In love with Jesus

The Hobbit

2011-12-21T15:11:00.000-08:00

AHHHH!!!

I absolutely. Can't. Wait. It looks so good, so epic, so wonderful, so perfect. I'm so excited.

I was too young to appreciate The Lord of the Rings movies when they came out; now I've got a second chance, and I will enjoy it with all my might.

Oh, and here's a grand picture that was my laptop background for a good while. I love it.

Emma, by Jane Austen

2011-12-16T08:55:00.000-08:00

This book is so, so good. I absolutely love it. I cannot put it down. One of the things I like best about it (besides the wonderful characters *cough* Mr. Knightley *cough*) is that it is chock-full of the funniest quotes! Seriously, there have been probably 10 different passages that I have wanted to write down because they were just too delightfully witty. So, when I came across this gem, I had to post it.

The stage is set with the exhausting Mrs. Elton talking with the ever-gentlemanly, ever-dashing Mr. Knightley. They are discussing a strawberry-picking party to be held at his estate, Donwell. ("Donwell was famous for its strawberry beds." :)

"Oh! now you are looking very sly. But consider;--you need not be afraid of delegating power to me. I am no young lady on her preferment. Married women, you know, may be safely authorized. It is my party. Leave it all to me. I will invite your guests."

"No,"--he calmly replied,--"there is but one married woman in the world whom I can allow to invite what guests she pleases to Donwell, and that one is--"

"--Mrs. Weston, I suppose," interrupted Mrs. Elton, rather mortified.

"No--Mrs. Knightley;--and, till she is in being, I will manage such matters myself."

Read. This. Book. It is one of the cleverest books I've ever read. You will love it.

In Christ Alone

2011-11-21T06:46:00.000-08:00

I think I have another post titled that, so hopefully this doesn't confuse anyone. I had to use it, since it is the perfect summation of what this post will be about.

Anyway, here goes.

It all started with a bad class picture. I teach the preschool class at our homeschooling co-op, and a couple Fridays ago they took class pictures. I was not prepared for them to take teachers' pictures, or to be in the picture of the whole class. Needless to say, I opted for comfy rather than stylish, clothing that day, and my hair was...well, let's just say less-than-perfect. I shrugged it off, though. Smile. Flash. Done.

Fast-forward two weeks later when the pictures arrived. A few of the thoughts that ran through my mind when I first saw them: "Gross." "Yuck." "Ew." "I am ugly."

Not a happy day. After laughing (but mostly crying) about the pictures, my sister and mom attempted to make me feel pretty by showing me some less-unflattering pictures of myself. Yet, I was in such a low spot that I found flaws in all of them. I never claimed to be photogenic, and these new horrible class pictures proved it (in my mind). Plus, I was freaking out because I still haven't taken senior pictures yet--and I had already been anxious about how they would turn out, without more proof that my face doesn't like cameras.

Anyway, I got through the day by fixing my hair and doing my make-up. I felt better, but really was just distracted. All morning on Saturday I was in a funk about it, without realizing it. I found myself crying on my bed, thinking that no one would ever want to marry me; I'm ugly, not funny, not creative, not artistic, not musical, blah blah blah. So I went downstairs and started talking with my beautiful, wise mother.

I wish I could remember every word of the conversation, but I can't. I told her that I didn't understand why I had so many sweet friends, and my fear of no one marrying me. I couldn't understand why anyone would really like being around me. (I'll just interject here that I don't usually let a bad picture do this to me, but the Lord knew what I needed--just wait.) In her gentle, motherly way, she helped me see that this wasn't true, and told me that she was my #1 fan. "I don't think anyone can love you as much as I do," she said.

We proceeded to talk about what the real problem was, why I was crying. Then I realized something so big, that my throat seized up in that really uncomfortable crying thing.

"Mom, I think I'm fighting to believe that I really am fearfully and wonderfully made. Satan and my own flesh are telling me that I'm not--but God doesn't make mistakes. I am beautiful, because He made me and I am His."

Okay, so I didn't say it that clearly. I was crying so it sounded all froggy and it was choppy and not as eloquent. But those words were what I was feeling.

That was thing #1 that I realized.

Thing #2 was that Christ is All. I'll explain.

As I was telling my mom that I didn't understand why people would like me, she said, basically, that I wasn't supposed to know. He is the one who works every good thing in me, so I cannot make a list of "Katie's Good Qualities"--then my life would become trying to live up to the list and make it longer, instead of just abiding in Christ and living in Him. In Christ alone my hope is found. He is my life, my strength, my song.

Oh, how sweet it was to remember that I am not my own! That I am merely a fallen sinner, saved by His incredible grace; a faithless woman loved by an ever faithful Savior. Apart from Him, I can do nothing.

Thing #3:

My mom graciously and sweetly reminded me that God does not withhold any good thing from His children. If giving me a husband is what is good for me, the Lord will give one to me. If He doesn't give one to me, it is best.

Well, that's about all I have time for for now. Chemistry class calls. I'm sure I will fall back into those same questions and feeling down about myself, but He is always faithful, and will bring me back to this place of contentment and satisfaction in Him.

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ! (I'll post the rest of the lyrics to that song later :)

Light

2011-09-06T04:45:00.001-07:00

As I was getting ready for the first day of classes this morning, I read today's Morning & Evening by Spurgeon. As soon as I read the verse at the top, I knew it was perfect for me today. Here it is:

"In the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." ~Philippians 2:15

We use lights to make manifest. A Christian man should so shine in his life, that a person could not live with him a week without knowing the gospel. His conversation should be such that all who are about him should clearly perceive Whose he is, and Whom he serves; and should see the image of Jesus reflected in his daily actions. Lights are intended for guidance. We are to help those around us who are in the dark. We are to hold forth to them the Word of life. We are to point sinners to the Saviour, and the weary to a divine resting-place. Men sometimes read their Bibles, and fail to understand them; we should be read, like Philip, to instruct the inquirer in the meaning of God's Word, the way of salvation, and the life of godliness. Lights are also used for warning. On our rocks and shoals a light-house is sure to be erected. Christian men should know that there are many false lights shown everywhere in the world, and therefore the right light is needed. The wreckers of Satan are always abroad, tempting the ungodly to sin under the name of pleasure; they hoist the wrong light, be it ours to put up the true light upon every dangerous rock, to point out every sin, and tell what it leads to, that so we may be clear of the blood of all men, shining as lights in the world. Lights also have a very cheering influence, and so have Christians. A Christian ought to be a comforter, with kind words on his lips, and sympathy in his heart; he should carry sunshine wherever he goes, and diffuse happiness around him.

Gracious Spirit dwell with me;
I myself would gracious be,
And with words that help and heal
Would thy life in mine reveal,
And with actions bold and meek
Would for Christ my Saviour speak.

Those words set a flame in me that is burning to live this life for my beloved Jesus. One of my favorite parts is, "he should carry sunshine wherever he goes, and diffuse happiness around him." I want to carry sunshine. I want to show what joy is like; it's so much better than the transient happiness that this world can offer.

chemistry and captain america

2011-08-23T20:25:00.000-07:00

Hola! Well, this is gonna be short because I am going to try to be going to sleep before 11 tonight. We'll see if that happens. But I wanted to inform you all of something big. huge. massive even.

Actually, it's really not a very big deal at all.

But anyway, my first chemistry class ever took place yesterday, and my second one will happen tomorrow. As well as my first chemistry lab.

And you know what? I think I'm going to survive this class. Now, I'm not saying I'm sure I'll live through it, I just feel like there is hope. I mean, I didn't take high school chem and now I'm running head-long into college chemistry? What am I thinking?! But actually, the professor is very nice, very approachable, and she said that this class is not going to be that bad. She said to expect something more like high school chemistry 2. I can handle that. I think.

On second though--scratch that. I know I can handle that. Not of my own strength, but the Lord is my strength, and through Christ I can do all things. Even chemistry.

Oh--and I've been thanking Him for blessing me with a professor I like. I was pretty nervous about that aspect of it, and He totally provided someone I really, really like.

And now, I'd like you all to meet someone, if you haven't already. His name is Steve Rogers:

Also known as...

...Captain America. He is awesome.

That is all.

a list-y post

2011-08-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

Because it's too late to be posting, and I wanted to post anyway. Please excuse the extreme randomness.

1.) I really, truly am going to try to post more frequently.

2.) I promise.

3.) You don't believe me? Gosh. Haha, well I wouldn't believe me either. I'm seriously a horrible blogger, and you all are so wonderful to keep checking this little neglected corner of cyberspace.

4.) I'm 17. And it's super weird.

5.) School starts in 10 days, and that makes me sad. This summer has officially gone faster than any other summer in my rememberance. I'm taking chemistry, art appreciation, and interpersonal communications, all PSEO. Thankfully, chemistry is the only one starting on the 22nd, and I have a couple more weeks before the others start. I'm also teaching a preschool class at our homeschooling co-op for the first time this year. I'm so excited and so nervous at the same time! Any craft/theme/lesson/book ideas you have would be very much welcomed :) Still trying to pull together some sort of curriculum.

6.) There are about 6 long things that I should post about, but I'm not. I'm posting a list, 'cause it's easier.

7.) We are going to a wedding tomorrow, and I'm so excited. The helpless romantic in me just loves anything to do with weddings, including looking at pictures of peoples' weddings I don't know from Adam. I've only gone to one wedding this whole summer, so tomorrow will be super fun. I can't wait for my own wedding, and for my friends' weddings! It will be ultra-strange, but it will also be crazy fun when all of us start gettin' beaus and tying the knot :)

8.) This really should be number one. But I'm so tired, that my brain isn't thinking logically. My brother and sister-in-law are having a baby in February! I cannot WAIT! I love anything to do with babies, but having another one in the family is extra, extra special :) Current nickname? Baby O. Adorable? I think yes.

9.) Speaking of babies, we now have a family living with us (in our attic) and they have two little girls! The older one is nearly 2 and the younger one is around 8 months. Both are sweet as can be. Both are crazy adorable. But they are absolutely. Positively. Opposites. It's so fun! :) And their parents are so great. They're definitely dear friends of mine--it's not weird at all for them to live here. She is like a sister--we talk all the time, share clothes, tease each other, and seek prayer from the other. And her husband is awesome! He's helping me--

10.) learn guitar. We'll see if this actually goes anywhere, but I hope it does! So far I've learned majors A, D, G, and E, and E minor. Not too great, but it's a start! I can play some Bob Dylan, at least :)

11.) And...so people won't accuse me of being "Monk-ish" (ever seen the t.v. show? My family claims I share some traits with the genius detective--not in the genius part, in the "liking things even, symmetrical, etc." part.) I will not stop at 10! We will have a number 11! :) I was up nearly all night last night, not of my own accord. Then I slept in until 9:45, which explains while I'm still slightly functioning at 12:15 am.

12.) Oh, and I have a job! I work at a thrift store, started by our old church, 8 hours a week. I absolutely LOVE it. It's so, so fun. I'll have to write another post about it sometime. It's seriously great :)

13.) I've considered changing the name of my blog again, out of fear of what people will think. ("Oh. She's one of those, 'Jesus is my boyfriend' people. Ew.") But I decided to keep it because it really captures a huge part of who I am--that helpless romantic I was talking about earlier. I still love envisioning my Savior as my Prince, rescuing me from myself and breaking my bonds of sin. In the words of one of my favorite hymns of all time:

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray--
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light.
My chains fell off, my heart was free--
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Amazing love! How can it be?
That Thou my God shouldst die for me?

Goosebumps, eh? How great is our God! How sweet is my salvation, how glad I am that my Savior is Jesus! :)

modesty

2011-05-17T06:14:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was a very happy day. Partly because I went driving with my dad again (on REAL streets!), partly because my sister, mom, and I got delicious Caribou coffee drinks for really cheap, partly because I got new flip-flops and a new dress. But the thing that stuck out the most to me, the thing that made me almost giddy was something not all that exciting, to some people.

I found two pairs of summer shorts.

Yes I did. And, these aren't your ordinary show-everything-but-underwear shorts. They were modest! And no, they weren't capris. And no, they don't come all the way to my knees. And yes, they are very cute! In my opinion :)

Modesty is a very important issue to me. I take extra time in the fitting room to make sure that the clothing isn't too low, short, tight, and doesn't show too much skin. I feel that God wants His children to be modest; the Bible even talks about it!

I really think that being modest is a huge way to love the men around us. I am not someone of the opinion that "if he has a problem with it, he better fix his sick mind!" I do believe that men should avert their eyes if something a girl is wearing causes them to stumble, but I think it's better if the girl never wears the problematic clothing in the first place.

