I ABHOR violence of any and all kinds,

and still I deeply love “The Hunger Games.”

More to come on these ideas.

Much more.

Women who are smart and pretty and HAPPY to be who they are…

THESE are the women to look up to!

~Jenna Rink (Jennifer Garner’s character in “13 Going on 30”)

The peace of YOUR heart

is just as important (if not more so!) as the peace of anyone else’s heart.

Just sayin.

“The peace of your own heart

is just as important as the peace of anyone else’s.”

~Katherine Anne

myth vs. experience

line of propriety

Respect other people (of course)

But don’t ever forget to respect yourself!

All things in moderation…

God is no respecter of persons.

~Acts 10:34

READERS:

1.  How are you going to act upon the truths expressed in this post?

2.  What things do they speak to your heart?

3.  Okay, peace out!

PS.  I realize that picture of the child is a strong image.  It is unsettling of course, but abuse is.  I know what I’m doing.

U2 has some excellent, inspiring, rocking, wistful, strong Christian/Biblically themed, romantic, slightly sexy, and overall QUALITY music (duh!).

Lyrics here (these profound words have brought me closer to Christ.  TRULY!)

They (Bono and his boys) also have quite a few really weird songs…

Saw U2 in concert on May 24, 2011.  ONE OF THE BEST NIGHTS OF MY LIFE!

🙂

*if you don’t listen to that first song, you are crazy as the second song is…

WALK ON!

Have you ever seen a picture of yourself and you remember how you felt at the time, and it wasn’t necessarily what showed?

This is one of those pictures.  On the outside I just look like  a girl with high cheekbones, a great sense of color, and someone who could sport a red lip with confidence and class.  But on the inside, I was hurting pretty badly.  Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.  Even beautiful people.  Be kind.

Sometimes beauty isn’t recognized

when it contrasts with what you feel inside.

-Natasha Bedingfield

Yes.

I Have

“an Exposition of Sleep come upon me.”

~William Shakespeare (“A Midsummer Night’s Dream”)

No other success

can compensate

for FAILURE in the home.

 

~LDS President David O. Mckay

And some broken bones and a broken home are all he’ll have to show.

LINE OF PROPRIETY

myth vs. experience

Dear Readers:

Let me again express that I never intend to be judgmental or unkind to anyone, not even concerning such individuals as Charlie Sheen (Although truthfully it’s hard NOT to judge such a troubled man).  I wish to emphasize that all of us are children of God.  ALL OF US.  But I just can’t help but think of how badly Mr. Sheen needs Christ.  I mean, we all do, but for some people, it is more obvious and drastically evident, know what I’m sayin’?

“No other success can compensate for failure in the home.”

(readers, remember that quote por favor.  it’s totez important)

…

The Circle of Your Friends

will defend your silver lining.

~John Mayer

*even though you can’t see it really well,

I’m quite sure I was wearing silver eye liner…

*also, even though you can’t see it really well

I’M ABSOLUTELY SURE I was wearing an under shirt…

Laundry Day

can make for very interesting outfits!

I believe in making the mundane the fun-dane…

And speaking of laundry, my rapper friend Kemp wrote a cool song and made a music video about the subject (and about other cool themes and stuff too)!

Lyrics here

(they’re really good, so check them out!)

As I have said before, I just love the idea of taking something that many would find boring and plain, and using it for artistic inspiration!

Oh, gotta go put my clothes in the dryer now…

🙂

Behind every woman scorned

is a man who made her that way.

~Miranda Lambert

*I think this lyric is simultaneously pretty clever, a bit funny, but overall very sad.

*Heather likes this line a lot.

*One must be ever so careful of definitives:  The word “every” is problematic, but it works here I think.

*Faulker is certainly not my favorite author, but he was a master of the American short story and is still an important influence.  Will write more about him on this blog.  Can’t say exactly when though….

*Miranda Lambert is one of the most talented musicians today.  That girl is the real deal.  Will ABSOLUTELY write more about her on this blog.  Can’t say exactly when though….

Embellishing and exaggerating one’s humanitarian, educational, philanthropic achievements…

is NOT my cup of tea.

Figuratively or literally.

Let it be known that I DO think that Mr. Mortenson has done some excellent things.

Absolutely.

CONTROVERSY.  OVERSHADOWS.  TALENT.

(click here for an explanation of this ubiquitous

[and sad!] sociological phenomenon)

Sigh.

If you fabricate your facts,

YOU GET FIRED!

