Looking through Windows

"Tonight I’d like to share with you a few thoughts concerning how we view each other. Are we looking through a window which needs cleaning? Are we making judgments when we don’t have all the facts? What do we see when we look at others? What judgments do we make about them?Said the Savior, “Judge not.”1 He continued, “Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”2 Or, to paraphrase, why beholdest thou what you think is dirty laundry at your neighbor’s house but considerest not the soiled window in your own house? None of us is perfect. I know of no one who would profess to be so. And yet for some reason, despite our own imperfections, we have a tendency to point out those of others. We make judgments concerning their actions or inactions.There is really no way we can know the heart, the intentions, or the circumstances of someone who might say or do something we find reason to criticize. Thus the commandment: “Judge not.”

Expressions of Love

It's almost Valentine's Day once more and unfortunately for me, those cold prickly thoughts start returning. Shame on me!! This past week has been wonderful as I've started preparing in earnest for my mission, but V-day brings another round of engagements, dwindling my number of single friends close to nil. However, least I despair, my wonderful sunday school lesson and scripture study this week brought forth the comfort I very much needed. 2 Nephi chapter 4, commonly called Nephi's Psalm or Lament, is written after Lehi dies and Nephi is mourning. He first say how much he loves the scripture and delights in the things of the Lord, yet there is sorrow. I find comfort in Nephi's mourning, for as great a prophet as he was, there is also a time to mourn. However, it should not overshadow or consume our lives. Here are the verses:

"16 Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord; and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard. 17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. 18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me. 19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. 20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. 21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh." What a beautiful expression of love! Sometimes when we seek wordly expressions of love we miss the most powerful one of all- from our Savior! It is a love that will never leave us, never betray us, a love that will not alter even when we fall short of loving in return. This clip about expressions of love brought a smile to my face-- the loved the couple with the rough stones and the story of all the little circles <3 Happy Valentine's Day everyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkOnH36S_pY

Called to Serve

After months of preparing and weeks of waiting, a beautiful white envelope came in the mail last week. The obstacles leading up to the actual mission call have one by one been overcome and these past few days have been the realization of several of my life-long dreams. But for many people, the first question they ask is why? Why do you want to serve? Why are you going to be gone for 18 months? Why? And that is the important question I will answer in just a moment.

Opening the letter and starting to read I was reminded of the words of Professor Bott, a religious professor at BYU. In his missionary preparation book, Preparation Precedes Power, he emphaizes that " your call is as a missionary. It is separate and apart from your assignment...". Over the past few months I have envisioned many places I could possibly be assigned to serve, but I knew in my heart that as always Heavenly Father has more wisdom and perspective in the matter than I do. The first line of the letter started as all mission calls do..." Dear Sister Koerner, You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." I could see the assignment, but couldn't get over the power of that first sentence. I have been to literally hundreds of mission call openings- I have heard those words read aloud many times, but the beauty of the call filled my heart in that moment. Typing this right now and I'm tearing up again!

The next sentence brought much excitement too. " You are assigned to labor in the Texas Houston Mission" with it's tandem sentence- "You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language." TEXAS!!!!! I had immediate visions of cowboy boots and sprawling ranches, visions I know to be only partially true since Houston is the fourth largest city in the US after New York City, L.A., and Chicago. In fact, I found out afterwards that there are three missions within Houston. The Houston mission, the Houston East mission, and the Houston South mission. My mission is mostly north and west of the city of Houston, and includes most notably the Houston temple (pictured above) within it's boundaries. And preaching in Spanish! I love the Spanish language, having taken nearly five years of it in school. I have already re-gathered all my Spanish materials and have started studying. I've heard people describe this moment as one almost like--" Oh, of course that's where I'm going." That the assignment makes perfect and immediate sense. It wasn't like that for me. I knew the call came from the prophet of the Lord and I started acting on faith that the assignment was correct as well. Throughout the next few days I poured out my heart to my Heavenly Father in prayer seeking confirmation. And gradually a warmth and a peace came over my soul. I know this is exactly the correct assignment at this moment for me.

Back to the beginning. Why am I serving a mission? Some friends asked me after the recieved the call if I was disappointed that I wasn't going abroad. And the answer is absolutely not! I did not want to serve because it might involve travel. Others wondered if I was choosing to go because I have not yet married. Though being single provides me the opportunity to go right now, I am not serving because of my lack of romantic relationships : ) One more observative friend wondered if I wanted to serve to escape some of the difficulty my family and myself have experienced within the last few years. And that answer is still no. The challenges of late have only increased my desire to serve a mission because I know that so many people who are struggling with their own challenges will benefit from the gospel. The word "gospel" literally means good news, the same good news that we go forth to share also has prompted my desire to serve. Click here http://mormon.org/missionary-work/ to see more information about missionaries in my church.