You know, one thing that makes modesty difficult is that girls sometimes don't have a clue about what's modest vs. immodest. Things that are hard for guys probably wouldn't make another girl blink an eye. Sometimes I will wear something that my mom and I think is modest, but my dad will point out something about it that we hadn't even noticed. Which brings me to my handy-dandy little list! :)

1. Consult your dad. He's a guy, and he cares so much about you. He is a great resource; he can tell you when something will be difficult for a guy because he's been there himself.

2. Pray! Modesty is a heart issue at it's core, and only God can change hearts. Girls can be covered from head-to-toe and still be immodest if their heart is in the wrong place and they are seeking that form of attention. If your desire is to be modest, ask the Lord to give you a heart that embraces modesty and longs for it.

3. Use this modesty survey done by Alex and Brett Harris. It has been an invaluable tool for me! Read the main page and the Survey Overview first, and then browse the Survey Results to see if your clothing could be causing guys around you to stumble. If so, see if your mom would like to go out shopping! :) Now, I do have one precaution here: sometimes, you have to ignore some of the comments, because in some cases, the guys interviewed seemed to need the girl to walk around in a head-to-toe box. That's just not practical, and at that point, the problem is really theirs. However, sometimes the comments are super helpful, because they let me know which kinds of tank tops are fine, and what makes one borderline-bad or just plain bad.

Okay. So know I've spat a bunch of stuff at you that you may or may not have wanted to hear! But now I want to tell you something.

While it does take a little bit of extra effort to find them, modest, stylish clothes are not non-existent. You can find cute clothes--no matter what your style is--that are modest by doing a little digging. You don't have to shop at online stores that sell matching, modest dresses for the whole family (not that there's anything wrong with that! It's just not my taste). Case in point: I found the aforementioned shorts at Target. :)

On to one of my favorite style/modesty tips: Some clothes that would be immodest by themselves are made cuter and modest by layering! I use camis ALLLLL the time, because most of my shirts would be too low on their own. I love the layered look anyway, so it's no problem for me--until the camis get stretched out and they themselves are too low :) But then it's just another excuse to go shopping again!

Well. Maybe that was helpful, maybe not. But now I have to go. I would love it if you would ask questions in the comments!

Over and out.

Driving with Daddy--again, sorry for smooshedness!

2011-04-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

As some of you know, I got my permit about a year ago. I have barely used it. A few months after I got it, my mom took me to a parking lot and showed me how to operate the car, and I attempted to park about 50 times. Never succeeding. Due to busy craziness, I had not driven again until last night. Last night, my wonderful dad took me to a different parking lot. A Home Depot parking lot. Oh yeah. And I drove around. And, again, failed at parking. Over and over. But my daddy was patient with me. After giving up on parking, we decided to do some figure eights, and my dad taught me how to turn without being extremely tense and herky-jerky. How to make smoooooth turns :) And, of course, we ended our lessons with a trip into the wonderful hardware store. Ahhh... It was a perfect date with dad. I am truly blessed to have such an amazing father, a dad who represents my heavenly Father with his patience, kindness, and gentleness. I love you, Daddy.

Letters

2011-04-10T15:06:00.000-07:00

Dear Readers, Thank you so much for your comments. They really do encourage this terrible blogger to keep on posting! :) Each and every comment means so much to me. Dear Allergies (and stupid virus), Please go away. Pronto. You make it very difficult for me to do my massive amounts of homework (see next letter), because my throat hurts and my head seems like it's filled with brick. And that doesn't feel too great, and it's distracting. So, yes, I would really appreciate if you took a hike somewhere without human beings. Dear Homework, Do you ever do anything for yourself? Geesh, I seem to do all the heavy lifting around here. You never seem to get yourself done--I always, always have to do that for you. I'd really appreciate it if you could learn to do at least a little of the work. At least revise the essay yourself, maybe? Dear Pastor, Thank you very, very much for the wonderful sermon this morning. The gospel was spoken to me in a completely new and beautiful way, and my week has already been touched by your words. I feel like I can handle Allergies and Homework so much better after hearing so much truth this morning. Sincerely, Katie p.s. Dear Blogger, What's going on? Stop smooshing all my stuff together! Please. :) p.p.s. Dear Readers (again), Please forgive the smooshed-ness. I don't know what Blogger is thinking. Thanks!

"Help!"

2011-04-08T06:21:00.000-07:00

I don't think it's humanly possible to watch this video without smiling :) Now, aren't you at least slightly happier, having watched that?

just some thoughts

2011-04-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

This is going to possibly be the most random, scattered blog post you have ever read or will ever read. In your life. But I feel like if I don't do one of these types of posts, I will never post again, and that would be a very bad thing indeed. So, are you ready? Brace yourself.

School: Oh my goodness. School. Where do I start? The fact that my junior year will be basically over in a mere 20 days? The 9-page paper I wrote for my college English class? My wonderful history and literature classes? Hmm. Well, I can hardly believe that I'll be a senior in the fall. A senior. A SENIOR. A STINKIN' SENIOR! Yeah, I'm a little flabbergasted, if that's the right word, which it probably isn't. Oh well.

But yeah. Let me start with PSEO, I guess. For any of you who don't know what PSEO is, it's just where you get to take college classes in high school, for both college and high school credit. For free. That's right. Tuition for this awesome opprotunity is a whoppin' $0.00. It's pretty sweet. Anyway, last semester, I took a Nutrition class online, and a College Algebra class through a Christian University, but at a homeschool co-op thing. It went really well! I was challenged, but in a good way. Probably my biggest challenge was having due dates. Having been homeschooled my whole life, "due dates" were very flexible, even non-existent. So, getting things done in a timely manner was a big stepping stone for me :)

This semester, I'm taking college English and general psychology at the same University, through the same co-op, and it's going fabulously! It's pretty hard--even more challenging than last year. Psychology really isn't bad at all, but English just about killed me with the large research paper...just kidding. It really wasn't SO bad. The problem was mainy my perfectionist self. I couldn't stop thinking about it, ever. And I way over-researched--I had to take out an entire subtopic! But now I have the rough draft complete, and the final draft isn't due until Monday, so I have some time to polish it up a bit before my teacher sees it. That's another thing that's been weird--my English professor doesn't read any of the rough drafts! We just do peer reviews, which are...interesting. Thankfully, my professor is wonderful, and so are the kids in the class. It's a tiny class, actually. Like, really, really tiny. 8 students. Just 8. Where else could I have taken college English 1 with such an awesome teacher/student ratio?! It's really great.

Oh, and this year I've also been taking history and literature classes with some amazing friends. The mom of two of the girls is the teacher, and she's so awesome! Maybe you remember me posting about her blog, Orange Marmalade? If not, definitely check it out! It's super cool :) Anyway, we've been studying mainly 20th century history and reading literature that goes along with a similar timeline. It's been so rich, and I've learned so much! It's incredible. It's been so fun, to boot! Instead of a final exam, we have been making history scrapbooks with pictures from the Internet of the things we've been learning about. On the days we work on them, we have "Scrapbook Parties" and listen to music from the time period we're studying and eat food from that time period. It's so awesome. I wish it wasn't ending so soon!

Spring/Summer: Spring is definitely in the air around here! It's glorious. I slept with the window open last night, and today my room smells like spring. The sunlight is so lovely, and I can't wait for the leaves and flowers and grass to grow. Already I'm wearing lots of skirts and tank tops and dresses!

I'm very excited for summer this year, although I'm savoring every moment of spring. But this summer, I can't wait to have lots of picnics, read dozens of books (just wait until I post my book list!), bake lots of cookies, drink yummy smoothies, swing on swings, go camping with friends (even if it's just in the backyard), play with my siblings, ride my bike, go for walks, go to the zoo, eat tons of barbeque, go swimming, and have people over nearly every weekend. It will be so wonderful, I can't wait. How will I have time to do all of these fabulous things? NO SCHOOL, BABY! FREEDOM! :D

Oh, but summer can't fully start until after June 11. The dreaded ACT. Yuck. Thankfully, I have a great book about how to do the math section, which is my Achilles heel...anybody with me on that one?

Oh, and here's something I can't believe, almost as much as I can't believe I'll be a senior in the fall: June 26, I'll be 17. Wow.

17.

Let that just sink in. It's crazy.

Anyway, on to a new topic: As mentioned very briefly in my last post, I have a most adorable new nephew, named Elijah! He was born on December 3, and he's just the sweetest, chubbiest baby you ever did see. And he's a little snugglebug! Big brother Gideon took a little while to warm up to him, but now they're best buds. Oh, and Gid is 2 now! Yesterday was his birthday, and he was such a trooper, opening present after present with his little drippy nose running, saying "de-di" ("thank you"). So precious.

Well, I should probably start to bring this variously topic-ed post to a close, since I have quite a bit of school to accomplish today. But there is so much more I could write! I'll try to post again very soon about all that God is doing in my life. Things are quite exciting!

For now, I'll end on a very unrelated note: Tangled.

Can you say "absolutely positively amazingly adorable, funny, and sweet"?

I can. "Tangled." Sha-bam.

Christ is All

2010-12-28T10:40:00.001-08:00

Boy, I'm such a horrible blogger! Dear me.

And there are so, so many things that I want to blog about. Christmas, music, books, my new room, my new NEPHEW!!! Inception, bread baking mishaps...the list goes on. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I will be able to post about most of those. But right now, I want to post about one thing.

Christ's preeminence.

That's a weird word, I know. According to my pastor, it only occurs one time in the New Testament: Colossians 1:18. As a church, we are going through the book of Colossians by memorization and the sermons. It has been wonderful! I have been learning so much. But the main thing that has taken hold of me is the fact that Christ is ALL. This was the main point of one of the very first sermons in the series. It's so true. Here are some verses that back this up:

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. And He is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in Him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven making peace by the blood of His cross." Colossions 1:15-20

Try reading that by replacing all forms of "He" with "Christ". Notice how many times Paul uses the words "Christ" and "All". It's staggering.

This is how our pastor started that sermon. Do you see the preeminence of Christ in this passage?

This sermon was preached at least a couple months ago. Then, last night, I decided to begin studying the book of Hebrews on my own (I've been wanting to have more structured personal devotions for a while, and I decided to actually "start" last night. Our pastor had read a portion of Hebrews yesterday morning, so that seemed like a good place to start. Anyway.) I was so excited to find these verses:

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature and He upholds the universe by the word of His power. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs." Hebrews 1:1-4

Doesn't that sound incredibly similar to the first chapter of Colossians? I thought so, at least.

I feel like God is helping me realize how important He is, and how important His Son is. I know that sounds strange, but I'm afraid that He is not "All" in my life. Other things sometimes take a higher place. It's not like I actually believe that other things are more important, but my actions speak otherwise. Would I really get irritated with my sister if Christ was always preeminent in my thoughts? No. Do I desire to spend my time watching movies and listening to music rather than reading my Bible? Yes. Now, I'm definitely not against movies and music. I love both! And I actually think both can be very good and beneficial, in addition to being fun. I just have to keep my love for these things in check, and make sure that I don't stay up too late watching movies so that by the time I'm doing devotions, I can barely keep my eyes from closing. Does that make any sense?

Well, I need to get lunch ready for the kids. But, I do want to share one last thing. This is a song that we sang in church yesterday that really sums up everything I've said so far:

The First Place

by Matthew Westerholm

Jesus, the perfect picture of the unseen God
Maker of things we cannot comprehend
Wisdom, the earth displays Your strength and beauty.
Sovereign, yes, every throne knows You are God.

Chorus:
Every inch of this universe belongs to You, O Christ.
For through You and for You it was made.
Your creation endures by the order of Your hand.
So You must have in all things the first place.

Victor, over sin and death You triumphed.
Firstborn, You've shown us life beyond the grave.
Bridegroom, we long for You in expectation.
Jesus, Your church rejoices to proclaim:

Every inch of this universe belongs to You, O Christ.
For through You and for You it was made.
Your creation endures by the order of Your hand.
So You must have in all things the first place.

In Christ Alone

2010-10-25T12:49:00.000-07:00

Just click. Then listen.

http://owlcityblog.com/2010/10/25/my-hope-is-found/

Amazing.

Yikes.

2010-10-20T11:25:00.000-07:00

Alright. Well, I think I've just about met my previous record of not-posting. Oh dear. I must work on that.

However, now it feels like there is just SO much to write about, that I get overwhelmed.

Let's just pick one topic. How about school? Boring subject, I know, but it's kinda a big part of my life right now. Okay, never mind--I'll do one sentence about school and then write about something else.

This year I am taking 7 college credits (Nutrition, College Algebra, and a Child Development class that's already over) through PSEO, as well two high-school classes (twentieth century jistory and literture) with some awesome girls.

There. Okay, now you're a little caught up on school stuff. And now for other things.

How about muffins? I love muffins. And I'm sort of addicted to making them. Be they pumpkin, banana, or blueberry&oat, muffins are delish.

This is BO-ring. Soooo...maybe this is why I stopped posting? Hmm... Oh well.

