tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82720818451568646222024-03-04T22:49:30.873-08:00The Great Faith AdventureKathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.comBlogger262125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-39442196252278025562017-11-07T20:23:00.001-08:002017-11-07T20:23:14.971-08:00Thankfulness Day 7Today I am thankful for my kitties. I have had cats as an adult since 1999. That is when I got K.C. (her names was Kisses, but I thought she was also a cuddler so I tweaked her name to Kisses and Cuddles and called her K.C. for short). I got my Holly a year later. The two were good friends. I miss those two. K.C. did not really meow much. She would come when I sang. She was a dilute tortie. Holly was a Ragdoll mix. She was my talker girl. It was hard for me after Holly passed away. Sugar started the new grouping of cats that I have now. I had said I would have no more than two at one time, but that got thrown out the window. I had Sugar for six months before I got Ella. It also took me six months to tell Sugar that I loved her (I think my heart had to heal). I do love her very much. She is 13 years old now. The oldest cat that I have ever had. I call her Sugar mama even though she has never had kittens.<br />
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Ella is black. I got her off of Craigslist. She was 12 weeks old when I got her. Now she is nine. She will be 10 in February. She is something else. She likes to jump on my back even when she has no place to go. No other cat has ever done that. She likes to run outside and lay on the balcony. Sometimes she will just chill outside mt front door. She also likes to drink from the faucet. She is a lover girl. She and Sugar have a close sister bond.<br />
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I got Callie in 2010. I miss that girl. She escaped outside in December and I have not seen her, Not sure where she is. I still want her to come back.<br />
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Etta is also black. I got her in 2014 on Jason and Beth's anniversary. She is a bit of a wild child. But she loves me (and no one else). Her personality seems to be similar to Ella's. <br />
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I am thankful for these kitties of mine. I know that one day it may be just Etta and me. That will be interesting. I thank God for allowing me to have these sweeties in my life. Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-49381149134571687762017-11-06T19:56:00.000-08:002017-11-07T20:00:56.065-08:00Thankfulness Day 6Today I am thankful that I am employed (even if I am underemployed and even if I have multiple jobs). I am glad to have some sort of an income coming in and I am glad I am learning to be resourceful. I thank God for teaching me to do whatever gets put in front of me. I do pray a lot for me to have a full time job again. I really want to wok with high school students full time and would love to be a school counselor. I hope and pray that is what He has in store for me. I have been enjoying y students this semester and have come to the conclusion that God for some reason has wanted me to be teaching my students this semester. I am glad because this has been one of the best groups o students I have ever had. So thank you God for my job with the college. Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-24138159368549115052017-11-05T20:32:00.002-08:002017-11-05T20:32:59.398-08:00Thankfulness Day 5Today I am thankful for true friends that uplift and encourage me and not tear me down. I do have some of those. I remember when I started going to my church. I prayed for some friends. Guess what! God answered that prayer. There is my friend Susan who I have spent a couple of holidays with. Who has helped me out with rides. Who I like to go to Ross with or the Half Price Books clearance sale at Market Hall (two years in a row now). Or Jim and Benji. They let me borrow their car for four months. They took in my three cats and Jim let Ella live after she jumped on his back. There is David who I am getting to know and who did not run away after I told him he was a character in my book. There is Susan who I used to work with and I have spent a Thanksgiving with. I am her translator lol. There are some I have not seen in a while, but they encourage me and pray for me. There is my friend Julie who also helped me with rides (when I had no car) and has helped me out with some money this year when times have been tough. Then there is Jesus. The BEST friend anyone could have. He never leaves me nor forsakes me. He loves me as I am. I am grateful for true friends. <br />
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<br />Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-12466671788126336402017-11-04T21:15:00.000-07:002017-11-04T21:15:39.483-07:00Thankfulness Day 4Before I say what I am thankful for, I want to say that today was a bit hard for my family. Today would have been my parents 51st anniversary. My dad, sister, and not sure who else was with them - went to see my mom's grave in Porterville. My sister was kind to take pictures. It is so very bittersweet as last year on November 4th we were getting ready to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary (which it was a miracle that I made it since I got a stomach virus before I left to go to Arizona). I miss my mama and I am praying for a miracle of me being able to go see my family in California at Christmas since it will be the first one without my mom (her birthday is two days before).<br />
