Fall Time

    Pumpkin spice, spiders, orange and black, candy, and pie you just might say that it's Halloween time. The leafs  are changing before they fall. The air is turning bitter and creatures of all shorts are let loose during this fall season! I personally found them as I journeyed through Haunted Hollow a new experience for me to go through a Haunted House willingly and very courageous  It might have been for the fact that I had this boy on my arm to keep be brave and protected. ;) I found many colors in the Mountains as I hiked through them with this boy and his family. We enjoyed the overwhelming colors and Mountain air as a smile of gratitude presented it's self. This boy and I also enjoyed our self's at a costume party with the singles. We went as Fred and Wilma. My dressing up experience for the season. It went pretty good do to the fact that we each won a gift card for it. A free funny movie can't go wrong with that! The night of all the creeping and growling there was a full moon upon us! I had to work at Winegars. Kirsten was working with me and we hurriedly got done all that needed to be done and she let me hurry away so that I could meet this special boy to enjoy even more time together. We ventured off to Weber State where they were showing The Ring in the parking lot. I ended the October season with some special at my side <3

I'm Home!

               

                          

I am officially home from Trefoil Ranch, Girl Scout Camp. What an amazing experience I had this summer. It was much more then I could ever imagine! From my previous post, when I let you know I was going to Trefoil, I listed things I expected to do and it all happened plus a hundred more expect I never got a mosquito bite. So many adventures and fun things happened that I don't even know where I would start. I could write a novel just about my summer at Trefoil. I learned a lot about many things and grew so much as a person. Best part I made 32 plus new best friends! My adventures consisted of bonding time, songs, games, homesick girls, 1.200 people in one place, shiny glasses, high ropes, no sleep, dance parties, dirt tans, dressing up for all camps, trail rides, hiking, bike ride, river ride, reading girls to sleep, a staff family and much more! I have many stories to tell and many pictures to show. It wasn't always fun and games though. There were some hard, stressful days. Sometimes I was exhausted, frustrated or a girl was acting out. However when I was able to get a girl to stop crying, accomplish a goal, teach the girls something I was passionate about and see there eyes light up, or just take in that I was living in the Utah Mountains, that is what made it all worth it. The camp magic and the support I had around me.
I am back home now. Missing camp life and my friends more then ever! I am attending Weber State University again this fall however, camp made me realize what degree I wanted. A Parks and Rec. degree and Weber doesn't offer that there. So that means I need to transfer. I am back on the job search again and trying to figure out what my next steps are while taking 15 credit hours at school. Wishing I had never come home from camp some days.

Religion

   I was baptized on January 8th 2011, I was 18 years old. This was the one most important decision of my life that I will never take back.
   When I turned 12 the young women invited me to the activities and I started going regularly. They then started picking me up on Sundays. I had known about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints all my life. My mom took me to primary when I was little and I went to activity days every now and then. My mother's side were all members of the church. My grandparents and uncle talked highly of the church and I looked up to them and took in each advice they gave to me. I could see the power of the church inside their heart and soul and how much love it brought to them. This made my interest grow. When I was old enough to drive I drove by myself to each and every Sunday services. I earned my young women award before I was even a member.
    Each time I went to church, young women's, devotionals, young women's camp, classes, fire sides my testimony grew!
    My fellow young women and church leaders became family to me. They didn't care if I was baptized and my family didn't come to  church with me. We became brothers and sisters and the love between us shown through. When I was in my sophomore year of high school I went to an open house of a new temple with the young women and young men. The spirit I felt I will never forget. I knew the church was true and I loved it with all my heart. That day I heard a Hymn and asked what it was called. The name of the Hymn was "I Know that My Redeemer Lives" This is forever my favorite Hymn that day I really felt what I had gained knowledge of the church and knew that My Redeemer Lives.
    The summer before I went into my Junior year I went to girls camp with the young women. The whole time I felt the spirit upon me. I had always loved girls camp and this year it rained the whole time but, that didn't stop us from having fun. I remember I walked across the field there with my umbrella and hoodie. As I was walking back to camp I was so overwhelmed with joy from the spirit I just started crying. I knew then I wanted to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I was greeted by the young women president and bishopric who asked what was wrong and I proceeded to tell them that I just wanted to be baptized.
    I asked my parents if I could, and my dad who hasn't ever been a member of church told me no; that I could not make that decision until I was 18. This devastated me but, it didn't stop me from doing what I had always done and believed in. I lived like I believed even if I wasn't a member yet.
    I prayed daily to my Father in Heaven to help me on my path become a member of his church. I fasted and my ward family helped me in my prayers and fasting.
    The summer before my senior year I went on trek and my senior year in high school I took seminary. Both of these confirmed very greatly of the testimony I had gained of the gospel. As my birthday approached I started preparing and taking the missionary lessons and felt I already knew what they taught me because of activity in the church. I just needed to be member.
     That year when I turned 18 on December 8th my mom asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I had the courage to tell her to be baptized. She gave me the okay I just needed to talk to my dad.
I approached him letting him know I still wanted to be baptized and now that I was 18 I wanted to make the decision to do it. With or with out their permission I was going to become a member of what I knew was the true church. I wanted their blessing however. I finally got the ok!
    On January 8th, just one month latter from my 18th birthday, became the best day of my life. As I changed into white and met my grandpa, some one who had really influnced me in the church, in the water I was so happy and filled with the spirit. I knew I was making the right choice. I felt so pure as I came out of the water. I was able to spend that day with all the people I loved. Even my Father was there for me.