I'll write more later (hopefully). I have a precious Morning and Evening to share with you all, so that will most likely be my next post.

And now, you have read the lamest post in history. Sorry. And on that note, adios! :)

Anne of Green Gables, new poll, new design :)

2010-07-13T11:14:00.001-07:00

Hey, y'all!

I just got back from our family reunion/vacation. It was great fun. While I was there I read Anne of Green Gables and started Anne of Avonlea, as well as some other books. But this post is about the "Anne" series, by L. M. Montgomery.

Anne Shirley is the heroine of this set of eight books. She is an orphan girl of eleven when she is adopted by the kindhearted and lonely Matthew and his sister Marilla. Anne is a helpless romantic and uses her imagination at all hours of the day. She is dreadfully conflicted by her red hair, which seems to be the only thing that she cannot imagine away. As she finds true friendship in the neighbor girl, Diana, she also warms the heart of crusty Marilla, and brings joy and life to dear Matthew. I have only read the first one and a half books, but I can already tell you--they are books to be treasured. The characters in Anne of Green Gables are all so well-rounded and funny--you will love them all immediately. Except perhaps the dreadful Josie Pye. :) Anyway, I highly, highly, highly recommend these books. You will fall in love with the red-headed Miss Shirley and the wonderful town of Avonlea.

Okay, on to the next matter of business :) If you have already discovered this gem of literature, please vote in my new poll! Also, let me know who you picked. If you've seen the movie/s, you can vote, too! The first book is very, very similar to the first movie :)

And lastly, as you can see, I'm toying with the design of my blog again. We'll see what it actually ends up being :)

Well, I have to leave for orientation in a few minutes, so I have to go.

~Katie

New Blog: Orange Marmalade :)

2010-07-05T12:56:00.001-07:00

Well I have sufficiently neglected my blog, I think. This seems to be quite the cycle, does it not? Oh well. I can only do what I can do. And today I'm going to give you a real treat :)

A wonderful friend of mine, mother of two of my dearest friends, has started a scrumptious blog that I would like to share with all of you. It's called "Orange Marmalade" and it's goal is: "spreading the word on delightful children's literature". Sounds awesome, huh? You can visit the blog at: www.jillsbooks.wordpress.com.

Mrs. Swanson (the blog author) led my book group this past year. Thanks to her, I have found some of my very favorite novels, including "Jane Eyre" and "A Tale of Two Cities" and "The Three Musketeers". Her love of literature is irresistibly contagious--I can't even tell you how much I have grown in my own love of written works in large measure due to her enthusiasm and discussions that we've had. She is also a lover of our Lord, and an amazing person, mother, and friend. :)

One of her posts on "Orange Marmalade" has inspired me to find and read "Winnie-the-Pooh" by A. A. Milne. It is such a hoot!

So, I encourage you to join me in enjoying some delightful "Orange Marmalade". You won't regret it! :)

Love Song for a Savior

2010-05-11T13:10:00.000-07:00

My family has just started a "Secular Music Fast" where we only listen to worship music for a while. I think it's a great idea, even though it's hard. :) Actually, the fact that it's hard confirms all the more that I probably need it. Anyway, I was looking through a bunch of my CDs, and I came across one by Jars of Clay--I think it was my brother's, because he loves that band. Anyway, the third track on the CD is this:

"Love Song for a Savior"

In open fields of wild flowers,
she breathes the air and flies away
She thanks her Jesus for the daises and the roses
in no simple language
Someday she'll understand
the meaning of it all
He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heavens
As close a heartbeat or a song on her lips
Someday she'll trust Him and learn how to see Him
Someday He'll call her and she will come running
and fall in His arms and the tears will fall down and she'll pray,

"I want to fall in love with You"

Sitting silent wearing Sunday best
The sermon echoes through the walls
A great salvation through it calls to the people
who stare into nowhere, and can't feel the chains on their souls
He's more than the laughter or the stars in the heavens
As close a heartbeat or a song on our lips
Someday we'll trust Him and learn how to see Him
Someday He'll call us and we will come running
and fall in His arms and the tears will fall down and we'll pray,

"I want to fall in love with You"

It seems too easy to call you "Savior",
Not close enough to call you "God"So as I sit and think of words I can mention
to show my devotion
"I want to fall in love with You"
"my heart beats for You"

Given the "theme" of this blog, I thought it was a fitting song to post. :) Hope it gave a little sunshine to your day!

p.s. I think the lyrics are correct, but I found them online, so you never really know. :)

Drawing Closer to God

2010-05-04T06:30:00.000-07:00

Lately I've really felt the need to draw closer to God. I'm not sure why, but I've just felt a distance between myself and my Heavenly Father. I know that nothing can snatch me out of His hands, and that He's always right there beside me (Owl City's "Meteor Shower" :). I think every Christian goes through drier times--or rather, what feels like drier times--but we do not need to fret! God will not let us wander away, because we are His precious children! Anyway, I really feel like He's drawing me closer in many ways, and also showing me how to draw closer to Him. Here, I'll explain a little bit.

My family and I started going to a new church a couple months ago. The Lord has used this change for so much good!!! Every week I come home refreshed from a time of fellowship with the body of Christ, a great time in the Word with all of our pastor's sermons, Gospel-focused worship, and wonderfully intense, sometimes interactive, times of prayer. Suffice it to say, the Lord has provided a place that my family feels "at home" and that we love! So, that's one way in which I feel Him drawing me closer.

Then, this morning, as I was reading Morning and Evening and my chapter of Hebrews, I came across these little jewels:

"The dearest idol I have known,
Whate'er that idol be;
Help me to tear it from thy throne,
And worship only thee." ~"Morning and Evening" by Charles Spurgeon, May 4

and here is a section of Hebrews chapter 4 that really touched me:

15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

I'll sum up with a short little prayer that all this lead me to pray this morning (hopefully this doesn't make anyone feel awkward, or like this is a lame blog :) :

Father, please strip all idols (I have so many!) away from me, even though it will hurt. I want you to be the only One on my throne--you're the only one deserving of that place! Thank you SO MUCH that Jesus came to die for me, and while he lived on earth, He was tempted in every way but yet did not give in to sin! Thank you that He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. How incredible to have a Savior who understands the feelings of the ones He is saving! Thank you, also, for allowing us--horrid sinners, yet by your Son we have become righteous--to draw near your throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need!!!!! What an awesome promise you've given us!

Anyway, I often times just pray the scripture I'm reading, whether by turning it into a plea or into a praise or into a prayer of thanksgiving....I think this one might have all three :)

So, be encouraged today, friends, that our Savior knows how we are feeling, and that God can and will strip away all of our idols, so that we might indeed draw nearer to Him.

"Prone to wander, Lord I feel it!
Prone to leave the God I love!
Here's my heart, O take and seal it,
Seal it for thy courts above."

Jesus! What a Friend for Sinners

2010-03-10T16:24:00.001-08:00

This song ministered to our whole family on Sunday morning, which was even before my Grandpa passed away.

Jesus! what a Friend for sinners!
Jesus! Lover of my soul;
Friends may fail me, foes assail me,
He, my Savior, makes me whole.

Refrain:

Hallelujah! what a Savior!
Hallelujah! what a Friend!
Saving, helping, keeping, loving,
He is with me to the end.

Jesus! what a Strength in weakness!
Let me hide myself in Him.
Tempted, tried, and sometimes failing,
He, my Strength, my victory wins.

Refrain

Jesus! what a Help in sorrow!
While the billows over me roll,
Even when my heart is breaking,
He, my Comfort, helps my soul.

Refrain

Jesus! what a Guide and Keeper!
While the tempest still is high,
Storms about me, night overtakes me,
He, my Pilot, hears my cry.

Refrain

Jesus! I do now receive Him,
More than all in Him I find.
He hath granted me forgiveness,
I am His, and He is mine.

I was crying as I sang this Sunday morning. What a fitting, beautiful hymn! I hope that our Savior is wooing you to Himself--He sure is doing that for me more and more every day. Sometimes it seems like my faith/love for Him fluctuates, but in reality, He is "my Guide and Keeper". He is the one who granted me love for Him in the first place. He's never going to let me go. He is continually faithful. How I love Him!

p.s. If you haven't noticed, I love my Savior A LOT.

Monday: The start of a week and the end of a life

2010-03-08T15:31:00.000-08:00

Yes, a life very dear to me. My grandpa passed away this afternoon. The Lord was gracious, in that it was a very peaceful death. My mom was able to be there with her father--she left yesterday afternoon after hearing Saturday night that he was in pretty critical condition. We had been busy making a cd of stories that we read into my dad's recording microphone and writing cards to send down with my dad when he flew there today. I don't know if my grandpa got a chance to see them or not--I doubt it. This made me so sad, because I felt like I didn't have a chance to tell him I loved him and to say goodbye. I spent a good part of the afternoon crying, as did my younger siblings left with me while my parents are gone. As I was explaining this part of my sadness, my brother Keith said--"Well, now he knows that we made him the cd, and he's probably listening to it right now!" It's true--my grandpa was wholly trusting in Jesus Christ for salvation. We have full assurance of his whereabouts at the moment--he is home with his loving Father and Savior, perhaps listening to some stories and reading some cards from his grandchildren.

Maybe I will post more details later, when I have them. At the moment, I've only talked to my mom for less than two minutes, and so I know very little more than I've already written.

We're going to be spending the evening and night with my sister and her family, so that will be nice and comforting.

Prayers for all of us children at home, as well as for my other siblings, grandma, aunts, uncles, cousins, and mom and dad would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

misc.

2010-02-22T06:09:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone! I don't have any excuses other than "school" for why I haven't posted in so long, so I'll just say I'm sorry :)

Anyway, in my devotions this morning I read this selection from Morning and Evening:

"His bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob."
-- Genesis 49:24

"That strength which God gives to his Josephs is real strength; it isnot a boasted valour, a fiction, a thing of which men talk, but whichends in smoke; it is true-divine strength. Why does Joseph standagainst temptation? Because God gives him aid. There is nought that wecan do without the power of God. All true strength comes from "themighty God of Jacob." Notice in what a blessedly familiar way God givesthis strength to Joseph-"The arms of his hands were made strong by thehands of the mighty God of Jacob." Thus God is represented as puttinghis hands on Joseph's hands, placing his arms on Joseph's arms. Like asa father teaches his children, so the Lord teaches them that fear him.He puts his arms upon them. Marvellous condescension! God Almighty,Eternal, Omnipotent, stoops from his throne and lays his hand upon thechild's hand, stretching his arm upon the arm of Joseph, that he may bemade strong! This strength was also covenant strength, for it isascribed to "the mighty God of Jacob." Now, wherever you read of theGod of Jacob in the Bible, you should remember the covenant with Jacob.Christians love to think of God's covenant. All the power, all thegrace, all the blessings, all the mercies, all the comforts, all thethings we have, flow to us from the well-head, through the covenant. Ifthere were no covenant, then we should fail indeed; for all grace proceeds from it, as light and heat from the sun. No angels ascend or descend, save upon that ladder which Jacob saw, at the top of which stood a covenant God. Christian, it may be that the archers have sorely grieved you, and shot at you, and wounded you, but still your bow abides in strength; be sure, then, to ascribe all the glory to Jacob's God. "

Oops, some of the words are smooshed together. Sorry about that! Hopefully you can still make it out, because it is powerful and encouraging! I don't know about you, but I frequently feel my lack of strength spiritually. Not that I question my salvation, but sometimes I just don't feel strong in my faith. Like the ever-so-popular children's (and adult's) worship song, Jesus Loves Me says: "They (we) are weak but he is strong!" (now just picture a room full of 4-5 year olds singing that with only a handful of adults in the room, with heavy emphasis on the "strong". That's what I get to see almost every Sunday:) Anyway, to picture the Lord laying his arms and hands on mine and restoring my strength is a thing of great beauty to my soul. I'm falling deeper in love, people!

Okay, I have two more awesome tidbits to share with you. I received an ESV Study Bible for Christmas this year! And I've been using it nearly everyday (I'm trying to read through the New Testament this year). Just this morning, however, I decided to register my "online code" in order to view my Bible online. IT IS SO COOL! You are able to add notes, listen to a person read it (enthusiastically, I might add!), read the notes from the Study Bible, go directly to a linked verse, see a verse just by hovering over the bold type, and more! If you have a Study Bible, but, like me, you never registered your code, DO IT! You won't regret it. And if you don't have a Study Bible, I highly recommend one! It has been very helpful to me in understanding what was really going on in Bible times, and it has also helped me with theological questions that I've had.

Now for my last item: Faith Like Potatoes. I watched this movie with our small group on Friday night and it blew me away! It is a Christian film that is both encouraging and faith-building. There is one part in the movie that I had to close my eyes, and for families with younger kids, I would recommend fast-forwarding through, since it is a scene that involves an extremely traumatic circumstance. However, it really added a whole other dimension to the movie, and although it was hard to watch/hear, it was good for me. I hope to do a more full review on this movie later, but for now I'll leave it at that and add it to the "Favorite Movies" section of my profile ;)

Off to start my day!

