Life and Luncheon

My days are normally pretty strange.

I wake up, feeling rather tired and almost sick, and take a shower. My shower normally wakes me up, and without it, who knows what I'd be like! After my shower, I do my hair and makeup, get dressed, eat breakfast and head out the door for class. 9:05 am. Every morning.

I catch the bus and make my way to the Animal Industries building. It's the first time I've ever had a class in there. Supposedly the building's haunted, but I just think it's too cold.

Class is from 10:00-11:35, but I normally get out by 11:20.

After that, I'm done.

It feels weird a) to have the same schedule every day and b) to be done by lunchtime.

I'm not really sure what to do with my time. I need a job, but since I have to share a car with Carolyn, it's very difficult to do that unless I get a job on campus. And I haven't the slightest idea how to do that.

Pray for me, because I really need a job. I need to earn money and I need to fill my time up with something.

I just remembered that I have to read Velvet Elvis by June 12 (I think). I'm very excited about my ComGroup Girls' Book Club! Very excited.

College Station just doesn't feel right, though. I bet this is how it'll feel once I'm done with college. In a year and a half, I won't have this bustling metropolis to come home to after 3 months of being in a different country, or whatever. I guess that if I am a teacher, this will somewhat happen, but it won't be like this. Life won't stop in quite the same way. I don't want to leave college. Honestly, I'm scared of the "real world".

I guess I should go to bed. Tomorrow, I'm going to luncheon with my sister, my Nana, my Nana's cousin and her cousin's daughter. I love luncheon. (What does that word even mean, though? I don't even know.)

Goodnight, all.

21

So... It's my birthday. :)

To You

Hi.

So, I'm sitting here in my so-called "room" at home, listening to John Mayer and typing to you. I wonder who you is, exactly. You! Show yourself! Ok, just kidding. But I am curious.

I just finished reading a delightful book entitled Searching for God Knows What, by Donald Miller. He is one of the most amazing writers I've read stuff by, in my opinion. (Boy, that sounded eloquent.) This book says everything that I've been thinking this past year. All my feelings about the church are explained in this book, even though this book is not really about the church. It's a book about a general thought process, and general discoveries about Jesus and our purpose on Earth. I love the way that Donald Miller thinks. I want to marry someone like him - I don't mean that to sound weird, but I want my future husband to have that kind of mindset. I know that Miller isn't perfect, since we are all human, but I feel like his thoughts are right. I think if I were to ever meet him, I would like him a lot. He is not judgemental, he thinks things through and tests them with Scripture, he is honest without being rude and critical, he is open about his faults and imperfections. Quite simply, I love his work. I highly recommend this book!

I will be 21 on Sunday. That's hard to believe.

It's really cold in this room right now.

Last night, Carolyn and I fell asleep having a conversation about Christianity in modern America. It was Donald Miller's book that really inspired the conversation - I had so many thoughts running through my mind about the things he mentions in there. I told Carolyn that I wish that I could have been raised in a country that had never heard of Christ. I wish that I could have grown up without seeing pictures of the tame Jesus that we see in books and on TV - the one with birds on his shoulders and a glazed over, not-with-it look on his face. I wish that I wouldn't have heard rule after rule after rule and step after step after step of things you must do to be a "good Christian". I wish that someone could hand me a Bible and that I would be able to read it without all of that stuff going on in my head the whole time. I want to be able to picture Jesus without the white toga and the red (or perhaps blue, depending on the day) sash across his chest, blue eyes, milky white skin and a pretty non-scraggly haircut. I just Googled "Jesus" and looked at the images that came up. This is what I'm talking about. After looking through some of the pages of images, this is one that I saw more than once:

Something tells me that this isn't what He looked like. I'm getting off-point a little bit. As I was saying, I wish that I could read the Bible and let that be the only source that told me what Jesus was like. Of course, I wouldn't trade my life for anything -- I'm just saying that sometimes I get annoyed with who the world says that Jesus is. Carolyn and I talked about what the Last Supper might really look like, and then compared it to a communion today. I bet that Jesus' disciples would be freaked out if they walked into a typical American church during communion. First of all, they would notice the rows of chairs, all facing a pulpit. They would probably wonder what a pulpit is, and why it was on a stage, and why all the chairs were facing one direction. They would probably wonder why we had shiny platters with tiny crackers filling them, and why we were passing them around, and everyone was taking just one, and holding it in their lap quietly. Then they would notice the tiny cups of grape juice that we were passing around, heads bowed, all neatly organized and solomn. I bet the music would be strange to them, too. So... almost sad sounding. Why do we do things this way? How did communion morph into this sad, grave habit? I bet that the Last Supper was nothing like this. Everyone was lounging around in a rented room - probably not very nice looking. It could have been light outside, still, who knows? They were eating and filling themselves with wonderful food. I bet someone was telling jokes, and I bet that they were really enjoying each others' company. I bet that when Jesus started talking, everyone looked at him and thought "Here He goes again, saying stuff we don't understand..." since that tended to happen a lot. They all could have been tipsy, too. I bet there was a lot of wine. They were told to remember. They weren't sure what they were going to remember, at that point, but I bet that after Jesus died and rose again, remembering wasn't such a grave and solomn affair!

All of these things are just thoughts -- who knows what really happened, or what it was really like. I just know that being in America, and anywhere else for that matter, we have changed things to suit us and our culture. It's so sad. We have placed Jesus in a box, with a ton of labels placed on Him. And I really don't know how to say everything I am thinking... I do much better when I'm talking rather than writing (ask pretty much anyone). All I know is that I want to change the way that I live as a Christian in the United States. I'm tired of rules placed there by people who assume that Jesus identifies with their political affiliation, way of thinking, or even, rules placed there by myself. I want to follow Christ and Christ alone. I want to love others and build His church.

Man, I wish I was better with words. Just read Donald Miller's book, because it explains all that I am thinking.

Carolyn cut all her hair off today. I am so glad, because it needed to go (the split ends were getting awful). I am also slightly jealous, because I have always wanted to be able to wear short haircuts. However, having insanely curly hair prevents me from doing so. People always say that they are jealous of it, but I know that after even 24 hours of having my hair, they would want their straight hair back.

You can't see it very well in this picture, but I promise it's very cute!

Carolyn and I also spent hours driving around Corinth, Lake Dallas and Hickory Creek (I swear I've never been there in my life). We drove by the house we were born in, the first church we ever remember going to, and our favorite play place as a child. Anyone remember these??

My old house: it looked 100 times better when I lived there (I think it's a college house now). My mom saw this picture and almost cried.


