Today has been quite an eventful and beautiful day...and it's only 6:00pm.
This morning was SUPER early as it was my first day to be in the nursery at church. I've been hired on to be in charge (p.s. i LOVE those words!) of the whole nursery operation. New. Exciting. Challenging. Most of all, I love that I finally have a way to be able to serve in our wonderful church. I could go on about this for a while, but I still have so much more to say about our day so far.
Then after church, Matt and I stopped off at an awesome little park near our house for a picnic lunch. We grabbed Subway on the way and sat and chatted about life while watching all the mommies and daddies chase after their kiddos.
We were able to snag a very short Sunday-afternoon nap when we got home and then we were off to look for houses. Now, here's a subject I haven't discussed on here at all...or really anywhere, for that matter. Very few people even know that we've been house-hunting. Honestly, I don't even know what to say about it. Basically, our approach is: "Walk through open doors until the doors all close or there's only one left open." All I can say is, this is something I have NEVER experienced before. But it is definitely teaching me more and more about completely trusting in the LORD and in HIS plan for our life.
And now, we're rushing out the door to go spend a few minutes with some dear friends of ours who are getting ready to leave the States for the Chech Republic. Steve and Jennifer and Gavin have been called by the LORD to serve in this European nation for the next three (or more) year of their life. We are so proud of them and are so excited for this new and challenging season of life. We're so honored to walk through the life of ministry together with this beautiful family.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Friday, March 19, 2010
ahhh...spring break.
I'm not really sure what it is about college ministry...or maybe just ministry in general...but we don't really ever get much of a "break." Even when the students have "Christmas Break" or "Spring Break" it seems like we get even busier. It's typically a good "busy," since we spend it visiting friends and family that we don't get to see or spend time with very often. But really, there is something just thoroughly refreshing about not having to be anywhere at any certain time. This is why I am so grateful that my wonderful in-laws live way out in the country where there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do or anybody to see. Of course, being a city-grown girl, I could never survive out here long-term, but a short visit sure is nice and relaxing.
Here is a brief synopsis of what the rest of the week has looked like for me/us:
Monday: I had lunch at Jason's Deli with my beautiful friend, Nicole. I very much enjoyed spending time with her...just the 2 of us. We talked about the LORD and relationships. Then in the evening I got to hang out with my other very beautiful friend, Nicole. She and I are pretty close, but rarely get to spend any real time with each other because she is one of the busiest people I know...student teaching, working A LOT and now, PLANNING A WEDDING! We had the best time just talking about all the wedding craziness and going through all the various details of a wedding. I'm so excited for this season of her life.
Tuesday: I'm not gonna even go into all the details of this day. But let's just say that I am a planner and all the different people I had plans with this day are not planners. Matt and I ended up with NOTHING to do this day (not complaining)...so what did we do? We went and had a late "lunch" at one of our favorite cafes. I say "lunch" because we just shared a piece of carrot cake. It's our Spring Break...sue me. ;)
Wednesday: My little sister had surgery earlier in the week and had not even been out of the house to enjoy the awesome weather. So our friend, Hannah and I went over to my parents house to keep her company. We watched Ellen's stand-up (hilarious!), went for a long, lovely walk around the double lakes, and then we all got caught up on the recent episodes of The Office over yummy BBQ sandwiches a la my father.
Thursday: This was the one day this week that I worked. I spent the absolutely gorgeous day with Saoirse ("Sersha"...it's Irish) at a nearby park. And apparently there were scores of other mothers and/or caregivers who had the same idea. I must admit, I secretly enjoyed all the compliments from people telling me how beautiful my "daughter" was. I did tell a few of them that she wasn't mine...but of course, that was after they heard her call me "Katey."
After a nice nap and some more play, I went home and got ready to hit the road to Schulenburg.
Friday: LOTS of FOOD. Who else can agree with me that spending time with family always means that over-consumption happens? At least it's also always absolutely delicious food. And what else goes best with lots of good food and visiting family than several naps? The true essence of Spring Break. :)
May I please leave you with a precious picture of my sweet, sweet Saoirse? Do you see why I didn't correct people? Her real mother is gorgeous.