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Okay. Today I am thankful that I have never been homeless. Even during the toughest of times God has helped me to keep a roof over my head. Oh how grateful I am for that because my kitties have been able to be with me (except when I stayed with some friends for a couple of months after moving back here, but my kitties were with Jim and Benji so all was good). Not even my kitties have been homeless. Etta was dumped off at Crystal Canyon Nature area, but was rescued by a neighbor and then kicked out and taken in by me. Sugar was found in the country - probably wandered off. Ella ws returned after a month, but promptly found a home with me. Callie was found by my old boss and hopefully she is with someone and will get sense enough to come back home. But my cats have all had roofs over their heads as well as me. I thank God for that. He cares about my babies. Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-81909409015378691972017-11-03T22:10:00.002-07:002017-11-03T22:13:25.551-07:00Thankfulness Day 3Today I am thankful that I have never had to go hungry. Yes I said this when I was getting ready to make breakfast. I may have been close to running completely out of food (God did not let me) and I may not have had fancy meals, but I have never been without. Not even my cats during tough times. They have always had full bowls of food. For that I am thankful. Thank you God!Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-50484531253881948232017-11-02T20:46:00.001-07:002017-11-02T20:46:58.810-07:00Thankfulness Day 2Today I am thankful for coffee. Yep. I admit right now that when I decided that I was thankful for coffee that I was having my first cup of the day and trying to wake up. But I am still thankful for coffee. There was a time (17 years ago - seems so long ago) that I did not really care for coffee. My morning caffeine was a glass of Diet Pepsi. Now I need me some coffee. I decided back around 2000 or 2001 that I needed to switch to coffee and start liking it since it was cheaper. Now I like it cold. Iced coffee, iced lattes. I like it hot. Fresh in the morning. I like it straight up black. Green Mountain Coffee at Sonic is great. I love me some Farmer Brothers Coffee over at Henk's in Dallas. I like it flavored. Give me a pumpkin spice coffee in the fall. I will take the special order cheg at Starbucks (a combination egg nog latte and chai latte). I like me some Quik Trip (favorite gas station) coffee - the sugar free white chocolate is awesome. Just whatever it is I like coffee. With the caffeine in it preferably. Yes I am thankful for coffee!Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-66537919114717610542017-11-01T19:49:00.001-07:002017-11-01T19:49:01.417-07:00Thankfulness Day 1Today is November 1st. I cannot believe it is already November. I was thinking for a bit that I might try something different this year. I managed to make it through the 25 Days of Christmas with a different Christmas song each day back in 2014. I decided this year that I would do 30 days of thankfulness for the month of November. I also saw when my last post was. Yikes. I need to be more regular over here. Soooo. Here I go with Day 1<br />
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I am thankful that God has brought me this far in the year. I am not going to lie. 2017 has been a tough year. In the words of Flo on Alice - it can kiss my grits (I am soooo going to teach my students that lol). It started off great with my job with the college - there was some adjustment teaching four dual credit psychology classes at four different high schools and having 79 students and all of the other work I was having to do outside of teaching (I am sorry, but just because I was teaching 12 hours a week did not mean that I was working 12 hours a week - teaching encompasses so much more). Then my mom got sick. And she got sicker. And I found out chemotherapy would kill her so I had to make an emergency trip to Arizona to see my mom at the end of March for what turned out to be her last few days on this Earth, Then I had to do another one a week later for her memorial service. Then a month later to help my dad move and get some stuff of my mom's that I was wanting (this time I drove to Arizona and back in one weekend - I saw Mexico on Cinco de Mayo and I drove from Gilbert, AZ back to Arlington, TX in one day. Literally. I even took a picture of the speedometer. Then May hit and I found out I was only going to have one summer term 1 class to teach. So basically stuff has been not fun. But here it is. I wrapped up another month. I have started a new month and God has brought me this far. I have some challenges still. I am going to keep praying and asking Him to help me through. I am thankful He has brought me this far in the year and I want to see how He moves in my life.<br />
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Okay that is it. Stay tuned for Day 2. You never know what I will be thankful for. Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-2023490015088281782015-12-04T12:41:00.001-08:002015-12-04T12:41:40.152-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Have Yourself a Very Tasty Christmas</h2>
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Yesterday's blog post with the mention of the Irish leaving out a mince pie and a bottle of Guinness for Santa's snack got me thinking about yummy Christmas food. I thought that I would post a few yummy recipes that you can try out for your holiday celebration. All with alcohol since I love to cook with alcohol. First off the rum cake that I love to make. Not necessarily at the holidays, but it is nice and festive for the holidays. </div>
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<u>Bacardi Rum Cake </u></div>
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1 cup chopped pecans<br />
1 pkg yellow cake mix<br />
1 pkg vanilla instant pudding mix<br />
4 eggs<br />
1/2 cup water<br />
1/2 cup cooking oil<br />
1/2 cup rum<br />
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Glaze:<br />
1/2 cup butter<br />
1//4 cup water<br />
1 cup sugar<br />
1/2 cup rum <br />
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Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease the bottom of a bundt pan. Sprinkle chopped pecans on the bottom. Stir together cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, oil, and rum. Pour batter over nuts. Bake for one hour. Cool 10 minutes in pan. Turn cake over onto plate and prick the top.<br />
