The Holy Ghost

Some religions believe that God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost (Spirit) are one being. The Church of Latter-day Saints believe that They are all separate beings in the God Head. After reading and doing some research, I found a few things the Holy Ghost is and does:

• He is a Spirit of Truth
• Dwells with Truth
• Helps people remember Christ
• Teaches of Truth
• Gives Peace
• He will tell you if you are doing something wrong
• He will tell you if you are doing something right
• He inspires and enlightens you
• He Quickens the Mind
• Reveals Mysteries of God
• Can help you know of future events (Revelation)

I know the Holy Ghost is real because I have had experiences that testified to me of Christ. Because I felt the power of Christ, I know that feeling came from the Holy Ghost. 

Leadership taught by the Savior

Throughout high school, I was involved in Leadership with a variety of activities. It started with class councils, which moved to Leadership class, which moved to ASB, then to State Leadership positions, and then leadership with sports teams. Although I spent hours in classes, at conferences, and practicing my leadership skills, I believe that Christ's example gave me a strong base for my leadership skills and style.

In the New Testament, Christ showed leadership by example. He didn't just tell people to heal leper, he did it himself. He told his apostles that the master is no better than the servant, so as he served, so should they.

In the Church of Jesus Christ today, we try to lead by the same example as Christ did. I believe the only thing a leadership title should show is how much you should serve others. This style of leadership should be shown throughout the world though. As a president, vice president, or even a member of a group or country, it is your job to serve others.

The power of service is unmeasurable. You never know how much a little bit can help.



Video:http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2011-10-017-opportunities-to-do-good?lang=eng

Take Heed and Watch

Take Heed and Watch

For this week’s blog, I wanted for focus on warnings given in the scriptures, specifically in Mark and Matthew.

In the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew, verses 46-50, the Lord tells a story about a man and a thief. If you knew someone was going to break into your house one night, wouldn’t you stay up al night and wait for him? Christ suggests the same thing.

The scriptures prophesy the second coming of our Lord and savior. He doesn’t say when “in the night,” but he does say he is coming. This should give us enough to know that we should prepare.

Something’s we should watch for that show he is coming are listed below.

1.     Men will deceive you

2.     Men will put you and trial and beat you

3.     He will tell you he is coming

These three items came from Mark 13.

In other scripture, Christ also gives us warnings and suggestions for his second coming.

1.     D&C 87:8 Stand in Holy Places and be not moved.

2.     JST 1:37 Treasureth the word of Christ.

3.     JST 1:46-50 Be Ready

4.     D&C 33:17 Keep oil in your lamps.

5.     D&C 45:56-57 Take the Holy Ghost as your guide.

These are just a few things that can help us to prepare for his coming. He will be with us if we find it hard to do these things.

To Learn more, visit lds.org or mormon.org.

What we can learn from Christ

This week’s blogs are about chapters 21 and 22 in Matthew. In these chapters, Jesus teaches a couple parables. These parables share similarities with the magistrates and rulers and people in Jesus’ time. It also gives us some perspective in today’s day about what we should or shouldn’t be doing.

The first was the parable of the Fig Tree. The parable tells the story about a tree that was supposed to produce fruit to eat. However, the tree was empty, and Jesus commanded than no fruit would grow on these trees so they withered away. This reminds me of when the Temple in Jesus’ time was used for casting lots and unholy things. If the people or the buildings aren’t being used to teach truth and righteousness, then they won’t be able to teach at all.

The second parable I’d like to share is the parable of the wedding guest. It is found in Matthew 22. The story is about a king who invites his kingdom to a wedding but they all do not want to go. Even after sending servants telling the people of all the goodness at the wedding, they do not want to go.  They end up killing a servant that enrages the king and the king burned their cities. After the destruction, the servants gather as many people as they can and send them to the wedding. When the king enters the wedding and looks at the guests, he was speechless. There was on man not in his wedding garments. This man, the king sent out into outer darkness. The parable ends was the phrase “many are called, but few are chosen.” In the Joseph Smith translation, it continues with “wherefore all do not have on the wedding garment.”