Thursday: This was the one day this week that I worked. I spent the absolutely gorgeous day with Saoirse ("Sersha"...it's Irish) at a nearby park. And apparently there were scores of other mothers and/or caregivers who had the same idea. I must admit, I secretly enjoyed all the compliments from people telling me how beautiful my "daughter" was. I did tell a few of them that she wasn't mine...but of course, that was after they heard her call me "Katey."
After a nice nap and some more play, I went home and got ready to hit the road to Schulenburg.
Friday: LOTS of FOOD. Who else can agree with me that spending time with family always means that over-consumption happens? At least it's also always absolutely delicious food. And what else goes best with lots of good food and visiting family than several naps? The true essence of Spring Break. :)
May I please leave you with a precious picture of my sweet, sweet Saoirse? Do you see why I didn't correct people? Her real mother is gorgeous.
Friday, March 12, 2010
this one goes out to...
...my ONE reader!!! (that i know of, anyway.)
So, I met this girl back at the end of August, right when school had just started. Honestly, I couldn't even tell you how we met her, I just know that she ended up sitting on my couch on the first night of Small Group. And even though she knew not a one of us, she was honest and vulnerable. It was beautiful.
We haven't exactly shared many adventures together...except camping on the beach in Galveston...kinda. And sitting on the floor of my living room, crying about life. And laughing about the odd overnight stay at Grandma's.
But somehow or another, our hearts have become connected. She had to move back home at the end of the first semester, but I (we all) relish the short visits she makes to Houston. Like the one she made last night...which was too short, but I'm grateful.
Alexis, darling...I love that you made time to spend with me yesterday. And I love that you admitted to reading this sad excuse for attention-getting. And I love the ring you wear. I hope and pray that you truly wear the promises that are engraved on it. Engrave them on your heart.
And I love you.
So, I met this girl back at the end of August, right when school had just started. Honestly, I couldn't even tell you how we met her, I just know that she ended up sitting on my couch on the first night of Small Group. And even though she knew not a one of us, she was honest and vulnerable. It was beautiful.
We haven't exactly shared many adventures together...except camping on the beach in Galveston...kinda. And sitting on the floor of my living room, crying about life. And laughing about the odd overnight stay at Grandma's.
But somehow or another, our hearts have become connected. She had to move back home at the end of the first semester, but I (we all) relish the short visits she makes to Houston. Like the one she made last night...which was too short, but I'm grateful.
Alexis, darling...I love that you made time to spend with me yesterday. And I love that you admitted to reading this sad excuse for attention-getting. And I love the ring you wear. I hope and pray that you truly wear the promises that are engraved on it. Engrave them on your heart.
And I love you.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Can I just say...
...that it felt SOOO good to run today? I mean, I may have wanted to cut my knees off about halfway through. But really, it felt so good. It's been too long.
...that I am SUCH a planner. I spent almost the whole day voluntarily making lesson plans for 2 toddlers. Don't judge. I am a born-teacher, after all. And I also got such relief and pleasure from having a "calendar conversation" with my husband.
...that I'm really looking forward to Spring Break. I don't think it'll be the super relaxing, sit-around-and-do-nothing kind of week, but I will get to catch up with some folks that I desperately need catching up with. And spending a little extra time with those that I don't usually get to spend extra time with will be nice as well.
...that the LORD really does continue to prove His faithfulness and His trustworthiness even when circumstances SEEM completely hopeless. He's good; He loves us; He's never let us down before.
...that I am SUCH a planner. I spent almost the whole day voluntarily making lesson plans for 2 toddlers. Don't judge. I am a born-teacher, after all. And I also got such relief and pleasure from having a "calendar conversation" with my husband.
...that I'm really looking forward to Spring Break. I don't think it'll be the super relaxing, sit-around-and-do-nothing kind of week, but I will get to catch up with some folks that I desperately need catching up with. And spending a little extra time with those that I don't usually get to spend extra time with will be nice as well.
...that the LORD really does continue to prove His faithfulness and His trustworthiness even when circumstances SEEM completely hopeless. He's good; He loves us; He's never let us down before.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
the 3 most important things...EVER!
