I am a Mormon and I love it, I want to share it with everyone! Why? Because it means so much to me. It gave me the greatest comfort when my dad died, it gives me peace concerning my future, it enhances my understanding of the world and people around me, it increases my joy, and it provides me with hope. So, before coming on this trip, I knew I would have the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people and wanted to do something to pass on the joy I have in my life. I thought of bringing three copies of The Book of Mormon to give away, but seeing as I was already packing just the basics I knew I wouldn't have the room. Instead, I've used a pad of paper and pen. 

In the Chicago airport I met this cute, Canadian girl, Melinda. She was on her way to Dublin to work for a few years. We talked about the program she was going with and her college experience and my plans with my two friends. An announcement roared across the gate saying it was time to board. I wished her luck and gathered my things to board the plane. The entire flight passed by quickly for me (thank you Advil PM) and we were in line for border control when I saw her in line behind us. A thought hit me like a ton of bricks. "Don't let this girl go without knowing where she could find a good group of young adults to hang out with." I tried my hardest to access the Internet so I could write down the address of the church down, but nothing would load! I prayed and tried again. Nothing. What could I do? "Write a quick note and tell her how to find it." That was all I could think of, so I did it. Just before I was ushered forward to have my passport checked, I asked her how her flight was and we chatted briefly. I gave her my note and wished her luck. She thanked me and gave me a big smile. It felt so good to know that I had at least showed her what she could do to gain the best thing I've ever had in my life.

Then, while we were in Copenhagen, we wanted to have real Danishes. Luckily, we stumbled upon this great pastry shop with the sweetest cashier. Suzanne and I asked her what the most Danish Danish was. She smiled and pointed at two different kinds. I got one and Suzanne got the other. When the cashier handed them to me she said, "You're a very nice person." I was surprised by her comment; I just was not expecting it. Giving her my biggest smile, I thanked her and proceeded to smile and walk to find a table. I thought, "I want her to know what helps me to be a nice person, what gives me lasting joy." So I took out my handy dandy notebook and wrote her a note. She was so genuine and kind and I wanted to let her know as well. I handed her my note and wished her a good evening.

And just yesterday I was climbing the bell tower in Florence. Suzanne and Kara said they didn't have enough energy, so I did it by myself. The view was absolutely brilliant, and the breeze was so refreshing. I walked around the top for one round and just didn't want to get down, I was just so addicted to the panorama of Florence. In my attempts to not clog the little walking area allotted, I realized there was just enough of the roof exposed for me to sit up and cling to the chain fence. Some rather ostentatious glances were cast my way, but there was one young lady who did not think it so strange. She asked me to take her photo and I gladly did. She was backing packing too, but alone. Dvera from Boston. We talked for a while about our lives and plans. I mentioned my mission and she talked about meeting the sister missionaries on the train. She asked question after question and I just grinned from ear to ear, ready and willing to say whatever I needed to. The rest of the evening she walked and talked with us. We even met up again the next day- today. 

I love people. Everyone has their own story and a great contribution to the world around them. And, yet, despite our diversity, the gospel of Jesus Christ unites us all and can enhance the quality of anyone's life. I know it to be true. Read the Book of Mormon. Give it a shot. Jesus Christ is in every single page.

I may not have been able to give the book that means the most to me to these three girls, but I was still able to share the message- the message of god's love for His children. What can I say? I love love ;)

The morning starts with four girls moving furniture around while still in their nighttime garb. A sudden desire to feng shui? Not quite. The occurrence of such drastic furniture rearrangement was due to something far more interesting- a murder mystery dinner party. I have always wanted to do one and got lucky enough to have five fabulous roommates that were all on board. A week prior to our mad decorating frenze we were gathered in my room hashing out the plans to what was going to be one of the most fabulous nights of my summer.

It was to be a Great Gatsby Speakeasy. Mobsters, silent film stars, mimes, jazz singers and blackmailers all gathered together in one room. With a ceiling to rival the night clubs of the time and an Italian meal that would have you thinking you were in little Italy Chicago, we set quite the scene. Playing puttin' on the ritz in the background truly added to the ambience. A Zetta Zarbo, the host, I welcomed all the guests in my best 1920's lingo and Chicago accent (which was cheesy at best, but it sure made me smile) and asked them to find their name tag and mingle. As the cocktail 'hour' wore on, everyone became more comfortable with their role and the evening really took off. Jordan played the part of Hal Sapone, my mobster boyfriend, and, boy, did he own that accent and walk around our living room like half of the men in the room were his mob puppets. Clues had been carefully labeled and sealed in envelopes to be opened at specific moments and we all did our best to put two and two together and dig up any dirt in order to find out the murderer and what their motive possibly could have been.

I couldn't have asked for a better group of friends and a better end to my summer in Provo.

Confession: I love love.

