Blessings...

God has been putting amazing things in my path lately. Wonderful Bible verses for encouragement. A vindication at work. A long-awaited vacation. Amazing friends. And, one amazing Mom! (Not in that order, of course!)

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This week I'm in Texas--that long-awaited vacation I was talking about. I am visiting people that I used to babysit for who have morphed into friends...more like family. They have become like my sister and brother-in-law and my nieces and nephews! I love them oh so much. I am in complete disbelief that I am here with them, but I am ecstatic! A 10 hour drive was soooo worth it! I will post pictures when I get back. I can't believe that they are so big. The youngest was a newborn when I started watching them. And by newborn, I don't mean a couple of months old...I mean they were in the hospital having him when they called me. I was there when they brought him home from the hospital. It's been almost 5 and a half years. It absolutely blows my mind that they are (almost) 15, 9, 7, and (almost) 5 and a half. Yes, there are 4 of them! I love all the chaos that goes on! It's almost hard for me to believe that I've been out of that chaos for a year. It's sad at the same time, because, oddly, I've missed it.

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More pictures will be here later...but here's a little preview!

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Restoration

My mood is just terrible. And I'm not sure why. I'm not missing my dad, I mean, I'm always missing him, but it's not why I'm in a bad mood. I haven't been able to take a joke for 2 days now. I feel terrible for the people around me who have to endure this.

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I'm over at a friend's house right now. She is so sweet, making me laugh and such. She is just so so incredible. Her kids make me laugh so much and I love that.

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I'm also going to TX a week from tomorrow to visit friends who I haven't seen in a year. I cannot wait. I've been counting down the days and waiting and saving. I couldn't be happier.

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Except that I could be happier. I've just been getting back into a regular Bible study after an embarrassing 4+ year abstain from it. I have been so tired and drained lately. So tired and drained in fact that last night I didn't feel like getting my daily dose of wisdom from my Father. And the other fact of the matter was that I only got just a teaspoons worth of wisdom. I woke up and was late to work this morning...4 minutes, but still. It turned out okay though because I stayed late and made up for my missed minutes. :)

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I'm coming out of it even as we speak. Thank God!

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"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth,

for the first heaven and the first earth

had passed away,

and there was no longer any sea.

I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem

coming out of heaven from God,

prepared as a bride beautifully

dressed for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

'Now the dwelling of God is with men,

and he will live with them.

They will be his people,

and God himself will be with them

and be their God.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes.

There will be no more death or mourning

or crying or pain,

for the old order of things has passed away.'

He who was seated on the throne said,

'I am making everything new!'

Then he said, 'Write this down,

for these words are trustworthy and true.'"

--Revelation 21:1-5

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I pray I get out of this bad mood, and fast. It's already happening. :) Thanks, friends.

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-katie

It's the Climb

Life...is hard. It's a laugh. It's a tear. But in Miley Cyrus' song "The Climb" It's the climb that's exciting.

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"There's always gonna be another mountain

I'm always gonna wanna make it move

Always gonna be an uphill battle

Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose"

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I never remember that when in the game of Life, I'm going to stumble and fall flat on my face. I'm going to lose. I hate admitting that. In a perfect world, I would win all the time. I would've made the grades to graduate with honors in high school. I would've gotten into an amazing college, the first time. I would've graduated with honors. I would meet the perfect man for me. We would get married and start a family. Our children would be beautiful and they would never get hurt. They would know the Lord and thrive from His direction. Instead, I didn't try hard enough in high school to make it to an honorable graduation. I hated college (the first time). I loved college, the second time. I didn't try enough, again, to graduate honorably. I haven't met the perfect man that God has set apart for me. I haven't had beautiful children of my own. I lost my dad when I was 17 and I've let that affect me in different parts of my life, both negatively and positively.

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Now, don't get me wrong. I have definitely loved a lot of the past almost 8 years of my life. I had a lot of days of laughter. I had birthdays and Christmases and Fridays! I've had days of talking with friends about what matters in life. Heart to heart chats lift my spirits. I've kept amazing kids in 8 years. I just can't even express how much fun I've had in and out of high school and then in and out of college!

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I hope there is much more life for me to live. I hope that God blesses me immensely and grants me with the desires of my heart (Ps. 37:4). I can't wait to see the fun and love that my life has to come. I won't be scared of it anymore.

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May the Lord bless you and keep you.

-katie

Who cares?

