Wow....yesterday was kinda frustrating. I think I packed and unpacked and smushed and folded and repacked and unpacked and packed again more times than I can count! Phew! Alas, I had to give in to my mother's wisdom and admit that my Space Bags were taking up more room than just packing my clothes the regular way. So there you have it, mom. In writing: you were right. :-)
I ended up with two big suitcases, but the biggest one is not too full, and once I use some of the stuff I brought, I should be able to bring stuff back without being over the weight limit. My only concern is that my backpack, which I hope to use as my carry-on, is about 6 inches too big in total, so I'm hoping they don't make me check it! Not only do I not want my stuff in the cargo area for 8+ hours, but I also don't want to pay $100 for an extra checked bag! :-( So prayers for that would be appreciated, even though it is somewhat minor in the grand scheme of things. haha
Today is last minute errands, including a final stop at The Custard Cup to say goodbye to my bosses and savor one last treat of Creamy Caramel Custard. Mmmmmm! Then it's off to Chicago via Coldwater, MI, so dad can drop off his pickup at his workplace so he's ready to work on Wednesday. I think we're staying in the Sheraton near the airport tonight, and then my flight is tomorrow afternoon. For those who are interested, my flight info is:
Iberia Airlines, Flight 6274
Chicago O'Hare to Madrid
Depart: 4:40 PM local time
Arrive: 7:40 AM local time
Iberia Airlines, Flight 116
Madrid to Seville
Depart: 8:45 AM local time
Arrive: 9:45 AM local time
I would very much appreciate your prayers for safe and uneventful travels. :-) I'll post an update when I arrive in Spain. Until then....
Blessings,
Katie
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
The Countdown Commences!
Today is packing day for me. Despite my love of traveling and the frequency with which I pack my bags for a variety of excursions, I am a horrible packer. I pack too much of one thing, and not enough of another. I almost always forget something essential. My afternoon will consist of laying out the piles of stuff on my packing list and entering an hours-long internal debate as to which things I can leave behind. Wish me luck!
Monday, August 3, 2009
Grrr....
I realized that it only published half of my post. I'll finish the second half later. Grrr.....
Home Stretch
I am back from an awesome week in Tennessee! It was definitely not what I expected, but the Lord still used the week to speak to our group in different ways. I don't have any photos yet, but if I have time when I get some I may add them here.
Our group was working for a family just over the Kentucky/Tennessee border. The first day we arrived and were given our project list: build a back porch with a roof and replace a broken window with a door to access the new porch; replace two wide windows and reframe them for narrower windows; cut, frame, and install two new windows in an exterior wall; and mud and paint a living room. It seemed like a lot, especially in the ever-present, oily mud that covered their backyard, but we trusted God that we would accomplish exactly what He wanted us to. It became very evident that first day that our entire team could not focus on the projects at one time, as the family of 8 included two young children that were constantly getting into our workspace, taking our tools and getting mud on all our stuff. So it then became necessary for one to four people to babysit, and most of us rotated shifts to deal with 8 year old ADHD Zeb and 5 year old attention-starved Kayla. I do not mean to sound pessimistic or hateful towards the children, for they were definitely a product of their environment, but "deal with" is probably the best phrase to describe the experience...yes, it was that taxing. Day 1 concluded with us having built the deck of the porch and finished the mudding in the living room.
Day 2 started off bright and early (too early for most of our team's liking...hahaha). The girls (minus one) spent the day inside painting the living room a very pretty teal-ish green color, while the menfolk and the remaining girl continued work outside by installing a railing and getting the new door ready. I was asked by Julie (the house's matronly figure) to help with an additional project, which I agreed to, although I was a bit skeptical. (We found throughout the week that the family kind of exploited our presence, adding tasks for us that weren't on our project list that they easily could have done themselves.) So I spent the morning of Day 2 painting polka dots on the lower half of LeeAnn's bedroom. LeeAnn was Julie's 13 year old granddaughter, and she was completely capable of doing the painting project herself, but she spent the majority of that morning in her bedroom with me, sending and receiving text messages on her BlackBerry. Yes, that's right...a 13 year old in an "impoverished" household....with a BlackBerry. And we thought this family was poor!