So why do I want to serve? I can give you three reasons ( you know how much I enjoy lists : )

1.) The first and most powerful reason for me is not a what, but a who. My Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the center of the message we preach to people. His love is all encompassing and I know He will never leave me. His mission as our Redeemer included the atonement that redeems me from my sins and allows me to return to the presence of my Heavenly Father, his death that frees me from mortal death, and his resurrection which allows me immortality and eternal life. Last October Elder Whitney expressed this thought beautifully, "Our most important message, which we are both divinely commissioned and commanded to take everywhere in the world, is that there is a Savior. He lived in the meridian of time. He atoned for our sins, was crucified, and was resurrected. That matchless message, which we proclaim with authority from God, is the real reason this Church grows as it does." I want to serve a mission because so many people need the love of their Savior, so many need the hope that stems from his atonement, and we all need to understand exactly why we need Him, which lead me to....

2.) I want to serve a mission because of the knowledge I have from the part of the gospel called the Plan of Salvation. I know that I lived in heaven before this mortal existence; I lived and worked as a daughter of a Heavenly Father. He presented a plan to his children that we might gain a physical body and be tested to be obedient and faithful in this life, that we might return again to Him and eventually become even as He is. This knowledge provides many of the answers many are seeking-- Why am I here? What is the purpose of life? What happens after death? The scientist in me loves answers, loves reason and organization which is all provided through the gospel taught within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

3.) In the spring of 1820, a young man surrounded by the Great Religous Awakening sweeping the United States and confused by the tidal wave of so many opinions and interpretations of the scriptures, read the scripture James 1:5 "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." So he went into the woods near his home and knelt down to pray to Heavenly Father. And I know that his prayer was answered. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared the the boy Joseph Smith in that grove of trees. They told him that the true gospel and authority of God had been lost on earth after the apostles were all killed. Many churches had parts of the truth, but none had the whole truth. They told him that the full gospel would be restored through him, Joseph Smith, as the prophet of the Lord in modern times. Over the years, Joseph recieved and translated the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Christ, and scriptural record of the ancient people of the Americas. I have stood in that very grove and prayed to know if it was true, if Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the true church of God. And though I recieved my answer in a quiet way, the answer is YES! I want to serve a mission because the Lord, in his perfect love, does indeed speak to us today, both through a living prophet (Thomas S. Monson) and directly to each individual. I want to serve because the Book of Mormon is the word of God which confirms and clarifies the Bible. I want to serve because I want everyone to know of the happiness, joy, hope, and love that the gospel truths bring into my life.

And that is why I accept the call to serve with excitement, joy, and gratitute.

Miss Lily

My beautiful niece, Lillian Wren (Lily) was born October 31, 2011

at 12:15pm.

7lbs. 9oz.

20 1/2 inches long

The most beautiful baby girl I've seen in my life.

A few days later she was adopted by her parents, Mike and Nik, of Minneapolis Minnesota. She is beloved by all who know her and for that I am overwhelmingly grateful.


This is Lily ( in her Christmas pajamas) and her parents on Christmas.



Words cannot describe how much I love little Lily. She will be three months old tomorrow and is growing fast. She is a miracle and a blessing to so many people. I am grateful to have even a small part in her wonderful life.
*Jasmine picked this song to express her sentiments to Lily and I couldn't agree more.

Would You Like Wasabi With That?

After leaving my glamorous day job of inspiring deep connections in the minds of today's youth, I change into all black for my secret spy work. OK, only a little bit kidding. I waitress at the best sushi place in the midwest- Umi Grill and sometimes it feels like I'm a secret agent. For about an hour I get a glimpse into couples, families, business meetings, awkward first dates, and I even see what some people don't remember from their intoxicated evening. No, seriously. From the drinks to the edamame, from the Red Dragon roll to the sauteed seafood, you can learn a lot about someone.

1.) People are crazy. Not just the other people--yeah, you too.

2.) Only a few people are particular about an order due to allergies. Most people are picky because they like bossing someone else around!

3.)Remembering a name, a preference, a previous comment can make all the difference. To most of my customers I'm a stranger that they get to see for less than two hours of their week. Even for the regulars, I'm a stranger. But to have a relative stranger remember and care about who you are...well, it reminds you that you are important.

4.)Few customers notice the little kind things you do for them-i.e. making sure their glass is full, quietly clearing dishes between each course, gauging correctly when they want certain things including the check, bringing dessert for a celebration without being told. Few notice, but I will keep doing it anyway.

5.)Seeing people eat wasabi in scary amounts never fails to amuse me. And the tricks people play on each other to get them to eat lots of wasabi are hilarious.