Who cares about Valentine's Day? Who cares to get flowers from the one they love? Who cares to spend the day getting showered with love and devotion? Who cares to get appreciated on this one day? . I do. I want the man I love to show me their heartfelt love toward me. "Where is that man?", you ask? Well, I don't know. But I do know that God is that man right now. . "I have loved you with an everlasting love[...]" Jeremiah writes in his 31st chapter. And how true that is! He has loved us from the beginning of time. .

"For God so loved the world

that He gave His one and only Son,

that whosoever believes in Him

shall not perish but have everlasting life."

John 3:16

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How can I compare the love of a spouse or a significant other to the love of God? His love is so deep and so wide that no one can measure it. The greatest mathmaticians cannot do enough math to equate the depth and width of the Lord.

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One thing I love about Valentine's Day is the glow of the people who are in love around me. I love people watching and seeing the love in their eye. Seeing that first date glow. Every touch is amazing. Every joke is hilarious. I would love to just take pictures of those events, without being creepy. Which brings me to a fun subject!

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On Wednesday, I'm taking the engagement pictures of Amanda Bates and Sean Page!! I cannot wait to capture their love and friendship! I will surely post a few pictures of the success that I know is bound to happen. I mean, how can you take a bad picture of such a beautiful couple and of course, Amanda's son, Bear! It will be epic and so much fun!

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Sorry this post was so random and everywhere.

Thanks for reading,

-katie

4 years...4 words

It's almost been 2 months since I've posted. I haven't had internet at home since before Christmas. Which reminds me, late Merry Christmas to you all. Happy New Year, too! I hope that this new year has brought many new blessings to you all.

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Four years ago today my dad went to be with Jesus in Heaven. He fought for life for three weeks but on February 2, 2006 at 2:45 p.m., my dad lost that fight. I remember him everyday of my life without him, but today especially. I take this day off from any corporate business, but if I do work, I babysit. The kids are so calming to me and give me a strength and a love that cannot be duplicated. The kids just make life spring out of me. They have no worries. They don't have anything holding them back in life. Hopefully, they haven't had anything happen to them like what happened to me. But then again, how would they know, depending on how young they are. They have such a joy and zest for life that many of us in this world would be blessed to encounter. I am blessed to encounter that every week.

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I'm so thankful for my dad. He taught me a considerable amount of lessons in life. But, he taught me a phrase that has stuck with me since the first day he said it.

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"Remember Whose you are."

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I remember I was going on a class trip, Vicksburg, VA, I believe. My mom was taking me to meet the bus and before I left, Dad pulled me aside and uttered those four amazing words, "Remember Whose you are". And I knew from that day, that phrase would stay with me and be my life's motto for as long as I lived. I knew even then, I would say it to my children. My dad kept saying it over and over. "God is always with you. Remember Whose you are. Be aware of how you're perceived. Remember Whose you are." I can't thank him enough for being that amazing example in my life.

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Just after midnight this morning, I was remembering where I was at that time. I was at home sleeping, I'm sure. But I was trying to figured out where in the process I was--what had happened the day before (Feb 1, 2006). I can remember that I went to school that day. I just finished lunch and tried to call my mom to see how Dad was doing, but my phone wasn't working. I went with Malia to call from the school's office. Mom picked up and I could hear in her voice a fear that I had never heard before. She said, "He's not doing well. Dale and Tori are coming to pick you up to bring you here." Dale and Tori were and still are good friends of ours. My dad and Dale were good friends. They went hunting together some and what bonds men more than hunting? But anyway, I basically just said, ok and hung up the phone after a dramatic "I love you".

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I filled Malia and my best friends Sarah and Sadie in on what was happening and asked them to tell my teachers I wouldn't be in class for the rest of the day. So, I gathered my stuff and went outside to wait on Dale. Tori's van pulled up and I heard a voice calling my name. It was my english teacher Teresa Walker. She is a completely incredible woman who scooped me up in her arms and said "The rest of my day's classes will be spent in prayer for you and your family. I love you baby girl. Everything is going to be okay." At that moment I started crying (even remembering it, tears stream down my face) and she just held me there for a few minutes it felt like. When I finally gained my strength, Tori hugged me and we were on our way to the hospital. And honestly, I have no memory of that particular ride.

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I do remember getting up in the room where my dad was in ICU. He had tubes sticking out of him and I didn't quite understand. I found out later that he was hooked up to a ventilator to keep the stress off of his heart. The doctor came in and told us he only had 24 hours to live. And despite the horrible news, I had sweet moments with a few people there.