Lake Cities Bible Church - now a daycare. I wanted to take a better picture, but I think I would have creeped out the workers, who were all outside with the kids. I miss it being blue.

The entrace to the Fort. Almost exactly how I remember it!

The Fort - looking out towards the cul-de-sac. Many happy memories were made here...

Looking towards the bridge... this path used to be train tracks from the early 1900s.

I'm sure you are all very tired by this point (if you made it to this point!). I am getting tired, so I will make my way to bed. I hope you all enjoyed the pictures... whoever you is. ;)

Goodnight.

It Might Not Even Be Worth Reading...

For being at home, I have been surprisingly busy. Normally I end up not having enough to do, but not this time. I've been relaxing, some, but I think that since I have a car I can drive now, it's easier to stay busy.

Tomorrow, my friend Leigh Ann is coming to visit. Leigh Ann is my SiC (Sister in Christ) for FLiC (Freshmen Leaders in Christ). She will also be Carolyn's roommate next year, and is going to be living right around the corner from me! I'm so excited. Having her visit will be the excitement that I've been needing!

I went to church twice today, and heard the exact same sermon twice. It was actually really cool because I learnt more the second time than I did the first time. Maybe I should listen to all sermons twice, if possible.

I don't think I've been resting enough. I think I was supposed to lay around all day for the 48 hours following my surgery, but I didn't. I did the day I got my teeth out, but the next day, I was back doing busy stuff again, and I haven't stopped since! I just need sleep, I think.

Last night, Carolyn, Christina and I went to see "Meet the Robinsons" at the movie theater. We saw it in 3-D!!! It was AWESOME!!! Seriously, that is my new favorite movie. I loved it, and so did Carolyn and Chrissie. I probably enjoy kids' movies more than adult ones.

I think my blog needs some pictures to spice it up. I looked on my computer and found some pictures that I haven't put on facebook. Here they are:

This is James, my roommate Catherine's cousin - he tried to eat my phone once, and actually fit the whole thing in his mouth.

This is Ashely at U-Paint-It. We painted tiles one morning, and it was so much fun! We both put Bible verses on them. :)

This is where I'll be living next year! It needs some yardwork since no one is living there right now. I will be living in the part on the left!

Almost all of my paragraphs are the same length. I wonder what that means. Probably that I should go to bed and quit rambling. I need to clean up around here before Leigh Ann comes tomorrow. Plus I'm really tired. Goodnight everyone.

I'm Not as Wise as I Was This Morning...

At 10 this morning, I had my wisdom teeth taken out. I'd never had any kind of surgery before (not even cavities or braces) so I didn't really know what to expect. Turns out, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be! The whole proceedure took about an hour and a half. I got to lay down in the dentists' chair (I love dentists) and they put that weird thing on me to give me oxygen. The doctor came in and then turned the laughing gas on, and I waited for "something" to happen. Like, to start laughing or something. I felt pretty normal for the first few moments, and then something overcame my body, like nothing I've ever felt before. It was the weirdest thing! I felt heavy and weird all over. I had my conscious mind, and I could think about normal things, but there was this other part of my mind that felt really weird, and I started seeing shapes growing and coming at me. I couldn't stop the strange thoughts! After a few minutes, the dental assistant asked me if I was feeling ok, and I managed to mumble "I feel really weird" so they turned the nitrous oxide down a bit. I still felt strange, and I thought for a few minutes that I might die, which made me want to get up and run out of the room. I probably would have, except that I don't think I would have been able to due to the way the laughing gas made me feel.

They gave me some really strong anbesol-type stuff, and then some shots in my gums. That didn't bother me at all. I really am not that scared of needles, to be honest. The injections made me feel VERY numb. Thank goodness. After they poked around a little bit, I started to feel nauseous, so I told the doctor. He turned the laughing gas off and put the oxygen back on, and then sat my chair up for about 10 minutes. I tried talking to the assistant but I couldn't really control what my tongue was doing, so it sounded really weird. Finally, the doctor came back in and leaned my chair back again. He asked if I wanted the laughing gas, and I told him that I would let him know if I needed it, but to leave it off for now. I was completely conscious at this point - feeling pretty normal except for the numb mouth. The doctor pushed and pulled on my teeth and in about 5 or so minutes, they were out! I was so surprised that it only took that long. I have no idea what they did to my teeth to get them out, and frankly, I don't want to know. All I felt was a bunch of pressure. No pain whatsoever! I got to keep my wisdom teeth, and they told me how to care for the gaping holes that are now present in my mouth.

The weirdest thing was not being able to feel anything from my upper lip down to the bottom of my chin. I could put my hand on my bottom lip and chin and feel nothing (I should have gone to get a lip ring... hahaha). My bottom lip was the worst. Straight after surgery, I thought it was my tongue (because I couldn't feel that, either), and I kept wondering why my tongue was hanging out of my mouth. So I tried to suck my lip in so that I would look more normal. I would touch my lip with my finger, but still not be able to tell what it was. Without feeling in my lip, it was hard to tell! Eventually, I asked the dental assistant what I was touching: "Ith thith my lip ohh my tongth?" She laughed and told me "It's your lip." And I just laughed "Hahth Hahth Hahth!"

When I got in the car, apparently I was pretty funny, because my mom kept telling me that I was acting like I was high. I don't know why though, because I didn't use any of the laughing gas for the actual surgery. Hmm. They gave me a prescription for some strong painkillers, and I took a 1/2 a pill once the numbness began to wear off. The prescription actually said to take 1 or 2 pills at a time, and I'm really glad I took 1/2 because it made me sick. I switched to ibuprofen and I feel great. I just feel a little achey in the jaw, which is amazing because the last time I took ibuprofen was about 5 or so hours ago!

I got to keep all 4 of my teeth, which is funny. They are really ugly and I'm considering using a toothbrush and toothpaste to get them cleaner. But that's just creepy, so I won't.

If anyone wants to come eat ice cream with me, let me know. :)

Well, I should be getting to bed soon because apparently I need a lot of rest (even though I slept most of the day because that codeine made me drowsy). Peace out, wise ones!

-Katie

Yo Shorty, It's Yer Birfday (Well, Almost...)

Normally, at this time, I am in England, enjoying the 50 degree weather and the drizzly rain. I think that this is the first time since 1997 that I have spent a mid-May day in Texas. I'm trying to rack my brain to see if that is correct... as far as I can think, it is. This Texas weather is starting to get to me! The heat gives me headaches if I am in it too long. Is there a country where it's 75 degrees year round? I want to move there.