Extraordinary disappointment...

2010-01-22T20:17:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm sick.

Yesterday, I was supposed to go to one of my best friend's house for a double sleepover and the long anticipated (by us) premiere of the movie Extraordinary Measures. But, I woke up feeling cranky and tired and terrible. And I knew that would be a rotten way to spend a double sleepover. Plus, I would hate to give my friend or any of her many little brothers and sisters my sickness.

So, I cried as my mom called her mom to say that I wouldn't be able to come. I was nearly heartbroken. I just couldn't understand why God would have me get sick at the exact time that I wanted nothing more than to hang out with my dear, dear friend. Why, after we had both been praying that nothing would go wrong, did He see fit for me to come down violently with a virus?

All I could do was think about the verses in the Bible that talk about God's love and Providence. I believe that God is Sovereign over everything. Everything? Even sickness? Even death? Even movie premieres and double sleepovers and teenage girls? Yes. EVERYTHING.

The following verse gave me comfort:

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

The truth is, I still don't know why it was good and better for me to have gotten sick than to have gone to my friend's house. But I do know that it WAS what was GOOD and BEST. Because I am a child of God, and He works all things together for the good--the further sanctification--of His children. Even if it's hard or difficult. What an incredible thing! What an incredible promise! Who is like our God? NO ONE! He is the best, most loving Father that will do what is best for His children, no matter what.

So anyway. Please join me in loving Him more and more every day!

Here is one way that He has blessed me during this awful virus:

Has anyone heard of Watch It Now on Netflix? Well, it's something where you are able to watch select movies and T.V. shows on your computer right from their website. Anyway, as I was looking for something to watch, I stumbled upon a FANTASTIC version of Jane Eyre. It was a 1983 version starring Zelah Clarke and Timothy Dalton as Jane and Mr. Rochester, respectively. They were phenomenal! I was enchanted for nearly 5 hours!

Also, I am in the midst of reading Sense and Sensibility, as I've stated before, so I've decided to put up a poll. Who is your favorite male lead in this novel? I plan to do more polls like this in the future, and I thought this would be a fun one to start out. Please vote for your favorite and then leave a comment with who you voted for and why!

Okay, I should get to bed...just one more thing. I wanted to let y'all know that I actually and genuinely enjoyed myself at Driver's Ed! My teacher is very fun and nice (he actually remembered my older sister and said that I look just like her!). There are a couple kids that I know that are in the class, one being a girl that I knew a while back but had fallen out of touch with. She's super nice and I went up to her and asked to sit by her. So now, I'm not stressed in the least. Praise the Lord!

p.s. I apologize for any grammatically incorrect sentences or misspellings--I'm exhausted and sick at the moment ;)

The time has come

2010-01-20T04:45:00.000-08:00

(How's that for a better title?)

Well, here I am, at 6:47 in the morning, showered and dressed. What's that? Why am I awake right now instead of sleeping in my soft, warm bed? The answer is simple. Driver's ed.

Yes, starting at 8 o'clock this morning, I will begin learning all of the facts necessary for driving. I'm taking a class that is on Wednesday mornings for 15 weeks. I am insanely nervous.

Not really, it's just fun to say. I am a little nervous, but who wouldn't be?

So anyway, I hope I survive this class so I can come home and tell you all about it. :) I'll try to post later today, if not later this week.

p.s. any prayers would be appreciated ;)

Owl City

2010-01-14T17:07:00.000-08:00

Okay, all of my post titles are really lame. No ingenuity whatsoever. I'll have to work on that. Anyway...

Has anyone heard of Owl City/Adam Young? He's a guy from a just an hour south of where I live. As the story goes, he started making music on the computer in his parents' basement in the middle of the night as a result of insomnia. Some of my friends really liked him and so I thought I'd look him up. I really liked what I heard, and Amazon was selling his new cd (a download, like iTunes for people like me that don't have real iPods) for $6, so I bought it. I LOVE IT! The songs are super sweet and happy. You have to come over so I can play them for you. Well, I guess you might not like it unless you are like me and don't mind a little cheesiness for the sake of utter sweetness and cuteness! I listen to it while I do Algebra 2 and my lit. study guides. The songs make me so happy. Even my mom likes him!

And on top of all of that awesomeness...he's a Christian! I don't have a twitter account, but I saw on his website a tweet that was talking about glorifying Christ Jesus. Actually, he's been to my church and he really likes my pastor. Well, our church is split into three campuses, so he's been to the southern-most one, but it still counts, right? :)

So, now I'm jealous of my friends who first told me about him because they are going to one of his concerts in May. How cool is that?!?!

Anyway, you should listen to him and let me know what you think! And if you've already been exposed to this happiness, tell me your favorite songs. My favorite by far is Vanilla Twilight. So. Stinkin'. Sweet.

Sense and Sensibility

2010-01-10T18:26:00.000-08:00

Well, so far for my book group I've read: Wuthering Heights, The Three Musketeers, and Frankenstein and now it's on to Sense and Sensibility. I'm very happy about this selection, as you may have guessed :). I love both movie versions that I've seen and I've started the book more than once but I have never finished it. Part of what I love about having a book group is that you have to finish. And it's fun, too! Trying to figure out what other people will think, mentally "bookmarking" an especially touching moment so that you can share it with a group, and, well, just talking about any book makes it so much better and more in depth. Speaking of which, I have yet to read more than half of this week's assignment, so I'd better get off of Blogger and get into the world of the Dashwood sisters, Colonel Brandon, Willoughby, and Edward Ferrars. Farewell!

Amy has a blog!

2010-01-09T15:00:00.000-08:00

My sister Amy now has a blog, at www.hehassavedme.blogspot.com. The name of her blog is "Coming to Jesus". She's only 9, so I don't expect her posts to be very regular, but they are so sweet when they come that I thought it might be worth it for you to become a follower. :)

I'm so sorry...

2010-01-09T14:49:00.000-08:00

...that I haven't posted in so long!!! The holidays etc. had totally taken over my life, but now that we are starting school again (well, we will on Monday) I'm hoping to take over the reigns again. Hopefully this will mean that my New Year's resolutions will be able to actually happen. Here they are:

1. Personal daily devotions in the morning (I am reading through the New Testament at night, but I think it would be best to start my day in the Word. I'm also hoping to start journaling more.)
2. Blogging more often (at least 2-3 times per week, hopefully even more)
3. Exercise and drink lots of water! (Ideally, I'd like to exercise every school day, but I'd be happy if I did Mon-Wed-Fri faithfully!)

Well, I'm hoping to post more about each holiday soon, (and maybe even with pictures!) but I don't have the time right now. I'll just say that my family had a wonderful, peaceful holiday season, remembering Jesus throughout the precious time :)

Come, Ye Sinners

2009-11-17T14:33:00.000-08:00

This is one of my all-time favorite hymns. I love Fernando Ortega's rendition with Amy Grant. It's beautiful. Here it is:

Come, ye sinners, poor and needy,
Weak and wounded, sick and sore;
Jesus ready stands to save you,
Full of pity, love and power.

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

Come, ye thirsty, come, and welcome,
God's free bounty glorify;
True belief and true repentance,
Every grace that brings you nigh.

Come, ye weary, heavy-laden,
Lost and ruined by the fall;
If you tarry till you're better,
You will never come at all.

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

View Him prostrate in the garden;
On the ground your Maker lies.
On the bloody tree behold Him;
Sinner, will this not suffice?

Lo! The incarnate God ascended,
Pleads the merit of His blood:
Venture on Him, venture wholly,
Let no other trust intrude.

I will arise and go to Jesus,
He will embrace me in His arms;
In the arms of my dear Savior,
In the arms of my dear Savior,
In the arms of my dear Savior,
O there are ten thousand charms.

However, they left out one of my favorite verses:

Let not conscience make you linger,
Nor of fitness fondly dream;
All the fitness He requireth
Is to feel your need of Him.

How amazing is that? All we need to do is to know that we need Him. And, He is the one that gives us the grace to realize that! He does everything! I love believing in a Sovereign God and Saviour. :)

Silly siblings

2009-11-04T20:47:00.000-08:00

This evening, my brother and sisters were helping me prepare the craft for my 2-year-old nursery class that I teach every other Friday. The theme this week is "Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?" and so we were tracing and cutting out little bears, little shirts, and little pants. Well, I messed up the eyes of one of the bears, but instead of tossing it, Keith and Erin decided to have some fun with it. Here's the sad result:

The bear on the left is the poor bear with the makeover, while the one on the right is what it should look like when my little nursery children finish their craft. Sunglasses, armpit hair, what was supposed to be a mohawk, eyebrows, and a barely visible belly button are the lovely additions that Erin and Keith came up with. In fact, worst of all of those, is one you can't see. A tiny "B" under the left armpit, and a tiny "O" under the right armpit. Nasty. They named him "Bob, the BO Bear. Yuck. And yes, they were nearly dying of laughter.

Alliteration

2009-11-02T16:38:00.000-08:00

Keith, Amy, Erin, and I came up with this lovely alliteration this evening. Can you think of anything to add?

Because a big beautiful, blue, butterfly* bit me on the butt, my bitten bottom's big, bruised, blistered, and burns bad when I sit on the beach watching belugas blow and bouyant, burly, boats battle on the bays of Brazil.

Can you guess the letter we repeated? Try reading it out loud. It sounds funnier. :)

*Yeah, not sure the last time a butterfly bit someone's behind, but it made for a sillier sentence. See, it's addictive! I can't stop!

We're going to Seattle!

2009-10-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you are friends with my mom on Facebook, you already know this, but for those of you who don't, here you go :)

MESSENGERS is currently in production of "Light and its Effect on the Beast: Scenes from the Gospel of John". My brother, sister, and dad are all on stage! They do a wonderful job, by God's grace.

So, this year, they are taking the show to Seattle, where they will perform in two churches, and then to Thunder Bay Canada, where they will perform once. After a show closer to home, they will head out again to Fargo, North Dakota. Isn't that exciting? I will be going with them to Seattle, but will be staying home (I think) for the trips to Thunder Bay and Fargo.

We leave for Seattle tomorrow afternoon, and then they'll be going to Canada the next week. Would you please pray for us? Pray for the love of Christ to be evident among the Messengers group, so that we can minister to those we are going to meet. Also, pray that the trip would go smoothly (at least 5 people are traveling in a van all the way there--they left this morning--and the rest of us are flying) without any vehicle breakdowns or delays. Pray for the performances, that the cast would feel comfortable on the different stages, so that they will be able to worship. And for the audiences, that the Lord will gather in His lost sheep, using Messengers as a tool.

Thank you!

Labels!

2009-10-04T15:34:00.001-07:00

I added labels to all of my blog posts, for your reading convenience. What do you think? Now you can peruse* my blog in a different way!

*the word peruse was used frequently in Wuthering Heights, so now I want to use it all the time. :)

Happy Belated Birthday, Boo!

2009-10-04T15:15:00.000-07:00

Okay, so her name isn't really Boo, it's Amy, but Boo is her nickname and I felt like an alliteration. Anyway, the baby of our family is now 9 years old!!! And in 4th grade! What a big girl she is!

I love this little girl so much. At the moment, she doesn't feel well. She came down with some sort of bug that was cycling through our house. Actually, she got a fever on her birthday, the 30th! But, she is still cheerful.

She is the best pretender of our whole family. Ever since she was 2 she has been able to play, whether she had someone with her or not. She finds things to play that don't require any toys, just imagination. When she started kindergarten, she was only 4. She wanted to do school with all the big kids, but she really wasn't very ready right at that point, because instead of doing her seat work, she would go to the bathroom at 9:00 and not return until lunch, when we called her. Of course, she wasn't in the bathroom all that time, she was playing!

She also loves to sing, and has a very pretty voice. She loves purses, wallets, jewelry and such, but loses them frequently. (I think she's gotten a lot better with this, though.)

She has also always been a pretty big mess-maker. Always. When you walked in the room, you knew that Amy had been there if it looked like a tornado had blown through that part of the house, even when she was still in diapers.

She is also very bright. She will think about things until she figures them out. She is an excellent reader and is also a very talented artist.

But most important, she loves Jesus. A couple years ago she made up songs about Jesus and typed them up, printed them out, and hung them up. She sings worship songs at church, in her room, while she's doing chores, etc. And she has a very tender heart.

I love you, Boo Baby, SOOOO much!

~Kaykay

Wuthering Heights

2009-10-03T17:19:00.001-07:00

I finished Wuthering Heights today! I loved it! It is pretty tragic, but there is a big bright spot at the end that makes it AAAALLLL worth while :). If any of you have read it, please comment! And tell me your favorite parts and characters! My favorite characters are Hareton (1st place) and the young Cathy (2nd place).