Day 3 was our day off from the worksite and we went whitewater rafting in Kentucky on the Cumberland River. It was INCREDIBLE!!! I was scared the whole morning but once we got on the river it was so fun.
Our group was working for a family just over the Kentucky/Tennessee border. The first day we arrived and were given our project list: build a back porch with a roof and replace a broken window with a door to access the new porch; replace two wide windows and reframe them for narrower windows; cut, frame, and install two new windows in an exterior wall; and mud and paint a living room. It seemed like a lot, especially in the ever-present, oily mud that covered their backyard, but we trusted God that we would accomplish exactly what He wanted us to. It became very evident that first day that our entire team could not focus on the projects at one time, as the family of 8 included two young children that were constantly getting into our workspace, taking our tools and getting mud on all our stuff. So it then became necessary for one to four people to babysit, and most of us rotated shifts to deal with 8 year old ADHD Zeb and 5 year old attention-starved Kayla. I do not mean to sound pessimistic or hateful towards the children, for they were definitely a product of their environment, but "deal with" is probably the best phrase to describe the experience...yes, it was that taxing. Day 1 concluded with us having built the deck of the porch and finished the mudding in the living room.
Day 2 started off bright and early (too early for most of our team's liking...hahaha). The girls (minus one) spent the day inside painting the living room a very pretty teal-ish green color, while the menfolk and the remaining girl continued work outside by installing a railing and getting the new door ready. I was asked by Julie (the house's matronly figure) to help with an additional project, which I agreed to, although I was a bit skeptical. (We found throughout the week that the family kind of exploited our presence, adding tasks for us that weren't on our project list that they easily could have done themselves.) So I spent the morning of Day 2 painting polka dots on the lower half of LeeAnn's bedroom. LeeAnn was Julie's 13 year old granddaughter, and she was completely capable of doing the painting project herself, but she spent the majority of that morning in her bedroom with me, sending and receiving text messages on her BlackBerry. Yes, that's right...a 13 year old in an "impoverished" household....with a BlackBerry. And we thought this family was poor!
Day 3 was our day off from the worksite and we went whitewater rafting in Kentucky on the Cumberland River. It was INCREDIBLE!!! I was scared the whole morning but once we got on the river it was so fun.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Life has been infinitely sweeter this week than any time that I can recently remember. I feel a peace in my soul that the Lord is good, and the Lord is with me. My circumstances are no different than they were before camp. It is my attitude that has changed.
As I prepare to leave for another week, I pray that I can keep this peace with me. I will be serving as a chaperone for a group from my church going to White Oak, Tennessee. I pray the Lord gives me strength to sustain me and help me finish some homework while I'm there, too.
For now, I'm tired. More updates to come later.
Much love and many blessings,
Katie
As I prepare to leave for another week, I pray that I can keep this peace with me. I will be serving as a chaperone for a group from my church going to White Oak, Tennessee. I pray the Lord gives me strength to sustain me and help me finish some homework while I'm there, too.
For now, I'm tired. More updates to come later.
Much love and many blessings,
Katie
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Life is Precious. Life is Sweet.
I desperately wish that I had time to sit and write all that I have learned in the past week. However, that is not possible at the moment seeing as I have to leave for work shortly. For now, I leave you with a poem that one of my fellow Huddle Leaders wrote about the week. Her thoughts sum it up perfectly.
This Week (July 11th-18th)
This Week
I learned that I am an eagle
and I need to stop living with the chickens,
spread my wings, and fly.
I learned that it is possible
to throw up for God.
I learned that Christianity IS a crutch,
because I AM crippled without Jesus,
and I need Him to support me.
I learned that I'm not worthy of myself
and that I am so precious to God
that only He is worthy to hold my life
in His hands.
