2010 RECAP

WOW- God has been exceedingly good to me over this past year! 2010- I certainly am a fan of you!!!! God seriously answers prayers. This time last year, I prayed for God to abundantly bless 2010....and let me just tell you- MY CUP IS OVERFLOWING!!!!!
Top 10 highlights of 2010 in chronological order:

1) One of my best friends got married!!
2) I met the man of my dreams!!!!
3) I graduated college!! WHew!
4) Went to my brother's high school graduation!
5) Strated a new job!
6) Started graduate school!
7) Went to my grandfather's 80th Birthday party!
8) GOT ENGAGED TO THE MAN OF MY DREAMS!!!!
9) Holidays and birthdays with my family and my fiance's family!
10) The COUNTLESS fun times that God has so strategically tucked into my life with family, friends, and my man!!!

Now to end this year off right, a blessing for whoever reads this:
"May the Lord bless and keep you, may His face shine upon you, and give you peace" this year in 2011!

And a little New Year's Ever Tradition: The Times Square New Year's Eve BALL!
"The actual notion of a ball "dropping" to signal the passage of time dates back long before New Year's Eve was ever celebrated in Times Square. The first "time-ball" was installed atop England's Royal Observatory at Greenwich in 1833. This ball would drop at one o'clock every afternoon, allowing the captains of nearby ships to precisely set their chronometers (a vital navigational instrument)." (From the official Times Square New Year's Eve Ball website).


The "ball" as it is seen now.




The "ball" in 2007- can you believe that was almost 4 years ago!?!? This ball was made by Waterford Crystal.




Back in 1978!



If you want to learn the history of the Times Square New Year's Eve Ball here is the official website:


Now I'm off on my last "HOO-RA" of 2010!
Kate

The Next Step

I heard a quote from one my best friends yesterday that I feel I must blog about in light of a current situation.
The quote is as follows "The most important thing God tells you is the next step."
Spoken by one of her family members, this quote has had some divine impact on my thought life since hearing it.
Life and death are two things we have no control over. God is the only one that can give life and take it away.
A friend of mine and her family recently lost their son/brother and his wife in a plane crash. Trying to make sense of this tragedy proves difficult, especially for the young and full of life. Such shocking news has sent me into much deep contemplation of my life. I must confess that my initial reaction sent me into a sort of panic and fear. Fear for their family and the hard times ahead of them and fear for my own loved ones. But the quote above made me realize something: No matter what occurs in life, the good and the bad- it all has to first pass through the Lord's hands. God is in control, each step of the way. End of story. He looks after those who love Him (Romans 8:28), and trials are given to us to bring us closer to Him (Romans 5:3-4, James 1:3-4).
So what I am getting at is the fact that I cannot worry about tomorrow, or weeks from now, etc. etc. I can only deal with the next step that God places before me. I can only work with what God deems sufficient for me to know right now. And I have to trust that that is enough. God specifically tells us that we cant handle knowing ahead of time what is going to happen to us and occur in our lifetime, both good and bad. (Habakkuk 1:5 “Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.")
Therefore, my thoughts conclude in realizing that I will miss out on "the next step" God places in front of me if I keep worrying about things I have no control over in the unknown future. We are not meant to live our lives in fear. We are meant to follow the everlasting God as He leads us each step of the way. I resolve to whole heartedly follow the Lord and to not miss out on the abundant life He has given me and intended for each of us to live.
God is in control of both life and death. I figure He gave me life for a reason and I must do with it all that I can to honor, serve and love Him until He determines that its time to go home. Life is meant to be lived in light of eternity.
I must remember that Christ's love not only conquered death but my fears with it.

Be blessed as we prepare for a new year.
Jesus makes all things new.
Kate

Slightly sleepy, but much more fulfilled

Life has many changes, people change , circumstances change- and though I see most change as a good thing...some changes take a little more time to get used to than others. My quiet time is good example of this.
For years and years since I have become a Christian, I have done my quiet times with the Lord at night, and for years and years that has worked wonderfully. It was a way to walk through my day with the Lord, and though traditionalist like to suggest "morning time" as the best time meet with the Lord, I staunchly stood in opposition. I was not, and still am not a morning person. And I'm begining to think that aspect of my life will never change (even though I would love to be a morning person, it just seems so much more efficient,the morning is just beautiful).
Still with that being said, I'm watching my well worn habits change during this time of prepartion in my life. Now as I get ready for bed at night, I still love praying and walking through my day with Jesus, but it seems that my brain just kind of shuts down when it comes to advanced though. So when I read its like I'm reading to finish so I can go to bed instead of reading to be changed and let Christ's word wash over me and sink deep into my soul. I read, turn out the light, and fall asleep...and thats just not ok with me. Because I love Jesus, and because I want to know Him more and be like Him more- if my body decides its going to change, then I will change my habits in order to persue my relationship with the Lord!
So while I still cant make my brain turn on and comprehend advanced thought first thing in the morning, I can still spend time with Jesus, after the fog has cleared from my head! :)
I dont think it matters though when you spend time with Jesus, as long as you spend daily time with Him. We cant let legalism rule our hearts, only our love for Jesus should do that.
Here are a few pictures of people doing their quiet times in some cool places.