Back-to-school= Fun, Tests, and Worrying (that last one isn't Godly, I know)

2009-09-29T05:58:00.000-07:00

I realized that I haven't written a post about being back in school, so now here it is.

I'm a sophomore in high-school.

I wake up at 7:30 every day except Saturday. Sometimes on Sunday it's 7:00.

I am in a book group this year, and I love it. We have read Rip van Winkle, and are currently on our last week of Wuthering Heights (I finished it yesterday! Fabulous book. Loved the ending.). Our next book is The Three Musketeers. We meet every Monday from 1-3 to discuss what we've read. It is so fun to hear everyone else's opinions!

At home, I'm taking: Algebra 2, Anatomy/Physiology, American History, Spanish, and maybe Civics (if we can get that started up in the near future).

Last Friday, I took the PLAN test. It was hard work. The math and science tests were extremely difficult for me. I could feel my brain constricting. The clock was ticking and I knew that I could get the right answer, but I didn't have enough time. Because I was rushed through the last two pages of the math test, I would read the problem. Re-read. Re-re-read it. And it wouldn't go in. I had to guess. On at least five of them. Even though I knew how to solve those kinds of problems!!! It was so frustrating. The science test wasn't nearly as bad, but the very end was similar, unfortunately. English and reading were totally fine, at least I think. The test results could always show differently :P.

Oh well. My dad said that I can re-take it if I'm not happy with the score I receive.

Next year, (my Junior year) I will (Lord-willing) apply for PSEO at a nearby Christian university. My score on this test affects whether that will happen or not. We'll see. It's all in God's hands. What will worrying do? Nothing.

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?"~Luke 12:25

That helps.

An extremely encouraging word from Spurgeon:

2009-09-23T06:04:00.000-07:00

MORNING:

"Accepted in the beloved."
-- Ephesians 1:6

What a state of privilege! It includes our justification before God,but the term "acceptance" in the Greek means more than that. It signifies that we are the objects of divine complacence, nay, even of divine delight. How marvellous that we, worms, mortals, sinners, shouldbe the objects of divine love! But it is only "in the beloved." Some Christians seem to be accepted in their own experience, at least, that is their apprehension. When their spirit is lively, and their hopes bright, they think God accepts them, for they feel so high, so heavenly-minded, so drawn above the earth! But when their souls cleave to the dust, they are the victims of the fear that they are no longer accepted. If they could but see that all their high joys do not exalt them, and all their low despondencies do not really depress them in their Father's sight, but that they stand accepted in One who never alters, in One who is always the beloved of God, always perfect, always without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, how much happier they would be, and how much more they would honour the Saviour! Rejoice then, believer, in this: thou art accepted "in the beloved." Thou lookest within, and thou sayest, "There is nothing acceptable here!" But look at Christ, and see if there is not everything acceptable there. Thy sins trouble thee; but God has cast thy sins behind his back, and thou art accepted in the Righteous One. Thou hast to fight with corruption, and to wrestle with temptation, but thou art already accepted in him who has overcome the powers of evil. The devil tempts thee; be of good cheer, he cannot destroy thee, for thou art accepted in him who has broken Satan's head. Know by full assurance thy glorious standing. Even glorified souls are not more accepted than thou art. They are only accepted in heaven "in the beloved," and thou art even now accepted in Christ after the same manner.

Down the drain...

2009-09-21T18:37:00.000-07:00

Two quarts of homemade ice cream went down the drain this evening. Literally. We had an episode similar (but by no means nearly as severe) to this one. That same pipe leaked or something and the water went through the upstairs flooring and dripped into our kitchen, where our semi-new electric ice cream maker was churning us a batch of vanilla ice cream. And so, that undesired added ingredient (water that has dripped through a floor/ceiling and as a result is murky-brownish in color) caused me to have to wash it down the drain. :( It's enough to provoke one to tears. Well, close to tears, at least. No, I didn't cry, but if I had been in the right mood, I definitely could have mustered up some tears. That's how important ice cream is in our house. :P

My 50th post!!!!

2009-09-19T13:16:00.000-07:00

Yay! My blog has made it to the big "'5' 'O'" I don't know if that makes sense when it's typed out. Oh well. Anyway, Preschool Sunday School starts up tomorrow, so that's really exciting. I'm going to be a small group leader again. The only sad thing about it is that I will really miss all the kids that were in my group last year. I grew to be very attached to them all. Now they're all big and grown up in Kindergarten!

Oh, and a few days ago I got a CD from the library. Very awesome. "The Best of Rocky". I love it! I think that I'm going to make "Eye of the Tiger" or "Burning Heart" my ring tone if I can persuade my techno-savvy bro-in-law to help me upload it. Wouldn't that be cool?

It seems like there was one other thing...hmmm...Oh yes! I'm reading Wuthering Heights right now. Despite it's somewhat "dark" atmosphere, if you will, it is very well written and intriguing. Has anyone else read this?

ROTK, pizza, ice cream, and family.

2009-09-19T13:12:00.000-07:00

Yep. That's what my evening looks like. Pretty sweet. I'm excited. My mom and sisters are in Ohio, so it's just my dad, Keith, and me. So, we are going to watch Return of the King, eat homemade pan pizza, and eat homemade ice cream. I guess you already gathered that from the title. Sorry for being redundant. I'm tired.

Would you pray?

2009-09-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

I have to be getting to bed, but I just wanted to ask you all to pray for a Native American outreach conference that my church is putting on. I'm part of the prayer team, so I just thought that I would ask you to pray. Pray for the speakers, that they would have clarity of thought and that they would remain in good health. Pray for the people attending the conference, that the Lord would stoke a fire in them to reach the Native American people. And pray that this verse would be true for all of the Native American peoples:

Revelation 5:9 "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,'"

Thanks so much. The Lord is working mightily. Goodnight!

New title

2009-09-06T14:42:00.001-07:00

I decided to change the title of my blog from "the world of katie michelle" to "In love with Jesus". I may fool around with the wording, but that's the gist of what I want to say. What do you think? Maybe you need some background information. Here. I'll explain...

As most of you know, I'm really excited to/really want to get married, have kids, homeschool them, and be a homemaker. Several months ago, I was feeling discontent with my life as it was (school, teenagers, etc.) which is funny because I actually really enjoy school. I just wanted something else. To be grown-up and married.

As I was only 14 then, it was pretty ridiculous in the world's eyes, and in my own. I knew that marriage was something many years away, so why was I discontent with my wonderful life? A life that so many other teenagers probably wish they had?

Then, one Sunday at church, we sang the song, "We Will Dance". It's about Heaven and the marriage of Christ and His bride, the Church. Right then I knew that I could be satisfied with the life of a 14-year-old girl. I no longer felt that I would be discontent until I was married, because I am--right now--the bride of Christ! I began to focus on how much He loves me and how He came and died for me--filthy sinful wretch that I am--and how He chose me. I don't know why. I certainly don't deserve His incredible, devoted love. But He loves me. He chose me. I'm His bride. O the bliss of this glorious thought (to borrow the words of Horatio G. Spafford :)! He took my eyes off of myself and fixed them onto Him. And, He allowed me to have my "brideom" (I had no other idea how to say that :p).

This is going to sound a little silly, but bear with me here. Okay. While we were singing that song (We Will Dance) I started to picture the hag/witch from the Disney "Sleeping Beauty". Yep, the one with the warts and the fingernails and the apple. Can you guess who that was in my mind? Me. And then, I saw Jesus--of course, He was the handsome prince. He then turned me (the witch lady) into His "strong, pure, spotless bride!"

So yes, that is kind of silly, but I think that it is a pretty good allegory--at least the Lord has allowed it to be for me. As a teenage girl, I have to fight the sin of vanity--always wanting to look good and have people's approval. But to God, without Christ's righteousness, I am infinitely more unbearable and unsightly than that witch from Sleeping Beauty. So why did He send His Son, Jesus, to die for me in order for me to be his bride? For His glory. But why wasn't His Son repulsed at the sight of me? How could He love me? I have yet to solve those mysteries.

Anyway, I think that it is helpful for me to picture myself as an ugly, shriveled up, wicked woman. That's what I am. But Christ's blood paid my ransom and set me free. Now, I have His righteousness before the throne of His father (Now also MY Father...another whole post!). And...

I will not fear Your (God's) judgment
For me no wrath I dread
For it was spent on Jesus (my bridegroom!)
Poured out upon His head
When Satan’s accusations
Make my poor heart afraid
I hear my King declaring
“Father, that debt is paid!”
~Jesus My Only Hope

WOOHOO! I get goosebumps whenever I sing that last line--I picture Jesus with His arm around my shoulders, declaring my freedom. :)

There are so many hymns and songs going through my head right now that always cause me to see a similar scene by reminding me of the Gospel. I just love Him so much. I am His. Forever.

Okay. Now I've had my gush. :)

p.s. What are some of your favorite "Gospel" songs?

Happy Birthday, Scotty!

2009-09-02T10:33:00.000-07:00

[Music playing] "1-2-3-4! Happy happy birthday, from all of us to you! We wish it was our birthday, so we could party too! Hey! Happy happy birthday, hope all your dreams come true! We wish it was our birthday, so we could party too!" ~The Emperor's New Groove.

Anyway, have a very happy birthday Scott! You're getting so old! Well, not really, but you have a wife and a house and have graduated and everything...you are just pretty far in life for so young a guy. Congratulations!

I love you and really, really hope to see you soon! I have SO MUCH FUN when we're together. You make me laugh so hard. :D Thank you for being such a great role model for me. You have taught me a lot. Like being a hard worker, serving others, and loving the Lord. I love you big bro!

<3,
kate

Up

2009-08-27T12:46:00.000-07:00

Today we went and saw "Up" at the Riverview Theater (matinee tickets are only $2!). It was really good. Both funny and sweet, it made me laugh and brought tears to my eyes. I really loved the first part that showed Mr. Fredrickson's (sp?) relationship with his wife. *Possible spoiler* I love it when he kisses her picture. So sweet!

Well, I have a bad cold, so I should get some rest.

Bye.

Mad-Libs and Wacky Web Tales

2009-08-26T21:54:00.001-07:00

Ever played Mad-Libs? Super fun. If you like them, check out this website to create them online. They are really funny. http://www.eduplace.com/tales/. Email me your funniest ones. Sure, it can be a waste of time. The best time to do it is when you are really, really tired at a sleepover. That's what I've done a couple of times, including tonight ;)Then it's not wasted, because you are having a blast laughing and trying not to let your bladder explode.*

Goodnight!

*We watched "What About Bob?" last night. :)

p.s. Sorry I haven't updated in nearly a month. I've been busy and every time I think about writing a post I can't think of anything to write.

Update: No, I'm not in third grade. I just looked at the site that I posted and saw that it looks like it is aimed toward little kids. Oh well. It's still fun. I know you all think I'm lame :P That's okay. I probably am ;)

Happy Birthday, Ben!

2009-08-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

Hey, this is turning into a birthday series...hmmmm. Anyway, I love you Ben and I'm so glad that Allie married you. Now we can always be friends--if you move away you'll be taking my sister and nephew with you and I'll have more than one excuse to come visit! ;) You have taught me about philosophy and government, watched movies with me, explained those movies to me, comforted me when I was hurt or didn't feel well, laughed at my jokes, laughed at my gullibility, and been a wonderful second big brother. Have a very blessed, happy, fun birthday!

Love,
Katiekat

Happy Birthday, Emily!

2009-07-30T20:18:00.000-07:00

My mom and I realized tonight that amongst all the busyness of the day, we had forgotten to call to wish you a very happy birthday! :( So, I decided to write a short post, hoping your day was filled with blessings. We all love you very much and are so glad that you are a part of our family! I had an extremely fun time with you and Scott over the 1st week of July. I can't wait to see you again!

Much, much, love,
Katie :) <3 :) <3

Why go to Caribou?

2009-07-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

We have recently found a new delicious, inexpensive, and easy way to use up leftover coffee--coolers! They are a perfect summer treat for anyone who doesn't want to waste perfectly good coffee. I just throw these ingredients together in a blender and blend until very small ice chunks remain:

(all measurements are VERY approximate. I don't measure anything, so just eyeball it and experiment until you find the amounts that you like the best)

1 c. leftover coffee (it doesn't really matter if it's fresh or old, hot or cold. With hot coffee, though, you will need plenty of ice to make it cold enough)
1-1/2 cups of ice
1/4-1/2 cup powdered milk
A splash of milk
1/2 t. vanilla
1/2 c. sugar

I will warn you that there will be a thick layer of foamy stuff on top and the really good coffee-y stuff on the bottom--both are good, but I never drink all the foam. If you want to, you can skim off some of the foam in order to make it more concentrated. Sometimes we add chocolate syrup to make a Mocha Cooler. Mmmmm...