~Ellie Graham (journalistic boss character from Runaway Bride)

Oh, and this is tangential, but “Runaway Bride” is one of my favorite films EVER.  If you think it is a mindless chick flick, you are dead wrong!  There is so much thematic substance in it that can relate to everyone.  And I do mean everyone.  Plus it’s funny, clean, short, and has the cute and talented Ms. Julia Roberts!

 

But BACK TO YOU (Mr. Greg Mortenson)

(and this applies to everyone else too!)

O be wise, what can I say more?

Jacob 6:12

Honest is whatcha gotta be

next time you write a book like “Three Cups of Tea”!

 

More to come on these issues (all of them!).

Much more.

PS.  Go count my references if ya wanna

🙂

I will never be the constant gardener that my madre is,

but I can still have a green thumb!

 literally

and in case you missed the literary allusion in my title,

let me help you out a lil bit:

….

Don’t believe me, don’t you DARE believe me…

“when I say I’ve got it down.”

~John Mayer (who else?!)

Dear Friends:

NO ONE KNOWS WHAT THEY’RE DOING!

or if they do they’re probably bored or unhappy

not really… I sound like I’m jealous (which I am a lil bit)

but the point is even if you aren’t 100% sure what’s happening, STAY COOL!

we’re gonna be okay I think…

🙂

Anderson Cooper

is really quite SOOPER (super, btw)!

I am a fandy

of this guy Andy

He stood up for the Mormon Church

when a certain famous Reverend was being kinda a jerk..

Anderson’s classy, smart, and occasionally witty

And his blue eyes are oh so pretty

Yes I’m aware that he is gay

So don’t think I’m trying to get him to sway

his choice or anything, I just think

with eyes like ours, we should hardly ever blink!

*Click on that above link and watch a great journalist be classy and respectful, but still call someone out who is completely wrong!

*It all comes back to “The Yellow Wallpaper.”

I’m just a girl

trying to find her place in this world.

~Taylor Swift

To err is human;

to forgive, divine.

~Alexander Pope

*I  like that first video A LOT (although the title is misleading).  Also, another BYU athlete was unfortunately involved with a recent infraction of the Honor Code.  Similar to Mr. Davies, this athlete is making amends, both spiritually and academically.  Read a smashing article about him here.

This

is a look (and a lady!) worth remembering.

You done me proud, Taylor.

Cleaning my computer desktop

is the bane of my existence.

Sometimes in my tears I drown,

but I never let it get me down!

~Matisyahu

🙂

If something good can come from bad,

then the past can rest in peace!

~Smash

Human/ Mormon/ Woman/ KATHERINE Experience:

Um, I’m not trying to brag or sound arrogant, but I have a blog and it’s pretty amazing.  Very funny…very easy read…but still deep and infused with spirituality, truth, inspiration, and humanity.  Got some pictures, (but not TOO many).  I chronicle the human experience, the Mormon experience, and the woman experience in a way that is uniquely Katherine.  Enrich your life with an intellectual nugget or a comedic gemstone…check out my blog to give your day (and mine!) a smile. Gracias.

Where to begin reading, you may ask?  Here’s a great place! 

Oh, and also I do have some level of musical talent as well.  Listen to me (literally) make some sweet melodies!

And ya’ll I might have a pretty awesome blog, but I am not one of those “cooler than thou” artists.   And I never will be.  So email me from anywhere, about anything, at anytime.  I can’t give you an exact time-frame but I WILL email you back.

Contact information:  Katherineannewilkinson@gmail.com

Now, in the words of Bono:

 ”It’s a beautiful day.  Don’t let it get away!”

~U2

Love you all (platonically and literally)

~ Katherine Anne

I miss you…

when you’re not around.

~U2

“Accidental Entrepreneur”

would not be an inaccurate description of myself.

My blog was born on July 24th (2 months ago from today).

I currently have just over 14,000 views with readers in 50 countries

(that map isn’t big enough to show them all).

AND I’M NOT SLOWING DOWN ANY TIME SOON!

ain’t gonna settle, Dierks Jerkz…

If you think I’m blagging, TOUGH!

it’s my blog!

ur probz just jealous anyways…

🙂

(bookending!)

Bringing home the Bacon, and Bringing Benjamins to the Bank Because of this Blog were certainly not my reasons for starting it.  However, as I have said before, WHY THE HECK WOULD I NOT TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY AND RUN WITH IT (?!), even and especially when it comes to “putt[ing] money in my purse” (in the words of wimp character Roderigo in Willy Shakes’s tragic play “Othello”).  Concerning the realm of lucrative blog comp, there is lots more for me to do (there always is!), but you better believe it’s high on my priority list…..

But before you seek for riches, seek for the kingdom of God.

   ~Jacob 2:18

There’s always a (prepositional) caveat, I suppose.