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The next day I woke up and wanted to go to school but Mom insisted th

at I go to the hospital with her. We were at the hospital for most of the day, but after lunch my aunt (Dad's sister) offered to take me home to clean our house up a little bit. I was about to leave, but I remember going up to my dad's bed and stroked his cheek and said, "Daddy, I'm going home. I love you." He blinked hard several times, holding back tears. I turned away, trying not to cry, when my aunt said, "He mouthed 'I love you too'." I cried on the way home. But, after a while of cleaning up, I went to school to pick up some homework. The carpool line was ridiculously long, so I had to wait to get up to the high school. I remember looking at the clock and 2:45 and feeling this indescribable peace flood me. And I heard a little whisper, "It's all going to be ok, I'm here". I knew it was God's small voice.

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Class was out when I finally parked my car and got out. People started come up to me from the gym, especially from my class, telling me that they were praying for me and my family. I thanked them and went into the building. Waiting there for me was my English teacher, Teresa Walker, my choir director, Jani Quay, my friends, Sarah, Sadie, Brooke, Becky, Marla, Katie, Julielle, Kappie, and my friend’s pastor, Charles Chamblee. After lots of tears, Mrs. Walker convinced me that I needed to be with my family. She took me in her car to the hospital and by the time I got there; all of my family and best friends were there in the waiting room. I was overwhelmed by the amount of people who cared for me and my mom.

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But, before I could greet them all, I was brought back to the ICU. The doors opened and my mom was standing at the nurses station, which was very strange because she had always been in Dad's room. I walk up to her and our hug lasts a minute before I can ask, "Is he gone?" My mom confirmed the news and the tears started flowing. I couldn't believe it. He was dead and would never breathe on this earth again. But all I could do right then was praise God for his life. All I wanted to do, was go into the waiting room and hug all my family and laugh with my friends. And I did. They were all so sweet to wait. I called a few people to let them know that he passed. But it was just a time to be thankful. And I am, every day of my life.

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Thank you to everyone who has been there. I love you all.

-katie

Peace, Peace

Monday night, I went to see the River City Men's Chorus in concert. As usual they were incredible. A particular song that was amazing was called "Peace, Peace". It was beautiful. I cannot even describe the amazement that was in that place. A captain in the US Air Force sang the solo. The solo was sang in German. I've never heard a more beautiful way to sing "Silent Night," which also happens to be my favorite Christmas carol. I was going to type out all the lyrics to "Peace, Peace" but I can't find the words. So, here is "Silent Night":

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Silent night, holy night

All is calm, all is bright

Round yon Virgin Mother and Child

Holy Infant so tender and mild

Sleep in Heavenly peace

Sleep in Heavenly peace.

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Silent night, holy night!

Shepherds quake at the sight

Glories stream from Heaven afar

Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!

Christ, the Savior is born

Christ, the Savior is born

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Silent night, holy night

Son of God, love's pure light

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With the dawn of redeeming Grace

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!

Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!

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The combination of the music and the words in this song makes me want to fall in love. I'm not sure why. The thought that someOne was born and with that birth there is so much commotion. "Shephers quake" "Glories stream from Heaven" That someOne is greatly Majestic and Indescribable. That is just incredible to me. That the whole earth stopped when our Savior was born.

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"Silent Night" is my favorite Christmas carol, what's yours?

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-katie

American Dream

Jonathan preached this morning and as usual it was amazing. He takes the scripture apart and makes it easier to understand. Today's lesson was on Mary's song located in Luke 1:46-55.

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Everyone wants the American Dream. They want life as they imagine it. How can life be as they imagine it? We can't fathom what our lives will be. So what is important in our lives? People think that growing in stature with friends and the community and in education is vital to living and coping in the world today. But, is that really important? Are all these things vital to surviving in this world? To an extent, I think yes. There is a part of me that says "no" also. Jonathan talked about our importance to God. We have a heavenly responsibility to live our life for God and to honor Him with all that we do. I fail at that daily. It's not hard to make someone happy, right? But to please the indescribable Creator of the universe...wow. What a thought.

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"And Mary said:

'My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me-

holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has performed might deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud

in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

even as he said to our fathers.'"

