Engaged!!! 10/08/10

Ohh its definitely that time again.
Update anyone?

I'M ENGAGED TO THE MOST GODLY AND AMAZING MAN I HAVE EVER MET!!!!!! OH HOW I LOVE HIM WITH ALL OF MY HEART!!!! HE IS THE MOST PERFECT MAN FOR ME AND I AM SO SO SO EXCITED TO MARRY HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!
OUR ENGAGEMENT WAS ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!!!!!
OH JESUS KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT HE IS DOING AND HIS TIMING IS ALWAYS PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!
MY HEART IS OVERJOYED AND OVERFLOWING. I AM BLESSED BEYOND BELIEF!!!! OH HIS GRACE IS ENOUGH!!!!!
-SPENDING THE REST OF MY LIFE WITH HIM MAY BE THE BEST THING I CAN THINK OF!!!!


-ok, I'll stop, for now.

-Kate <3

Happy Fall Y'all :)

Wow, it's been awhile since I last posted on this blog! Much has happened! A little recap of how the summer ended, plus an outlook of what's to come- in no particular order!
First, I got a job!!!! Praise God!!! After fervently searching all summer- Jesus, in His perfect timing has given me the perfect job!!! He is faithful!!!
Second, I started Graduate School!!!! :)) Also another day I never thought would come! It's intense but has been SO affirming that it's exactly what God and I want to do with my life! I'm so excited to see how He is going to use me in the lives of those I'll come in contact with!
Third, Ive gotten to take some fun and quick trips to Louisiana, Kansas City, Shreveport, Texarkana, Houston and the lake with the best boyfriend ever to see families and friends!!
Fourth, Ive gotten to hang out and spend some awesome time with some of my best friends before they head off on their next big God adventures! (Molly, Caroline, Abby, and Macy!)
Fifth, made a new and dear sweet sista friend! (Katlyn!)
Sixth, just good ole' plain summer fun...baseball games, a little sand volley ball, cookouts, long talks outside late into the night, walks, pool parties, hiking Petit Jean, late night swims, swings and dinners with friends to name a few.
Seven, is self explanatory :) And what an amazing seven its been!
Eight, encountering God in a whole new way and seeing Him use some of the hardest and toughest situations in my life for His glory and for some intense time with Him during my extremely free schedule. Praise Him for bringing us to His heart and setting not only us apart to be with Him but for also setting time apart to seek Him in relationship and hear Him speak. He has taught me ALOT this summer, and I mean ALOT- but not all of it is something I will divulge on this blog.
Needless to say, its been an incredible summer filled with a TON OF FUN! I'd venture to say its been the best summer- so far! Goodness, I can't even begin to describe how thankful I am for it all. God has richly blessed me indeed. And even though the end of summer meant sending my younger brother and two of my best friends off to college, my cup is overflowing. Talk about feeling humbled. I dont deserve this. Not one bit. Grace is the only way to explain it.
Grace, what a big word. We throw it around often (cough*my car*cough) :) but to truly understand its vast and deep meaning?! I would totally win that game of "Never Have I Ever."
With all that being said; I'm ready for fall now! God is so cool (no pun intended)- He made four different seasons each with their own excitements and perks. Football season has now descended upon us, and every good Southern girl is excited about it- even if she isnt a huge sports fan. Cooler temperatures, brightly colored leaves, weddings, festivals, hiking, the Turkey Trot, Thanksgiving with families, bon fires, church events, birthdays, pumpkins, warm smelling candles, blue jeans, country music and possibly cowboy boots.
**As a side note-Yes, I said possibly. I’ve recently been wanting some cowgirl* boots for this fall. I want them every year and every year I go shopping for ‘em and never find any that I really like …so I have yet to own some. But I’ve got a good feeling about this fall. This is going to be THE ONE! I’m going to finally have my first pair of cowgirl* boots, even if I have to search high and low (ok not really)- but I just think they’re really cute y'all!!! So we’ll see…. I mean, I am a "Pioneer Woman" in training!
Alright, I see you September 1st! In the spirit of football season, lets kick the Fall season off right and early! !

