Randomness

Why do I go so long without blogging?

I guess because I've been insanely busy. 

I realized something as I was reading through my blog posts from the past year or so.

I stress out trying to do things on my own, but God always comes though for me!

I am planning to finish the degree I originally planned to (Management Information Systems) in the Winter of 2015. It's crazy how God works things out!

Someone who has really encouraged me through this school year is the Pastor of the church I attend in OKC (LifeChurch). Craig Groeschel has written tons of books and lately I have been reading Altar Ego. His books are so encouraging and inspiring. I am thankful that God placed his teaching in my life when I've needed it most. You can watch his sermons here.

I also have been extremely encouraged by Colton Dixon's music.

I hope it encourages you as well!

-K

God's Plan is Greater

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, 

but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

 -Prov. 19:21

     I am currently watching a memorial for my cousin. Today marks 1 year after he suddenly passed away. He was an amazing man of God and was respected in his church for living as such. People of the world would have questioned why a man with a wife and two young children would be taken so soon.  His family and church chose to turn to God to find the answers. Although I wasn't extrememly close to him, I miss him and I wish I would have known him better when he was on earth. The awesome part of this story is that he was going through the Bible with the elders in his church and believed that God has a plan for everyone's lives.

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. -Psalm 121:2

     The Jesus Calling devotional from that day reminded his wife that God is higher and that God knows the plans that He has for us, plans to proper us, not to harm us. Plans to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). The fact that this passage was the Jesus Calling devotion for the day of his death is no coincidence. God knew that Kip's family would need this encouragement that very day.

"Making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His purpose, which He set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in Him, things in heaven and on earth." 

-Ephesians 1:9-10

     Today, I am just reminded that no matter what our plans for our lives are, God's plan is greater and will prevail. Even though deaths don't make sense, they are part of God's plan and He showed this through Kip's death. Kip affected many people with his legacy, especially his family and elders of his church. Kip's passing encouraged so many people to turn to God and His Word to try to make sense of everything.

     Today, I am also reminded that I need to remember who I am living for. If I am living for the world and not for God, no one will remember me. From this point on, I am going to live for God and leave a legacy for Him.

-Kathleen

Summer...er....school...

Well, my March-July break from school had to come to a close... I started 2 college classes online the first week of July.
Wouldn't you know, my babysitting schedule took off at the same time?
Now, I move into college in 10 days, work over 50 hours before then, have to write a 7 page research paper and do TONS of homework....
Oh yes, and actually pack to move in...that'd be a good idea.

I'm pretty sure God's trying to tell me to lean on Him.....ya think?

-K

Crazy Life

Hey there,

So....I started 2 summer classes this Monday.

My comp class is stressing me out because I don't know how to write "like a college student".

Then there's my health and wellness class. I had to do a 1.5 mile run to test my abilities.
I almost died  felt pretty good running in the 90 degree humidity.
Then I got home and figured out what my minute per mile score meant....
I got the lowest score possible....I basically failed.
But, hey. I ran, didn't I?
And on the plus side, out of shapeness does not count in this class!

My weekend is going to be crazy babysitting, but hey. It's okay! (hey, that rhymed!)

I can no longer think. After 4 cups of coffee, 3 very energetic kids and a run in this heat, I am done.

I will leave you with my verse for the week:


Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
-Philippians 4:6 (NASB)

Long time, No post!

I totally stole this idea from Emily-my roomie from Israel!

If you want to join, copy and paste this list. Underline which ones you've done!




1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain (Masada in Israel. I almost died)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Take a sick day when you're not ill (gotta love being homeschooled!)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance (Does riding in a parade count? :D)
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching (Scarred for life from San Francisco!)
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem (LOVED it!)
84. Had your picture in the paper
85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year's Eve
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (BarlowGirl and Dara Maclean)
92. Joined a book club
93. Got a tattoo
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (I've swam in the Dead Sea-does that count?)
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone (3 iPhones and counting)
99. Been stung by a bee (on my eyebrow...ouch!)

28 out of 99....I have a lot more living to do!

-K

Stress

I went up to SNU to sign up for classes this past weekend and did not get the answers I needed regarding my degree plan. I was so discouraged because I like knowing what I have to do, and I really don't want to be paying for unnecessary classes.
I was stressed out and looking at 2 other colleges that I might transfer to after a year to see if classes will tranfer...
I felt so lost and I had no idea what I was doing...then I came across this.

Be encouraged! God has it under control so don't be afraid!

-K

Thinking about the future...

Since returning from Israel, I have been reading and hearing a lot about Jesus' return.
Our last Teen CBS lesson was about not being asleep, but being alert and ready for Jesus' return.
Then, at Midweek (our youth service on Wednesday nights), we've been discussing Spritual warfare and how Satan is in a constant battle with Jesus for our souls.
We've been talking about how important prayer and reading Scripture is, to fend off the attacks of Satan.
All Christians have to put on the armor of God and that includes starting the day asking for His help.
Another thing that has accounted for the focus of Jesus' return is Easter.  You see, Easter is focused on Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection; but it also gives the promise of His return.
This focus on His return has made me think a lot about Heaven.
We all do it, we think
 "Oh, yeah....Heaven is out there and if I believe in God, I will go there when I die."
But, when's the last time that you really stopped to this: Heaven is not like going on vacation to somewhere you've never gone before.  Heaven will be our new home.  We've gotten so comfortable here on Earth that we forget that this world (and it's familiarties) will be GONE, they're temporary.
We will go to Heaven, where no eye had seen, except Jesus.
Even those who are dead are not in Heaven yet.  The Bible says that when Jesus comes back, the dead (in Christ-Christians) will rise and see Him first.  I honestly have no idea what is happening to dead Christian's souls right now, but they're not in Heaven just yet.
I cannot wait to join the angels in Heaven and get away from the drama of this world, but I worry.
We all worry a little about what will happen. We've all worried about death.
I know my faith is in Jesus and that I'm going to Heaven, but it's just a small fear.
A feat like you get when you move to a new town, you don't know what to expect.
Just think for a minute.
This whole life will be gone, everything that you've worked for on earth, all of your money, GONE.
That's a weird thought because this world is all we've ever known.
But, that awesome thing is, we don't have to worry!
Jesus granted salvation to those who believe in Him and we will live for eternity with Him.
Eternity. That is forever.

Today, I am thankful for the promise of Heaven.

-K