As I mentioned, this year will be the first year in a decade that I have spent my full summer in Texas. I haven't had a real 4th of July celebration since that year. This will be the first year in ten years that I haven't traveled to a different country. This is going to be a weird summer.

I went shopping today, and for the first time in literally years, I bought shorts. It's not that I don't like them, or that I have some modesty issue. Shorts look weird on me. I don't know why, but they look strange. Maybe it's because I'm so tiny. Every time I try on a pair of shorts, I look really weird... the back sticks out and they go all pointy. I think you'd have to see it to understand. Today, however, I found two pairs of shorts that actually looked okay on me! I will be wearing them until I gain 10 pounds and actually fit a normal pair of shorts. Speaking of not fitting, I swear that I am shrinking. I bought some dress pants today that were a 0P (that's a zero petite). I think that's as small as they go. Why am I so small?! I don't get it. Sometimes, even size 0 doesn't fit. Good grief. I used to be a 1. Hopefully, when I get pregnant, this will all change. (Wow, I must be the only girl on the earth wishing she was fatter.)

I have a headache from the heat, so I'm going to go relax and take a bath. Plus, I need to shave so I can wear my shorts tomorrow.

I Believe (And Other Thoughts)

I believe that it's okay to cry during cheesy movies.
I believe that it's okay if your parents are on facebook.
I believe that you grow up without realizing it.
I believe that inside jokes never get old.
I believe that it's okay to eat cereal for dinner (sometimes).
I believe that graffiti is art (well, some of it).
I believe that singing at the top of your lungs with the windows down is a summer must.
I believe that too many college-aged people are getting engaged.
I believe that God has a purpose for you right here, right now. Find out what it is!
I believe that Disneyworld isn't all it's cracked up to be.
I believe that chavs are entertaining.
I believe that it's essential to leave your home country at least once in your life (if you can afford it).
I believe that people have begun to forget how special handwritten letters are.
I believe that people are amazing. All of them.
I believe that people look best when they are natural.
I believe that you should never underestimate what God can do!

This is just a random list of stuff I've been thinking about. Some are kind of silly, and I just came up with them right now. What do you believe? (Sorry, I know that sounds cheesy.)

Today was Mother's Day. I feel like I don't appreciate my mom enough. She is a stay-at-home mom, and has devoted her life to raising us 5 girls. Dang, that would be a hard job...!! We gave her the CD I mentioned in my previous post, as well as two cards (one funny, one serious). My dad is in Asia and had flowers delivered to her, as well as a card. She's reading the card right now. :)

I must admit, I feel a little bit stuck now that I'm in Little Elm. I find myself thinking, "Now what?" as I wake up every morning. I wish I knew more people here. I know I keep saying that, but I'm the sort of person who gets lonely very easily. I guess that's the curse that comes from being an extrovert. We were at Denton Bible Church this morning (where my family has started going... again...) and I ran into a bunch of old friends. I barely remembered them, because we were friends when we were 10 and younger. I guess I half expected them to still be that age. I gotta tell you, it's weird seeing all these people suddenly 10 years older than they were when you last saw them. A lot of them want to hang out with me, but I feel so weird. Some of them continued their homeschooling all the way through high school, and I admit that I feel like I can't really relate to them very well. I loved homeschooling, but I am so glad that my parents eventually put me into private school! Something tells me that I would be a very awkward 21 year old if that had not happened.

I guess I'm not really 21 yet. Give it two more weeks (exactly!). I can't believe that I'll be celebrating yet another birthday. I feel like I just turned 20! I asked for a new laptop, since mine is almost shot, but we'll see. I would really like a MacBook, but I know that's out of the question. Something tells me that it would be a much better computer than this Dell.

I was wandering around the garage today, looking at all the boxes that have been hidden in a storage unit in Dallas for the past 9 years. I found my T-square and my old wooden drafting table board thing (not sure of the exact technical name) on top of some boxes. Something in my heart leaped a little bit, and then it started to ache. I thought back to the technical drawing class that I took when I was 10. Ten. That sounds so young - and yet we were taught how to draw things in perspective. I made a to-scale model of the bank on the Denton Square. I was so proud of that model! It took me such a long time. I had to draw it out using my t-square and pencils on special paper, and then I cut it out and taped the insides together. I wonder if that model still exists. I don't know why I have this love for architechture and drawing. I really do wonder if I am in the wrong major. Maybe someday I will go back to school and become an architect. That would just be funny.

My mom just got a blog. She's been asking me to help her set one up for months, and now she finally has one! If you want to read it, it's http://welliewalker.blogspot.com :)

Well, I should probably be going to bed soon. We may be going shopping tomorrow, and I'll need energy for that! :-P

-Katie

Life in Little Elm

Well, I'm home. If home is what you would call it... I'm not really sure anymore. I think home is probably College Station, now. Anyways, I'm in Little Elm. It's a happening place, let me tell you! I have spent the day (so far) sitting around, drinking white hot chocolate and watching The Office. Very productive. I am also ripping Justin Timberlake's new album to iTunes. Carolyn and I bought it yesterday to jam to on our way home. I normally don't buy a lot of mainstream pop stuff, but we were in the mood for silly car music. So we bought the edited version of FutureSex/LoveSounds. What a stupid name for an album.

I think my sisters and I are going shopping later to get stuff for my mom for Mother's Day. I want to buy her the new Michael Buble album. She really likes him.

Well, I'm pretty hungry now, so I'm going to eat lunch.

I'm going to write a longer, more interesting post later.

I'm Tired, So What?

I am so bad at coming up with clever blog titles. Hmm.

For some reason, I am really tired right now, which is stupid because I woke up at 9:30 this morning! Maybe sleeping in make me even more tired? Who knows.

I have a lot of mixed feelings right now. I feel like a lot of things are changing, and I am learning a lot and there's a lot going on in my life. I wish that I could just drive out into the country and be by myself for a little while. I want to sit and talk to God and be still. Maybe I will do that once I get back to Denton. Although I don't really know where I would go. I also wish that I had more friends in Denton. I would really like to hang out with people there... but I don't really know anyone. And the people that I used to know... well I guess I don't know them anymore, and I probably wouldn't fit in. Wow, I sound like I'm in middle school... hahaha! But seriously, it might be weird hanging out with former homeschoolers! That was so long ago.

It feels like God is leading me to some really interesting places in my life right now. I am really enjoying learning and growing and developing my spiritual gifts. I want to use them to glorify God and benefit the Body of Christ. That's why I have them, right?! I have this huge desire to follow Christ and do what God wants. It's such a freeing feeling, to know that God has a plan and I don't have to stress out about what that is!

I bet that I am not making a lot of sense right now. It's because I'm tired and I need sleep.