So let me be the first to tell you: HAPPY FALL Y’ALL!
-Kate

Ephesians 3:20 & Psalm 27

Praise God for knowing me better than I know myself. He fills me with hope and encouragement exactly when I need it. He sets my feet upon the rock, makes my heart steadfast and turns my mourning into dancing. He gives me a renewed thirst for His word and passion for His truth. He has set my heart free, continually, and never ceases to fill me with faith, hope and love for Him. When my “love tank” fills empty, He draws me into His arms and overflows my cup. I swim in His grace.
Jesus knows, He just knows- what I need to hear and when I need to hear it, even if I don’t fully realize it. Oh that you were tangible Father, I would run into your arms and never let go. One day Lord. One day soon.
This is what God spoke to me this morning. (Oh Praise Him!- His mercies are made new every morning!)
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” Ephesians 3:20
Beth Moore:
“God appears to thoroughly enjoy doing ‘immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.’ You see, if we don’t ‘ask or imagine’- then what does God have to out-do?
God has answered you above and beyond what you asked on some of the very requests you assumed He answered negatively. You have no idea how many times you’ve prayed and God answered affirmatively but is awaiting the proper time for its revelation.
-and sometimes, when the revelation does comes, we don’t even link it with what we originally asked because we don’t recognize the super sized Ephesians 3:20 answer.”
The Lord does not lead us into despair.
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14
(How many times have I felt Him speaking this verse into my heart?!- Many many and today is no different. The funny thing is that I have never even tried to memorize this verse.) :)
Maybe someone else needed to hear this same thing today. Just thought I’d share.
Here is all of Psalm 27, its just incredible. I think I could read this Psalm everyday and never grow tired of reading it. I can’t help but identify with it. Praise Him for giving us this scripture.

"The LORD is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?
When evil men advance against me
to devour my flesh,
when my enemies and my foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.
One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle
and set me high upon a rock.
Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Hear my voice when I call, O LORD;
be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, "Seek his face!"
Your face, LORD, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
O God my Savior.
Though my father and mother forsake me,
the LORD will receive me.
Teach me your way, O LORD;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
breathing out violence.
I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD."

And of course I have a song that summarizes my thoughts as well. The lyrics: “Oh Lord my strength You’re my Redeemer, forever I will love You (x3)…No one whose hope is in the Lord will ever be put to shame, You are the Rock that is higher than I (x2)… for Your Name is above every other name!”

Singing my heart out to Him with thankfulness and praise,
Kate

A Youth Group's Trip to the Beach

*This is a story about a youth groups' trip to the beach as related to me by some of the senior guys on that trip and told in my words. :)