The king in this second parable is our Heavenly Father, and this wedding is our after-earth life we can choose to live with him. We are all called to return and live with him. And there is so much goodness that comes with that. However, some will chose not to go back and they will be destroyed. Christ has come and died for the world, but still some do not want to return. And even when they do, they have to be worthy to live with the Father in Heaven.

These two parables have things we can learn things and apply them to our daily lives. To learn more about these parables or about the LDS faith visit: www.lds.org

Christ's Parables

This week’s blog post is on Jesus’ parables. First a parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels. Frank F. Judd in the Ensign said, “the mater teacher’s parables show both the justice and mercy of God at work among those who hear them.” Just like each person interprets the scriptures in a different way, Parables taught by Christ can be interpreted in different ways, however, they are taught with a specific message in mind.

In Luke chapters 16-18, Christ teaches a number of parables to help those listening understand certain principles.

The first parable we read about is about the unjust steward. A rich man had a steward over him, and a Master over the rich man. The Rich Man was not doing well in his businesses and because the steward over this rich man did not want to make his master mad, he forgave some of the debt of the rich man to make it seem that he was doing his good job.

Although the reason for the stewards forgiveness us unjust, Christ commended the steward.

The principle of this parable is to 1. Teach the care with which the saints of God should approach the task of preparing for their eternal future and 2. Teach about how to handle financial affairs here on earth.

To much is given much is required. If we are given money and land to work with, we must take on the responsibility to take care of that land and spend the money wisely. If we live with responsibility here on earth, we will be blessed with responsibility in Heaven.

To learn more about parables like this one visit: www.lds.org or www.mormon.org.

Christ's Parables

This week’s blog post is on Jesus’ parables. First a parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels. Frank F. Judd in the Ensign said, “the mater teacher’s parables show both the justice and mercy of God at work among those who hear them.” Just like each person interprets the scriptures in a different way, Parables taught by Christ can be interpreted in different ways, however, they are taught with a specific message in mind.

In Luke chapters 16-18, Christ teaches a number of parables to help those listening understand certain principles.

The first parable we read about is about the unjust steward. A rich man had a steward over him, and a Master over the rich man. The Rich Man was not doing well in his businesses and because the steward over this rich man did not want to make his master mad, he forgave some of the debt of the rich man to make it seem that he was doing his good job.

Although the reason for the stewards forgiveness us unjust, Christ commended the steward.

The principle of this parable is to 1. Teach the care with which the saints of God should approach the task of preparing for their eternal future and 2. Teach about how to handle financial affairs here on earth.

To much is given much is required. If we are given money and land to work with, we must take on the responsibility to take care of that land and spend the money wisely. If we live with responsibility here on earth, we will be blessed with responsibility in Heaven.

To learn more about parables like this one visit: www.lds.org or www.mormon.org.

Christ's Parables

This week’s blog post is on Jesus’ parables. First a parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels. Frank F. Judd in the Ensign said, “the mater teacher’s parables show both the justice and mercy of God at work among those who hear them.” Just like each person interprets the scriptures in a different way, Parables taught by Christ can be interpreted in different ways, however, they are taught with a specific message in mind.

In Luke chapters 16-18, Christ teaches a number of parables to help those listening understand certain principles.

The first parable we read about is about the unjust steward. A rich man had a steward over him, and a Master over the rich man. The Rich Man was not doing well in his businesses and because the steward over this rich man did not want to make his master mad, he forgave some of the debt of the rich man to make it seem that he was doing his good job.

Although the reason for the stewards forgiveness us unjust, Christ commended the steward.

The principle of this parable is to 1. Teach the care with which the saints of God should approach the task of preparing for their eternal future and 2. Teach about how to handle financial affairs here on earth.

To much is given much is required. If we are given money and land to work with, we must take on the responsibility to take care of that land and spend the money wisely. If we live with responsibility here on earth, we will be blessed with responsibility in Heaven.

To learn more about parables like this one visit: www.lds.org or www.mormon.org.

We believe in apostles.

 Article of faith # 6 states, “We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.”

Some apostle duties are given to men called the seventy.

