Italy, I guess this means I can find my Romeo. Haha jk, I will let the pilot decide when and how that's going to happen. For now like they say in Italy, Pazienza (Patience).

Ponte Vecchio with Alberta

Best Gelateria in Lucca (ate there twice in one day and proud of it;))

My Peruvian parents (Julia & Henry)

My darling Kinny

On top of the Duomo di Milano

Finding Blessings

This past week my family left on Trek. This means they left behind their cell phones, beds, normal clothes, showers, and everything comfy to go walk miles and miles through Wyoming and experience a little of what the pioneers did. I seriously was nervous for them and so glad that I got to stay home and be the cheerleader and shower every day. But really I was nervous and prayed for them every single day hoping they were healthy and strong.

It was a neat experience to listen to the experiences they had this week. Is it easy for a 16 year old to leave behind her snapchat for a week? Or a 13 year old to not have any way to find out about the basketball updates on his ipod? No but I think it helped them realize just how blessed they really are. Think of how hard life would be back then?! Have you ever thought of what your ancestors went through because of how much they loved the Lord and did what He told them to do? How amazing. Just think someday maybe someone will think that about you and the hard things you went through will be such amazing stories for your future family and friends to hear. 

Sometimes I think that we are so used to having everything instantly. We can find ourselves in a crappy mood when things are not going exactly how we want. It is so easy to count and see everything we are missing in our lives. But how nasty will our lives be if we only see what we don't have instead of opening our eyes to what we do have?

My advice to myself for today and hopefully someone who reads this today is to not live in the past and not pray for the future to come faster or life is going to zip by way to fast. I challenge myself and you to look at the blessings you have in your life because if you look for them you will find them. 

I am incredibly grateful for my family. Each member of my family helps me in a different way. This doesn't mean we are perfect at all. I am grateful for my friends new ones and old ones that give me advice and help me through hard days or even just hard hours when I need someone to talk to about life. I am grateful for Jesus Christ. I know He lives. He knows me by name and has suffered every pain so that I don't have to ever suffer alone. I promise you that He is there and loves you.

I looked up the word 'blessing' on my scripture app and it showed up with 2,213 references. Even back in the days of prophets they were finding blessings. Here is one of my favorite hymns that keeps me going when I am being selfish or find myself in a pity party. The Lord loves you and blessings will come when you are ready for them! His timing is perfect.

When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.

Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings; ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.
Count your many blessings; money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

So amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged; God is over all.
Count your many blessings; angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your blessings;
See what God hath done.
Count your blessings;
Name them one by one.
Count your many blessings;
See what God hath done.

Other Blessings:

Costa Vida chicken saladsssss

Breakfast burritos

mouthwash

nature

cars

the sun

dogs

Mission Comps
Rice Cookers
Drives through Provo Canyon with the coolest future parents (Jared & Avarie Olsen) (PS Thanks for the pesto pasta)

Italian food (22 more daysssss!)

Cute sis! Can't wait for Baby O!

My precious bestie. You may not recognize us without our double chins

Tacos, rowing, and going

It was 10 months ago that I last posted on my blog. I think it's because there has been too much going on or things that I feel wouldn't interest people. Sometimes it is hard to try to find the right words that would encourage others or making them laugh until their stomach hurts. I really enjoy doing both of those things. But today I realize that my blog isn't for any specific person. I have missed writing on my blog. Today I came home from church just thinking wow, I need to write some things down about church and life. 

Today I really loved church. Now I am not saying that I don't like it every Sunday but sometimes my mind wanders and I start thinking about the next weeks events, boys, or tacos. (Because to be honest most of the time that is what is on my mind) Today though, I loved the lessons and talks given. The ones that especially stood out to me were talking about the Plan of Salvation and Testimonies. In the first lesson, the teacher had many of her friends that had joined my church share their experiences about hearing about the Plan of Salvation for the first time. It was amazing their testimonies they shared. I sometimes take for granted all the truths I know and believe. Then in Relief Society we talked about our testimonies and what they can motivate us to do and become. 

I just want to share that I believe God loves me and knows me perfectly. I believe that I lived with Him before I came to this earth. I believe that my life has meaning and that God made a beautiful plan for all of us. I believe I chose to come to this earth and have trials and happiness. I believe God sent His son, Jesus Christ to show me how to live and be happy by loving others and coming to know God through His son. I believe that because of Jesus Christ, death is not the end. I believe that if I do my very best on earth and turn to Jesus and God I can have peace and live with both of them again. 

These truths have been taught to me my whole life. I am so grateful for them. They give me hope and happiness now. I know they are true because I have prayed about them and received a definite answer in my heart from God that they are true. Man He really loves me! And He really loves you too!