    I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the restored true church upon the Earth. I know that my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live and love me. I know they are their for me always. I know that I will be with my family for eternity and that He has a plan for me. I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God. I know the book of Mormon are the true words of God.
and this I know because I have prayed and fasted and lived the gospel to which in my heart has become full of joy and the spirit of the holy ghost. <3

Bucket List

   I have always loved having adventures. I live life as if it is one big adventure through thick and thin. Hard trails and triumphs have made me become who I am today. I have always had a bucket list. I just re-did it because, I had crossed off a lot of things like; be baptized, adopt a dog, go river rafting, go cliff diving, go on a cruise, go to D.C., go to New York, go to Canada, graduate high school, buy a car, have a job, earn my Girl Scout Gold, be a life time member of Girl Scouts, do baptisms at the Salt Lake Temple, go to collage and more! Newest one I was able to cross off is work for Girl Scouts and marking at the same time is work at a youth camp. I still have big things in life that I want to do and even some not so big but, would be an adventure to me! Here is the list now...

1.Travel to each of my dream destinations
   Which includes
- Greece
-Germany
-Alaska
-Chicago
-Niraga Falls
-Kilimanjaro (to go on an African safari)
-Belize (to see the Book of Mormon sites)
-Scotland
-Mt. Rushmore
-Grand Canyon
-Amazon
-Harry Potter attraction at universal studios
2.Own a cute little house.
3.Be married in the Temple
4.Hike Kings Peak
5.Swim with Dolphins
6.Have my dream Career
7.Write a Novel/Publish a book
8.Go on a service trip/humanitarian project
9. Earn my Degree
10.Go on a big road trip
11.Skip Christmas one year
12.Be an influencaul mother some day
13.Be a Missionary of the Gospel to someone
14.Kiss under Mistletoe
15.Go on a trip on a whim
16.Milk a cow or goat
17.Take a church history tour
18.Ride my bike across county's
19. Go on the Amazing Race
20.Live my life to the fullest while I Love Life and be and Love who I Am!

As I go along my life I find things that I would have put on my bucket list and proceed to do so, so that I am able to cross them off. ;)
Each and every day is a new adventure and I don't believe of wasting a minute of my time on this beautiful Earth!