In Luke 10, Christ called the first seventy of the church. He called them to first go out and meet with the people and preach the word of god. He then commanded them to heal the sick.

The Quorums have the apostolic duty to travel around the world, be missionaries, and serve those in the locations they are over. Just like Christ ordained his original seventy with power to overcome Satan’s temptations, the quorums now have that same power.

For more information about the LDS church go to www.mormon.org.

Miracles

A miracle is an extraordinary event caused by the power of God. Sometimes the word is thrown around too often, sometimes not enough. In Matthew, we learn about one of God’s many miracles, preformed by the Savior, Jesus Christ.

A man came to Christ with is son who was “lunatic and sore vexed.” He said that he took him to the disciples but they couldn’t heal his son. The man asked why the disciples couldn’t heal him and he said, “because of your unbelief,: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.”

For this miracle to happen, the disciples/man needed to have faith, prayer, and fasting. There are some other scriptures that help us to better understand miracles as well. In 3 Nephi 18:20, we are told that we have to ask what is right fully believing and we will receive an answer. In D&C 50:29 it says something similar. In D&C 42:48, it reinstates the fact that if you have faith, you will be healed.

Miracles aren’t just for healing the sick though. There are many miracles that happen in our daily lives. They still require faith, fast and prayer, but they will come if we are righteous and we ask.

But a key to miracles is to acknowledge them. If we know how to see miracles, then we can appreciate them and our lives will be happier.

"Jesus stretched forth his hand and caught him"

“Jesus sake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.”

In my life, I have many trials. Whether it is small daily temptations or physical or mental limitations, there seems to be always another thing to worry about. In Matthew 14, we read about Jesus’ disciples upon a ship who have a trial with a turbulent sea. They were fearful and when Jesus came to them in despair, they challenged the Lord. They asked him to perform a miracle to prove he was their Savior. Christ calmed the seas and called for Peter to walk with him. When the seas became rough again, peter feared and doubted and began to sink. Once Peter asked for help for the second time Christ immediately reached for Peter’s hand and caught him.

Our seas are not always calm but Christ is always there. Always, even when we doubt a second time. I had a time when I doubted myself, my life, my morals and everything I thought I believed in. I felt the seas around me become rough. I was tossed around through what the media said, what my friends said, and what my family said. But in the end, I had to ask the one person that knew how to help me. I had to ask for Christ to reach out his hand to help me. Through his servants, I began to find m own beliefs. I can now walk with him. But I have confidence that even if I fall, he will catch me.

What can be learned from the apostles of Christ

Much can be learned from the apostles of Christ. All twelve were devoted servants of Christ. An apostle is someone called, who s sent forth as a whiteness of Christ to all the world. Their purpose is to testify of his earthly life, his crucifixion, and most importantly his resurrection. 

Christ taught the apostles in a variety of ways. Most commonly it was through action. 

In Luke chapter 5, when Christ told the apostles to fish, although they had been fishing all day and hadn’t caught anything, they put their nets back in because He asked. Sometimes there are times in our lives where our efforts seem mundane and we don’t know why we are doing them. But just know that our Heavenly Father is omniscient and will not lead us astray. We must keep faith in Him. 

for more information on christ, visit www.mormon.org

Musical Tastings.

Watch. Listen. Fall in Love.

Inner Beauty

I am wonderful!

We are daughters of our Heavenly Father,
Who loves us,
And we love Him. 



Throughout my college experience, I have struggled with self doubt. I go to a school that has strong, uplifting religious values (in which I 100% believe in.) However, sometimes it is easy to get swept up in the culture of my religion. It is easy to mix up the culture and the doctrine of the Mormon religion--or any other type of religion.

As I mentioned prior, I have a struggle with self doubting/negative thoughts. I've decided to share them with you, along with some more positive ones.

I am single.  I am independent!
I am too busy to have a boyfriend. I am busy learning and having fun with school and friends and volleyball!
I don't have any money (to spend lavishly). I have a job and no debt!
I have so much homework tonight. I am on track to graduate next July!
I don't like my thighs. I love my hair!
I lost my volleyball game tonight. We had the longest undefeated streak in all of rec sports!