God loves my quarks. He loves me for me. I love tacos. I love puzzles. I love italian leather. I love having my clothes match. I love hoodies. I love rowing (yes like exercise rowing, I have no idea why but it's a new love). I love the lake. I love my family. I love having my hair braided. I love the store Jane.com online. I love laughing. I love jumping into my sister, Kindra's arms. I love caramel M&Ms. I love Dr. Pepper. I love having tickle fights with my brother Trey. I love going on walks to clear my mind. I love nice weather, especially in Rexburg!!! 

All these random things I love may seem dumb or stupid and some of them really are. God knows each of these details about me and more. And He cares about my love for these things!! That's how much God loves us. He knows the desire of our hearts and what we desire each day. If we include Him in our lives, he will make these fun things we love even more fun and special!

And even when life isn't going how we want, we just keep rowing. Also don't ever try to scratch your head and row at the same time, I almost fell off of the machine the other day. 

 

Kinny- she is 15 and so hot. 

I like your shoes.

Hey! So I have not written anything in months and I have the feeling when school starts again in two weeks that it will be the same. But I am going to try to take a minute every Sunday to write something down that I hope inspires you and makes you laugh either with or at me.

This week I went to Sams Club with my Mamma. I love Sams Club and Costco. Samples. Do I even have to explain myself? That in itself is worth going there to get crackers with fancy cheese and juices and salami or whatever else they give you for free!

So after Mamma Skinner and I were about done shopping, I ran to the bathroom. And random fact don't you just love those vacuum things that dry your hands? Because I do. Well I walk out and my mom is in the middle of checking out and I felt awkward going in line with her so I sat at one of those food court tables near where they sell the pizza, churros, and sundaes. I sat down for a few minutes and am just looking around. I look at my shoes and realize that my new white converse have a small gray stain on them. Then out of no where a cute 10 year old skips on over in front of me and tells me she likes my shoes. I thanked her but she continued to just stare at me so we continued to talk for about five minutes. We just had a random conversation about families and her cute outfit she had on that she claimed was her "best outfit from California."

My mom then came over (took this picture) and I could tell I needed to leave the girl. I didn't get to know this girl very well (I didn't want to seem like a creepy 21 year old), I didn't even ask for her name. But I do know this much, she was an angel sent to me that day. It wasn't like my day was awful, my day was pretty good. I was shopping with my mom! Yet, I cannot help but think this girl was an angel sent to me by a loving Father in Heaven reminding me that life is so good. I am grateful that this little girl had the courage to come tell me she liked my shoes and took time to talk to me. It might seem like nothing but really it made my day. A 10 year old girl in a pineapple t-shirt.

My miracle minute this week goes to the girl who simply told me she liked my shoes. So I challenge you this week to go compliment someone or talk to them because you will help remind them that there is good in this world and that God loves them.

Also I decided to change my blog name. The purpose of my blog is going to be spiritual motivation mainly for myself but also anyone who wants to read it. One thing I loved about my mission was that I found daily miracles. I have noticed since being home I haven't noticed them as much because I am not constantly looking for them. I know that miracles are out there and that God sends us people or experiences that are miracles. We have the chance to be apart of these miracles as well if we act and sometimes, we are the miracles!

If you just jump in it won't be scary!

Hey!

I still do not have a name for my blog. So I guess my title just makes me look like I am a nun but that's fine for now.
Today was my first day going back to the Singles Ward. Don't really know what to say about that. The spirit was definitely the same. Just the back rubbing and checking out was a little more intense. #whattoexpect

The first week of school was good and intense as well! This semester I am working and taking 14 credits! Pretty crazy but a good crazy.

Today I am thinking lots about my brother, Elder Mitchel Skinner. He is my hero. He is so brave. I remember when we were younger and he had no fear at all. We have a home video when he is just jumping into the lake like a mad man and I am just over in the corner freaking out (swimming scared me growing up)! He said to me "If you just jump in it won't be scary!" I jumped in and as I jumped my body turned back towards the dock ready to climb up on the dock as quickly as possible after I came back up out of the water. I made it safely back up on the dock and my five year old brother at the time was right, I jumped in and it wasn't too scary.


This phrase has stuck with me through some of my hard times on my mission and I know it applies to me even now. Out in the mission field it was scary to stop people on the street and try to speak with them in Italian. The most beautiful language on earth! Haha I can only imagine what they were thinking as I spoke my caveman Italian at the beginning of my mission. I decided to stop caring what people thought and just jump in, and when I decided to just jump in, it wasn't scary.

So what is it I am trying to say to my three blog followers? Don't be scared? Yeah, pretty much. The world wants you to think that you cannot do it, most of the time you might even come to think that yourself. I know that the loving God who created us does not fill our minds with those thoughts. We absolutely can do this. Whatever that "this" is. Maybe it is graduating high school, choosing a major for college, having a kid, asking that cute girl out in your chemistry class (okay maybe it's physics), choosing to eat Taco Bell or Costa Vida (clearly it should be Costa Vida), what job to take, or which house to buy. I am sure that whatever is worrying us is important to the Lord and that the last thing He wants us to be is scared. I know if we trust in Him, we won't worry as much. So let us have joy! Let us pray to our Father in Heaven daily so that when the hard scary decisions come and we feel we have received an answer from Him, we can "just jump in and it won't be scary!"