Pictures of this delectable drink coming soon!

Funny little tidbit...

2009-07-24T10:07:00.000-07:00

My mom has been planning our 2009-2010 school year recently. One of the things that she is planning to teach the younger kids about is the Revolutionary War. So, as preparatory material, she checked out the entire "Liberty's Kids" series of T.V. episodes from the library. Has anyone ever watched that show? It's an animated show that aired on PBS (I think). Each episode covers a different important issue during the Revolutionary War. There are three kids that live with Benjamin Franklin and are really involved in everything going on. Anyway, I remember watching it several years ago, thinking that the teenage girl was beautiful, but never really understanding the plot of each episode. The kids had already watched a few episodes, and then yesterday I was reading the back of the box it came in and saw that there were actually a bunch of famous actors that guest-starred in the show! Actors such as Ben Stiller (as Thomas Jefferson), Billy Crystal (as John Adams), Whoopi Goldburg (sp?) (I don't remember who she played) and--here's who made me want to watch it--SYLVESTER STALLONE! (as Paul Revere)!!! So, I was like, "Can we watch the one with him in it? Please??" And so we did. It was HILARIOUS! Kind of. I mean, I was really used to him as Rocky--you know, his signature slightly slurred, heavily accented way of speaking that is so endearing. But as Paul Revere, the slur and accent were (mostly) gone. It was still him though. I mean, his voice is always really deep, and it still sounded like him. Anyway, it was fun. =)

Birthday week

2009-07-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

In my family, the week of the 4th of July is a birthday week. My birthday is on June 26, Erin's is July 1st, and Allie's is July 2nd. We were blessed to have Scott and Emily here for Erin's and Allie's (they were actually able to stay through the 6th!). Here are some pictures of my celebration. If Allie and Erin permit, there will hopefully be posts of pictures from their birthdays. ;)

My mom totally surprised me with this gift--it's a cookbook that my aunt helped to compile. I have grown up with a bunch of the recipes that it contains, and now I have a copy of my very own! It is called "Sassafras" and it is amazing. Every single recipe was tested 5 times and each time every taster had to give it 5 stars in order for it to get into the book. So, pretty much everything that you make out of it is awesome. I think she got it from Amazon.com. Go buy it! Also, notice my purple-with-white-polka-dots apron. Isn't it lovely? You can't tell from the picture, but the bottom is all frilly. :)

Mmmm...Frozen Mocha Cheesecake! It was SOOOO good! In fact, that recipe is from Sassafras. Doesn't it look delicious? Don't you want it right now? I do!

My dad was proud of the fact that he got this picture of me with my cheeks full of air and the candles 1/2 blown out.

The necklace that I'm wearing was amother present from my mom. I LOVE it!

Thank you, my dear family, for making my 15th birthday so special! I love you!

Allie, Ben, and Gideon are gone

2009-07-15T20:07:00.000-07:00

Today, Allie and Ben and Gideon moved into their own apartment. I am so incredibly happy for them and I LOVE their apartment, but it is definitely a bitter-sweet thing, you know? Here are the top 25 things that I'll miss about them living here (in no particular order), and yes, I'm planning on seeing them a lot, so I'll still have some of these, but it won't be as much.

1. Hearing Ben's laugh as I'm about to fall asleep
2.Gideon being downstairs sometimes when I come down in the morning
3. Gideon's smile
4. Getting Gideon to laugh by saying a random word that he likes over and over (such as the word "surprised")
5.Talking with Allie about getting married and married life and babies
6. Talking with Allie about what kind of person my husband will be and possible prospects.
7. Allie coming into my room to borrow something before I'm awake when she's getting ready for work
8. Borrowing and lending clothes from and to Allie
9. Hearing them come up our steps after I'm in bed
10. Hearing them go up their steps after they get ready for bed
11. Talking to Ben about philosophy late at night
12. Allie's teasing and calling me a dork
13. Ben's teasing and calling me a 'towelhead' when I wrap my head in a towel after a shower
14. Watching Rocky or School of Rock while eating Little Debby Snack Cakes
15. Eating dinner with the whole family and talking
16. Ben asking me not to set the alarm at night because he is going downstairs to make Mac&Cheese or Ravioli
17. Driving with Ben to the grocery store or to pick up fried rice
18. Having a big brother in the house
19. Having a big sister in the house
20. Talking about pimples, makeup, and clothes with Allie
21. Brushing my teeth at night while Ben waits and teases me.
22. Allie coming into my room in the morning right after I wake up and asking, with a mischievous smile, "what are you doing today?" hoping that we can do something together
23. Holding Gideon all the time and watching Allie try to eat while holding him
24. Allie commenting on pretty much everything that "it'll give you cancer"
25. Allie talking about how much she loves 1/2 price appetizers at Applebee's

There you have it. (And yes, I did just have a long, hard cry ;)

Morning and Evening--Evening of July 10

2009-07-10T21:10:00.001-07:00

What an amazing encouragement!

"And the evening and the morning were the first day." -- Genesis 1:5
The evening was "darkness" and the morning was "light," and yet the twotogether are called by the name that is given to the light alone! Thisis somewhat remarkable, but it has an exact analogy in spiritualexperience. In every believer there is darkness and light, and yet heis not to be named a sinner because there is sin in him, but he is tobe named a saint because he possesses some degree of holiness. Thiswill be a most comforting thought to those who are mourning theirinfirmities, and who ask, "Can I be a child of God while there is somuch darkness in me?" Yes; for you, like the day, take not your namefrom the evening, but from the morning; and you are spoken of in theword of God as if you were even now perfectly holy as you will be soon.You are called the child of light, though there is darkness in youstill. You are named after what is the predominating quality in thesight of God, which will one day be the only principle remaining.Observe that the evening comes first. Naturally we are darkness firstin order of time, and the gloom is often first in our mournfulapprehension, driving us to cry out in deep humiliation, "God bemerciful to me, a sinner." The place of the morning is second, it dawnswhen grace overcomes nature. It is a blessed aphorism of John Bunyan,"That which is last, lasts for ever." That which is first, yields indue season to the last; but nothing comes after the last. So thatthough you are naturally darkness, when once you become light in theLord, there is no evening to follow; "thy sun shall no more go down."The first day in this life is an evening and a morning; but the secondday, when we shall be with God, for ever, shall be a day with noevening, but one, sacred, high, eternal noon.

p.s. sorry that some of the words are stuck together! I hope you can still make it out--

Father's Day (a little late, I know)

2009-07-08T12:40:00.000-07:00

For Father's Day this year, Allie saw on a blog the idea to take pictures like these and put them in a three-picture frame. We took so many pictures, but here are the ones that we finally chose to put in the frame:

t was so fun and easy, and Daddy loved it! I think Allie bought the frame at Wal-Mart. Anyway, I always have a hard time coming up with a meaningful gift for my dad, and this is a really fun idea! I hope others try it. It was great.

Gideon--3 months old!

2009-07-06T16:33:00.000-07:00

Today is the day that Gideon turned 3 months old. He is gaining more control over his arms, hands and legs, and is turning into quite the chub. Here are some pictures (I think some of them were taken several weeks ago, though) to prove it:

Just like his daddy: he loves his hoodie!

Check out that double chin! This lil' Maurer loves baseball. See his outfit?

"Hello, ladies..." (actually, he's just about to get into a fuss, but I think it looks like he's flirtin' ;)

What a handsome boy!

Asleep in his bouncy seat.

A close up of his chub.

For more pictures, you can go to Allie and Ben's blog: http://www.teammaurer.blogspot.com/.

4th of July!

2009-07-04T09:54:00.000-07:00

Happy Independence Day!!! I thank God that we have this wonderful country, and pray that He would change the hearts of our leaders so that they glorify Him in all they do. God bless you!

Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening"

2009-06-29T20:07:00.000-07:00

For quite a while, my mom has recieved a daily email with the text of Charles Spurgeon's wonderful devotional, Morning and Evening. A couple weeks ago, I asked how I could recieve it. She sent me the link, and it has been such a blessing since I signed up!!! Tonight as I was ready to go to sleep, I read today's 'Evening' passage. It did not have a condemning theme, but I began to think about my sin and felt guilty and sad. Then, I remembered that my sister had commented on how encouraging yesterday's 'Morning' passage was. So, I decided to read that. It meant so much to me! It brought tears to my eyes. It was exactly what I needed. Please take the time to read it. God truly can use words written long ago to minister to our weary souls!!!

MORNING: June 28
"Looking unto Jesus." -- Hebrews 12:2
It is ever the Holy Spirit's work to turn our eyes away from self toJesus; but Satan's work is just the opposite of this, for he isconstantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. Heinsinuates, "Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; youdo not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end;you have not the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold ofJesus." All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never findcomfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns oureyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that"Christ is all in all." Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold ofChrist that saves thee-it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ thatsaves thee-it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that bethe instrument-it is Christ's blood and merits; therefore, look not somuch to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ;look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not tothy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shallnever find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or ourfeelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to thesoul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by "looking unto Jesus." Keep thine eye simply on him; let hisdeath, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to him; whenthou liest down at night look to him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fearscome between thee and Jesus; follow hard after him, and he will never fail thee.
"My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness:
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name."

Isn't that beautiful? I'm praying that the Lord will keep us looking at His Son and what He did for us, not at ourselves. In fact, my signature on my email is 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." What wonderful news!

New Phone and Texting!

2009-06-25T06:43:00.000-07:00

Over the past few days, I have been browsing the phones T-Mobile.com because we were recently up for phone upgrades. I really needed a new phone because I *blush* let my old phone run through the washer and so now the music player and camera don't work, and somehow it developed a large crack in the screen. So, it really was time for an upgrade. Last night, we went to the T-Mobile in Ridgedale Mall (Ben works there and helped us pick our phones and checked us out). And I got the cutest phone ever! Here's a picture, but it's actually cuter in person.

And it also slides to reveal a full Qwerty (no idea what that means) :p like this:

And it has a camera and a music player!

Now, for some VERY exciting news. I HAVE TEXTING! It's so fun to put that adorable tiny keyboard to work! My daddy was so sweet. He saw that this was the phone that I wanted, but I had to have unlimited texting until the rebate came back. He had already had the $5 a month texting, and I was planning on getting that, too. So, he just upgraded our plan so that the whole family has unlimited texting! Isn't he super nice? I love you, Daddy!

So, if you like texting, send me one! I'm also planning on sending pics of Gideon to friends and family :)

A Gideon post

2009-06-11T18:37:00.000-07:00

I will definitely post more pictures from Amsterdam, but Allie showed me these three pictures today, and I loved them so much, I had to post them. The last one is my favorite. Hope they make you smile.

Amsterdam!

2009-06-03T14:55:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how beautiful Amsterdam is! I will tell you all about it when I have more time, but right now, it is late, so I'll just post these three pictures. Enjoy!

This one's at the flower market (it is on, literally on one of the water canals!) Isn't it gorgeous?

This one seems to me to catch the look of the Amsterdam canals in all their glory. This is a little outdoor cafe where you can look out over one of the canals. This place is actually in the middle of the city, right by central station, but it looks more like the more rural areas.

There are many little bridges crossing the canals.

I will really try to post more pictures later, but now, I need to watch a Monk with my mom and go to bed. Goodnight!

p.s. sorry for any spelling errors. The spellcheck is meant for Dutch! So, pretty much every word was highlighted when I tried it. Oh well.

Can you believe his cuteness?!?!?!

2009-05-27T21:55:00.000-07:00

Allie took this picture with her phone right after he finished nursing. It is by far the cutest picture of him that we have so far. Too bad it's a little blurry. Oh well. It's still amazingly adorable!

More pictures of my sweet baby (okay, my sweet baby nephew) and exciting trip!

2009-05-26T08:50:00.002-07:00

Here are some adorable pictures of Gideon that my Dad took:

Me and my nephew:

Gideon James--what a big boy!!! (someone is holding him up.)

And now for some news. I am going to Amsterdam! My dad is going there on business and he asked me and my mom to go with him! We leave next Monday. I am so excited. Because my dad will be busy with work stuff, my mom and I are going to go sight-seeing, visit museums, and just hang out. We'll be staying in a 5-star hotel! How cool is that?

Well, I have to read 15 pages of "The Confessions of St. Augustine" and then write an entire essay. Woohoo. Yay. Fun. Not. Wish me luck!

You all have good taste, apparently

2009-05-25T19:11:00.000-07:00

The majority of the people (all 6 or 7 of them ;) who visit this blog wanted Kris Allen to win AI. And it turns out that so did the majority of America. YAY! I will definitely be watching the stores for his first album (and Danny's, too).

~off to watch a Monk...

p.s. sorry this was so late in coming. I am aware that the finale was almost a week ago ;)

I am a C...