Have you ever been told bad news about someone so tragic and shocking that you get super sick to your stomach and stay that way for a few days, or until the shock wears off? Maybe like someone's completely unexpected and untimely death? Or some news about someone that has done something absolutely unthinkable?
I feel like recently we just keep getting news about people who have made really, really, REALLY awful choices about life. About a week or 2 ago we found out about some horrific things that have taken place in the families of some of our dear friends at church. Details spared, a couple of people we love dearly have made some really stupid and selfish choices; choices to to bring utter destruction to their families. In all honesty, it's been such a really tough situation for our friends and for the entire church body. More personally, Matt and I have been thoroughly shaken and saddened by everything.
I've spent quite a bit of time crying, feeling sick and asking the LORD how things like this happen. How does someone (who you thought loved the LORD) get to a point where they want to completely walk away from HIM and throw everything away? Everything. And more over, why do I act like I'm exempt from making the exact same stupid choices? Honestly, sometimes I have the attitude that because we're in ministry, we're safeguarded against all the deceptions and traps that the world so easily falls into. But if anything, we're far more susceptible to the flaming arrows of the enemy.
So what is it that saves people? The obvious answer is JESUS, right? But let me share more specifically what the LORD put on my heart in response to the overflow of my heart.
1. We absolutely must stay grateful. The moment we allow our hearts to wish that the circumstances of life were different, is the moment we allow ungratefulness to creep in and soon it will overwhelm us. No, not everything is always perfect and we can certainly still have hope that life can be better. But it's so important that we remain thankful in ALL circumstances.
2. We have to surround ourselves with people (or at least someone) that we trust and can be completely honest with. Someone who loves us enough to call us on our stupidity and who knows us enough to recognize when we've begun to change because of our stupid choices. Accountability is key to a healthy walk with the LORD.
3. I think the most important thing in ALL the world that we can do to save us from stupid things is to always, always, always...no matter what...spend time with the LORD. Without a devotional or prayer life, we fling the doors of our hearts wide open to let in all sorts of evil. Know what the WORD of GOD says, make time to be quiet and hear HIS voice...every single day. Every day that goes by that we don't spend time with HIM is another day that we have chosen the things of this world and not the things of GOD. And before we know it, it's been 7 months of not walking with the LORD and we're smack-dab in the middle of an ungrateful, selfish, stupid life...making stupid choice after stupid choice, ruining our own lives and the lives of those around us.
Oh, LORD, you really are our only hope of a beautiful life. There is absolutely nothing I can do on my own to keep myself safe from these awful tragedies of life, but you have given me ways to stand firm in YOU. Thank you, LORD that you are the Rock upon which I stand; YOU only are my firm foundation.
I feel like recently we just keep getting news about people who have made really, really, REALLY awful choices about life. About a week or 2 ago we found out about some horrific things that have taken place in the families of some of our dear friends at church. Details spared, a couple of people we love dearly have made some really stupid and selfish choices; choices to to bring utter destruction to their families. In all honesty, it's been such a really tough situation for our friends and for the entire church body. More personally, Matt and I have been thoroughly shaken and saddened by everything.
I've spent quite a bit of time crying, feeling sick and asking the LORD how things like this happen. How does someone (who you thought loved the LORD) get to a point where they want to completely walk away from HIM and throw everything away? Everything. And more over, why do I act like I'm exempt from making the exact same stupid choices? Honestly, sometimes I have the attitude that because we're in ministry, we're safeguarded against all the deceptions and traps that the world so easily falls into. But if anything, we're far more susceptible to the flaming arrows of the enemy.
So what is it that saves people? The obvious answer is JESUS, right? But let me share more specifically what the LORD put on my heart in response to the overflow of my heart.
1. We absolutely must stay grateful. The moment we allow our hearts to wish that the circumstances of life were different, is the moment we allow ungratefulness to creep in and soon it will overwhelm us. No, not everything is always perfect and we can certainly still have hope that life can be better. But it's so important that we remain thankful in ALL circumstances.