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For the glaze, melt butter in saucepan. Stir in water and sugar. Boil for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in rum. Brush glaze evenly over top and sides of cake. Allow cake to absorb glaze. Repeat until glaze is used up.<br />
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Here is a recipe I am going to try.<br />
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<u>Tequila Balls</u><br />
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1 pkg. 12 oz vanilla wafers<br />
1/2 lb ground almonds<br />
4 oz white chocolate<br />
1/4 cup tequila<br />
1/4 cup orange marmalade<br />
2 tbsp light corn syrup<br />
sugar for rolling and coating the balls<br />
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Crush the vanilla wafers into crumbs along with the ground almonds.Melt the white chocolate according to the directions on the package.In a blender, process tequila, orange marmalade and light corn syrup until smooth.Stir in the melted white chocolate and into crumb mixture.Shape into 1-inch balls and coat with sugar.Store in the refrigerator. The tequila balls taste better after a day or so.
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Do you have any special recipes? Anything you like to cook with? Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-14667115989136768072015-12-03T21:13:00.003-08:002015-12-04T11:33:36.455-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Traditions of Christmas</h2>
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Today is a monumental day in my life. It is the 25th anniversary of me becoming an official sister of the Eta Omega chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. I cannot believe that was 25 years ago. It does not seem possible. So many things have happened between now and then (just like back then, I am in school and ironically I am taking classes at a school that has a chapter of Tau Beta Sigma). Joining Tau Beta Sigma was one of the best things that I ever did in my life and it has had a part of shaping who I am today. </div>
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I am also thinking about traditions. In the chapter of my sorority (as well as with the chapter of our brother fraternity), we have chapter traditions that we do. Many of them started with the founding members of the chapters while some started with the Beta class or different brother and sister lines. They make the chapters special more special to us, provide a sense of family, and make us unique in the big picture of things. They also create a deeper bond of brotherhood and sisterhood.</div>
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As, I think about the Christmas season, I think about the many traditions of Christmas. Some are unique to specific countries while some are unique to specific families. No matter the tradition,. it is meant to bring a sense of closeness, uniqueness, and serves to make it more special and meaningful. In my family, we go to Christmas Eve service together. On Christmas morning, my dad reads the Christmas story from Luke 2 and then we pass out presents - one for each person. Then everyone gets to open their present before passing out another round. My mom makes a special Christmas breakfast and then we eat Christmas lunch together around noon. We also have stockings that are hung up over the fireplace - one for each person in the family. The stocking tradition got started when I brought home a stocking I had made in the preschool class at church. My mom decided to make personalized stockings for the rest of the family. We used them for many years before she updated them foe everyone. I believe that I still have my updated stocking.</div>
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Even though I do not live with my parents anymore (or have a family of my own) and do not get to spend Christmas with my family every year, I continue with the traditions for myself. I hang up stockings for me and the kitty cats and put stuff in them. For the kitties it is usually a toy for each of them and a cat treat. I also make sure I read the Christmas story before I open any presents that I might have received. I also like to get my tree up on December 1st (this year it is still in the process of getting up as are my decorations). I like to eat a special Christmas breakfast and then do something special for lunch - however, I noticed that I like to mix it up. Last year I had a variety of ethnic food for my Christmas lunch. I also have started helping out with the media at the Christmas Eve service and if I am able to, I like to do Asian food and a movie on Christmas Eve.</div>
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Another tradition that I have started with myself is wearing a different pair of Christmas socks each day for the first 25 days of December. Then there is the 24 Days of Christmas blog posts that I decided to start. Last year I managed to find a different song for each day. This year I decided to mix it up. I have done a couple of songs and now this post on Christmas traditions.</div>
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I am going to end with a few interesting Christmas traditions from around the world.</div>
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Ireland - they leave a mince pie and a bottle of Guinness as a snack for Santa.</div>
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Venezuela - people roller skate to mass.</div>
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Iceland - children put their shoes on the windowsill to be filled with goodies by Santa.</div>
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Japan - KFC has become a traditional Christmas dinner.</div>