Goodnight, world. :)

I'm Done

The semester is over and I am so relieved. I can't believe it.

It's just going to be busy until Friday afternoon....

And if you live in Denton, you should seriously call me or something. Even if you don't know me or haven't seen me in years. I will be there until the end of May, and I'll be bored.

-Katie

No More 3x5s

I went on a walk once.

The sun was starting to set, and it looked like a scene from a movie. I had to squint as I made my way through the fields. My skin was orange, contrasting with the pink and blue sky above me. My feet made a crunching sound beneath me as I stepped on dry straw. The next field was completely green.

I could see the church steeple in the distance as I stopped and turned around. The roofs were only just visible.

I turned around and kept walking.

It got quieter.

I was alone in my field.

I climbed on top of a hay bale and sat, taking in the beauty around me. By this time, everything was orange. My eyelashes scattered the sunrays when I blinked.

I wanted them to see this. I wanted them to feel the air, and smell the grass. I wanted them to sit next to me for a while.

There was no way that a camera could capture this moment.

I guess you had to be there.

I will forever remember that day.

Years from now, I will go back. I will pass my driveway, no longer a resident, and park at the top of the hill. My husband and I will get out, and I will take him to a hay bale by the stream. I will show him the steeple, and He will feel the crunch of the straw underneath his boots.

He will understand.

I won't have to show pictures anymore.

He will sit beside me for a while and take in the beauty around us.

Finally, he will understand.

No more 3x5s.

Mighty to Save

I just finished watching The Pursuit of Happyness with Anna and Carolyn. Talk about a sad movie! I feel so blessed after watching that. I can't imagine what it is like to struggle financially like that: to not know where you will sleep each night or where your next meal will come from. I am so incredibly blessed!

Now I have a knot in my stomach for some unknown reason. I feel nervous about something; there's a lump in my throat, too. I have no clue as to why I feel this way! I feel like this sometimes. Who knows.

On a better note, I just discovered that I made an A in my INST 310 class! I am so happy. I took my final earlier this afternoon, and I felt pretty good about it, despite the fact that I woke up at 5:30 this morning and felt weird for the rest of the day. I had to wake up that early because I had a test at 7:30. I hope I did okay on that one, too. I have tried really hard in that class! Ehh, enough about school.

I feel shallow right now.

I just read about Saul (Paul) in Acts 10. God is amazing! You never know what He’s going to do. A man who persecuted Christians over and over again is changed by God, and then becomes one of the most famous Christians in history. I bet the books he wrote are more read than any other books in the world. Wow. It got me thinking about a song I have been listening to this week: Mighty to Save. Should I write the lyrics?? Why not!!!

Mighty to Save
- Hillsong

Everyone needs compassion
A love that's never failing
Let mercy fall on me
Everyone needs forgiveness
A kindness of a Savior
The hope of nations

My Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever, author of salvation
He rose and conquored the grave
Jesus conquored the grave

So take me as You find me
All my fears and failures
Fill my life again
I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in
And now I surrender

My Savior, He can move the mountains
My God is mighty to save
He is mighty to save
Forever, author of salvation
He rose and conquored the grave
Jesus conquored the grave

Shine your light and let the whole world see
We're singing for the glory of the Risen King, Jesus


My God really is mighty to save! He changes lives! :)

Ok I am really distracted now. Maybe I will write later.

-KLH

I Could Really Use a New Laptop

I wrote a post earlier today, but then my laptop decided to be lame and turn off in the middle of everything. It has a habit of overheating (which is strange, because I bought a stand for it so that it wouldn't overheat) and turning off. I am asking for a new computer for my birthday. Which is in 25 days. :) My computer is SO SLOW and makes a whirring noise 99% of the time. I'm pretty sure that's not supposed to happen. And I know the overheating thing is not supposed to happen. My hard drive completely crashed in the middle of my freshman year, and I know that wasn't supposed to happen either. I've had problem after problem with this machine, but I've learnt a very valuble lesson through it all:

Don't ever buy a Dell.

I bought a few new worship songs today from iTunes: Everlasting God, So High, Mighty to Save and From the Inside Out. Great songs...!!! I feel as if my life is overflowing with blessings, that all I can do is praise God! I feel so full of joy! No my life isn't near perfect, and I am faced with struggles all the time, but God never ceases to be good to me. It's hard to comprehend, but He loves me no matter what! I can understand exactly why Paul praised God when he was in prison. The joy that comes from praising my amazing Creator is phenomenal. :)

I wanted to write some of the lyrics out of one of the songs I downloaded, so here it goes:

From the Inside Out
- Hillsong

A thousand times I've failed
Still Your mercy remains
And should I stumble again,
I'm caught in Your grace

Everlasing, Your light will shine
When all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes
Beyond all fame

Your will above all else
My purpose remains
The art of losing myself
In bringing You praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine
When all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes
Beyond all fame

My heart and my soul
I give you control
Consume me from the inside out
Lord, let justice and praise
Become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine
When all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes
Beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart
Is to bring You praise
From the inside out
Lord, my soul cries out

I Guess You Could Say I'm Slightly Overwhelmed

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

I can honestly look at my life right now and agree completely with this verse! I'm overwhelmed with the blessings that I've been given this semester! I saw my friend Ryan today, and he asked me how my semester was. I was absolutely bursting with stories of God's goodness and the bounty that He has bestowed upon me, but we had no more than 30 seconds to talk since we were walking to class. I tried to convey that this semester has been amazing, but those 30 seconds couldn't do it justice. God has been so amazing to me!!!!!! I will give you all a quick rundown of what has happened:

• My classes aren't amazing, but I am getting through them. I am learning patience from frustrating teachers and perseverance through difficult classes.

• God is teaching me so much about the way that He works. He is so surprising and works in unexpected ways! He has provided an opportunity for me to share my relationship with Christ with my Taiwanese penpal, Claire, through a class project. That is another big blessing – Claire is an amazing friend and penpal! I am challenging my own faith as I share what I believe with her. The joy that comes from this is astounding. I could talk for hours about it! :)

• I have an amazing SiC, Leigh Ann. We have met pretty much every single week since the beginning of September (minus school breaks). She challenges me, encourages me and constantly amazes me with her love for Christ. Her motives are pure and her heart is full. She is one of the most amazing people I know! Also, she is going to be my sister’s roommate next year!!!

• God has blessed me with new friendships, one of these being my math buddy (as we will forever refer to each other) Ashley. I call her my other whole, because we are pretty much the same person! It is awesome to have someone who is always willing to hang out with me and do random fun stuff with me, not to mention attempt math homework with me! I am blessed to have her as a friend.