Recently a youth group went on a trip to the beach. They were originally headed to Gulf Shores, AL., but the 69 day strong oil spill re-routed them to a little place called Corpus Christi, TX. Now, not to knock the beaches of Texas, I myself have had some incredible experiences on those beaches; but the students of said youth group seemed to of been expecting beaches that resembled a little more Florida and a little less not. The first day they arrived in Texas, a series of unfortunate materialistic events occurred that they fearfully hoped did not set the tone for the rest of the week. They were not in condos- as they had been told, they were in hotel rooms. They did not have a view of the beach, their rooms looked out onto the street. They did not have a balcony to harass locals, but had a 5 foot double-pained window. The TV in their room was made in 1979. And to top it all off, the beaches weren't sandy, it was blazin' hot, and the water wasn't cold or as blue as they had expected. In fact, they couldn’t even walk on the beaches without wearing shoes because instead of sand, the beaches were covered with shells, and to walk barefooted on the shells would leave one's foot cut and bleeding and no one enjoys having bloody feet while at the beach.
There was one glimmer of hope that shone brightly that day though, they had been told that residing in their same hotel that very week were some Varsity Cheerleaders. Finally, they thought, this trip is going to be fun! After hearing the news, they wistfully climbed into the elevator to "check out" the lobby and hopefully get a glimpse of some ponytails, pom poms or ribbons. When they arrived though, all they found were 12 year old girls-with their mothers. They decided to check and see if the Cheerleaders were outside, practicing maybe. Still, all they saw were more 12 year olds with braces...and pom poms. Their hopes were dashed, dashed like the shells on the dangerous beaches outback.
With their shoulders slumped and their heads hung low, the senior boys of the youth group sauntered into the hotels' ballroom cheerleader-less for an hour or two of worship with the rest of the students. Who they didnt expect to join them in the crowd that night was God. Not only did God show up around them, but He came and impacted each of them in a way they never expected. It was powerful and perspective changing. His presence made them realize that the beach and all its materialistic aspects were only the second reason they were on that trip. The first reason they were there was to meet with God- and meet with God they did, He had just helped them out along the way by getting rid of some of the distractions that would keep their minds off Him.
Many of those boys walked away from that week-long trip in the presence of Jesus, changed, and changed for the better. His love and truth are written on their hearts and evident in their lives. There has long been a saying that goes: You know when someone has encountered the Holy Spirit because when they walk away, they are never the same again; they're changed forever. Those boys opened their hearts and allowed God to work in, lead, and heal them. Yes, the God of the universe met with those boys face to face and I dont think there are enough words in the human vocabulary to express the praise and thankfulness God deserves.
Personally, I hope my next beach trip looks cruddy on the outside, but is filled with the power and presence of God in every quiet and joyous moment.
Life's a beach,
Kate
*and I mean that to relate back to the story saying that Life can be hard but God is work in the cruddy situations for incredible amounts of blessings in His timing. :)
Isaiah 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your throughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Perfect, Never Changing.

Hey blog, Hey!
I just cant find it in me to finish this blog. I began by writing about the past, about going through old letters and cards last night and about going through old pictures tonight, but honestly- none of it seems or feels relevant so I erased it all. Yes, its true, I tend to look back on the past a few days before my birthday every year, and yes my birthday is in a few days -GET IT!- and I'd love to tell you all about the past two nights of reminiscing on ma vie!....but not on this blog. This blog isnt for rambling...which is what I'm currently doing...so I'll get on with it. ;)
God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. The Bible tells you that over and over again, He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end- compare 1 and 2 Kings to the Gospels and you will find many similarities. Praise God for His word, written right before our very eyes, BUT also praise God for being the same in our own lives. Look around you, God is there. Look at your life, really look at it. The ups, the terrible downs, the crazy fun ups again and yet the downs one more time. God was there, every single time- always loving you. He never stopped, He loves you now, and He's going to love you tomorrow. Does that give you hope? It sure gives me hope. I certainly dont know what tomorrow will bring, or the day after that or really what my life will look like past going to bed here in about an hour or so, HA! BUT I dont have to worry about it because Jesus isnt going anywhere. Praise Him for leading us in this life and never leaving us.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
Sidenote: being in this place of uncertainty concerning my future might be one of the most blessing filled times in my life because, as a planner, not knowing what in the world I'm doing --well for the rest of my life at this point, quite frankly scares the heebie geebies out of me BUT it has caused me to rely so much more on Christ step by step, day by day- literally in all things that I cant help but be joyful about it! And honestly- I've now begun to bask in all this uncertainty with pleasure!- Thats right, I said it! Number one planner extordinaire just told you she is uncertain where her life is going and she's ENJOYING IT but its because I know Jesus is the one leading it! I once asked Jesus to take me on the rollercoaster ride of life with Him--and well He's doing it! ha! But Praise Him for orchestrating circumstances that draws us closer to His heart!!! What a glorious God that wants us, all of us-even with our ups and downs.

Finally, I want to close with a poem that sadly, I did not write because its great! And interestingly, how perfect does it fit into this blog?!

PERFECT, NEVER CHANGING
One time you told me
That you feel God is just angry at you
But I wanted to tell you that is not true

I know what you mean
I feel it myself too
How could God love me
In spite of all that I do?