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What kind of traditions does your family have for Christmas? Have you heard of any unusual ones?</div>
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Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-62159998681590393152015-12-02T22:20:00.001-08:002015-12-02T22:20:30.170-08:00Ooops. I might have accidentally skipped day 2 in the 24 days of Christmas blog posts. It is after midnight. I blame my last assignment. Here is a quickie. Maybe it will count.<br />
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Mercy Me has a new Christmas album out. Here they are at Sirius XM The Message performing Christmas Time Again.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bp3HVIldLaU" width="560"></iframe><br />Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-85580245032576003132015-12-01T19:04:00.001-08:002015-12-01T19:04:21.612-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Adore </h2>
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Oh.My.Gosh. It is December 1st. Again. I am going to try my 24 Days of Christmas blog posts again here at the Great Faith Adventure. A lot has been happening in 2015. Good stuff - I have been taking classes for my school counseling certification. I am currently multitasking at the moment and hoping to be in bed by 10:30 pm - I found out my podcast assignment is due tomorrow and not on Sunday. Plus I am trying to get some of my Christmas decorations put up - I managed to get the wreath on my front door. Making some progress.<br />
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So, I was listening to the radio on Sunday and heard Chris Tomlin singing this song called Bethlehem. I found out he had a new Christmas cd out and was all sweet! I will put this video up. Well, I looked and could not find it. However, I did find a great video of another song off his new Christmas album. The song is called Adore. You will enjoy this video because Chris talks about the song and how it ended up on his album.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YhbWBLHLsv0" width="560"></iframe><br />Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-1613788486231861852015-04-24T09:27:00.000-07:002015-04-24T09:27:57.219-07:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Amazing Grace</h2>
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I love when I blog these days. Usually it is about something that God has reminded me of and I feel like I need to get it out. Yesterday God reminded me of something. I have a sweet friend who struggles with a mental illness. It is not one that require hospitalization. My friend is able to function in society, but he has this issue. It has not been easy for him. Not at all. And you know what? I can relate to him. Not because I have a mental illness, but because I understand. Part of it has to do with what God reminded me of yesterday. Just because someone you know has been diagnosed with a mental illness does not mean that you go running for the hills. You do just the opposite. Stand by, be a friend, and educate yourself on what they are dealing with so that way when there is a crisis (and there will be because I have seen it first hand) you know how to help them get help. The other part is because in my own family, I have seen two different people struggle with the same exact thing that my sweet friend struggles with. It is not easy at all. But thank God for giving grace to each of their spouses to be able to be there for them. And God is giving me grace to be able to step up and be a friend to my friend.<br />
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I have started educating myself on the struggles that he has and it is really helping me to understand him a lot better. Now I am getting things and now I am understanding that what may be easily solvable for a problem in the life of a person who does not struggle with what he has, it is 1,000 times harder for him. Especially when he is not on his medication. So, I thank God for grace and understanding, I still pray for my friend's salvation. I believe there is a day coming that he will pray to receive Jesus into his heart. In the mean time, I am going to be a good example of Christ in his life, pray for him, and be a good friend to him.<br />
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Another thought that I have before I close, is that there are some (those who are charismatic in their beliefs) that God will take it away and the reason it has not been taken away is because you have not had enough faith or enough trust. That is soooo not true. God has a different plan for each person's life. Not removing an illness - mental or otherwise - is a reminder that God's grace is sufficient for what it is that the person is dealing with. Look at the Apostle Paul. He had a thorn in his flesh that he prayed at least three different times to have removed. Did God remove it? Nope. Why? No idea. God knows why. I am glad that there are other Christians who struggle with what my sweet friend has going on in his life and that they have blogged about it because it helps me to be understanding and encouraging. Something that we all need, but especially him.<br />
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Enjoy the Selah version of Amazing Grace. A reminder of something we need to extend to everyone no matter what they may be struggling with.<br />
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<br />Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-22101591824399807432015-03-31T13:01:00.002-07:002015-03-31T13:01:41.409-07:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
God is Able</h2>
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We sang this song in church on Sunday. It is by Hillsong United. I had part of the song in my head this morning. I decided to listen to it before I left for work this morning and then on my way. Yep one song for the entire drive. I think I need to listen to it some more. The message needs to sink in right now. Fine by me. I like the song, but most of all the message if the song (I will include lyrics below). I need the reminder in what sometimes is a daily struggle. And with my friend as I continue to pray for his salvation and friendship. </div>