Luke 1:46-55

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Despite what Mary was asked to do, she obeyed. Why was it so simple for her, a teenaged girl of low stature, to obey God's command through Gabriel so easily? She didn't question God. She didn't made excuses. She didn't freak out. She just accepted it. She accepted that this was her life's plan. She was at peace with what her life was about to be. How many of us can say that we are good with our life right now? We have loved ones who are dying of diseases and ones who are already gone. We have friends who are suffering from loss and heartache. We are going through financial hard times. We are suffering from loss and heartache. Why is it so hard to just accept that this is our life and that we are living with these different life issues?

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Another question he asked was 'what is our song?'. How does our song portray our life? I would hope that my life's song would give people a peace. The song would be able loving life and living it for God in the midst of hard times. God is always with us and never leaves. I wish that everyone would know that.

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Sorry that this post was random and pretty scattered. Just something on my mind.

-katie

Waiting

"So the LORD must wait for you to come to Him

so He can show you His love and compassion.

For the LORD is a faithful God.

Blessed are those who wait for His help."

Isaiah 30:18

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I saw this verse on a friend's status and, wow, does it speak volumes!! And it does speak so loudly, especially right now. God has put an opportunity in front of us, just as I mentioned in my last post. Well, that news that I could've revealed will not be revealed just yet. Some plans fell through, so we have to reschedule and I get to keep you in suspense for a while longer.

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Waiting is so hard for me. I've never been good at it. Ever. Why would I want to wait for something when I could just as easily have it right then?? Well, would I have the same appreciation for it if I had gotten it in the first place? Probably not, which is most likely why I didn't get it in the beginning. But, in all seriousness, I thank God for what I have struggled for. I know that I have gotten it in His timing or it would not have worked out. My appreciation for material and personal things are way higher than I have been in the past.

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But then again, waiting has it's perks. Your trust builds, especially in God. I think I'm finally in a place where I can give it to Him and let Him handle it and completely trust Him with it. He knows me best and knows how my life is going to work out. Can you imagine if you knew how everyone's lives were going to turn out--what was going to happen in their lives--could control it? It's an indescribable thought. I can't even fathom the power.

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God is so good! I just pray that He continues to bless me and my family and friends! I cannot wait to see what He does!!

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katie

Thank You, Lord!

No pictures of food to display, so, I'm sorry to disappoint you! Here are some pictures from the weekend! I love my family!

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God has an amazing opportunity for me and Mom. I cannot wait to share it with you! We will find out tomorrow if it's a "yes" or "no" from God. We have been praying for a "yes" obviously, but who knows what He'll do. I have been praying for His Will to be done. And to God be the glory. I cannot wait to see what happens!!

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I hope your holiday was blessed with family and friends!!

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-katie

For Freedom

I've been thinking a lot about people going into the Army. My cousin, Blake, is in the US Army. My good friend, Kristin, is in the US Air Force. My other cousin, Tony, is in the military, but I'm not sure which branch.

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Blake and I are best friends. He's getting married in April to Tara, who I love. I'm in their wedding as a bridesmaid and I couldn't be happier to be there to support Blake. I know that God has a plan for Blake, Tara, and Dawson's lives. His Word says so in Jeremiah 29:11. Blake is set to be deployed next summer, I think. And I don't know how I'm going to handle him leaving or being gone for a year. HE has a plan. I just have to keep telling myself that. This song is so incredible. It's so powerful and inspiring. I cry every time I hear it because I think of Blake.

Somewhere a trumpet sounds in the night

A soldier is standing there

It's calling him out to the stars and stripes

It's calling him God knows where.

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He kisses the ones he loves good-bye

And leaves in the dead of night.

For freedom he'll heed the call

Leave all he knows

And for freedom he'll stand and fight.

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And somewhere a man and wife

can't believe they're waving their girl good-bye

For gone are the days of pig-tails and curls and candlelit lullabies.

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If they had their way she'd stay young forever

And never be far from home.

But freedom has drawn her heart to danger's shore

And for freedom they'll let her go.

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And somewhere a thunderous crash in the night;

It echoes all through the hills.

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Though many escape it's wrath and it's rage

A soldier lies wounded still.

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Remembering the land he loves; he cries

I've loved you with all my might

For freedom said I'm her son whatever comes

And for freedom I'll say good-bye.

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And somewhere beneath the stars and the sky

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Our flag is still standing there

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She bled and she brought one land under God

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Her colors still lead us there

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She's carried the lives of those before us

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She's buried the bold and brave

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For freedom she holds our hopes and hand up high

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And for freedom she'll ever wave.

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