A Woman Certainly Worth Mentioning: Jade Geneve Kepner

On Friday, November 26 the world said goodbye to an amazing woman. Jade was more than just someone that moved to my small town years before I did. More than just the owner of a condo my mom managed. More than just an "artist in the classroom" at my elementary school. She was my guest when I was nominated student of the month by the Sedona Rotary Club in high school. She helped put my sister through Beauty School. But above all, we knew Jade as the dancer that she was.

"Sometimes I'm not sure just where I'd be. But of one thing I am certain; that although I write paint and such, I am, was and will always be a dancer.

Almost seventy years ago, at the age of nine, Jade Geneve began her career as a professional dancer. She went on to become a well known featured dancer, appearing with many of the famous names of her day - Danny Kaye - Ray Bolger - Carman Miranda - Elvis Presley - Frank Sinatra, and many others.

For over two years she was featured as dance soloist on one of tv's top shows, 'Stop The Music', along with guest star appearances on the Ed Sullivan, Milton Beryle, Sid Caesar and Emegine Coco shows, and countless other top t.v. appearances.

After a serious auto accident she was told she would never walk again. She used her extensive training in the field of dance to teach herself not only to walk, but to dance again

In her own healing process she worked at Roosevelt hospital with amputees, at the Havestraw Center for polio victims in New York, with emotionally disturbed children at Bellevue hospital in New York, and at rehab centers for delinquent boys and girls.

In all these areas she worked closely with doctors and therapists and learned much under their guidance. Jade Geneve, along with Dr. Miles in Washington D.C., became well known as the innovators of using dance as therapy.

Later she married her child hood sweetheart and moved to La Jolla California, where she opened La Jolla Dance Center, a very successful studio with high standards and a minimum enrollment of 250 students.

She was truly inspiring, and I will never forget what she has done for my family and I. I know that her talents are of great use where she is.

"Dance is the image and energy of God. His divine creation, His ultimate work of art. And, again I say, you are dance." ~ Jade Geneve

I Remember

I'm sorry. In advance. For some reason these have been running through my mind today. I'm sorry. In advance.

-On the phone-

"My baptism is on Saturday."

Sobs from the other end.

"I need to go."

The loudest silence ever felt.

-On the phone-

"How could you think we wouldn't want to be there?"

"I didn't think you'd want to be my family anymore"

"What kind of people do you think we are?"

Guilt stabbing every nerve in the body.

-At a work meeting-

GM: "Your baptism's tomorrow? There's going to be a lot of opposition young lady."

Through broken breaths and immediate tears.

"You...have...no...idea..."

-later-

"Well it was nice to meet you"

walks away, others whisper of the news

PG: "You're getting baptized tomorrow? Can I HUG you?!"

A grateful spirit and open arms.

PG: "I served my mission in France!"

A Tender Mercy.

-January 17, 2009-

"It was a nice ceremony. Wanna go out to the bars?"

A gaping hole.

"No, that's okay...I'll stay in."

Door shuts. Left alone, my hair still smelling like forgiveness.

-Sorting Mail-

"I know it's True. But I'll never be a Molly Mormon."

Left wondering what could have been said or done differently.

Nothing.

-On the phone-

"Jamie. He got into an accident on his motorcycle, and he...died."

Heart skipped...a few beats. Falling to the floor and praying between sobs.

An American flag. Folded.

-On the phone-

"I know what your church thinks. They believe in some stupid man to tell you what to do. Don't worry...I know you're smarter than that."

A swift blow to my existence and a lump in my throat.

"I'm sorry, I'm a disappointment. I will stand by the Prophet until the day I die. I need to go. I love you. More than you can imagine."

-Over an appetite-less lunch-

"I thought everyone memorized their names"

"Nope, not everyone."

A realization of Agency

Happy Birthday Sista Whip

So Kelsie's birthday was nearly a month ago, and while I sent her a package...it wasn't her real gift. I'd like to give a shout out to Elspeth, Lindsay, and Roni! Thanks for your scriptures!! I made Sis Whip a paper bag book all about the Savior!

-Please forgive the picture quality. My camera broke, so I had to use my phone.

That's the cover.

Roni's tab!

One of the pages and Elspeth's tab.

The last page and one of the tabs

The very last page. It's D&C 20:37

The back of one of the tabs and the back of the book

Castles Quarters

No one will understand my title, but oh well. Inside Joke.

1 year, 9 months and 10 days ago I was baptized! Aside from many a members, with one in particular, my two missionaries were Elder Baker (left) and Elder Moss (right). They were the Assistance to the President at the time and about 20 months out. I last saw them in probably March or April of 2009. What's CRAZY, is Trevor Baker's sister came to Tucson for her graduate studies this year! Not only have I met her (excitedly) but she's dating someone in our dinner group. And by "our" I mean my roommates. And by "dinner group" I mean the boys of another apt and the girls in mine make dinner for each other every week. I usually grab and bounce, but tonight she and her boyf came early for dinner and we were able to chat a little before I left for rehearsal. I just love that I can talk with one of my missionaries sister in my Morm-filled home! And Tyler (E. Moss) is married. Adorb!

LOVE IT!

Oh. My. Heartache.

I wish there was a better word to describe the type of heartache I mean. The feeling is almost a bitter sweet. This weekend was perfect and definitely had a triumphant end.