2009-05-23T15:51:00.000-07:00

Does anyone know the tune to the song that goes "I am a C. I am a C-H. I am a C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N..." Well, my sister in law, Emily, introduced us to two new versions of this song, and they are so funny, I just had to share them with you all. Here ya go...

I am a Chicken (sung to the tune of, 'I am a C')

I am a CHICKEN. I am a CHICKEN HICKEN. I am a CHICKEN HICKEN RICKEN I SICKEN TICKEN I A NICKEN. And I have CHICKEN HICKEN RICKEN I SICKEN TICKEN in my HICKEN E A RICKEN TICKEN and I will LICKEN I VICKEN E E TICKEN E RICKEN NICKEN A LICKEN LICKEN YICKEN.

I am a Cong (sung to the tune of, 'I am a C' and 'I am a Chicken')

I am a CONG. I am a CONG HONG. I am a CONG HONG RONG I SONG TONG I A NONG. And I have CONG HONG RONG I SONG TONG in my HONG E A RONG TONG and I will LONG I VONG E E TONG E RONG NONG A LONG LONG YONG.

Have fun!

The Ride to Louisville

2009-05-14T09:08:00.000-07:00

Okay. I wrote this super long post last night while in the car, driving to KY (I'm in the hotel right now). Here is a picture of Gideon (I wanted to post more, but they wouldn't upload, sorry), and then you can read the actual post (if you have the time ;)
This was when he was only a few days old, so it isn't very recent, but I think it is really cute!

I'm so sorry that I didn't follow through with my promises of more pictures earlier! Here is my meager attempt to make it up to you. A post from the car on the way to Scotty's graduation! I'm writing this in the car, but I will post it either tonight when we get in to the hotel or tomorrow. I also plan to post those aforesaid belated pictures of the sweetest chunk of a baby nephew that you ever did see (he just happens to by my nephew =)
So, enough about future plans. I suppose that those of you reading this will already have read the intro that I wrote at the beginning process of posting this post, so you can just disregard that whole last paragraph.
Anyway, our near-12-hour drive to Louisville, KY has really been uneventful so far, aside from numerous bright lightning strikes and the rain that we drove past/through in the last couple hours. At the moment, there are at least five semis in our vicinity. Ah, the joys of road trips! I love them. Not semis. They scare me. Road trips. I love road trips. That special love is largely due to the fact that I've had the wonderful privilege to be able to fly standby my whole life. My dad works for Northwest Airlines (soon to be Delta Airlines). It has been an invaluable blessing to our entire family. We thank God for it. But now, road trips are the special adventurous way to travel instead of airplanes for me.
I just love the feel of the road under the car's tires and the security of being on land. I know this sounds strange, but for me, I thoroughly enjoy the time spent just cruising along with my family in the car. I love reading books, listening to music or Odysseys, or just talking to my siblings or parents. It's a time away from distractions where I'm free to relax and take it easy. Nothing is urgent or needs to be done. I can take things at my own pace. Of course my dad's....ummm....technical geekyness, I guess I'll call it (used with the utmost respect and with the most affection imaginable) makes all the difference in the world for our car trips. He bought a neat gadget that allow you to have things plugged into the car (like laptops for movies or writing blog posts) as well as a cool cassette tape thing that goes into the car's tape player and also plugs into a headphone jack (in a laptop, cd player, or mp3 player) so that everyone can hear the movie or song playing. It's pretty sweet. And he's pretty sweet for doing all that to make our ride as enjoyable as it is.
We've already watched some episodes of The Dick Van Dyke Show, Boy Meets Grill with Bobby Flay (one of my favorite chefs on Food Network, which we watch at relatives' houses) and a couple Monks. Super duper fun. Poor daddy does all the work and then all he can do during the drive is drive. BORING! Thanks so much, daddy, for making our ride so nice! I love you!
Oh, yeah! I am reading an excellent book by Louisa May Alcott. It's called, An Old-Fashioned Girl. Thank you, Rose, so much for letting me borrow it! It's been a blessing (as the mom on The Art of Candlemaking would say ;).
Wow, just saw another big lightning strike.
Anyway, I'm only about 55 pages through that book, but so far I can really identify with the main character. I think I just love how Alcott wrote. I haven't read anything of her's that I haven't truly loved. Little Women is one of my absolute favorites. Along with The Inheritance. FABULOUS!!! READ THEM!!!
Okay, I just realized that I'm listening to a couple songs from Mary Poppins from one of my Classics Disney albums on my mp3, and that Burt is Dick van Dyke. I mean, I knew that, but it's funny to listen to him as Burt when I was just watching his hilarious show. Sorry. That was very off topic, and this is a terribly long post. I'm at least putting people to sleep if not boring them to death completely. My apologies.
Well, my dad just asked my mom to call Scott to tell him that we are about 30 minutes away! YAY!
We ate lunch at Culver's today. It was super yummy.
WOW! Scott just told us that KRIS ALLEN IS SAFE! Wow. I definitely thought he would go home tonight. Not because he didn't do a fantabulous job last night on both songs (or at least, that's what I think) but because everyone kept saying that it would be Danny and Adam in the finale. Okay. That's weird. Wouldn't it be crazy if Kris actually won???
Keith, who is reading over my shoulder, just informed me that I'm blabbing too much. Here are his exact words: “Did you know you're rambling?”
I already apologized for this terribly unorganized post with a zillion topics, but I'll say it again. I'm very sorry. I bet no one's reading any more. That's totally fine. I don't blame you at all. I will STOP rambling now. There. I'm done. Goodbye.
p.s. Okay, I know, I'm totally lame because I already said what should have been my very last words, but I just wanted to say to those of you who may be asking that Scott is graduating from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. (yes, I did have to ask my mom about both facts *blush*. I'm not even sure what a Masters degree entails. I know. I'm a horrible person.) Goodbye for really truly real.

And....

2009-05-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

if it's not too much to ask....leave a comment telling me who you voted for on all three polls, if you can. I'd like to know who thinks what. Thanks!

3 New Polls!

2009-05-04T18:18:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I've never done a poll on this blog before, so they aren't really "new" in that sense. But, I just wrote them a few minutes ago, so they ARE new in that sense. Do those different senses make sense? Alright, alright, I'll stop saying "sense"=).
Anyways....PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, vote on the polls if you watch American Idol!!!! I would love to know what my friends and family think about this season of this fun show! My favorites are Kris and Danny. By far. I would be SO happy if the finale was between the two of them, or even if it was between one of them and one of the others, so long as Kris or Danny won. They are both Christians (or at least, that's what Wikipedia says) and worship leaders in their churches. That's why I like them so much. They seem like really friendly, genuine people. And, there is something different about them that makes me think that they are born again. In fact, Kris (my favorite of my favorites) has been a missionary to Burma, Thailand, Morocco, and other places. Pretty fantastic. I really hope that they both make it, even if neither of them wins. I would totally buy their CDs. Their voices are both very beautiful and calming and cool. If you'd like, you can watch their performances here, at American Idol's website by clicking on their performances on beneath the playing performance (it will most likely be one of Adam's). I think he'll probably win. But who knows? Simon Cowell thinks that Danny has a better chance. That would be exciting!
Well I'm gonna watch Star Wars 1 with my fam. I'll try to get more pics of the babe up real soon. Today got away from me really fast (I cleaned my room for the better half of the day).

Gideon

2009-05-03T14:01:00.004-07:00

I know some of you have been told to check here for more pictures of the little guy upstairs. Well, here's one, but I have to go babysit. I'll try to upload more when I get back. =)

New Template

2009-05-03T14:01:00.001-07:00

How do you all like the new template? I think it's more "me". The other one was too dark. What do you think?

a link to more pics

2009-04-09T17:19:00.001-07:00

My sister, Erin, posted 3 different pictures of our nephew on her blog, so you can check them out here. Allie and Ben and my mom and Gid will be here any minute now! I'm so excited. I can't wait to see him really awake. Allie said that he's really cute when he is. Ben said that now that he's a few days old, he can see how much Gideon looks like him! Yay! I'm really excited!

My Sweet, Darling, Adorable Nephew

2009-04-09T12:40:00.000-07:00

We all went to see little Gideon, his mommy, and daddy on Tuesday evening. Here are a couple pictures of the baby. He's SO cute! I love him so much! I wish I could put more up, but the thingy won't let me upload any more. You'll just have to be satisfied with these two for now. I'll post more later. An update on Allie and baby's homecoming: They are planning to come home after dinner this evening. Please pray that they are able to leave the hospital without any complications. Allie's blood is back to normal (for those of you who didn't know, she had to get of blood transfusion), and baby is still perfectly healthy, and is nursing even better. Okay, I'll stop blabbing and label the cute pictures.

Little sleeping Gideon. He loves to have his hands up by his head. I think it's adorable!

Auntie Katie and sleeping baby Gid. He was so little and sweet! He is a really good baby.

Announcing...Gideon James!

2009-04-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

He's here! Li'l Gideon James is here at last! He came around midnight last night, so I'm not sure whether it was officially April 6 or April 7. I haven't seen him yet, but hopefully, the kids and I will be going tonight with my dad. I talked with Ben this morning and he said the baby was 7 lb. 10 oz., 21 inches long, had lots of dark hair, and "a little nose you just want to nibble off". Oh man. They are so happy.

My mom and dad were at the hospital when he came. I had put the other kids to bed and I was watching movies when my mom called. Then they came home around 2am, and I was asleep in the recliner with the T.V. still on. It was fun.

Then, this morning, I woke up before 7! I rarely get up that early and never of my own accord. Amy came into my room shortly after that wanting to know if the baby was here or not. (I had tried to wake all the kids to tell them that Gid was here, but it only registered with Erin. The other two don't remember me coming in.) Then Erin came in and we all talked for a little while and then we all decided to go ask mom about all the details (how much hair he has, how big his nose is, etc.) but we couldn't find her. Turns out that she was back at the hospital for maternal comfort and guidance at Allie's request. Nothing was at all wrong, but everything is just so new. I think I really want my mom to be at the hospital with me when I have a baby. It would just feel nice to have the comfort of "mommy" when I'm a new "mommy".

Anyway, we're doing school today, which, I might add, is flat out torture, (ok, not quite torture but close) because all I want to do is hold and kiss that li'l guy. I just talked to my mom on the phone a few minutes ago and she said "I have to go. I have to hold the baby because Allie needs sleep. I'll call you later." I was like, "Arggh! I wish I was there! I would totally love to take care of him while Allie's sleeping!" Oh, I can't wait for this afternoon or this evening. Either my mom will come pick us up this afternoon or my dad will bring us there after work. Well, I'll post pictures either later today, tomorrow, or the day after.

baby's on the way!

2009-04-06T13:52:00.000-07:00

Yep! 6 days after his due date, the baby is on his way. Turns out Allie's been laboring since this morning. She and Ben just went to the hospital. My mom is driving. I CAN'T WAIT! I don't see how I can possibly due biology or philosophy homework. I won't be able to think of anything else! AHHHH!!!

Erin and I just got a really nice 5 piece set for him (with green and blue dinos) and another really nice brown and light green and cream colored outfit for him for $17.50 (altogether). I guess that's not proper, to write down the price (in case they read this) but I wanted to show what a great bargain we got! They are super-duper adorable. Eventually, I might post pictures of him in them, but until he grows into them, I'll post pictures of him.

Please excuse any spelling errors. My spell check isn't working. Sorry this post is so rambly. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

no news :(

2009-03-31T19:04:00.001-07:00

Yes, sad to say, there is no news of baby Maurer. Allie is actually saying that she feels even less than nothing. Humph. I wanted him to come today! On his due date! Arg! I'm sooooo impatient. But, now that Allie has stopped working, she's not in as much of a rush to have him, so she's a happy camper. I'm not. I JUST CAN'T WAIT!!! oh boy. I have to go read more philosophy stuff for my class tomorrow. Farewell.

Happy Birthday, Little Brother! (or should I say 'bother' ;)

2009-03-27T09:56:00.001-07:00

Today is my brother Keith's 11th birthday. It has been such a joy watching him grow up into a godly man. I know what some of you may be thinking, "Man??? He's not a man yet! He's just now turning 11! He's still a little boy." But the truth is that Keith really is maturing at a very fast pace. Of course he still loves Legos (he spends his afternoons building little tanks and machine guns, or something like that), junk food (I guess most adults love that, too), silly movies, goofing off, teasing his sisters, etc. but he also loves Jesus and the cross. He is, in many ways, more mature than many of my boy peers! (no offense ;) I recognize that God has made him special. Keith has a unique tenderness to people that you don't often see in kids his age. When one of us is sick or sad, he often comforts us in a way that only he can. I love it!