I give, who ever reads this a challenge. For every bad thought that might pop into your head, write it down. Then cross it out and write something positive beside it. It won't change the fact that you might have the most busy two days of your whole semester ahead of you, or that you and your boyfriend just broke up, but it will give you a little boost to conquer whatever is in front of you!

Keep your head up.

Love, Kate

Designer's Playlist

 

I want 2 things in life, I want world peace and I want to be a designer. 

I could practically be Miss America with that speech, huh?!

Anyway, when I am workign on a design, I LOVE LISTENING TO MUSIC!!!! So, here is my designer playlist! Enjoy!

 

You can find Jackson/Rockin' Robin HERE.

Mountains to Climb

My teacher shared this video in class today. I thought it was amazing. Everyone goes through trials in their lives. Sometimes they are so difficult we don't want to face another day, but try to remember there is always hope. There is always somewhere to turn when we feel like we can't take another step.

Wishing you support in your daily trials...
Love, Kate

I wanna stay up all night...

How appropriate that McDonald's is sponsoring your entertainment tonight! (The video above!)

 

Anyway, It's really late! Or early? But all my ideas for my two design projects I'm working on are coming to me right now!! Is this because of the caffine? I'm not sure... but oh well. 

I'll be up for a little longer. 

Love, Kate

P.S. I'll probably crash tomorrow.... OH WELL! It's the start of my BIRTHDAY WEEK!!!

Why??

Why is time never in my favor?
Why do I always find something I want to do when I only have time for things I need to do.
Why do cats always stink? And why do they always scare me?
Why, when I'm at work, do I come up with the funniest things and laugh out loud...by myself?
Why is life hard but worth every second of it?
Why does it snow 2 feet one day, sunshine the next, then proceed to snow again?
Why do we have amazing bodies that can run miles at a time?
Why do friends and family mean so much to us?
Why do my nights always end in me wanting ice cream?
Why do I snap chat hideous pictures of myself to my sisters?
Why are my sisters my best friends?
Why do I believe in religion?
Why do I live my life to be a good, charitable, friendly, virtuous person?

I don't have all the answers, but when I gain something I know is true, I try to share it.

Here is something I believe in. Something I know to be true. Why?

Love, Kate

Oh the places you'll go.

Hold on.

I'm still here. I am just busy with school. But HOLD ON FOR ONE MORE DAY!

Love, Kate

Distance makes the heart.

Don't you worry readers, I haven't went too far. Aside from having a HUGE homework load this weekend (And not doing any of it), and dropping my phone in the toilet... I just haven't had the time to blog. But come Thursday night, I'm all yours!! But I'll post some here and there's about my weekend. It was exciting!! ;)

Stay Tuned.

Love, Kate

Finding my voice...

This post is for my Chelsea girl and our love for Chuck Bass and Gossip Girl.

Have you watched The Carrie Diaries yet? I have a feeling it might become our new favorite show.


Anyway, at the end of the pilot episode she talks about finding her voice because she wants to be a writer. I think that is why I'm writing this blog. Whether I want to be a writer, photographer, stylist, fashion designer, or not have anything to do with any of it, this is the time to figure it out.

Love, Kate

I am not ashamed

I am not ashamed that I like Justin Bieber....

My favorite song off his acoutisc album.

Take Your Own Advice

Last night was a little hard for me. Multiple things transpired sending me into sobs. The first beginning with Downton Abby. (I know, I know). The last, a loss of a fellow student.

I called my cousin and best friend in tears. We talked about self worth mostly, but then she said something along the lines of taking her own advice that she gave me.

Although she grew up in Washington and I grew up in Oregon, we went and go through a lot of the same trials. She goes to one of the biggest schools in the nation and I go to one of the most private but we still have similar experiences. Her advice to me helped so much to get over my trials. Yes, I could have told my self the things we talked about, but would I have listened?

Listen to yourself. Know when it's just not your mind talking, but the Holy Ghost too. Try to take your own advice and it may lead you to bigger and better things. More than you could ever have hoped. But you don't have to do it alone. I'll be right behind you. Always.