Growing up in Sedona is different than most places, I feel. Not only do you grow up knowing almost everyone in your entire school, but also some of your best friends parents are your teachers and principals. Seeing someone from Sedona, outside of that town sends a surge of adrenaline through my heart. It’s just a little piece of home away from home. Hannah and I have been like sisters since we were in HS, especially after living together in college. She started at Vermont Law School in the fall (my baby’s all grown up!) and I went to visit her this weekend. It’s like we were never apart. The best part was hearing her talking about knowing someone Mormon and saying, “What am I supposed to do? Go up to them and be like, ‘Oh my best friend’s Mormon!’” It was just so great to see that when it’s true, deep friendship, certain things do not matter.

The trip started in Boston where we met up with Odette, a friend since first grade that we hadn’t seen in 5 years. It was so much fun, and it was like home. The city is beautiful and I have stayed at the hotel RIGHT next to Odette’s New England Law School. Crazy! All these lawyers in my life. Sheesh.

We went to Vermont to see Hannah’s small town. We toured her school, which is beautiful, and the town. It took about twenty minutes so we ate brunch at a local café and then drove three miles to Camp Joseph—the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial! It was wonderful to feel the Spirit there, and again, it was like a little piece of home.

We drove to Burlington…the drive alone is stunning; Trees are changing to some lovely colors on the east coast. Who knew? We shopped, we ate, we LAUGHED. Without a doubt, laughing with Hannah is like none other. My stomach always hurts after. The day couldn’t have been better! And on the drive back we talked about how these fall colors reminded us of weddings, etc, and then we made future wedding plans and colors for ourselves! I realized, I’d rather have a cheap dress and a REALLY good photographer than the other way around.

Today we went back to Boston, where my flight departed, and had lunch with Odette again. It was so nice to be in a room with these beautiful women that came from the same small town, but had desires for something more. All I kept thinking about is that I want to go places and do something. Serve others. Serve the Lord.

Leaving Hannah at the airport left me with a joyful heartache. I’m proud that her life and career are taking off. I’m proud that I’m finishing up my double degree at the University, but it occurred to me that we’re growing up. I thought about my life direction again, and I the desire I’ve had for so long, it seems, to serve a mission. I started my papers a while ago, and aside from meeting with Doctors 3 months before I’m available (in 148 days) I’m done. I decided to calm my spirits I’d read my scriptures. It worked and I was just waiting for my flight to board.

My phone rings. It was Kyli. I thought, how random at 1:00pm Boston time, but how perfect, I need to talk to her anyway.

M: Hello?

K: Is Kelsie Whipple in Tallahassee?

M: Wait, what?

K: Sister Whipple. Is she in Tallahassee right now?

Me: Oh. Yes!

K: Okay, hold on. I think I see her! I’m in Tallahassee right now visiting my convert *running* [in the background] Are you Sister Whipple? Because I’m on the phone with Sasha Piton, right now.

Sister Whipple: Hahaha, no way. That’s crazy! *grabs phone* Hello? How are you?

M: OH. MY. GOSH!!! I’m GOOD, how are you?

My hands were shaking and there was a lump in my throat! I couldn’t believe I was talking to one of my closest friends; my hero; my ray of sunshine; my missionary, on the phone. We only talked for a few minutes before we said goodbye. Again, it was bitter sweet. A joyful heartache. A Tender Mercy.

After that brief conversation my heart pounded with the Spirit. Sometimes I feel there’s opposition for sisters who want to go on a mission. I don’t mean the normal, hey-Satan-doesn’t-want-me-to-be-righteous-in-life, kind of oppression. I mean people acting as if I think I want to go on a mission, but marriage is right around the corner and I’ll never make it on a mission. Don’t get me wrong; I value marriage more than people would think. I cannot wait for the day I get to call someone mine, and I theirs. I have never been anyone’s first and last thought, and I know I will have deep, consuming, unable to recover kind of love, but right now, a mission consumes my thoughts more than anything. It’s like my spirit is itching to get out of my skin because I want to go so badly. I hear how hard that time of service is, and my bones ache to be working that hard. I know the Lord is aware of my heartache because I see Tender Mercies every day to help me through and prepare me for something more. The thought has hit me multiple times today, so I’m going to say (write) it, but I feel like Jamie understands. Talking to him just a year ago….he was always a missionary, and he always encouraged me. His spirit broke free from his body to do missionary work. While I miss him and can think of a few people that NEED him, I know he’s right where he should be.

I very much so am grateful for the missionaries in my life. And the best friend that accepts me and loves me for wanting to do and be more!

147 days and 12 hours…. :)

Sometimes We Just Know

I truly believe there are moments in life when we're given insight into someone else's life. I pray for those moments. Sometimes life just goes by so fast and for some of it, I'm grateful because it feels grueling, tough, terrible...and then worth it. But during those "enduring" moments a tender mercy from the Lord is sent through a messenger, and the love felt in that moment is so pure. And deep. I have no other way of explaining it. I have felt it for other people and from other people, and without a doubt, I am a better person after every instance. I wish I could hold on to that pure, deep, true, honest, consuming love, but the world sneaks up and enduring comes back into play. I pray for those moments, too.

I want to go back in time and sit with the boy crying at lunch.

I know that I can't.

I will put myself last next time and give him a reason to smile.

I want to go back and not be so judgmental.

I know that I can't.

I will love before I think and think before I speak.

I want to go back and use kinder words.

I know that I can't.

I will remember that my words are coming from someone who bears the name of Christ.

I am grateful for the insight and the messengers in life. I hope I will always be worthy to receive them and to be one in another's time of need.

It's ALMOST Here!

SVU starts Wednesday September 22nd and like 9:00, and it's a TWO HOUR season Premiere. And then sweet sweet joy is mine because Fringe starts Thursday September 23rd!!! I am soo excited!