The Loss

Maybe it is time that I share a hard story with you about me.
I have been through some really tough times. The toughest times that I never thought I could have ever imagined before.
I had a good start of the year. I spent the best day of my life, so far, with people I loved and supported me during my decision of being baptized and becoming a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. My grandpa Hailey (aka my moms dad) baptized me and could barely say the prayer between his tears, he was so happy for me. He had been through some tough times also but, had made it through and I looked up to him and knew I made a great choice in who to baptize me.
Over a month later of experiencing the best day of my life so far I experienced the worst day of my life. I came home to a cop car waiting in my drive way to tell me that my grandpa shot his son, my disabled uncle. My uncle was in a skiing accident when he was 19  He was preparing to leave on his mission at this time. In result of this accident he was left in a wheel chair with brain damage. I was young and grew up by his side during his time of healing. He was very spiritual and overly loving. He looked up to Joseph Smith and always wanted hugs and kisses. I enjoyed every minute spent with him. My grandpa also shot my grandma. One of the hardest people to loose because I was so close with her. We spent many hours on the phone during the weeks when I would call her to talk. I would spend my weekends at their house doing arts and crafts with her or enjoying the yard and flowers together. We would take a trip to go grocery shopping and spend to much time distracted by our conversations  My grandpa also shot himself. Every time I was around each of them I could feel the love radiant through their souls to mine. I knew that I was loved by them and could feel the compassion. I never stopped smiling from this feeling. I treasured the time spent with them greatly.
Now they were gone all three of them, gone out of my life. I cried more tears than I ever thought possible. I immediately forgave them because, I loved them so much. My heart was shattered. I wanted them back with me. It was hard for me to talk to others the way that I had talked to them. I longed to call them on the phone. I longed to hear the words "I love you" the way they said them to me. I longed for some one to reach out to me the way they had. I waited for them to take the pain away....
I started to loose who I was and who I worked so hard to become. I lost the Christ that I had found within me. I was disappointed in myself and knew that they were too. I hadn't just lost them.
I went a couple months like this but, when the new year started I made a commitment to be happy and to live for them. To change my broken heart on my own. I couldn't wait for them to come back because, they couldn't. I couldn't wait for some one to step up in their place because, no one could replace them nor would I want them too. I found help for my grief in books, groups, counselling, and tried to make it through the days. I needed out though.
The next year would be better then the year I had just experienced.
So it was. I found Christ stronger within me ever before. I worked hard at doing good in life. I smiled and meant it. I laughed and meant it. I was happy and meant it for the ones I will love forever. I loved life again and meant it. I had to learn how to live without them on my own. I know that I will be with them again. I will keep on this great path in life. that I learn to love again, so that I can be with them for eternity where I will never have to loose them again.
Blessings started pilling up when I made the change to mend my heart, instead of when I engulfed in my broken heart and nothing seemed to go right.
I still have bad days. I still and always will miss them. However, I know bad days are not a big deal and pass. I also know that one day when I see them again I will no longer miss them.
My love for my forever family has grown and forever will grow for them and each and every one of my family members.

I will never forget who they are to me and what they meant to me. I will keep them in my heart forever. I will never forget each memory we share. They way they had laughed, smiled, and showed me their love.
I love you Grandpa Hailey, James (Jim) Micheal Hall. I love you Grandma Hailey, Kathryn (Kathy) Jo Hall. I love you Unckie, Erik James Hall.

Music in the Air

Since I have talked about books, and shows maybe it's time I share about my music interest.
My number one favorite band is The Beatles.
I have a story as to why that is and the very first time I had learned about them. I was at my grandparents house during one of my very many sleep overs. In their spare bedroom hanging above the closet was this picture I have shown you of The Beatles. (which has now become my favorite picture of them) I asked my grandpa who the picture was of and he told me about George, John, Paul and Ringo the rock stars of his age. He told me about the love him and my grandma had for them as a teenager while they were big. From that moment on I have loved them since. It wasn't just because I wanted to be like my grandparents, people I looked up to,  it was also because of the music. Not a song that I don't love and sing every word along too.
I enjoy listening to some popular oldies, country, 80's, indie, alternative, rock, pop and some others.
Some bands and singers that I really enjoy now and in the past besides my most favorite, The Beatles, are;
Avril Lavigne
Bon Jovi
Mercy River
Carrie Underwood
Death Cab for Cutie
George Strait
Depche Mode
 and etc etc etc
It's not just about the bands and singers for me though. It is about the sound and lyrics of a song. The notes that ring from different instruments and the feeling and meaning I get from the sound waves flowing through my ears. My favorite songs are collections from many different groups. I may love a song but, it doesn't mean I love artist.
I love different songs and the way they make me feel and the things they make me think about.

TV & Me

Gossip Girl here...
your one and only source into the scandalous life's of Manhattans elite.