…

Even amidst trials of your own doing…

just try to be kind to yourself, okay?

🙂

 

Occasional Repetition

is a Deliberate Decision!

Sometimes, I will repeat something that I’ve already posted before.  It is not that I am lazy or don’t have anything new to say.  It is because I feel that the particular message/idea is valuable enough to say it again! (LOVE this song of Natasha‘s by the way).  So just wanted to clarify this point.  If you encounter something on here that you’ve seen before, read it once more.  Or don’t.  But just KNOW that I’m doing it on purpose!

The human body is a gift.

It is NOT a toy.

Think about these ideas.

*Once again, I wish to express that I LOATHE violence;

I use these images with great caution and consideration.

But in this case, I actually intend to be (slightly) offensive

to communicate a stronger message…

“I’m a Mormon, and I want to make YOU a Mormon”

is the thought I used to think, (consciously or not)

when I thought of “missionary work.”

I do not think that anymore.

Still LDS!

Still Christian.

Still believe strongly in missionary work.

Still wouldn’t hate it if you (friends/readers) were baptized (for the right reasons of course!).

It’s more about teaching principles of truth, and yet still not being afraid to invite others’ to come unto Christ.

Don’t wanna have an agenda

People can smell phoniness from a mile away

Don’t be ashamed of the gospel, and don’t be afraid to speak up and share

Be bold, but not overbearing (Alma 38:13)

More to come on these ideas

Much more.

Let’s STRIP away the idea that strip-clubs are cool (because they are TERRIBLE!)

The disgusting phenomenon known as “strip clubs” is a sad and embarrassing part of our society.  As is often portrayed in pop culture, “men” will go to these kinds of clubs (why they are sometimes referred to as “Gentlemen’s Clubs” is beyond me!) soon before they get married, or even for no specific occasion at all.  For some reason which I will never fully understand, it seems fun and harmless to casually objectify women.  Sadly, sometimes women themselves  contribute to this false idea; some think they will be more appealing and sexy if they fulfill some sick fantasy.  Ew!  Totez gross!  Be a lady!  And the guys need to be real men (just like Elder Christofferson talked about in this post)!  So now howzabout you let me set the record straight on what should REALLY happen on the dance floor.

Hint: it’s classy, clean, AND still lets me bust a move.

(safe for all eyes and ears OF COURSE!)

Truths to Consider:

1)  Most girls/women who work in strip-clubs have been abused and are very unhappy (more to come on this idea in another post).

2)  Most boys/men who patronize strip-clubs are lonely, desperate, insecure, and unhappy as well.

3)  God intended for us to be sexual, but within the realm of a committed, marital relationship (read more about this here), and certainly not in some stuffy, crowded shack of sin that smells like stale armpits and halitosis.

(this sentence will be repeated in this post, FYI).

4) Miley Cyrus has sooooo very much to learn.

5)  Playboy King Hugh Hefner is a TOTAL loser!

So what is to be done?  Thankfully, all is not lost.  There are inspired leaders (ancient and modern) who have given us counsel and truth concerning these issues.  Here are just a few insights that will bring us safety and happiness if we heed them:

             Dancing can be fun and can provide an opportunity to meet new people.  When dancing, avoid full body contact with your partner. Do not use positions or moves that are suggestive of sexual or violent behavior or are otherwise inappropriate….Attend only those dances where dress, grooming, lighting, lyrics, music, and entertainment contribute to a wholesome atmosphere where the Spirit may be present.

     ~For the Strength of Youth

[W]atch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds,

and observe the commandments of God…

~Mosiah 4:30

And once again, lemme show you a girl who can dance

and have a good time while still keeping things clean:

And ya’ll, this may or may not apply to you, but just so you know,

any man who engages in any sort of these behaviors

doesn’t stand a CHANCE with me!

So keep it clean, and maybe we can get to know each other.

🙂

And now let me give you a nice, take-away quote (the one I said I’d repeat!):

  “God intended for us to be sexual, but within the realm of a committed, marital relationship, and certainly not in some stuffy, crowded shack of sin that smells like stale armpits and halitosis.”

~Katie Wilk

In conclusion, let me utilize the megaphone pic of the ever lovely Ms. Bedingfield (she can move and still be a lady!) to express something that I really just wanna shout to the world:

       Don’t glamorize what is ugly in reality…

 STRIP CLUBS STINK!

.

*if you wanna pass this message/post along, I wouldn’t object…

PS.  This is not a judgment on women who work in the industry, especially because so many of them are coerced or have a terrible background story.  Don’t call me judgmental, ok?  That’s not what this is about.  We’re all children of God, but sin is sin, and I’m not afraid to call it that…

I don’t mind playing the game of “Devil’s Advocate” (and sometimes even greatly enjoy it!)

as long as it’s done in an Angelic way.