This week let's jump in and not be too scared!

Summer 2014

First day in Italy, jumping in!

Give me a name!

Ciao Tutti! Hey everyone! So I am back. I am happy to be back in Idaho. Ok, wait, I am happy to be back with my family and friends in Idaho. I miss Italy, I miss speaking Italian, I miss Italian food, I miss eating gelato (ice cream is not the same, so I guess I am a food critic) I miss my friends, I miss serving the Lord, but I plan on not being one of those super depressed return missionaries.

 Happiness is a choice! I am happy for my mission and for the people I met along the way. I am grateful that Heavenly Father gave me the opportunity to meet His children and share the love He has for them. I know He loves us more than we know or feel. I know the Lord needed me there telling people that for 18 months and now He needs me here. Now I get to go finding in a different way...like finding my future eternal companion. Just kidding, I still enjoy receiving handshakes.

Anyway, I need you to give me a name. I am no longer a sister missionary. The tag is off, the sandals are on!

The Skinner gang has been trying to help me think of new names for my blog. I am not going to go back to Katiebug in the Burg because people at college before my mission started calling me Katie and that is only okay if your name is Tera Schwartz or if you are in the Skinner family.

These are Dad's ideas:

I'm Kate...looking for a mate!

Back in school...fool!

I'm wearing jeans!

Italian at heart!

Looking for my next companion...

Good news Mister...I'm not a sister!

I fed His sheep...don't be a creep. (This is my personal favorite)

Mom's ideas:
My mom is the bomb
I am a gem, if you're an RM.

Trey's idea:

Winner winner, chicken Skinner.

Kinny's idea:

I'm Kate, lookin' for a date. 

Please give me name ideas if you think of any! Or vote for one of these names! Normal names are acceptable as well. (Please)  Just something maybe better than "The life of Katelyn Skinner."

Okay, thanks! Happy Sunday!

Oh yeah and pictures, sorry to be over the top.

Time to say goodbye

How I miss Sorella Visconti! My French companion I got to see before I left.

Leaving a note on the love wall or whatever. 

I am home and I have got some great cheerleaders, I would not have made it without them!

See! They are just so great!

Thank you Rebecca Johnston for your awesome photography skills! 

I leave with you my testimony...

Ciao Tutti !


I remember scared Sorella skinner coming to Italy on the plane. Not
knowing what to expect not being sure if I could do it. I had
questions and I was a missionary. How is that possible? And I come out
of my mission still having questions. However...I cannot explain how
much I have learned and how incredible I think our Heavenly Father is.
I know he knows me perfectly. I know my struggles and pains matter to
him enough that he didn't want me to face them alone.  So he gave me a
savior who knows how to help me. I know that he has led and guided me
these past eighteen months. "In moments of distress and grief my soul
has often found relief."
I've been protected and led to help my brothers and sisters in Italy.
I have seen Gods hand in this work every single day....even the harder
days. I have grown a testimony of the restoration of the gospel. I
know that the Book of Mormon is true. I found comfort in this book
when I wish I had my mom or dad to talk to....I turned to the
scriptures and God comforted me.

I found a great testimony by elder uchtdorf that I want to share.
It must have been this kind of testimony that transformed the Savior’s
Apostles from fearful, doubting men into fearless, joyful emissaries
of the Master. In the hours following His Crucifixion, they were
consumed with despair and grief, unable to understand what had just
happened. But one event changed all of that. Their Lord appeared to
them and declared, “Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself.”
When the Apostles recognized the risen Christ--when they experienced
the glorious Resurrection of their beloved Savior--they became
different men. Nothing could keep them from fulfilling their mission.
They accepted with courage and determination the torture, humiliation,
and even death that would come to them because of their testimony.
They were not deterred from praising and serving their Lord. They
changed the lives of people everywhere. They changed the world.
You do not need to see the Savior, as the Apostles did, to experience
the same transformation. Your testimony of Christ, born of the Holy
Ghost, can help you look past the disappointing endings in mortality
and see the bright future that the Redeemer of the world has prepared.
Elder uchtdorf


I leave you with my testimony that I know the Lord Jesus Christ lives.
I have not seen him. But I have felt him in my life. And this has come
through searching for his help and humbling myself a lot. I can never
thank him enough for what he has done for me. I will continue to look
to my savior and know him because I know it doesn't stop here. I have
lots more to learn.

I love these Italians so much. They have a special place in my heart.
They have taught me lots. I know the Lord needed me here in Italy. And
I can't thank him enough for the experiences I have had. I am sad it
will soon be over but I know he needed me here these past 18 months
and now he needs me back home with my beautiful family and friends. He
has a plan for me!

Love you all! I will see you soon everyone. But not too soon...first I
get to travel Italy and visit my friends here in Italy with my two
best friends!

Love,
Sorella Skinner