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I had a meltdown over bridal shower invitations yesterday. With my friend. I am coordinating a bridal shower for my friend who coaches JV girls soccer and also teaches ESL. She asked him when I was out on March 18th for a dental appointment if my friend I that I am praying for would do her bridal shower invitations. By hand. He started showing me some stuff that he was going to do. But then it became March 30th and nothing is done. I started thinking after a baby shower evite went out that why are we doing stuff by hand? Why are we not doing this by evite? So I talked to him yesterday after school. Thus my meltdown. Then I was thinking last night about what I would say to him/ If he really wanted to do them I wanted to give him a chance because he was wanting to do them. Plus he is really talented. But I know he has a lot on his plate and I did not think he would get things done. And I had to figure out how I would respond. Would I try to make him feel guilty? I saw him this morning before school and was trying to ignore him, but he talked to me first (I should not ignore him when I have something bothering me - I need to learn this if I hope to be married one day. I cannot ignore my husband. I have to be up front with him no matter how hard it may be). So no invitations by hand. I got the evite done. He volunteered to bring the serving dishes. I hope that occurs. I have learned that the social studies teacher who is getting married has them. I will not get annoyed. I promise. Or I will try not to get annoyed. </div>
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He continues to be on my heart. I continue to pray for his salvation. And for friendship. I really care about him. I honestly and truly do. And I sincerely hope that he and I get to be really good friends. It was funny - I was the stressed out one and he was the calm one. It was weird yet nice at the same time. </div>
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On the bright side of today - I made bunny rabbit cupcakes and brought them to school. I made red velvet because I knew he liked red velvet. He said they were cute and he had the lasst one when I offered it to him. I also made him a calendar to remember to write things down on. That might have been slipping back into my old ways. I hope not. I am really trying hard. Actually I am doing a lot of praying, And I am feeling a bit better. I just talked to my friend Benji and I asked her why I care so much about my friend. I did not mean to. It just happened. God is teaching me how not to be smothering and overwhelming. I really need to learn that. It is not good in any friendship or relationship. And I learned that if something is bothering me not to just ignore the one I am having the issue with. Just be open and up front. No matter how much it might hurt, And always always choose to take the higher road. I know that, but it is easier said than done.</div>
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I did learn today that two of the teachers that are married to each other met on the job here. He floated into her room and she would stay and watch him teach. God works in interesting ways. If he wants two people to be together, he will bring them together wherever they may be even if one may not yet be saved and have the one that is saved be praying for the one that is not. Not that this is the case here. I am just praying for my friend's salvation and also for friendship. And I am praying for God to help me continue to get better and change for the better. To work on these areas that need to be worked on.</div>
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It is interesting that back in December when I was walking through the book section of Mardel's that God gave me a reminder - not a harsh one, but a nice Fatherly reminder - that I need to be a light to his dark. That does not mean bashing him upside the head with a Bible and preaching to him. It encompasses how I live my life out in front of him and how I respond when we do have challenges that come up. Always always take the higher road. That is what Jesus would do. And so I will the next time there is a challenge that comes up. And I will also start working on not seeing him multiple times a day. Before school and after school is enough. And planning period if we are both off. And only if I need to talk to him about something. I got everything hammered out for the bridal shower so I might be good to go for a bit. Or maybe instead of taking this approach, just pray for God to direct the interactions with him. </div>
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I have to remember that God is able in this situation. As I continue to pray for my friend and his salvation and for friendship. Just give it to God each and every day. I like it when He puts a song in my head. I want to be used by Him and to grow and be stretched. I want to be obedient and be open to the wonderful guy that God would bring into my life if He so chooses. I do hope He chooses. I really do. I know something that I have admitted to myself deep down that only God and I know about. That is okay. I describe my relationship with him as open. He knows everything anyway. He will help me through. He has never let me down. I like that He is teaching me to be dependent on Him even in this, But most of all I want to be able to live my life intentionally different. Not tell people 20 times a day that I am praying for them. Always choose the higher road. Be the hands and feet of Jesus when presented with opportunities. Choose words that heal instead of hurt. Let my actions point to Christ and know that He will do the rest :)</div>
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God Is Able<br />