Yet His love is perfect, never changing
For He has always been and will be
The Sovereign God of great compassion
Forever showing mercy to you and me

He gave His One and Only Son
To take away our disgrace
To bear every sin
To stand in our place

Great and small all our sins are forgiven
Every wrong we have ever done
What an amazing gift received
By believing in God’s Son

Friend, you are His
His beautiful child that is now grown
He has always been with you
He will never leave you all alone

He will never not know you
And never be too far away to know
You are His child
Through Him washed whiter than snow

He desires for you to have everything
That is why He has given you His All
His Son, Jesus Christ
Salvation to all who call

For this life is so short
And eternity so long
Our days but a whisper
And then they are all gone

But God has chosen to love you
He has given you this day
Every morning full of new mercies
And every evening talks and prayers to say

-Anonymous

Happily Uncertain,
Kate


-And for everyone who reads this and is still up late at night- and you know who you are- I just want to say: I'm still praying for you. God is making me- :) Hopefully this was a little encouraging in some way.
GoodNight All.

James 5:13-16
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in FAITH will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE."

- the word speaks for itself. It doesnt need my thoughts to go along with it. Praise God for His words and thoughts written to us.
- more later. If you read this post please pray for a friend's dad's healing. God is sovereign in all things. Praise the Lord for His is the glory and the power Forever!

Breathless with praise, prayer and petition with thanksgiving,
Kate
(Phil. 4:6-7)

Its not about me.

Hey there, it’s been a few weeks. Summer has officially began for me! PRAISE THE LORD! I want to begin this post with a quote that I think is incredible.

"The Christian life can be explained only in terms of Jesus Christ, and if your life as a Christian can still be explained in terms of you- your personality, your willpower, your gifts, your talent, your money, your courage, your wisdom, your dedication, your sacrifice, or your anything-then although you may have the 'Christian life', you aren't yet living it."- Ian Thomas.

-If your life isn't 100% completely and solely centered on Christ, if He isn’t your everything, the One you run to when times are bad, the One you rejoice with when times are good, and the One you talk to til’ you're blue in the face when there's a lot on your mind- then you're missing it, you're missing Him.
-We can say all the right things, we can do all the right things, but the ONLY thing that matters is Jesus Christ. He's it. He’s the only reason you’re even here. To know Him and to make Him known.
He's our everlasting hope, and our ever present help in times of trouble.
Do you know Jesus? Have you met Him?
He is powerful.
He is the ultimate healer.
He is in control.
He is abounding in love for you.
He is honorable and full of integrity.
He is forgiving and merciful.
He is full of grace.
Jesus is the ultimate rescuer.
He is the Prince of Peace.

Jesus, my God, my Savior, my Father, my Best Friend; He is all that and more, more than I can even comprehend. In the following weeks to come, I want to study the nature of our Savior. Who He is, in depth and up close. I want to know more about the man who sacrificed Himself- bloodied and ripped to shreds, to die for me and for my sins; all for the sake of the most perfect love relationship I have ever experienced, or will.
Don't you agree that this beyond our comprehension love from this man, the Son of God, deserves more than just a passing acknowledgement on Christmas and Easter when we tell His story? And I'm not even just talking about hanging out in the gospels- although they are a great place to start, knowledge of our Savior, the Holy Spirit, and God our Father- the Trinity, is found throughout the Bible. Jesus is the physical representation we are given here of God on Earth- He’s His Son.
Anyways, I want to end this post with a story I read about a week ago. It’s about Elijah.
"Elijah went before the people of Israel and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."
But the people said nothing." 1 Kings 18:21

-No one I know of worships Baal anymore these days, but what if we replaced the word "Baal" with the word "you." Then the verse would read, "If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if you are God, follow him."---take a look at your life today. Would you find yourself standing in front of Elijah in silence? Is your relationship with Christ centered on you? or on Him? Are you daily dying to yourself, to your wants, to your fears, and dropping everything in favor of His presence and His abundant grace and love? It’s time we stop wavering between the two options, we don’t have real true life to the fullest without Christ pumping through our hearts and our thoughts moment by moment, every day.

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2:19-21

"If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5


It’s all about Him- and not about me,
Kate

P.S. If you don’t know how the story with Elijah and the people of Israel ends, you should check it out. I mean we’re talking straight fire raining down from heaven, aka = stinkin’ awesome God smack down over His people. Get it!