Catching his glance across a room. Laughing at a witty comment he made. Hearing that he thought the food you made was delicious. Getting butterflies when your fingers touch. It's great!

Second confession: I want to be married and look forward to being married. Now, why do I feel more embarrassed to admit that?! Is it because it's socially taboo to talk about? Or is it because the moment you say that you're afraid every guy in a 20 mile radius has heard you and they'll all run away out of fear of you pouncing on them?

So, because of this desire there have been multiple times in my life when I've become slightly frustrated and sad that I wasn't dating or married. Don't get me wrong, I've always enjoyed being single. There's so much to do! And I love the life. But there is something to be desired. This frustration, however, has slowly gone away, or, should I say, evolved into something else. Just a few days ago, I was talking to my mom about this new concern that was weighing on my mind.

"I'm ok with being single," I told her, "but now, my worry is that I haven't ever met him yet and there's this long series of events, a set-up, that needs to happen before I'll really be close to being married. That just doesn't sound like fun to me."

Moms always know what to say. She only need a small moment, in which, she looked rather pensive. Now, to give some background information, my mom and dad met in a sacrament meeting. "There was only room for one more person on the end of the pew, and he decided to sit by me." She said he sat by a different girl every week, and when he finally sat next to her, she had the butterflies!!! Going through her mind were thoughts like 'why is he sitting next to me?!' Upon the conclusion of the meeting, my mother turned to him and invited him over for birthday cake. "Tomorrow's my birthday and my roommates made cake, would you like to come?"

"Yeah, that sounds like fun. My birthday's tomorrow, too."

"No, it's not. One of my roommates is putting you up to this."

"No, it really is." And then he pulled out his driver's license. Sure enough, it was. My mom says there's no such thing as coincidences (which is true!) and she knew he had to be hers; it just took a little time. 

So, that Sunday was July 6, 1981. After I had told my mother about what had been on her mind and she had taken her one small moment to come up with something brilliant she said, "KC, today could be your July 5, 1981." I stopped and thought, confused by what she meant. Reading my facial expression, she then went on to say, "You see, July 5, 1981, I was hoping for someone to come along. I didn't have any prospects and I was just waiting. And then the next day was July 6, 1981. Today could be your July 5th."

I looked at her and smiled. Brilliant! She struck gold. That night, I told my roommates about that and the following day one of them texted me and said, "Happy July 5, 1981!"

Immediately a grin came across my face. Today and tomorrow hold endless possibilities! And I can find joy knowing that I have an accumulation of righteously lived yesterdays. So, if you're ever down, think of the wise insight as delivered by my wonderful mother.

This week has been a great one! I spent a significant amount of time organizing my photos from my LDS mission in Finland. People are great. They make the world go 'round. From pokeman fanatics to homemakers to LARPers to gym addicts, people are the spice of life. Speaking of which, there was this one meal I made on my mission that was named after a missionary who had served in Finland before I got there- Zimmerman Over Rice. TRY IT!!!

Amounts depend souly on your personal preference and on the quantity desired
White/brown rice (quinoa could be a great substitute as well)
Chicken marinated with a honey and paprika mixture and a little bit of milk or cream
Feta cheese
Dried basil
Garlic
Cherry tomatoes
Zucchini
Red peppers

Cook the chicken in a pan. Add the garlic, zucchini and peppers. Just before turning the heat off, add the feta cheese and basil. Stir. Remove from heat and add halved cherry tomatoes. Enjoy over rice.

You know those moments when you open an acceptance letter to college, or you find out about a scholarship offer, or you are finally asked out by the boy you like? I love those moments, as does everybody, I'm sure. When I opened my letter that told me I would be serving an 18-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, that happened, and it extended into the following week as I got a mini Finnish flag and would march around my apartment like I was a trombone player in a marching band, or when I continually asked my mother in every conversation we had, "Hey, guess what?" "What, KC?" "I'm going on a mission!"

Well, one of those moments happened to me this week. I was offered the job at the Missionary Training Center to teach Finnish! As I was at the breakfast table, eating my lemon-flavored Greek yogurt, I got a call. I nearly flipped a biscuit! Later that day, I was driving to see my mom and every now and then I would spaz out and exclaim, to myself, "I got the job!" I'm sure other drivers were concerned to be driving next to someone who looked like they were expressing signs of a seizure, but I lulled their worries as I continued in my straight course within the boundaries of my lane. In those moments you just feel like you're on top of the world! It's in moments like these that, if chosen, we can see just how aware of us Heavenly Father is and how important or needs and wants are to Him, we can begin to see His hand in all things.

Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to insights provided by KC. For your safey, we would ask that you don't apply anything shared here or attempt to recreate anything mentioned unless first approved by the wisest person that is in close proximity of you. Items shared are for your personal enjoyment. They are based off of real events and may cause a variety of emotions, feelings or even invigorate new opinions. We hope you enjoy your experience and would ask that you stay buckled in and laugh upon request.