Love, Kate

Being Classy: Part 2

Class comes from within. 


Aside from looking the part, I have learned class comes mainly from within. If you want to be classy, keep your heels high and your standards higher. Know that you are important and that you have a divine role and potential.

So many things in this world tell us that we are not good enough. There is always someone better. But no one is better at being you than you! To be classy on the inside takes control of the mind. Speak well. Become educated. Be proper. You can never be over educated. And you can never be over classy.

To be classy, you have to be kind, non judgemental, considerate and compasionate. Show sympathy always and empathy when you can. 

In D&C 4:6 it says, "Remember faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence." I believe this is how you remember to be classy.

Love, Kate

Being Classy: Part 1

A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.
Coco Chanel


I have always loved this quote of Coco Chanel. This is why I bought the book Classy by DerekBlasberg, Lauren Conrad's book, Style, and have watched almost every Audrey Hepburn movie and LOVED IT! I love the idea of a classy girl/woman/lady in the 21st century.

I have also loved style blogs. I read teen vogue, read tons of style blogs and truly believe that although fashion costs money, style doesn't. There is no excuse for you not to look your best when you are on a budget.

So, for today's blogpost, I wanted to show you some of my favorite style choices. Because, dressing classy is only one part of truly being classy!

I wish I could go through and explain all of my outfits because I love each one of them! But that would take too long. So if you have questions, comment below!!

Stay Classy!

Love, Kate

Music...you feel no pain.

One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain. 
-Bob Marley



Day 2 of waking up early. So, here is my early morning playlist.

The first: Peter Bradley Adams, "The Longer I Run"
I think my sister Denise showed me this song, and I am truly greatful that she did. If any man serenades me with this, I WILL MARRY YOU!



The second is: Gungor "Beautiful Things"
This one I heard yesterday, and It made my day beautiful. It made me feel so special on an eternal perspective. Just give it a listen. (Also reminds me of Denise)



The third is: Iron and Wine, "Flightles Bird, American Mouth"
This song reminds me of one of my very best friends: Chelsea! We used to listen to it all the time when we lived together. We will live together again and listen to it all the time.



The last one for this morning is another Iron and Wine, their cover of "Such Great Heights" (Originally by the Postal Service--LOVE THEM TOO)



If you are an early riser like myself, give these songs a listen. They will make your day a little better. Good words, Bob. My pains are gone.

Love, Kate

Everyone can have a bad day.

Everyone can have a bad day.
Nikki Haley

My lack of post yesterday was due to a bad day. But we all have different coping methods to how we deal with bad days. My coping method probably wasn't the best that I could have handled it but it worked for me. I just go to bed early, and today I was up at 5 to do homework. Sometimes, sleeping, not just a nap, can take your mind off of something troubling you. Let your dreams work out the problems for you. 

But if you can't go to sleep, I suggest music. Music has always been one of my stress reliever outlets. Listen or make music, it doesn't matter.

Last suggestion for a bad day, look at crazy pictures of yourself. The one above is me and my 2 crazy sisters. We have a LOT of fun together. They can turn my bad days into good.

But don't worry if you can't shake those depressed feelings, everyone has bad days once in a while.

Love, Kate

What's up success?

Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.
Henry David Thoreau

What's up success??

My schedule for the day:

7:45 - Wake up, Call Grandma (BEST PART OF THE DAY!)
8-8:30 - Get dressed/ready for school
9-1:45 - Class
2-5 - Work
5-6 - Class
6-7 - Eat/Nap
7-7:30 - Ward Social/FHE
7:30-8:30 - Group Project
8:30-10 - LIBRARY
10:30-11:15 - Gym  (Hopefully
11:30 - BED!


I'm ready for some good ol' S-U-C-C-E-S-S!

Love, Kate

Do not dwell in the past

Do not dwell in the past,
do not dream of the future,
concentrate the mind on the present moment. 
Buddha

I'm back from the long weekend. And my mind has been anxious. Becuase I am in college, my thoughts have been focused on the future. What career do I want? What type of family do I need? What kind of husband would I love to have? Everything in my mind seems to be focused on the future.

