Vision

So first week of Kanakuk Institute and we're already told to make our vision statement for our LIVES. yeah HARD. Except that there were some obvious givens. These verses came to mind while pondering over the significance of at least having SOME vision. encourage you to think of one too. It was pretty awesome.

“I do not count my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus Christ, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” –Acts 20:24

“…They glorified God because of me.” –Galatians 1:24

“Seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things that are above, not on things that are on the Earth” Col. 3:12

“Know the God of Your father and serve Him with a whole heart and with a willing mind” -1 Ch. 28:9

“For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God, if we are in our right mind, it is for God” -2 Cor 5:13

So, although subject to some change, without further ado, my vision thus far in the school year:

To seek and know God so that I might not count anything more significant than to finish my course in testifying to the gospel of the grace of God so that men might glorify Him because of me.”

"Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart,

naught be all else to me, save that thou art;

Thou my best thought by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, thy presence my light."

Waiting

So today I prayed a selfish prayer. My iPod had crashed and I ordered a new one online that said it would be shipped out and arrive by the end of the day monday to my hands! Gosh...life without music...hard. Anyways, it was monday, around noon and we had exactly 5 minutes left before my mom and i would drive to the beach to meet up with the rest of the fam. So, I went outside to load my clothes in the back of the SUV and prayed, "Lord, i know this is slightly ridiculous but it would be so nice of you if my iPod would arrive within the next 5 minutes". And wouldn't you know I said "Amen" just in time to hear a huge UPS truck pull up to my drive and hand me my iPod. He has a great sense of humor and a reminder that His timing is always perfect!

But even now, as I pray for certain requests, remembering how quickly He answered that one, it is still difficult to trust Him with the things I'm "waiting for". I guess it's frustrating in a sense that I know He could tell me the wheres, whens, and hows of what I'm suppose to do/apply for in a split second. But then, I wouldn't be learning the art of waiting upon Him. Matter of fact, I'd probably take the fact that He has a plan for my life for granted. And now I'm clinging to that promise like it's the field with the hidden treasure.

so until i get those answers that He's waiting to reveal to me (and to us), I'll just keep praying, Lord, let Your Kingdom come in my life and in this world. And keep pressing on towards the prize. And prayerfully, will keep my eyes on the cross and what was paid there that ended up flipping my world upside down for the better.

Praying for you all too, as we all seem to be waiting on something.

summer!

despite the fact i have pneumonia (who gets pneumonia in may, right?), i've been so grateful for this week of rest. I thought i'd be at kamp after a whirlwind of fishing, kid watching, and packing, but my lungs apparentely had other ideas. so here i am, after a week of good solid rest, so ready to be at kamp!! i leave tomorrow. I'm still not over everything, but I feel so so so much better and excited at what the future holds! it should be a hilarious summer.

did i mention i'm going to be an aunt to another any day now? seriously, kimbo could call me now and tell me it's time! ah! i can't wait to find out what she's having!

babies!

Sooo... I can't help but steal these pictures from my sister's blog! I can't wait to be an Aunt AGAIN!! and crazily enough, round 2 begins next month, and round 3 right after! And as much as I'm excited to meet lil' one (be it a boy or girl) in June, and lil' boy in July, I really just can't wait to spend some time with my #1. Sure do love my first nephew! Granted, I know as soon as these little blessings arrive, my heart will get a little bit wider. And yes, I do realize how cheesy I sound!

Let the Legacy Live On

6 years ago today, my kanakuk kamp crush (and ole miss crush!) died. clay waycaster...let me just tell you. He was a good looking guy! and not just that, but he loved Jesus with his whole heart. I had finally gotten up the courage to ask Clay to go with me to my Spring formal. It would be a lie to say I wasn't sooo nervous and soooo excited. But as the Lord would have it, just a few days after we made the plans, Clay would go see Jesus. Still jealous you beat me to the throne, brother. But I know you're up there hanging out with my granddad, all of those crazy Bible prophets that I'd love to drill with questions, and Jesus Himself.

There are many things that the Lord taught me during Clay's death. But I'll spare you this time around.

But how sweet of the Lord to allow his older sister, an amazing godly woman and president of our sorority at the time of Clay's death to have her first born son today. They named him Clay. How sweet of the Lord to bring that sweet life into the world the same day, 6 years before, he took Clay home.

What a reminder. The Lord gives and takes away; Blessed be the Name of the Lord. and that the Lord does no wrong. -job

The Lord your God is with you. He is MIGHTY TO SAVE zep 3

What an incredible day.

This weekend my mom, Kimmie, and my nephew Isaac went over to Clinton, MS where my grandmother lives. They were there to attend my sister Carla's first baby shower. Another lil boy on the way in July. Not to mention Kimmie's surprise due in June. Wow I love being an aunt and I love spoiling Isaac and that he calls me "DD" when he tries for Katie. But that's not the story...back to the point.

So while in Clinton at my grandmother's a huge storm blows in bringing with it a pretty stinkin' intense tornado. So together, my family huddles in the storm shelter with Isaac screaming, noise deafening, house shaking, and lots of fear. Kimmie, my sister said she got in and really thought, "this is it. this is the last day I live". So with pressure feeling like their ears would burst, Kimmie, mom, and Meme began praying. And the Spirit of the Lord was so clearly there.

After 20-30 seconds of terror, the tornado passed over. Trees everywhere but on the house. Only one totaled my mom's car. His protection and power and love and mercy were clearly seen today!

And if that wasn't enough. I've been babysitting 2 boys and let me just say it's been less than paradise. But today made every bit of struggle worth it as the oldest, Jack, at 11 spent a good 45 minutes drilling me with questions about Jesus. Absolutely incredible. I still am in awe. At the end of the conversation he told me, "Katie. I think I hear a voice. I think it's God. It's telling me to believe". How cool is that? And how sweet it was to see little Will, only 6, get on his knees and ask the Lord for protection from the storm.

My heart is full tonight.

for footage of the tornado check out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lHzZnk3dkk

Acts 17:26-28

"I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize the Lord is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine. It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient"-Hudson Taylor,

So in this season of life, here in little ole Auburn, Alabama, I have no idea what's next. But i take great encouragement from Hudson Taylor, one of China's very first missionary. And believe, that it doesn't matter where God places me or how, for His grace is sufficient in it all. Althought it was unclear before, I now see, as my sweet daddy always reminds me, "katie, the goal in your life is to work yourself out of a job. you share until everyone's heard. and then you move on. you don't have to be called to one particular place, cause like Paul, your line of work requires to go where the lost is". So here I'm in Auburn. And wouldn't you know it, He has provided me friends from Saudi Arabia, Iran, Korea, and sweet Mexico. Not to mention my dear new American friends and family. I love love love that He's brought the nations to us.

In short. Although I don't know particulars, it's so good to cling to what is truth and what I do know. Banking on the promises of God. I know I'm called to go. I know He'll go with me and before me. And I know that because He's obviously not finished with me (or i'd be dead), that He does have plans. So I guess, for now, I'll just plan on striving to be obedient and to fix my eyes on the One on the Throne-the prize.

He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.' -Acts 17