And Renae, you are my angel by the way.  So are you, Natasha girl…

“He that hath the Spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil.”

~3rd Nephi 11:29

Now good luck disagreeing with THAT!

🙂

and do you think the blue/white color scheme in the pix is an accident?  only in ur dreamz…

A new perspective on Martin Luther

           

            In his day, German theologian and philosopher Martin Luther was considered a heretic and a blasphemer.  His ninety-five theses famously nailed to the door of the Wittenburg Church expressed his strong criticisms of the omnipotent Catholic Church, from which Luther eventually broke away.  Luther was further considered even more rebellious when he refused to retract his views, after which he was excommunicated from the Church. 

           More recently, however, the world has come to think of Luther quite differently.  Obviously, faithful Lutherans thank their founder for the work he did.  One prominent example of a practicing Lutheran was famous American Civil Rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., whose parents revered the theologian so much that they named their son after him.  

           But it isn’t just members of that specific sect of Christianity who are grateful.  Indeed, members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also pay tribute to Luther and other participants in the Reformation.  Church leader Dieter Uchtdorf paid homage to Luther in his May General Conference 2008 address “Faith of Our Fathers,” in which he even revealed that he was a distant descendant of Luther. 

            One of Luther’s most famous doctrine was justification by faith alone.  This differed from the Catholic belief, which was that ordinances, or sacraments, were necessary for salvation.  Although Latter-day Saints revere Luther and view him as a crucial member of the Reformation, their doctrine of salvation is not exactly the same as his was; Mormons believe that faith is absolutely necessary for salvation, but they also believe in saving ordinances, such as baptism and temple rites, as a way to demonstrate that faith.  In this specific way, Mormonism is somewhat of a stepping-stone between Lutheranism and Catholicism.

          There have been two major films made about Martin Luther.  The first is the 1953 film Martin Luther, which stars Niall MacGinnis and was nominated for two Academy Awards.  The second version is the 2003 MGM film Luther  starring Joseph Fiennes (I highly recommend watching this!), which helps to emphasize the importance of Luther’s translation of the Bible from Latin to German.  Though the Pope and other Catholic leaders considered this controversial and dangerous at the time, eventually, this led to the influence of other translations of sacred text into languages that the common people could read.  This film also shows that Luther observed and hated how Johann Tetzel would sell indulgences, which meant that people could “buy” salvation for deceased loved ones.  Although the Catholic Church as a whole denounces Luther, as evident by his excommunication, many individual members throughout the years and especially today thank Luther for what he has done in helping to expose the problem of the sale of indulgences.   Also, the fact that these films was made at all, in the 20^st  and 21^st centuries as well, shows that even today, even in America, and even in Hollywood, Luther is still important, still remembered, and still somewhat relevant. 

          Though Catholic extremists of the day may have once hoped that Martin Luther and his rioutous views would fade away into oblivion, Luther’s influence has lasted long beyond his day.  Not only have Luther’s religious views affected us, his music has stayed with us, too.  Luther’s most famous piece to which he wrote the text, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” is part of the Latter-day Saint hymnbook today. 

                Overall, Martin Luther has made quite a turn-around from how he was formerly viewed and understood. Once regarded as a blasphemer and a disturber of religious peace, Luther is now considered one who brought much needed attention to the corruption and problems in the Catholic Church,  founded a major Protestant denomination, and, as understood by Latter-day Saints, was a key participant in the eventual bringing about of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

[The] Reformation resulted in an increased emphasis on religious freedom,

which opened the way for the final Restoration.”

~Preach My Gospel

Wrote this essay in my college days…

And not tryin’ to brag, but I got an A+!

🙂

The S u/o n

  is on my side.

~Natasha Bedingfield

 

Couch Potatoes.

Wilkinson women do it well.

 

(truthfully, neither of us watch much television at all, THANK GOODNESS!)

plus she don’t watch too much tv…

They call me Mellow Yellow

It all comes back to “The Yellow Wallpaper,” okay?

Get over it.

🙂

John Mayer perfectly captures the angst, confidence, anxiety, peace, maturity, immaturity, loneliness, fulfillment, terror, joy, optimism, kindness, faith, doubt, arrogance, insecurity, sin, redemption, nostalgia, and hope that simultaneously exist within my soul.

Thanks, John.

More than words could ever express.

Thanks.

I never would have made it through without you.

Kindness

is kinda a big deal to me.

More than just kinda, actually.

IT. IS. HUGE.