-of course :)

haha I love this one!

...for the real early birds




this is probably the truest one of me...minus the fact that its a picture of a guy...








This is quote from Rob Bell I saw, and though he isnt my favorite person, this quote is very true: "God is always present. We're the ones who show up."


Kate

Thank you House with all the Christmas Lights, YES, THANK YOU FOR SAVING CHRISTMAS!

SO the other evening my fiance and I (oh I just love saying that...and typing it!) went on a date night! We went to "The Gospel According to Scrouge"--which was quite adorable and afterwards, we were fully in the Christmas Spirit- so of course, we went on an impromtu drive looking at Christmas lights. Quickly to our dismay we realized that Christmas lights seemed to be a dying art-form.
REDICULOUS, I never got this memo! When did we stop putting lights up on our houses at Christmas?! Who decided that was OK?! -Certainly not me.
I would much prefer at house all lit up circa "The Griswolds" then no lights at all. Goodnight people! SO with that being said, luckily our drive was saved when we came to a few lone houses shining in the darkness. They were BEAUTIFUL and I dearly loved them.
With all that being said, to the few families that were SO brightly lit that they make up for the darken homes next door, your climb into the trees, upon the rooftops and out into the cold was WORTH IT!!!

SO to you, House with all the Christmas Lights, I want to give you a big- THANK YOU, MERCI BEAUCOUP, and DENADA (I dont speak spanish)! Jesus is the reason for the season, but YOU my bright and dear friends, You have saved the Christmas spirit, by shining your light in the empty darkness all through the season! So take that all you scrouges!

Also, may it be said, that last night Fiance and I vowed to forever make sure we had Christmas lights up during the holidays, AND PLENTY OF THEM!
See you next Christmas- house next door with no Christmas lights on...we're movin' in!!! :)

Lastly, IT IS OFFICALLY CHRISTMAS BREAK!!!! YES, TODAY IS MY FIRST WHOLE 24 HOURS ON CHRISTMAS BREAK AND THIS GLORIOUS MONTH AHEAD HAS NEVER LOOKED SO GOOD!!!
How did this day begin? BY SLEEPING IN!!! thats right friends, fair warning- do no be jealous, but I didnt even set my alarm!!The rest up on today's agenda you asked?!
-workout
-hangout with a dear friend
-cook and bake
-wedding plan
-and have Christmas with my Fiance!
YAYAYA!!!!
Also, last evening I finished all my Christmas shopping! Glorious! :)

-Kate

Christmas Extravang ZA

So most of you probably know Dave Barnes, BUT do you know about his hilarious youtube videos?! Dave is captial F-U-N-N-Y, FUNNY!
I've been listenin to Dave for a few years, but never knew how hilarious he was until one day, my dear friend Noel posted her favorite youtube Christmas video on her blog
Talk about funny! I was rolling!
Here is the video link now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfrhFkz0hrs
If you're not in the Christmas spirit after watching that, try this video instead:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk0GPu6JuGo
also by Dave, this shows his "normal" stage presence...He's got a great sound!

And, if you havent guessed it already, why yes I am listening to his Christmas albumn as I write this...

Finally, did any of yall hear the weather report for the last two days here in the South? "Freezing Fog"- aka, the "South's version of snow" as my friend Heather calls it...funny but all too true. Hits a little too close to home... speaking of...
I miss the mountains and snow and skiing!!!! OH HOW I MISS IT!!!!! Its been TWO WHOLE YEARS since I've been "back home" as I call it- with no end in sight! Can you believe that?! Not I. If it wasnt for future hubby keeping me sane, I would of packed up and left by now.

This is where I want to be:

(minus the snowboard at the bottom of the pic)



But this my reality/the closest I'll be coming to the slopes for awhile:


Always hopeful,
;) Kate

A few thoughts...

A few thoughts I've been "mulling" over the past couple of days:
1) Almost congratulation-ed out, ALMOST- It seems that in the span of two weeks, four couples I know have gotten engaged! Not to mention my best friend found out she and her husband will be expecting their first child in August (Praise the Lord!). It seems good news has decended upon this Holiday season and I can't even begin think about how many people will get engaged over Christmas and New Years...this years wedding season is going to B-U-S-Y, with my own wedding included!!! But seriously it is such a fun time to celebrate the gift of marriage...and later this year, LIFE!!!

2) "Car Antlers"- has anybody seen these?! I mean really y'all? REALLY?!

Haha, secretly, I wouldnt mind having a pair of these myself for a few laughs because the way I see it, this years "Car Antlers" are the "Tacky Christmas Sweater" of the Holidays. :)

3) Branson, MO: Good ole' Branson. I am quite fond of the name myself. ;) And if you've never been there, its the hillbilly/blue hair capitol of the South. Well this past weekend some friends and I made the treck up there. We really had a great time! No much left to say about it except for:


Finally, the wedding plans are going going going and I'm loving every minute of it! Cant wait to marry MY MAN!!!! :)

With Love,
Kate