You know you love me XOXO Gossip Girl.
Gossip Girl has become my new favorite TV show. I have watched all 4 seasons in a row on Netflix and now have started watching season 5 on TV.
This show is like I am with my books. I have become attached to the characters and their life. I feel I know Blair, Chuck, Nate, Sernia, etc. all on a personal level. I love feeling apart of their world!

Now Glee is another favorite that I have kept up on for a few years now. It is just fun to me. It is just some plain silly make me smile and laugh good time when I am able to watch the Glee cast sing their hearts out. I know a lot of people are not a fan of Glee because of the goofy singing but, that's what makes me love it.

The Amazing Race is my number one TV show! For a couple season now I have followed it. It is my one show that I am preparing to be on one day! Not just for the million dollars but, for the race around the world! It's so exciting watching all the teams usually of two go through challenges called fast forwards, speed bumps, detours, etc. It would be a pretty thrillering experience!





Some other of my favorite shows from the past and present are:
ER
Brothers and Sisters
That 70's show
Rugrats
Full House
Scooby Doo
Say Yes to the Dress
Chopped
Cake Boss
Pawn Stars
Combat Hospital
NCIS
etc.

TV wouldn't be my first choice of activity to do for the day. Good thing I have dvr though so when the day is rainy and all I want is hot chocolate I can get caught up in the unreal world.

Preview of my Summer!

I think it is about time I share about my breaking news!
I am a hired Girl Scout as I mentioned before when I talked about my Girl Scouting experience. I am hired at the Girl Scout camp Trefoil Ranch! I am going to be a camp councilor and a kitchen assistant. I am way excited to be spending my whole summer up in the great outdoors doing many things I love. Being able to help girls and live outside, while being paid to be a Girl Scout is a dream come true!
Trefoil Ranch is a place I have been countless times during camps growing up each year and many activities or other over night stays. It is a like a Girl Scout home to me.
This summer I expect to enjoy the outdoors while working hard. Get an awesome farmers tan, hike countless miles, get no sleep, be really hot, be really cold, carry a water bottle every where, I hope to ride horses, expect to also listen to a girl cry, hear some screaming girls, learn skills in the kitchen, get a mosquito bite, be silly, laugh, miss my dog, hopefully I can make a difference to girl while being the best example I can be leading them through out the week.
Here is a preview of my home for the summer:

In the Bakery

My first official job I got in August last year. When your in the situation of having a gathering of any type or meeting new people or just even getting caught up in each other life's the question of "where are you working?" usually ends up coming to the topic of conversational choice. I reply in the bakery at Kents, in Roy.

I have made new friends, made many new experiences, and have learned a ton about baking/frying/donuts/proofing/packaging/working/cleaning/cakes/cookies/bread/what ever else associates with my job.
I have gotten myself up out of bed at 3:30am for many of the weeks to make famous donuts.
Can I say it is exhausting sometimes and not always a fun experience. Working with others can even be a challenge sometimes.
However, some days are fun and we enjoy our self's. Those are the days that I don't mind working 8 hours of my day, give or take some.
No, I can not come over and make you donuts but, I could cut it out of the dough, fry it, and ice it with yummy toppings?
Speaking of yummy, a lot of what we make at Kents is from scratch and when the oven timer goes off and they pull out fresh goodies it could be hard to resist sometimes. The weight gain of mine could be proof of that one ;)
I am grateful for the experience and knowledge I gained from working in the Bakery at Kents. It's been fun hard work.

Family No Matter What

Let me be honest with you family is one of my biggest trials in life. I don't have a bad family and I love my family. I enjoy when we get along and are able to spend time together.
What family doesn't have their up's and downs mine is no different.
Living together under one roof is like a puzzle each a different piece trying to find our place to make the big picture. However, my family is like one of those 2000,000 puzzles or maybe a jiggsaw 3D puzzle it's not an over night achievement.
They better know I care and love them.
In my family I am the oldest so of course I like to think I am the boss ;) it never works out though..
I have only two siblings one sister and one brother, and we are each very different individuals.
I wouldn't know what I would do with out my family though.
My parents have taught me so much I couldn't ever thank them enough. Specially for the opportunities I have had because of them.
I have had very memorable moments with each and every one of them that I could never forget.
The Halls: Bill, Raina, Kerstie, Caitlyn, Robbie and Peanut the dog!

