Visit with the Grandparents!

My grandparents (paternal) just came for a nice visit. We had a great time. I got to show them around school, take them to the Zilker Botanical Gardens, and we painted pumpkins for Monday night Family Home Evening. I've got very cool grandparents!

Showing off for my Opa! I know, usually 5 years olds do the- "look what I can do" thing.

Getting started! "Glue guns are awesome!", Orlando Kelm said.

Left to right- Tamara, Wolf (Opa), Tonia (mom), Orlando (pai), Aline (grandma)

So creative!

...fully persuaded

(Pretty Flowers in October!)

Romans 4:20-22

"He (Abraham) staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness."

I falter often, and God has to keep reminding me to be faithful. I came across this scripture this week and it gave me some great perspective. "Staggered" is from the Greek that means doubted, or hestitated. I want to not doubt or hesitate because I have been fully persuaded. I know there are things that God has promised me and I loose sight of them sometimes.

Here is a collection of things that are extra persuations from a Loving God who gives me experiences and people that bring me happiness and show He loves me.

... awesome educational experiences!

...cute 2 year old that call me Tia Tamara!

...a part-time job I enjoy. (Back to Fitness 80's Style, Body Flow Launch)

...one of my two sisters (the other is just as awesome, just not in this pic)...


....friends....

....and more friends

Mom Bought a Wii

Mom bought a Wii a few weeks ago.
I came home last night to this sight... How cute!
Talk about some fun parents.

Enlighted by Others

I was driving down the road today in deep thought. No, not about the UT game this weekend against OU (although we had better play better than last weekend! Hook'em Horns!).

I started reflecting on the Fast & Testimony meeting we had at church on Sunday. It started by thinking about little mistakes I make and wish I could take back. Thankfully I remembered the testimony shared by the handsome E.Q President about how we have the Atonement to make up for those mistakes that inevitably we keeping making. So true!

Then a bit later I got thinking about my upcoming clinicals at an out patient orthopedic clinic in Round Rock. I've been saying how excited I am, and I really am, but I am starting to get this creeping feeling of inadequacy and fear. Again, thankfully I remembered another testimony given by the delightful Julie Tackett. She said she doesn't really believe in herself, but luckily she does believe in Jesus Christ, and that is ultimately what matters the most. There is no place for fear in my life!

Testimony meetings really do have power!

Finally, I had another enlighted moment when talking with another good friend, the inspirational Michelle Clements. We have been having some great discussions about patience over the past several weeks. She reminded of its importance. She is also an example to me of making goals and accomplishing what she sets out to do. Reminds me of D&C 123:17

"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."

Thanks to these friends who help me have enlightened moments, and to the countless more who give me reasons to smile every day!

Geek Night

What is Geek Night you ask? It is when the ward activities committee gets creative and has an activity where we dress like geeks, play board games, have geek trivia about ourselves, and eat sugary cereal and milk. Sadly not many people dressed up. However I went all out and I learned that I must have a very healthy self-esteem to be willing to look like a fool. The funniest thing was when people didn't even know who I was. Cracked me up! One girl thought I must be from a family ward. Ha!

Have you gotten your geek on today? Really it has links with Taking Action... action taken!

"I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus..."

Two times a year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints had a General Conference broadcast from Salt Lake City, Utah. It takes place in the Conference Center which seats 21,000 people and is broadcast to millions worldwide, and translated into 92 languages. In addition to hearing our prophet Thomas S. Monson, we also get to hear from his counselors, all 12 apostles, and other leaders (men and women) in the church. They speak over two days in a total of 5 2-hour sessions. Another added bonus is getting to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir sing. The magnitude of this conference blows my mind. What other organizations, churches, or even countries have the capacity to do such a meeting twice a year were so many members are reached?

Greater then the organizational feat, the spiritual feast that comes from it leaves me feeling full of gratitude and a desire to be better.

Here are a few messages I heard and than had confirmed in my mind and heart by the Holy Ghost...

Personal growth comes in struggling to get answers.

Impressions of the Spirit come more when we act and apply them.