But when I lay in my bed at nights, I think of the past. I think of the friends I have had, the experiences I  have been blessed with. I think of my family back at home. I think of my cousins, my recent pets, my home. Everything seems to come rushing back when I think about the past.

But that leaves no time to focus on the here and now. I was recently told that I need to focus more on the here and now. I am not saying to forget about the past and the futre, but make today your present. Make today happen. Right this moment take control. Right this moment, take in your surroundings, take in the smells, the sounds, the feelings. You are living, brething, right now. You are a gift from a Hevenly Father who loves you. You are His greatest creation. And you have been blessed to live right now at this very moment.

The photo I drew above says live to die. This can be interpretated in many different ways, but how I interpret it is live to be remembered. You can't do that if all you are thinking about is what you wil be doing tomorrow or what you did in the past. Live today.

Love, Kate

New Obsession!

Four words. Over the knee socks. They are my new obsession. I wore red ones the other day and I wore white ones tonight. I wish I would have taken a picture. I will next time I wear them. But everyone needs them!

Love, Kate Co. Website coming soon!

Lose an hour in the morning, and you will be all day hunting for it.

Lose an hour in the morning, 

and you will be all day hunting for it.

~Richard Whately

 

 

My sister has the quote written above on her mirror in her bedroom. I thought about it when I woke up this morning. Last night, I wasn't feeling the best, so I went to bed around 10-10:30. I then woke up this morning at 5:30 to go to the bathroom and could not go back to sleep. So I put in Harry Potter 5. (MY FAVORITE HARRY POTTER) (Fan-much?) Anyway, after sitting there for a while and knowing that I wouldn't be going back to sleep I did a few things.

1. Took a Shower

2. Did my Laundry

3. Brushed my hair (That is a task sometimes)

4. Ate Breakfast

5. Did some homework

6. Wrote you all a post!

How great it feels to have everything done this early! 

Today, I already have a busy shedule so doing these things first just worked out for me. 

I hope you all find your days productive!

 

Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men.

Do not pray for easy lives. 
Pray to be stronger men. 
John F. Kennedy


We all have trials in our lives. It has taken me a long time to realize, and I am still trying, but when we choose to do hard things, they do honestly make us stronger. Try not to keep it inside if you are having a hard time. Let it out. Either to a dear friend, or in a journal. You will be able to reflect back and know that you will be stronger in the end. 

In D&C 121:7 it says: "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; 

There will always be another mountain to climb, but you can do it and you will be stronger for it. 


 

An ode to Friendship

We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face... we must do that which we think we cannot. 

-Eleanor Roosevelt

I am almost twenty one years old. In those years, I have gained strength and courage and confidence. But I couldn't have done any of that without my friends. 

So, here is a tribute to my friends. They help me stay grounded when my vanity can be too much to handle. They make me laugh so hard I can't brethe. They make me smart. They make me want to do better. They want me to do better. They have seen me at my worst and my best and they still love me for me. I may do something that makes them never want to talk to me ever again, but there they are, every second of the day, there for me. 

I am the luckiest person in the world to have such a great support group. I have my own fan section. And I wouldn't change it for anything.

Blog world, THESE are my friends. Crazy, wild, fun, loving, compationate. The best people in the world. 

Thank you friends. 

Fear

In the 21st century, all men need to know is one thing. 

Fear the bun. 

(This is a Katie Bowns Original Design with the font Confusion Girl)

I thank whatever gods may be, for my unconquerable soul

"I am the captain of my soul;

I am the master of my fate."

-William Ernest Henley

First Post in 3, 2, 1.

Hello World,

My name is Katie. I've am a new born (born again, and again) blogger. But, I usually never stick to it. But, in the spirit of the new year, and my realization that I control my fate, I am going to do what I love, write and share about what I love. Somedays may include what I did at work, or school, or maybe just about where I come from, but I hope you stay with me. 

I am junior studying at Brigham Young University-Idaho and I am looking to find my niche. Right now, I would call myself a designer. But in that word comes creative spirit, fashion stylist, interior designer, painter, musician and the list goes on and on. Stay with me as I share my love of beauty with you.

Love, Kate