• My sister is here at A&M, and it gives me so much joy! I love having her here! I think people think that we are joined at the hip, because we are always together. I call her about 20 times a day (thank goodness it’s free) and tell her everything. She is the hugest encouragement in my life! What makes me most excited is that I could be living down the street from her next year. I am so excited about this possibility!

• I have a car that I can drive around in now. You have no idea how big of a blessing this is. My life has changed dramatically because of it (thank you, dad!).

• I went on the most amazing mission trip over Spring Break, to Juarez, Mexico. It changed my life, and I met the most incredible people on that trip. Service is my passion, so to be able to serve others in that way gave me immense joy. I want to go back next year!

• I am so blessed to have Nana living in College Station. Although I don’t see her as often as I would like, I love having her here. She is a wonderful grandmother!

• I love my church. No, it’s not perfect, but I have learnt more there than at any other church in my entire life. I have a family there who cares about me a lot! I love the people that I have met there and the relationships that I have formed. I see Jesus in them, and it gives me great delight! I love the honesty and genuine hearts there.

• I love my roommates, and it has been a blessing to be with them this year (and last year). I will miss them a lot when I move next year, but I know that I will always be able to visit! I am excited about living with Jennifer, because I know that it is what God wants. God has a plan, and although I don’t know what it is, I am ready for it and I know it’s going to be awesome!

• My family is back in Texas, and I have driven home twice to visit them so far (and they have come here a few times as well!). I love having them here, although I do miss England. I want to grow closer to them.

• God is teaching me that only He satisfies. I am learning to be satisfied in Him (a lesson that I am confident we as humans must learn over and over throughout our lives!). Anything that I try to fill the void with falls short.

• Even though I would like to get married one day, I am content being single. Period. I am much happier without a boyfriend now, and I have been able to do so much more being single! I praise God for leading me out of my past relationship and into a deeper communion with Him.

• I am excited about the opportunities God is presenting me with for next year. I will be leading an upperclassman Bible study at the BSM, and it is so humbling! I know that it won’t be anything that I can do on my own strength. I need Christ, all the time. I need wisdom from Him, and I need His words.

• I love the random parts of life. Like, yesterday I drove past Navasota with my sister and two other friends, to a state park. We took old cereal boxes and paints, and painted underneath the trees. And the other night I went to Ring Dance and had an amazing time, with a wonderful date. And tonight, I had dinner with my friend Aaron. We talked for a long time about life, and it was spectacular. There weren’t even any awkward silences. Also today, I had a lunch date with my sister, and two of her FLiC friends. Talk about fun. I love random.

• I want to go on a mission trip next summer, and I think that just might be possible.

• I could sing of His love forever.

• (And I could probably keep writing forever!)

But I need to go to bed now. I hope you enjoyed reading my blog.... sorry it's been so short recently.

Too Many Chemicals...

I just cleaned my entire bathroom with about 6 different cleaners, and I'm pretty sure I'm high, or something. I can barely breathe and my head feels funny... hahaha! It smells like a chemical factory in there. Whew. At least the bathroom is clean and sparkling! I'm one of those people who actually enjoys cleaning. To some extent, it's theraputic. I know, I know, I'll make a good housewife. ;) haha! But man, I bet that 1/2 of my brain cells died in the past 30 minutes...

Ring Dance was really fun! Here's a picture:

That's Nathan in his corps uniform and me in my fun and beautiful dress! Melody did my hair and it was gorgeous. I think the best part of the evening was definitely the meal - Veritas is amazing! :)

I feel like a woman of few words right now. Which is weird, because I can talk a lot (anyone who knows me well would agree!). I really just want to go read the Bible right now instead of typing on this, so I think I will.

I'm reading Acts right now, and it's amazing. You should all read it!

Peace out.

Here I Am

(By Shawn McDonald - I absolutely love this song right now! It's so simple and completely honest.)

I lay myself at Your feet
Asking You won't You meet
Won't You meet me
I cannot do it on my own
I cannot do it all alone
Here I am, oh, tonight
With my arms open wide
Won't You come inside
Won't You come inside, God
Come and fill this heart of mine
I'm in need of You
Of Your touch, of Your life, of Your love
I need You
I need You

John 15:5

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

I have been thinking a lot about this verse recently. I went to U-Paint-It last week, and I painted the last part of the verse, "apart from me you can do nothing" on a tile. Carolyn was the one who brought the verse to mind, and it really describes my life right now. I am nothing without Christ! I am so weak and helpless. My own strength is pitiful! Yesterday, I got a call from the BSM, telling me that I wasn't going to be a freshman Bible study leader. Instead, they want me to lead an upperclassman one! I have to choose between leading an all-girls study by myself, or a co-ed one with a guy partner. I am not sure which one to do and I know that I need to pray about it. I want whatever God wants for me! So help me out and pray for me ;) haha!

It's gorgeous outside. I just can't sit still.

I'm out.

Praise the Name of Jesus

God is so good.

Apart from Him, I can do nothing.
(John 15:5b)

"Allow Me to Tell You How Ardently I Admire and Love You."

For those of you who don't know, that's a quote from Pride and Prejudice. I'm not sure if Mr. Darcy says that to Elizabeth in the recent film version of the book, but he certainly says it in the book and the BBC movie.

Seriously, all guys should take notes. Detailed ones. Every single girl on the planet secretly wants a Mr. Darcy. You will hear it wherever you go! Every girl wants to be swept off their feet by one man who is the real-life equivalent of Fitzwilliam Darcy (for those of you who never knew his first name). I just finished watching the 2005 edition of Pride and Prejudice. The movie is good, but it leaves a lot of parts out and I think it can be difficult to follow if you've never read the book or seen the other version. The music is amazing, however. I wonder if you can buy the soundtrack... Anyways, I am in love. I want to be Elizabeth Bennet! :)

I'm procrastinating, and if I don't stop now, I will regret it.

Impressed

Isaiah 6:1-9 (New International Version)

Isaiah's Commission

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another:

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty;

the whole earth is full of his glory."

At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
He said, "Go and tell this people:

" 'Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.'

I absolutely love these verses. I love how Isaiah realizes that he is imperfect and lives in an imperfect world, and yet he is still willing to be used by God. This is how I feel a lot of times - messed up, yet wanting to be used for God's glory. And God does use him: "Go and tell this people..." No questions asked, God hears Isaiah say "Here I am. Send me!" and he does. I am thankful that God chooses underdogs for His work. :)

I just had my interview for a BSM Freshman Journey group leader. I had a lot of fun talking to the interviewers - it was so awesome! I am open to whatever God wants for me next year.

