7/19/15

SEE YA TEA WITH KATE

simple&whole (5 of 7)
So friends. The time has come for me to end Tea with Kate. I've loved blogging here, but honestly it no longer brings me happiness or inspiration. I have not loved what this place has turned into and wanted to redefine what I was blogging about.

I'll be posting from here on out on Simple & Whole. I will be posting all about my faith and why it has made me the person it's made me. If I can play any small part in bringing anyone closer to God, I will feel like I have a purpose on this earth. 

Thank you for all those who followed along here and for all those who commented or emailed me! It was because of you that I kept posting for so long. Peace out peeps.

6/22/15

CAUSE I COULDN'T PICK ONE

GUYS I'M DONE WITH SCHOOL! HELLO SUMMER HELLO FREEDOM HELLO HAPPINESS! After walking out of my last test on Thursday I felt so elated, I cant even tell you. I got in my car, and blasted song number one up there...and then went and picked up my friend and went shopping. Wasn't planning on buying anything and spent $100.... #FinalsMadeMeDoIt #Whoops.

I just discovered Family and Friends and I'm honestly obsessed. I could listen to this song all day, and probably will for the next 6 months. I'm going to put together a little playlist of my favorite summer jams for all of you cause what is summer without music? What is LIFE without music really?? If there's a way I can get a job making playlists for Spotify, let me know how that's possible cause wouldn't that be a dream.

6/4/15

MY ART JOURNAL

notebook (18 of 18)So about a year ago, I invested in a Moleskine Journal and it is one of the best decisions I've ever made. I wasn't quite sure how I would use it when I first bought it, but it has turned into the place where I express my creativity. I use it to journal and write down thoughts creatively, whether it be in poetry form or otherwise; I write down quotes I like and doodle little things in it that come to my mind. In addition to that, these books are filled with a whole lot of feelings haha. I have another journal that I write down day-to-day thoughts and happenings, but this is specifically for me to express and get inspired. It's not perfect, I wouldn't call myself any kind of super talented artist or poet, but doing it bring me so much joy. I'm on my second journal now and am almost done with it, I can't wait to start another one! I thought I'd share just a few of my little doodles, just for fun. Enjoy!
notebook (16 of 18) notebook (15 of 18)LOL one night a friend and I were talking on the phone and we said this ^. We were laughing so hard and decided to make it our life motto, so of course I wrote it down. Haha it's probably only funny to me.
notebook3 notebook (9 of 18) notebook (1 of 18) notebook (8 of 18) notebook1 notebook (12 of 18) notebook (13 of 18) notebook (14 of 18) notebook2

5/21/15

NOAH GUNDERSON

So last year I was OBSESSED with Noah Gunderson. Seriously he was kinda all I listened to. But as you know when you do that sort of obsessive listening you tend to get a little burned out, which is exactly what happened unfortunately...so it's been quite some time since I've listened to good 'ol Noah. Then the other day I was reminded of him out of nowhere and decided to give him another listen....and holy cow I totally forgot how amazing he is! It's just the kind of music that you plug in and let your mind go, and that's the best kind of music in my opinion.

5/16/15

HOW TO STOP BEING A CONTROL FREAK – AND LEARN TO HAVE FAITH INSTEAD

fishysocks (9 of 11)
So the title of this post is extremely misleading because honestly this is something that I'm pretty terrible at. I am in no position to tell anyone how to stop trying to control everything and everyone in their lives...I can't even figure out how to do it myself.

I think this past year or so has been the most refining year of my life. It has brought many, many challenges and as a result, huge amounts of growth. I feel like I've mentioned quite a few times on this blog how challenging this year has been, and I don't want it to come off as if I'm complaining. Because to be quite honest, I am extremely grateful. Right now I feel like I am the best version of myself I have yet to be and that is a wonderful feeling.

Of course though, I still have an incredible amount of growing still left to do. And through all these challenges I have still had a pretty hard time with one particular weakness: letting go of control. Guys I am a CONTROL FREAK. I am a planner, an organizer, a doer; I'm pretty freaking OCD. I am NOT one of those spontaneous people that can just pick up and go at the drop of a hat (and people who are like that seriously stress me out). I have my days planned down to a T; I live by my to-do lists. To sum it up, my life is a happy place when I feel like I know and have control over what's coming my way.

It's been pretty amazing how many situations have come into my life as of late that have required me to give up so much of my control and knowledge of the future. And I know Heavenly Father is giving me these challenges for a reason (He knows what I need to learn...dang it). After I got my mission call, it was such an overwhelmingly hard thing to say no when I had no idea what would come my way if I stayed. Going on a mission is a pretty sure thing (for the most part). It's mostly predictable, it is always a good decision. So saying no to something so so good without knowing the why and the what for feeling the need to stay was tough.

It's so hard to be the person that I am and live in a world where SO many things are out of my control. This world is so unpredictable. And for a person who finds happiness in the predictability of things, saying, "I don't know what's going to happen but I know it'll work out," often feels like I'm lying to myself. It's so hard sometimes to feel things so so strongly about situations or people and yet have no control over the outcome.

But here's one thing I do know for sure. Heavenly Father loves me. And you. And every single person on this earth. And even more, He has a plan for every single one of us as well. His plan is not for us to be eternally miserable (it's called the Plan of Happiness for a reason). His plan is not to keep us in the dark all of our lives.

But, His plan does require us to have FAITH. Faith in Him, faith in what he has in store for you, and faith that it will all be okay. For a person like me, sometimes having FAITH and not KNOWLEDGE is very very hard. But I know that it is His way. And I know that if I stay strong in my faith, one day the unknown will become clear.

Ether 12:6 says it far better than I ever could: "And now, I Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness after the trial of your faith."

It was my New Year's Resolution this year to learn to take it a day at a time and just go with the flow, man. To take each day for what it is and not feel like I have to plan my weeks/months/years out ahead of time. Essentially, I am trying to learn to just plan on the unpredictable. More than anything, it has been my goal to let faith lead the way; to put my life in His hands and just simply realize that my ways are not His ways. Cause guys....His ways are way wayyyy better.

5/14/15

LOLOLOL

If you were wondering what I do in my free time....here you go. Hahaha my roommates weren't home, so naturally I blasted music and had a dance party in my room by myself....and then filmed it on photobooth. Cause what else are you supposed to do when you're bored?? Honestly I think I could live on a desert island alone and completely entertain myself. #NoShame