I learned that prayer is the most powerful
weapon, stress reliever, compliment, praise.
I learned that being in community
is one of the greatest gifts to ever be given
and that feeling safe is a part of being a family.
I learned that choosing between two things is difficult
but that when you choose the right one
even when you think it will hurt someone
you do not feel defeat.
I learned that being a united front
is essential to being a parent.
I learned that being a role model
may be a tough job but reaps great rewards.
I learned that having a role model
means showing respect and being able
to admit your weaknesses and doubts.
I learned that I am not the only one who feels dry
and wants to be filled up.
I learned that swaying to a worship song
will always be more powerful when standing
next to your best friends.
I learned that dealing with difficult situations
is impossible to do on my own,
and shouldn't be done on my own.
I learned that when the girls start laughing
it is useless to try and not join in.
I learned that I did not deserve what Jesus did for me
when He gave His life on the cross
but that being unworthy would never stop Him
from saving those He loves.
I learned that being called Christian
means standing up and declaring
"I Am A Disciple Of Jesus"
and feeling your own voice resound in your heart.
I learned that Summer Games has saved my life
one more time.
I learned that God will never
ever
give up
on me.
Thanks Karleigh! This is my favorite poem, and I have a feeling it will always have a dear place in my heart.
Blessings,
Katie
This Week (July 11th-18th)
This Week
I learned that I am an eagle
and I need to stop living with the chickens,
spread my wings, and fly.
I learned that it is possible
to throw up for God.
I learned that Christianity IS a crutch,
because I AM crippled without Jesus,
and I need Him to support me.
I learned that I'm not worthy of myself
and that I am so precious to God
that only He is worthy to hold my life
in His hands.
I learned that prayer is the most powerful
weapon, stress reliever, compliment, praise.
I learned that being in community
is one of the greatest gifts to ever be given
and that feeling safe is a part of being a family.
I learned that choosing between two things is difficult
but that when you choose the right one
even when you think it will hurt someone
you do not feel defeat.
I learned that being a united front
is essential to being a parent.
I learned that being a role model
may be a tough job but reaps great rewards.
I learned that having a role model
means showing respect and being able
to admit your weaknesses and doubts.
I learned that I am not the only one who feels dry
and wants to be filled up.
I learned that swaying to a worship song
will always be more powerful when standing
next to your best friends.
I learned that dealing with difficult situations
is impossible to do on my own,
and shouldn't be done on my own.
I learned that when the girls start laughing
it is useless to try and not join in.
I learned that I did not deserve what Jesus did for me
when He gave His life on the cross
but that being unworthy would never stop Him
from saving those He loves.
I learned that being called Christian
means standing up and declaring
"I Am A Disciple Of Jesus"
and feeling your own voice resound in your heart.
I learned that Summer Games has saved my life
one more time.
I learned that God will never
ever
give up
on me.
Thanks Karleigh! This is my favorite poem, and I have a feeling it will always have a dear place in my heart.
Blessings,
Katie
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
A Wonderful Realization
As I prepare my heart for a week of camp counseling next week, I am so excited. Working with high school youth will be a different counseling experience than what I'm used to. However, I'm excited to be able to share with these campers on a more mature level and hopefully dig into some real deep faith issues.
Thinking about my years as a sr. high camper has made me realize just how much I've changed since then. I've always been a passionate person, loving to talk and express my feelings on a variety of subjects. The most striking change I realized was that just four years ago, I knew Jesus but I didn't know him intimately. What would get me most fired up when I talked to people was politics and history and what was going on in the world. As I would talk about those things I would grow angrier and more frustrated. Today, after all that has happened in the past four years the thing that I'm most passionate about is the Lord. I don't like to talk about politics anymore because of the fact that it makes me angry. I would much rather talk about my Lord and feel my face light up with love as I speak. Praise be to God for the changes He has made in my life in the past four years. :-) May I make a loving impact for His glory in the lives of my campers next week.
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