I get to hang out with Leigh Ann for the second time this week, and I'm freaking out. This is just too much excitement for me in one week!!!!!

I think it's funny how all my paragraphs begin with "I."

I really want to know what it was like for people in the Old Testament. I just looked down (my Bible is on the table) and read Isaiah 8:11, "The Lord spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of his people." What was that like? I just want to know what those people experienced. I want to know what it was like for Moses to see a burning bush, and what exactly Noah experienced when God told him to build a huge boat. Seriously, what was that like? What did the shepherds experience when angels appeared to them after Jesus was born? Why did God choose to reveal himself differently back then? I know that in America we don't experience His presence like people did back then. I wonder why...

I think I need some Grassy Knoll time. It's gorgeous today. I'm going to experience the Lord's presence in a new way. It's gonna be cool.

Possibilities

God is really showing me ways in which He can use my life.

I don't have to take summer school next year, and I really want to go on a mission trip. For the whole summer...

Also, I may be a Bible study leader next year.

He is changing me and teaching me, and I am growing in Him.

He is also using me in ways I never could have imagined. His Name is great! :)

Bling = Aggie Ring

Yes, I got my Aggie Ring on Friday! Here are some pictures:

Matt, Catherine and me - we're sad because we don't have our rings yet!

They called my group number, so I'm walking into the room to get my ring!

The lady makes me sign some things before I can see my ring

Looking at my ring for the first time!!

Trying it on for the first time

GIG 'EM!!!



Our rings! (Catherine's, Matt's and mine from top to bottom - check out the diamonds on mine and Catherine's rings!)


Traditional Gig 'Em pose with my future roomie Jennifer!


My cousin Tyan came with me to get my ring!! It was so great. (Tyan, me and Carolyn from left to right)


I dunked my ring that night in green tea from Starbucks. Then I stayed awake until 2 because of the caffeine... haha

So there you have it! Carolyn took some great ring dunking pictures, but I will have to upload them later. Also, Kellie took some more professional ring pics today but I won't see them until later I think.

That's the Way, Uh-Huh we Like it.... They Call me the Underdog

Love that song. Had a great conversation about that song with Leigh Ann today. Good stuff. :)

I've always wondered why bathrooms on campus are given room numbers. Maybe for the cleaning people? "Blocker 246 is out of toilet paper!" Well, regardless of the reason, it's always been a secret dream of mine to have a meeting and tell people it's in MSC 124 (the women's bathroom by the information desk). I just think it would be funny.

I can't wait for tomorrow. It's going to be packed with fun activities ALL day! And in just over 24 hours, I should have one of these. Mine will have a diamond on the shield though, and it will say 08 instead of 05. But yeah. I'm stoked.

I really don't have anything to say today except this:

"Wikipedia... is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world can write anything they want about any subject, so you know you are getting the best possible information." - Michael Scott from The Office

Spring Cleaning

It must be the weather. I don't know what it is about spring that makes everyone want to clean. Today was gorgeous, and I opened my window and decided to do a little damage at Target. I went out and bought some tupperware storage boxes and drawers, a big desk calender, a pretty bulletin board and some push pins. I also bought some new pencils. Hey, I like pencils - I barely ever write in pen! Anyways. I came back home and reorganized my room. My friend Christina uses a bulletin board to put her necklaces on, so I did the same thing - GENIUS!!! Not only does it look cute, but all my necklaces are organized and will never get tangled again. Amazing. I dusted, vacuumed and put stuff in the plastic storage boxes. I also rearranged my closet so that I can access my short-sleeved stuff easier. It's officially spring! The desk calender is great, by the way. It's big and paper and I can write on it and stuff. Then, when the month is over, I tear off the page and throw it away. I should have had one of these from the beginning...

Answered prayer - I now have a roommate for next year! :) Jen and I are going to start looking for places. God provides. He's faithful. He's good. The end.

I'm going to U-Paint-It with Ashley next Wednesday, and I'm really excited. I love painting and being artistic! I think a lot of people don't know that about me. I'm a closet artist. Ok now that sounds like I'm boasting... I just appreciate art! I hope to use a lot of art to decorate my house one day. Maybe I can even start collecting it... hmm...

I got about 5 hours of sleep last night, so I tried to take a nap today. I pretty much just laid on my bed for 2 hours - I'm not sure that I actually fell asleep. I feel great now, though! I actually need to go to sleep but I'm not tired. I did my cleaning spree and now I'm really energetic. I think that I am finally finally over mono. It's taken about a year and two months! Sheesh. That was one of the worst experiences of my life. I'm so glad that's over.

I think I'm going to go take a bath and shave. I need to do that.

Until You

I seriously do not understand God. Why on earth does He love me?!?! I am probably one of the most stupid people on this planet. I can't ever get it right. I don't learn my lesson. I don't always stay in the Word. I don't pray consistently. And yet, God still chooses to bless me again and again. I don't understand it!

I've been feeling really distracted recently, and I've felt a little far from God. It affects me a lot when I'm not reading the Bible every day. It really is my daily bread! Yesterday I just felt rushed and busy, and distant from God. It felt like nothing was going right. But over and over, God proves that He is always there and always faithful! I got to talk to my Taiwanese penpal, Claire, and I got an email from her yesterday. I was able to share my faith with her, and basically share my testimony. She told me that last Sunday she went to a Christian church in her city, and she wants to try to see if Christianity can change her life for the better!! She mentioned that she thinks she could have a personal relationship with God. Um, how GOOD is Christ?!?! I feel worthless and God still uses me in ways I am not expecting! It's incredible. I know God can change Claire's life and give her everlasting joy because of what He did for her. What a blessed day it was yesterday!

Today I applied to be a freshman Bible study leader. We'll see how that goes. I don't know what God wants me to do next year but I want to be obedient in whatever He is calling me to do! I was able to spend some time with God on the Grassy Knoll this afternoon and it was amazing. Itchy, but amazing. It's crazy thinking about what God is teaching me right now - I've come to this place in my relationship with Him where I feel like I can offer my whole being to Him for His use. I want to be used any way I can!

Tonight I'm going to Breakaway for the first time since the beginning of last semester. I'm so excited! There's just something awesome about praising God in the same room as 4000 other people. :)

I get my ring in 3 days. I'm STOKED. I'm going to dunk it on Friday night, but I don't know what to dunk it in. I'm not 21 so it has to be non-alcoholic. That's fine by me, though! Maybe I can dunk it again once I turn 21 ;) haha! Sweet tea seems like a good idea, but a little common. Suggestions are appreciated!