Pornography is the most damning thing on the earth. It is the worst form of selfishness.

You know you feel the influence of the Holy Ghost when you feel PEACE, HOPE, JOY, SENSATION OF LIGHT.

Bare BURDENS well, they provide us opportunities to practice virtues. Keeping baptismal covenants helps us bare burdens and help others bare burdens.

TAKE ACTION- seriously, Elder Russell Osguthorpe's words, not mine! Faith in the Lord means relying on the Lord to realize you can do things you think are impossible.

Learning and Teaching are not optional in the Gospel.

Tell the people you love that you love them.

Love is central to being a true disciple of Christ. God does not NEED us to love Him, but we NEED to love God. "Though we are incomplete, he loves us completely." (Uchtdorf)

Try until that which seems difficult becomes possible.

Choicest blessings are for those who keep commandments. Love does not supercede the commandments.

We are made after the image of God. Literally!

Be ye perfect- the Lord does not expect us to do what we cannot achieve. If he commanded us to be perfect, it must be possible.

Joseph Smith was the Lord's anointed and taught that salvation can ony be found in one place- the Gospel of Christ.

Temperance is a divine attribute of Jesus Christ.

None of us are left here alone. Prayer is a perfect form of communication.

We can an must expect to become better as along as we live.

The Book of Mormon is inspired of God. No wicked man would write such a book , and no good man could unless directed by God. Joseph Smith was such a man and sealed his testimony of it with his blood.



Serve not because it is good, but because you believe that it is what God wants us to do.

Truth is not relative. We have agency yes, but intelligent use of agency requires knowledge of the truth. Do not be ashamed to teach moral discipline.

I add my testimony that I KNOW the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and has all the keys needed for man to obtain salvation and eternal life. God loves His children and sent His Son to pave the way through the atonement that all might return to live with Him again. I KNOW that the Book of Mormon is a divinely inspired book. I know that the Holy Ghost is a member of the God-Head and can be a constant companion to guide me through anything that life throws my way. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's anointed prophet on the earth today and is a mouth-piece to guide and direct God's church. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sad that I can't donate blood again.

I mailed this letter of the Blood Center of Central Texas today... if you can donate blood, please do. It is important to me, and I no longer am able to do it.

October 2, 2009

The Blood Center of Central Texas

4300 N. Lamar Blvd

Austin, TX 78756

Dear Blood Center of Central Texas & Maureen Foley, RN,

My name is Tamara Kelm and I have been a donor for several years. I have enjoyed it a lot, knowing that I am helping people. I know that blood banks are always in need of blood and quarterly it was great to know I was doing my part.

In July, 2009 this all changed. I received a letter staying that I had tested positive for the HTLV Type I or II virus. I was very scared. Who wouldn’t be when told you had a virus that is linked to T-cell Leukemia? I researched it a bit and it made no sense that I had the virus. I have never been sexually active, I haven’t travelled to any of the places where is usually contracted, and I am not a drug user. I went to my doctor and he was as baffled as I was. We decided to have more blood work done. Thank goodness the test results have come back negative.

I have been meaning to call and see if I can become an active donor again with a copy of my lab results. Today I got in the mail my bill for the lab work- $205.95. I didn’t expect The Blood Center to pay for this mistake but I called to bring it to someone’s attention.

Maureen let me know that I would remain on the deferred list and be unable to donate ever again. I was shocked and angry. Not only did this false positive cost me an unnecessary $200, it has cost me the chance to ever donate again. It is a shame that there is no a way around this.

I apologize for being rude and hanging up on Maureen. I was angry, but not at her, I know she was just doing her job. However, my voice needs to be heard by the organization. The money issue frustrates me being a poor college student, but the loss of being able to give the gift of a donation deeply saddens me. There are people who won’t even consider being a donor because they are afraid of needles or just don’t care. I am not one of them.

If regulations ever change, I want to be notified. I do not want a faulty test to get in way of a future opportunity. I’m only 29, I’ve got a lot of years left to live and donate, and think of the lives my blood will not be able to save now.

Thank you for your time,

Tamara Kelm