If you yourself are unkind to anyone in any way at all,

Phew!  Glad we could clear that one up…

(don’t love this song, just KINDA like it…)

but I am going to be kind and include it since it clearly relates!

🙂

“I will stand as a WITNESS of God at all times, and in all things, and in all places.”

This was a significant part of the theme I would state every Sunday in Young Women’s.  It comes from this passage in the Book of Mormon.

I am not an official spokesperson or representative of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  (But check out more about Michael Otterson here-he’s one of my faves)  But I still do believe it is important (AND GREATLY DESIRE!) to stand as a witness of God, even, and especially when it comes to this blog.

Now I am not perfect by any stretch.

Yes!  (hard to believe I know…)

(“um,” I will continue, thanks John…)

And is there sometimes a bit of possible tension between my 3 fold identity of Mormon, woman, and human?

Absolutely. 

But has there ever been a clash that I believe could

hurt the image of the Church or cause major confusion?

No. 

And if there ever was, I don’t believe I would expose it, at least not completely.

Plus it’s not like I’m super famous anyways so even if I did I’m not sure anyone would care.  🙂

I’m only one voice in a million, but you ain’t takin’ that from me!

(in case you are too lazy/prideful to click on that above link,

it is from this wonderful waving woman…)

love this song, it reminds me of Fiji.  It will change your life. 

LISTEN TO IT!

Girl, get back to your thesis

ANYWAYS, just wanted to express that I am conscious of the fact that this blog in some small way represents not only myself, not only my family, not only my friends, not only the LDS Church, but also Christ himself.

Is that blasphemous or arrogant?  No way, Jose.  Peace out!

PS.  I’d give my bangs (first picture!) a B+ that day.

READERS!

What are you a witness of?

And please don’t stop reading my blog because I

ended that last sentence with a preposition…

Joseph Smith didn’t like the idea of micromanagement.

“I teach them correct principles,

and they govern themselves.”

And neither do I.

More to come on these ideas.

Much more.

Main Objective

I have a lot of goals and purposes for my blog (read here about it’s many part-time jobs).  I have a vision for it.  A dream, even.  And yet I still can say in two simple words what my main objective is:

What the heck does that even mean?

So, yes friends.  That is what I’m striving to do.  Hope it’s working at least somewhat.  And I think it is, to be honest 🙂  As I have said before, my blog is (partially) a gift to you!  And as I have also said before, if it’s not doing it for ya, then there’s a ton of other websites you could be browsing right now….

sure [does] stimulate my brain

~Shania Twain

Sin is Sin.

And that look’s not in!

Sister Wilkinson has very strong thoughts on pornography.

Señorita Katrina has extremely powerful opinions about EL James’s so-called “novel.”

Click away, readers!

🙂

In case you are joining me for the first time or are relatively new to my blog,

here are some great posts to visit!

1)  An unexpected metaphor:  comparing LDS temples to sex/chastity.

2)  A Mormon Girl’s new found perspective on abortion (it’s likely you haven’t heard this one before). 

3) Playboy Mansion? No way!  The mansion of the Lord is where it’s at!

4)  The reason why Katherine Anne will NEVER speak out against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

5)  Getting out of the shadow of high-achieving family members.

6)  My rocky relationship with my guitar.

7)  How I REALLY felt about my sister getting married

8)  “50 shades of Gray filth/disgusting trash” is cramping my style BIG time!

9)  The unofficial missionary work of this blog. 

10) My witty (and darn near perfect!) approach to satire.

11)  Can I get a witness (of God)?!

12)  “You keep mentioning your ‘core beliefs.’  Isn’t the gospel the core of what you believe?  BLASPHEMER!”

13)  The fine line of propriety when it comes to honesty AND class. 

14)  Why I am ALWAYS quoting song lyrics.

15)  Ms. Wilkinson is possibly not as smart (or as dumb!) as this blog may make her seem…

16)  Katherine has experienced some painful trials in her life, but her darkest “shadow days are over now.”

17)  How this blog is a Christ-figure for me. 

Lady Gaga

is a very talented, innovative, and creative individual.  However, many of her outfits, songs, dance moves, and overall life choices are highly objectionable (duh!)  And that is not merely my opinion.  That is a FACT.  To borrow the words of Ms. Natasha Bedingfield, [Lady Gaga] is not the kind of girl you bring to mother.”  Still, I cannot completely overlook her artistic gifts!

So what is one to do about this paradox of trash and talent coexisting in the same woman?  I have coined a phrase that I believe perfectly captures this problem (and even offers a solution!).  Check it stat:

What did you think?

1 single sentence to sum up LG.

🙂