6.)With the other servers you can choose to be helpful and work together or not, but the choice is yours alone. Everyone else will manage just fine without you, but helping builds something more valuable than a meal.

7.) I was born to serve (and not just raw fish) <3

Adventures of Ms.K

I never expected to change my major from International Relations and Political Science to Biological Sciences Education and English Teaching, but I did. My first week in college I was asked to teach a Sunday school lesson on Helaman's Stripling Warriors (one of my favorites) and from there I was called as a teacher in that ward. One of my favorite callings of all time! I learned different techniques and lesson patterns to more effectively teach and was grateful for the experience. Then, in my next two wards, I received the same calling. Hint. Hint. I really loved preparing each lesson, applying the principles throughout the week, and connecting to the class. When I hit a wall with my previous major, teaching immediately came to mind. But then I wanted to teach everything! But I finally narrowed it down to all the sciences : ) and english.

And while I have a few more requirements before the ink is dry on my teaching certificate, I have been substitute teaching in the local school district. Though being a sub is different from a legitimate teacher I've learned many valuable lessons.
* The teachers who make a real difference are those who listen because
* Students are really seeking somehow who will listen. Listen to their worries and fears, hopes and dreams- listen without trying to be in control. And more often than not, that listening happens in a classroom rather than the counselor's office.
* There is a time for everything, even in Biology and Lit class. A time for laughter and music, a time for quiet studying, a time for disciplining and a time for compassion.
*Students complain to subs all the time- "What's the point of_____? When will I ever use this?" I've learned that as a teacher I want to help them make those connections. Make biology class relate to Shelley's Frankenstein, to their modern art class, and back to European History. I want to help them see that the real education is in connections.
* I learned that as a teacher I could have students at four or five different levels in a class. I've met high school students who can barely read and middle school students who can do calculus in circles around me. There is no uni-level class which is both an obstacle and a challenge to rise to.
* The teacher's lounge is much less cool and mysterious now than when I was a student : (
* School can be a place of wonder and magic- sometimes when you know where to look and sometimes when you learn to create it.
* All class pets should have names, even 6 inch poisonous spiders. It makes it easier to call them when they hide under the desk!!!
* If you are excited and enthusiastic about a topic, it is much easier to interest the students. Just don't go fanatic- then they think I am a hermit scholar who has no social life ( actually not that far from the truth).
* And finally, students think they can shock you by swearing or by telling you outrageous things. The teacher can shock the students by listening, with kindness, with generousity, and by creating an interactive learning environment.

The Bend in the Road

Welcome back! Ok, you probably never went anywhere, but I've been shamefully neglectful. I started half a dozen posts over these past five or six months, but then left them half-finished. But today I have some free time I will use productively (along with the keeping of my resolutions!-going strong still : )



A favorite poem of mine explains some of this time for me:

The Bend in the Road

When we feel we have nothing left to give

And we are sure that the song has ended,

When our day seems over and the shadows fall

And the darkness of night has descended,

Where can we go to find the strength

To valiantly keep on trying?

Where can we find the hand that will dry

The tears that the heart is crying?

There's but one place to go and that is to God,

And dropping all pretence and pride,

We can pour out our problems without restraint

And gain strength with Him at our side.

And together we stand at life's cross roads

And view what we think is the end,

But God has a much bigger vision,

And He tells us it's only a bend.

For the road goes on and is smoother,

And the pause in the song is a rest,

And the part that's unsung and unfinished

Is the sweetest and richest and best.

So rest and relax and grow stronger

Let go and let God share your load.

Your work is not finished or ended

You've just come to a bend in the road.

Helen Steiner Rice

I kept telling myself that I would wait until I knew exactly what I was actually doing, but isn't that a conundrum in itself? You can't always wait to figure out the future--you have to step forward and embrace it. I mentioned last August that I had turned a 180 from the direction I had so carefully planned out for myself, which included BYU, marrying Brother Charming before graduating, and settling down to start a family. Sounded like a good plan right? But the Master Planner had a better one. So I came back to Indiana with my family. I've worked as a waitress and a substitute teacher (both of which will get an exciting post), gained a beautiful neice ( Lily should have her own blog, but I will definitely give her a post), and after much preparation and an abundance of tender mercies, drumroll please......................

SUBMITTED MY MISSION PAPERS!!!!!!!



As much as I love missionary work and have been involved with it my entire life, I was surprised last summer when I felt the prompting to prepare. Yet with a bit more reflection, I can look back and see the host of experiences that have prepared me specifically for this service. So the game plan: catch you up a little on my work of the past few months, post on Lily, and then transition both of us to mission mode, in which I will be posting letters here on this very blog. So hang in here with me! And a beautiful song that Hilary Weeks just released--just for you.