Let's talk Books

I am a huge book fan because I love to read! Probably also why I enjoy writing. When asked of the question of what's my favorite book is an easy answer..Harry Potter! I am a big Harry Potter fan. I love reading about adventures or history. Books just open a whole new world. I find myself inside books learning about the character's on a personal level.I find myself walking through Hogwarts or fighting a battle right along side them.
I have two favorite authors Richard Paul Evans and Nicholas Sparks. I haven't read one of their books that I have not liked.
A list of some of my favorite books through out the years...
Harry Potter
My Side of The Mountain
The Last Song
Nobody's Princess
The Book Thief 
Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites 
To Kill a Mocking Bird
The Alchemist
Life of Pi
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
The Christmas Box 
The Walk 
     and many more, these are just a few...

I don't just read books I also love to read the News Paper, Magazines or something on the internet.
My most treasured book of all is my Scriptures! The power and light they hold within them will never compare to anything else I read!

Girl Scouts

I have been a Girl Scout for 14 years now and am a life time member.
I could write a novel of my Girl Scouting experiences and memories from the opportunities I have received through Girl Scouting. I feel very passionate about what Girl Scouting means to me and the community. I started out as a Daisy Girl Scout in Kindergarten. Where I met my best friend for life. I have been in a couple troops as I have moved up in the years through Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes, Seniors, and Embassdors. Through the different troops I have had different leaders even sometimes as my own mom. I looked up to these leaders as I still do today. I have earned many badges, journeys, studio 2b's, and awards. I have also earned my Bronze, Silver and Gold award. I fell in love from the start and made a commitment to myself that I would be a Girl Scout all the way through. I also made a commitment that I would earn my Gold award. I made these goals as a young Girl Scout and here I am achieved.
In the meetings I learned a lot about myself and the world around me. Girl Scouts opened range of doors for me.
As young Girl Scouts we would do crafts, explore different interests, and go places like the zoo or have a giant slumber party. I got to go to summer camps each summer and enjoy horse back riding and the great outdoor experience. As we got older we would learn about the future, small trips and river rafting,  do a lot more service, and have adventures that were worth while. To top it off we were able to go on trips like to New York, a carnival cruise to Canada, and Washington D.C. Most of these things I would have never have done if I were not a Girl Scout. These opportunities where for me and my troop to enjoy and experience together as we grew as sister Girl Scouts.
I am 19 years old and have been a Girl Scout since I was 5 and am still actively involved. I am now a hired Girl Scout staff at a Girl Scout camp I have grown up attending. I can't imagine my life with out Girl Scouts. Below is a picture of Juliette Gordan Low. The founder of Girl Scouts in 1920, 100 years ago this year!

Spring time - Nature

Oh how the spring time is just so refreshing!
Today I journeyed trough the canyon and mountains as I seen the Earths nature come alive again.
A noisy waterfall with great power. A fish trying to swim upstream. A soft breeze and a sway of a tree. The robins and geese coming back from a time hidden from the winter. The tulips and dafidils bopping up from a once frozen ground.
It makes me want to write or read a poem.
I strongly love the outdoors and being in nature. I love the smell, site and sound. I love the sun shining upon my skin. I love the crisp fresh air. I love the rustle of a tree or animal. The soft motion of a stream as it brushes the rocks.
I need to curl up with my favorite book under the sun right about now.

Hello, and welcome to my blog and my first new post! I will introduce myself by saying my name is Kerstie Jo Hall, I am 19 years old living at home while working in a bakery. Finished one math class at Weber State university where I plan to graduate. I have a couple really close best friends who I spend a lot of time with. I love things like reading, writing in my journal, traveling, eating food I make, hanging out and having adventures with my friends, also cuddling with my dog Peanut who I love! I have gone through some really tough times but, I am devoted to my Heavenly Father and the peace the LDS church gives to me. I miss and love my family who is in Heaven. I have many great amazing angels who watch over me.

I really like to write and explore my thoughts through it: this is why I have created this blog.