Hi, I'm Kayla

I'm adopted. I'm studying physics. I grew up in Seattle. I'm a Mormon.

About Me

I'm a college student studying physics. I play the violin, piano and I am taking lessons to learn the harp from a friend. I also enjoy crafts like quilting, knitting, and cross-stitching. I was an art major before I switched to physics. I really enjoyed painting and pencil drawing while I was in high school, but it was a little too tough for me in college. And I LOVE to cook!
I'm currently doing my senior research project on exoplanets- planets around other stars. I get to spend lots of time under the stars with the school's 10" telescope. They are so beautiful! There's nothing that can make you feel smaller than looking up at the Milky Way. But I know that despite all the stars and galaxies, God knows each and everyone one of us.
I'm adopted. I love my family so much and I know that I was meant to be with them. God truly has a plan for each of us.
I was just married to the love of my life about a month ago in the Seattle Temple. What a wonderful place and what wonderful promises are given there that families can be together forever.

Why I am a Mormon

I was raised as a Mormon. I've gone to church and activities all my life and I now attend one of the universities owned by our church. This was all my decision... no one forced me into going anywhere. I've known all my life that this church is true. And it's not because of my parents or all my sunday school teachers... it's because I can feel it. If this was not where the Lord wanted me, I would have an uneasy feeling. But I don't. I'm happy and I have a good life and I hope that someday everyone can be as happy as I am.

Personal Stories

How can your talents and gifts bless others?

When most people think of talents, they think of singing or painting. I think of talents as anything that can enrich other people's lives. Some people are great friends. Some people are peacemakers. Some people are great listeners. Some people have the gift of patience.
For me, I can help others with my gifts by sharing them. A solo in church could inspire someone to learn more about music. My ability to understand physics and math and be able to explain in a simple way helps lots of students learn from their classes.

What are you doing to help strengthen your family and make it successful?

Since I just got married, we are working on good habits that we can use as we have our children and they grow up. We have family home evening every Monday night where we discuss the gospel and any issues we may have come upon in the week. We pray as a couple every night and, though we are not doing so well at it right now, we want to start studying our scriptures together every night.
Not only that, we both call our parents on a regular basis and keep in touch with our extended family through email, Facebook, and phone calls. We plan on spending the holidays with our family and we plan on attending our family reunions.

How I live my faith

Being at a church-owned school means that there are a lot of Mormons around. We open nearly every class with a prayer. I also work as a tutor on campus for 2 physics classes and an astronomy class. I love being able to help people understand what they need to learn to be able to do their career!
In church, I've done a lot of things. I've been the choir director twice and believe me, no one would have EVER thought to make me that, so it really is the Lord who inspires our leaders to give us the jobs they do and I currently play the piano for the meeting we have for the adult ladies during church. I've also been in charge of making sure all the women in my congregation have enough to survive on and that they get the help that they need when they need it. Especially at college, where so many of us are away from our families and living paycheck to paycheck, this was a pretty important job. We all look out for each other.

What is the Word of Wisdom that Mormons talk about?

Kayla answered...

The Word of Wisdom is a revelation from God that tells us how best to take care of our bodies. Most people know it because it tells us that we are not to smoke or drink alcohol or coffee. But not only that, it tells us what are the best things for us to eat. For example, grains, fruits and vegetables are strongly encouraged and meat is encouraged to be taken in moderation. It comes with a promise that if you follow it, you will have the strength you need to do everything your life requires of you and that you will be healthy!
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Mark answered...

The word of wisdom is the Lord's law of health. We abstain from drugs, tobacco, alcohol, coffee, and tea, and are encouraged to eat wholesome food and grains, and not eat excessive meat. I am asked all of the time by my fellow residents at the hospital why I don't drink coffee, and how I can stay awake all night on call without it. I don't consider it a sacrifice, though, and am as awake and perform as well as any. It is true that the body will be more healthy when following the word of wisdom, the but the main benefit is spiritual. The knowledge that you are in line with the the Lord's teaching is the most important thing.

What is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' attitude regarding homosexuality and same sex marriage?

Jacob answered...

We all have the freedom to pursue happiness in their own way, and I would even be willing to allow that some desires may be genetically given. This does not make our desires right. In the scriptures we read " For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord." (Mosiah 3:19) We all have "natural desires" that place us in opposition with God's purpose and desires for us and we must each seek to correct them if we wish true happiness.

I sympathize with those whose desires are powerful and poignant; you face a sore trial indeed. The scriptures give us hope though; "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13) God is merciful and Christ is compassionate, while there may be yet an effectual struggle to be had perhaps for many years or the rest of our lives full repentance and change is possible.

If a homosexual individual desires to continue as such and marry only by the laws and rites of the state, then I have no qualms, I will do my utmost to be a friend to such an individual. I only ask that my rights, beliefs, and Church are respected.