Ever since Keith learned how to read, he has picked up any book lying around that sparks his interest and reads it from cover to cover. And he NEVER FORGETS ANYTHING! I'm telling you, he's going to breeze through his high school science classes. Science has always interested him, starting with dinosaurs and paleontology at age 3. Yep. He knew (and might still know) the name of every single dinosaur. He knew their unique characteristics, the ways they communicated, everything. I can't even pronounce (much less spell) most of the things he was talking about. "Oh yes. Diplodicus was a medium sized dino with claws the size of butter knives on its toes. They communicated with high-pitched noises that they blew through their noses." (I totally just made that up.) This is the kind of thing we would hear every day. He also had/has a huge interest in all animal life. We used to get these "Really WILD Animals" videos from the library over, and over, and over, and over. I think, if you helped him a little, he could probably go through the entire "Bugs" episode. "Hi, I'm your host, Spin..." Oh yes. That spinning British globe that told you all about bats, worms, lions, hyenas, spiders, etc. I remember him well. Thank goodness Keith has now moved on to different kinds of nature shows :p.

As all little brothers do, Keith annoys me sometimes, but most of the time he makes me laugh. He makes my whole family laugh. He makes his friends laugh. He's just plain funny, corny, nutty, and witty. That's another thing I love about him. We share that special bond of goofiness. He knows just what to say at just the right time to strike me as funny. You will often find him and me giggling in the middle of the rest of my family having a regular conversation. Sure, sometimes what strikes him funny are burps and farts, but I just have to accept that as his not-so-mature side. After all, what boy (whatever age) doesn't have a fascination with seeing how many sounds they can make with their body? It makes me sick, but again, I've (almost) learned to accept it.

So there you have it. The confessions of a sister who really loves her mature yet silly, smart, tender, kind, funny brother. Happy Birthday, Keith! I love you!

7 days till the 31st, Fireproof and dissections

2009-03-25T13:03:00.000-07:00

Only one week left until Allie's due date! SO. EXTREMELY. EXCITED. I guess you can tell.
I had Biology class this morning. We "dissected" 4 different flowers and 9 different kinds of fruit. I don't really think it qualifies for the title of a "dissection" because they aren't animals, and it isn't gross. I'm relieved that we've left kingdom Animalia for at least a little while. I was getting sick of dissecting a new poor animal every week. But, I must say, the ones we've done so far haven't been as bad as I thought they would be. I actually touched our dogfish shark with my bare hands. I know, I know, I live on the wild side.
Has anyone seen Fireproof? I know you have, Grace, because I watched it for the first time with you. Anyone else? I LOVE it! My favorite part is when he *spoiler* bashes the computer up and replaces it with those beautiful roses and that sweet note that says "I love you more!" I think I started crying. I know I started crying when he's *spoiler* apologizing to Catherine at the end. He is an amazing cryer! (okay, that's not even a word.) Mrs. Maurer and I agree that we've never seen anyone in a movie cry like that. I guess Sam in LOTR is pretty close, but not quite. Then again, I've only seen a very select handful of movies. ;) So, if you've seen this wonderful movie, let me know what you think! If you haven't, go to your local McDonald's or Cub and get it from redbox for a buck. It's by far worth every single penny. Plus, EVERYONE in the movie is from Sherwood Baptist Church except Kirk Cameron, who is a Christian professional actor.
Okay, this post was very odd and random, but hey. That's me. I have to read twenty pages of Plato in the next 30 min before my class. Better hurry. Bye!

Baby!

2009-03-14T10:52:00.000-07:00

No, Allie hasn't had her baby yet. :( But tomorrow her church is giving her a baby shower, and we get to go! I can't describe how excited I am for him to come. I don't know if I've ever been this excited for something to happen before. I guess Allie and Ben's wedding and Scott and Emily's wedding come close, but babies are my favorite thing! And there's going to be a sweet, soft, cuddly, cute baby boy here in this very house! I just can't wait. He's due on the 31st, but Allie thinks that he will go late. Her prediction is that he will come on the 3rd or 4th of April. Oooohhhh! I am SOOO excited! Well, I have to go. Bye.
~soon to be auntie

Wii Fit

2009-02-14T10:59:00.000-08:00

We finally have all of our stuff! Yesterday, the movers brought back everything from our living room and dining room. (It all had to live in storage while the workers put our house back together after the "flood".) Anyway, now that our stuff is back, we have our T.V.! And now that we have our T.V., we can set up Wii Fit. I'm so excited. We all pooled our Christmas money in order to get it. It looks so fun! None of us have actually ever played it, but we have watched commercials for it and it looks like a blast. We don't have it set up yet, but when we do, I'll post some more about it. And maybe, just maybe, some pictures. =D

p.s. I just did spellcheck, and it didn't recognize the word "Wii". How old is the spellcheck on blogger? It needs to get with the times, man! kidding.

Erin Airs What's Happening

2009-02-09T19:02:00.000-08:00

My sister Erin just became part of the blogger world yesterday when my dad helped her set up her very own blog, Erin Airs What's Happening. It's very cute, and I'm sure she'd be thrilled if you leave a comment, or become a follower. In fact, it wouldn't hurt if more of you became followers of MY blog. ;) So go ahead and click the link. It won't take but a couple minutes of your time, and it will make the day of a certain 12-year-old girl that much brighter.

lemon meringue pies

2009-01-31T08:38:00.001-08:00

I love lemon desserts. They're so fresh and tart and yummy. Two weeks ago, my mom and I were on a kick for lemon meringue pie. We had frozen store-bought crusts in the freezer, so the hard part was taken care of. All I needed to do was to make the lemon curd-like filling and the merengue. We got the recipe from America's Test Kitchen (it's free to sign up...the only drawback is the multitudinous emails you receive...I still highly recommend membership! All of the recipes that they have aired on television are free!) and it turned out great. It took me all day to make, however. Okay, maybe "all day" is an overstatement. A full 2 1/2-3 hours, though. But boy, was it worth it! Here's some proof:

I made a double batch in order to have two pies. =D

I meant to take more pictures after we sliced the pie, but that didn't end up happening. Oh well. It was yummy! You'll just have to take my word for it, or drop by and let me know ahead of time. I'd love to make one and share it with you!

New van!

2009-01-28T13:02:00.000-08:00

Yep! We bought a new van a few days ago. I can't write much now, but it is a 2004 Toyota Sienna(SP?). It is so nice to have a car! It is a very pretty, sort of brownish-gray--I'll try to post pictures later. Thanks for praying!

It's not over yet...

2009-01-15T16:32:00.000-08:00

Last week, we went to Cambridge to stay with some friends to escape the chaos of our ceilings being ripped out. The girls and I stayed until Saturday when my dad picked us up. My mom and Keith stayed until Thursday afternoon, and then Keith stayed with some other friends until Saturday night while my mom stayed home. Well, shortly after my Dad returned from picking Keith up, he was surrounded by three of his daughters all talking at once (that often happens in our family) trying to tell him that someone had crashed into our car. Yes. Our beautiful mini-van. She has gone, after nearly one year of faithful service, to the big lot of pavement up in the sky. We will miss her.
What happened was that a lady had left her van running, unlocked, while she went into her work building. Some guy stole the van, and the lady called the police. Anyway, the officers started following him (he was going way over the speed limit, which is not the smartest thing to do in Minnesota in the winter) and I guess he lost control. He came through our yard, hit our tree, went out of the yard, pushed (crashed) our car across the street, skidded, and hit our poor baby again. He totaled her.
One of my first reactions was gratefulness that my dad and brother were inside the house and safe. Had they been two minutes later, they could easily have been seriously hurt or killed. God spared them. It was not their time to go.
Please pray that we can find a new car quickly. Also that my dad will not be stressed out in trying to do so. The Lord has sustained him so far, and he has succeeded in maintaining a cheerful attitude throughout all this hardship by God's grace. Thanks.

A pipe that bursts...

2008-12-31T16:06:00.000-08:00

So, I've been pretty sick for the last 10 days or so, and when I woke up this morning I was even worse than yesterday. When I came out of my room, I saw that there were a whole lot of towels strewn over our hallway and in our bathroom. Thinking that something was wrong, I called downstairs to ask if the bathroom was usable. My parents told me to come downstairs, so I did. When I got down, I soon realized that something bad had happened, but I didn't realize how bad until much later. The floors were all wet and there were many big buckets scattered across the living room and dining room. I asked my parents what had happened, and they replied that an important pipe had broken early this morning and that, well, our house had basically been flooded. My brain wasn't functioning properly, so it didn't seem like that big of a deal to me. Well, later we found out that the damage was pretty severe. My dad took our rug to be cleaned (It was soaked through with dirty water--not sewage water, just dirty water) and the man at the cleaning place urged my dad to call in some professionals. He did, and they are here right now, trying to dry the place out. The final outcome is something like this: Our basement is full of stuff, and now all that stuff is soaking wet, so we need to deal with that. Our floors are hardwood, and because they got so wet, my mom said that they will probably need to be replaced (because wet wood bends out of shape). Our ceilings also need to be replaced. I keep going back to the fact that God is sovereign over everything, and that this is the best thing for us somehow. Your prayers for me and my family would be greatly appreciated. Well, Happy New Year! =p

results of the exam, and rocky the fish

2008-12-12T09:36:00.000-08:00

Guess what! I got 73/70 on my biology exam! I was freaking out about it and studied like crazy, but I guess it paid off. Mrs. Kelly, my teacher, was very kind and gave us the chance to earn up to 5 points of extra credit if we typed up the answers to the study guide. I missed 2 questions, but because of the extra credit, I still got more than 100%! I was so excited, and as my reward to myself (not really, I just made that up as a kind of excuse =) ) I bought a beautiful male Betta fish! And, yep, you guessed it, I named him Rocky. It was between 3 other names too, though, and those were Sam (after Sam in Lord of the Rings), Jack (after Jack Kelly in Newsies), and Victor (after Victor in The Terminal). And of coarse, I named him Rocky after Rocky Balboa. =D

New truck and exams...

2008-12-03T10:58:00.000-08:00

So, yeah. My mom and dad bought a new truck yesterday! Well, new to us, it's a 2005 model. I don't know the maker (If that's what you call them), but it's black and has 4 doors. It seats 5 people, so we are pretty excited for that. The title of this is "New truck and exams". I've already talked about the new truck, but as for the exams part...well...I'm nervous. It's only one exam really, but it's a big one. For Biology. It is the end of the semester exam, and it's going to take, like, an hour or a little more. Okay, call me completely home-schooled (I don't mind, I love being home-schooled!!! =)) but the only really important test I've ever taken are the Iowa Basics tests that we take once a year. Yeah. Now you know why I'm so nervous. Well, I'm going to study really hard and do the best I can. That's all I can do, isn't it?

play-doh in biology class

2008-11-26T11:44:00.001-08:00

Yes, today in biology, we made models of the processes of transcription and translation out of play-doh. It was quite amusing. I hadn't played with that stuff for a long time. It was fun. We had to roll long strips of it into these thin, long logs. Yeah, so, I guess I'm going to go now, bye

Ring Pops and Oedipus Rex

2008-11-14T12:57:00.000-08:00

I'm wearing/eating a ring pop right now. It's delicious. Strawberry. Mmm. I have to read Oedipus Rex in a few minutes. It is a Greek play written by Sophocles. It should be better than the History of the Peloponnesian War by Thucydides, which is what my classics class read last week, and was really hard to understand. I'm having fun telling people that I've read books like the Iliad, the Odyssey, and Thucydides. It sounds impressive. Yesterday I went to my sister Amy's book club. They are reading All-of-a-Kind Family by Sidney Taylor. I read it when I was about the girls age, and I loved it. It was so sweet to hear their take on the classics stories that I enjoyed when I was young. Well, I'm going to go read about Oedipus! Wish me luck.

Rocky

2008-11-08T14:15:00.000-08:00

I watched Rocky Balboa today. *Sniff* "Why is that sad?" you may ask, or even "Why does that matter?" well, I'll answer both questions. First, it's sad, because my brother-in-law Ben and I have been watching the Rocky movies one by one and we are now out of movies. (Rocky Balboa is the last) Sure, we can re-watch them, and most likely will. But the point is that now I have seen them all (except the fifth one, because he told me that it is stupid, and that he and his family don't watch it) and, well, it won't ever really be the same. Which, I guess isn't that sad. And next, it matters because they are some of my favorite movies now. I know they can be pretty corny at times, but Rocky is SOOO SWEET! He just says the sweetest, funniest, most endearing things. If you have seen them, then you probably realize that by me just saying that, it gave away which one I like best. Rocky II. Watch it and tell me Rocky isn't sweet. That's impossible.

Hello...

2008-11-07T13:01:00.001-08:00

welcome to the world of katie michelle...me. I started this blog, because I felt like I wanted to tell people who I don't get to see very often about what's going on with my life, what it's like in high school, and all that type of stuff. Hope you enjoy it.