I need to study. Peace out.

P.S. Dave Barnes is awesome, you should check his music out!

I'm Dreaming of a White... Easter??

I know I write in here too much.
But the fact that we are having "a few snow showers" in Dallas right now is note-worthy, I think. What on earth!? Snow? Seriously. This is Texas. And it's April.
I'm really not complaining, because snow is cool, and we don't get to see it much here. But I didn't bring anything warm to wear, especially for church tomorrow, so I'm freezing just a little. It's really bizzare to me.

I have been attempting my math take-home exam tonight, and it's killing me. Not only is the exam next to impossible, but it's taking away my love for math. It used to be my favorite subject in school, but then I discovered that math really isn't math, it's just horribly messy proofs and letters and theorems. Not to mention lemmas. I thought calculus was as complicated as it got, but I was wrong. Now I'm supposed to teach this stuff, my so-called "passion" to kids, and get them all excited about it. That's hard though when you really don't like math anymore. The truth is, I really don't like anything (school related) anymore, except for people. I love people.
I wish I could get a people degree.

I bought the new Relient K CD today. I don't know why I love that band so much, because I'm not a huge punk rock/whatever that stuff is fan. I seriously never get tired of Relient K. Carolyn and I are going to jam to it all the way back to College Station. I also want to buy Dave Barnes' CD, but Best Buy didn't have it when I checked back in Aggieland. Maybe I'll just get it from iTunes.

I'm going to check for that now.

And A Quiet Old Lady, Whispering "Hush"

I found a dress, as well as shoes that match! I'm really surprised, because normally I'm not this lucky when I shop. And that's usually due to the fact that I'm really indecisive and can't choose anything that I really like. However, the reason I had a hard time finding stuff today was because I am too tiny. Seriously, I wish I was taller and curvier! I said that in a store and one of the workers just stopped and looked at me - she said that was the first time any girl had said that. Haha! I am a size 2 (or probably 0, even some of the 2s were too big), and the smallest dress size most stores carried was 4. Everything was too big. Verrrrry frustrating. Eventually, I found a gorgeous dress that was on sale! Mandi helped me to pick it out. It's beautiful, but I'm not going to tell you what it looks like. You will just have to wait for pictures at the end of April! :)

I must be getting old because I woke up at 7:30 this morning. And it's not even midnight and I'm tired. Therefore, I'm going to go to sleep now.

Goodnight moon.

Get Your Hair Did, Get Your Nails Done

I got a hair cut last night, and I must say, I think it's pretty cute. It's way shorter than I was expecting, but I think it looks better than before. My hair was starting to get mushroomy. My hairdresser, Jacob (not gay - he's married), told me that he and his friend invented the haircut he gave me, and I was the second person ever to have it. I feel special!

Today I'm going shopping with Mandi, my love, for a Ring Dance dress. I'm kind of freaking out. Everyone is telling me different things to buy, different colors, different styles. I'm not good at shopping for things like this. I can do semi-formal dresses. I'm very good at that. But formal dresses are hard! I wish that White House Black Market did formal dresses, but I don't think they do. Hmm.

Being home is fun, but I want Carolyn to get here. She's working with the homeless in Dallas right now with some of her friends. I wish I could have done that, but it just didn't work out.

I'm going to work on scanning some of those pics I found last night. I think you will all enjoy them.

Oh, Memories...

I've been home for a few hours already. I just got bored for the first time so far, so I wandered upstairs to look through the hundreds of photographs we got delivered to our house. They had been put into storage when we moved to England, and since we're back in Texas, PepsiCo decided they were no longer going to pay for our things to be kept in an air conditioned storage unit. So they dropped everything off at our house.

I picked up the first manilla envelope that I found, and it was labelled "1986 - Katie Birth & Newborn May-July". Baby pictures? My baby pictures? I don't think I'd ever seen these. It sounds kind of weird, but I don't know if my parents ever made an album with my baby pics. The last time I'd seen any of myself as a baby, I was probably 5 or 6. Wow. I flipped through the ones in the envelope and almost started to cry. I saw myself with my dad's mother, the grandma I never knew, before she passed away. I would have loved to have known her. I found some of me right after I was born - gross. I was not a very attractive baby! And yet I still looked like the me I am today, in an odd sort-of way. There's one of me in my crib, lying next to my first teddy bear, Daniel. He looked so fuzzy and soft back then. He was about as big as I was in the picture! It's funny, looking at baby pictures, and thinking "those fingers are the same ones that I have now" and "those feet are my feet"!!! My feet actually look like the ones I have now! Oh, and I found a picture of my old front door that was decorated for my return from the hospital. It had a banner on it that said "Welcome Home Deana and Katy". KATY???? That's how my name was originally spelt? Wow, I'd been getting it wrong all these years!!! I'm pretty sure Nana made it, because it looks like her handwriting. It feels weird to see my name spelt with a "y" instead of an "ie". There's a picture of my old neighborhood, too. It looked really nice back then. And there's a picture of my dad's old blue camero. I wish he had kept that car.

Now I'm going to open an envelope labelled "1988 - Winter Carolyn Newborn". First picture - my mom and dad with me, on the couch, who is holding Carolyn. I look like a boy. If I wasn't wearing some sort of frilly dress thing, you wouldn't be able to tell that I was a girl. My name could have been Karl. Or something. Niiiice, there's a picture of me picking my nose while we're trying to take a nice family photo. A picture of Papa holding Carolyn, who is screaming her head off. Her face is really red. Another picture of me, aged 2. I still look like a boy. I have no hair and my ears stuck out a lot. I was kind of an ugly kid. Wow... seriously, I wish I could scan some of these. I LOOK LIKE A BOY!!! I am going to ask my mom if people told her she had a very handsome son. I'm pretty sure that Carolyn is crying in all of these pictures. Ok, I'm finding some better pictures of me, now. I actually look kind of cute. Funny thing is, I have no hair. I didn't really have much hair until I was 3. Then I got cursed. Oh, WOW. I literally laughed out loud when I looked at one of these pictures of Carolyn - wrinkly face, black hair, weird expression. Yet it looks just like her. Ohh, there's a picture of my dad throwing me up in the air, and I'm smiling really big. Now THAT one looks like me. :)

I know you are getting sick of reading all of this, so I'll sign off now. If I find any way of scanning some of these in, I will. They are priceless.

