Sunday, April 24, 2016

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!


Sunday, April 17, 2016

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!