2. We have to surround ourselves with people (or at least someone) that we trust and can be completely honest with. Someone who loves us enough to call us on our stupidity and who knows us enough to recognize when we've begun to change because of our stupid choices. Accountability is key to a healthy walk with the LORD.
3. I think the most important thing in ALL the world that we can do to save us from stupid things is to always, always, always...no matter what...spend time with the LORD. Without a devotional or prayer life, we fling the doors of our hearts wide open to let in all sorts of evil. Know what the WORD of GOD says, make time to be quiet and hear HIS voice...every single day. Every day that goes by that we don't spend time with HIM is another day that we have chosen the things of this world and not the things of GOD. And before we know it, it's been 7 months of not walking with the LORD and we're smack-dab in the middle of an ungrateful, selfish, stupid life...making stupid choice after stupid choice, ruining our own lives and the lives of those around us.
Oh, LORD, you really are our only hope of a beautiful life. There is absolutely nothing I can do on my own to keep myself safe from these awful tragedies of life, but you have given me ways to stand firm in YOU. Thank you, LORD that you are the Rock upon which I stand; YOU only are my firm foundation.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
"That's so sad..."
Today is the end of the seventh day of my life without coffee. Lemme say that again just in case you misunderstood or got distracted for a moment: I, coffee-addict extraordinaire, have not had a bit of coffee(and very little caffeine of any kind) since last Wednesday morning...a WHOLE WEEK!
Can I just be perfectly honest with you? It has been such a rough week. I think these 3 words sum it up quite accurately: my poor husband.
I know you might be wondering why. And honestly, I don't really even know why. And I don't know for how long either...maybe forever??? It wasn't some major decision and I'm not giving it up for lent or anything like that. I just know that when I went to get my usual morning cup last Thursday, I had this overwhelming feeling that coffee had more control over me than pretty much anything else in my life...never good. And I said, "No." I haven't had any since then. And amazingly enough, I haven't really even been tempted to drink coffee. The effects of the withdraws (which are SUPER intense the first few days) have finally begun to wear off and I'm actually feeling pretty good!
I have to share this ADORABLE story with you. Every morning I go to work, I take with me my 2nd and 3rd cups of the day in my favorite to-go mug, picked out by my favorite 3 year-old, Jack. I never show up to work without my to-go mug in my hand. Jack loves to take off the lid and see my coffee...not sure why. But the last 2 mornings, I obviously haven't taken coffee in my mug to work. He caught on this morning and this is how the conversation went:
Jack: "Katey, where your coffee? I can see it?"
Katey: "Jack, I forgot to tell you. I didn't bring my coffee mug, because I don't drink coffee anymore."
Jack: *stares at me blankly*
Katey: "I decided not to drink coffee ever again."
Jack: *with genuine concern in his eyes* "That's so sad."
Can I just be perfectly honest with you? It has been such a rough week. I think these 3 words sum it up quite accurately: my poor husband.
I know you might be wondering why. And honestly, I don't really even know why. And I don't know for how long either...maybe forever??? It wasn't some major decision and I'm not giving it up for lent or anything like that. I just know that when I went to get my usual morning cup last Thursday, I had this overwhelming feeling that coffee had more control over me than pretty much anything else in my life...never good. And I said, "No." I haven't had any since then. And amazingly enough, I haven't really even been tempted to drink coffee. The effects of the withdraws (which are SUPER intense the first few days) have finally begun to wear off and I'm actually feeling pretty good!
I have to share this ADORABLE story with you. Every morning I go to work, I take with me my 2nd and 3rd cups of the day in my favorite to-go mug, picked out by my favorite 3 year-old, Jack. I never show up to work without my to-go mug in my hand. Jack loves to take off the lid and see my coffee...not sure why. But the last 2 mornings, I obviously haven't taken coffee in my mug to work. He caught on this morning and this is how the conversation went:
Jack: "Katey, where your coffee? I can see it?"
Katey: "Jack, I forgot to tell you. I didn't bring my coffee mug, because I don't drink coffee anymore."
Jack: *stares at me blankly*
Katey: "I decided not to drink coffee ever again."
Jack: *with genuine concern in his eyes* "That's so sad."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