I Can't Wait to Have Grassy Knoll Time

Ugh..... I just ate too much!! For the past two Tuesdays, my Nana has taken me and Carolyn to the T-Garden in Bryan for lunch. It's such a girly place to eat! The food is wonderful and I tend to eat it too quickly! Today I had broccoli and cheese quiche, chicken and wild rice soup, candy bar brownie with ice cream and peach tea. And I ate it all. If you know me, you know I have a tiny stomach so all that food is a lot for my little body! :) Anyways, sorry for sharing the contents of my lunch with you, but it was just that amazing.

I want to take this time to do a little shout-out to my Taiwanese penpal, Claire. Hi, Claire! She and I have been emailing for the past month or so and it's SO fun! I am so lucky to have her as a penpal! She likes to write a lot which is nice because I do too. If we ever met in real life, I think we would never stop talking! :)

I am going to get sad when the weather gets warmer. I really enjoy walking from Lot 100 to wherever my classes are. People think I'm crazy (maybe it's because I sweat or something and end up smelling bad once I get to class), but I love it. It is a wonderful time to be still and talk to God. I love looking at His creation around me as I walk! Plus, buses are boring. No one talks to anyone else (normally), and when I walk to class, I see people I know. It's good exercise, too. If you ever want to run into me, check for me between Lot 100 and Harrington/Blocker/Halbouty/Chemical Engineering building. Hahaha!

Man, there was something else I was going to write about. I forgot it now.

In that case, I am off to spend some amazing quality time with my best friend at the Grassy Knoll. I feel like I haven't done that in a while and it makes me sad. I know it makes Him sad, too. And yet, He loves me all the same! :D (If you haven't already guessed, I'm gonna go hang out with Jesus!!!!)

Peace out,
Katie

What Comes Before Part B?

PART-AY!!!!!!!!!

That was Ashley's joke.

So I've been wanting to write in this for a really long time, and I haven't had time. Then when I do have time, I don't feel inspired, so it's a lose-lose situation. Today, however, the weather is gorgeous and it makes me want to just... pour out my heart on blogspot. Haha.

This is the first weekend I've had in a really long time. Since before Spring Break, really. Last weekend I sat on a charter bus for 72 hours and got out every hour or so to look at a coastline or some rocks. Then we would sing the "Field Trip Theme Song", which goes:

And the land form iiiiiisssss.............
All because... of erosion!

The longest three days of my life.

Finally, this weekend came. I'd been looking forward to it for a long time. We had a Juarez BBQ Reunion on Friday night, and I think it was pretty successful. Nana loved it! Everyone talked to her which made me really happy. After the BBQ we all went over to another friend's house for game night, which I hadn't done in a long time. Apples to Apples pretty much rocked! I may have won, but I'm not sure. :)

Yesterday was Island Party, and that was ah-mazing! I spent the morning with Ashley in downtown Bryan, and Carolyn joined us for lunch at Madden's. The weather was perfect, and we were looking oh-so stylish in our jeans and t-shirts! :P We met up with some Aggies in Mission people at Island Party and managed to see a bunch of awesome bands/musicians perform, including Bethany Dillon, Dave Barnes, Jimmy Needham and Green River Ordinance.

God has been showing me so much recently. I just want to share it with you!!!

Passion.
I am learning about things that I am passionate about: people, relationships and service. I've been using that word a lot recently, and it's cool to see how much I really do love those things. Maybe the mission trip I went on over Spring Break made me think more about it, but I'm not sure. It could have been a slowly developing thing. All I know is that I am filled with a huge, overwhelming love for the people I met, and God has renewed within me a love for those I already know. People are amazing. They inspire, overwhelm, encourage, trust and love back. Yet they are imperfect. It is so awesome to see people in the way God sees us - well, not quite. I don't have the whole "unconditional love" thing down. I wish I could love perfectly, but I can't. That's the beauty of Christ my Savior! I love relationships. Not the romantic kind, but in general. I love seeing the body of Christ at work! I love seeing gifts and talents being displayed in others' lives. Ahhh it gives me joy! And the third thing I am truly passionate about is service. Quite simply, I love it. Using my very being to be a living sacrifice is amazing! I love being able to serve Christ by serving others. I know that whatever I do with my life, it will involve service!

Joy.
The other day I told someone that “too many things give me joy”. It seems like I have just been finding joy in everything recently! Is it appropriate to use the phrase “my cup runneth over” or is that for something else? I dunno. All I know is that I am having a hard time getting stressed out or upset over anything. God gives me so much joy and knowing Him personally is so sweet! Hopefully my life will reflect the joy I have in knowing Christ and that “every blessing [He] pours out I’ll turn back to praise”, as we sang in church tonight.

Obedience.
This is a tough one! I am a control freak, and to not be in control can be difficult for me. Recently, God has led me to do something that I thought I wasn’t capable of doing – tell my roommates that I wasn’t going to live with them next year. I don’t know why, but God wanted me to do that. He showed me through a bunch of different stuff, and it feels strange to not have a plan. I like to be prepared! I don’t even know who I’m living with 100% and I especially don’t know where I’m living. Please be in prayer with me over this situation! I know God will provide – I’m certain of it – but I don’t know how or when. His timing is perfect though, and I trust Him! Satan keeps trying to lie to me, telling me that I really messed this up and that I’ll end up homeless next year, but I have to ignore all of that junk! I’m learning to obey Christ in everything He calls me to do. One example of this is applying to be a freshman Bible study leader. I keep getting told that I need to be leading a Bible study, but it’s a little out of my comfort zone because I don’t feel like I have a gift of teaching and I’m scared to lead in that way. I know that God will give me words and I trust in that! So that’s something that’s going on in my life right now. Obedience is so sweet, on a side note. :)

* * * * *

I’m going to be taking 10 hours this summer in summer school. I’ll be doing both sessions, and I’m a little scared because I’ve never taken summer school before. However, I know it’ll also be fun and so I’m excited about that! Next semester I’ll be taking 10 hours, and hopefully I will be able to get classes so that I won’t have Monday or Friday classes. Whoop! Anybody want to hang out with me next semester?!? Maybe I’ll get a job or something.

What else is going on in my life? Hmmm… well, I got asked to go to Ring Dance! I’m pretty excited except that I don’t like dances. Kara reassured me this morning and said that it was a lot of fun when she went 10 years ago hahaha! I will try make the most of it. People think I’m crazy and therefore must like parties, but I would much rather go to Starbucks with someone and talk for 5 hours or just walk around campus. But hopefully Ring Dance has stuff for all types, even me. Now to find a dress… I’m going to get Kellie to help me since she’s the fashion guru. But knowing her it could be kinda weird. ;)

I don’t know of anything else to tell you all. I think that covers everything!

I am going to try to go to bed early tonight, so I’d better start getting ready now.

-Katherine