He Will Never Fail<br />
He Is Almighty God<br />
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Greater Than All We Seek<br />
Greater Than All We Ask<br />
He Has Done Great Things<br />
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Lifted Up<br />
He Defeated The Grave<br />
Raised To Life<br />
Our God Is Able<br />
In His Name We Overcome<br />
For The Lord<br />
Our God Is Able<br />
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God Is With Us<br />
God Is On Our Side<br />
He Will Make A Way<br />
Far Above All We Know<br />
Far Above All We Hope<br />
He Has Done Great Things<br />
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Repeat Chorus<br />
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God Is With Us<br />
He Will Go Before<br />
He Will Never Leave Us<br />
He Will Never Leave Us<br />
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God Is For Us<br />
He Has Open Arms<br />
He Will Never Fail Us<br />
He Will Never Fail Us<br />
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Repeat 2x<br />
For The Lord<br />
Our God Is Able</div>
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<br />Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-74972845050781936412015-03-27T11:05:00.000-07:002015-03-27T12:17:43.357-07:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Surrender</h2>
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I am grateful to God for Him continuing to teach me and show me things in my life. He is not done with me yet! Besides being reminded that I need to enjoy the journey, something that is on going is learning how to be a friend. Especially to my friend at school. That is a continual prayer that God will let a really good friendship develop between him and I. I know that he needs friends in his life. He needs some good friends. He needs a good friend that is a born again Christian. I think that I have said this before, but I realized that I may be the only Christian that he personally knows. If that is the case then what an awesome yet humbling responsibility that I do not take lightly. It does not mean that I bash him upside the head with a Bible. It means that I let go and let God work. It is not easy sometimes and it is a struggle, but wow when you continue each day to let go it does get easier. And it brings a sense of calmness and peacefulness which I think that my friend picks up on. At least I hope he does. But, I digress. Anyway, I will not bash him upside the head with a Bible and tell him he is going to hell. I believe strongly in living out my faith. That does not mean that I talk about religion all the time. It means that I live it out through my actions. I forgive him even though he has been mean to me in the past and has been a jerk (and I did forgive him). I do not become co-dependent on him. This gets real easy for me to do since part of me worries about him. But that is part of the surrender that I must do sometimes minute by minute, sometimes hour by hour. Sometimes day by day. It just depends. It means I do not need to tell him on a daily basis that I am praying for him. I do pray for him. Each day. Sometimes more than once a day. Especially for his salvation. That is the primary thing I pray for. As well as friendship. It means I am an active listener and pay attention to when he is stressed and does not want anyone around. It means that I do nor smother him.<br />
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Something else I am learning is that surrender is not a four letter word. It's a nine letter word. Ha! Seriously. Surrender is not a bad word at all. I have realized that yes I do indeed want to get married to a wonderfully sweet guy. Preferably one that is hot and younger than me. I think 5 to 6 years younger is ideal. But, that is okay that I am not married or dating anyone right now. I believe that I have some things that need to be worked on in my life. Not just physically (I am still working on my weight loss). But emotionally and mentally (not that I have issues, but I do need some tweaking in these areas). When the time does come, I want to be interdependent and not a flaming co-dependent. I want to be a woman (and a friend to my friend) of quiet strength and also to be someone that is a calming presence. It is not easy. But I am up for this. I want to be all that God will allow me to be which is a lot. Growing can be painful, but the end results are awesome.<br />
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I am glad that God has sent my friend into my life. He is using him to teach me some things. I do not think that I can ever tell my friend that. Maybe in the future, but not now. I know that. God's timing is always the best. Something else I am learning.<br />
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Today's video is Surrender by Hillsong United. Enjoy!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HcnfT4arZtI" width="560"></iframe>Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-4008051863584913862015-03-21T08:29:00.001-07:002015-03-21T08:29:29.080-07:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
True to Your Heart</h2>
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So I had to go back to work on Monday. Spring break ended. It was a little hard because I had to make sure that I did not have my friend or "friend" at work occupying my thoughts. I needed this to happen so that I could go and just concentrate on getting through the rest of the school year and still have a job for next year. I think the antidote was when I stopped off in Austin to see my super sweet and good friends Josh and Grace (hello if you read this!). I was en route back to Arlington from seeing my 82 year old cousins in Schertz and my friend at work kept popping into my mind. Ugh. But after some a few hours with Josh and Grace (and after praying on the way to see them), bam he was not on my mind. I got to work Monday and I saw my friend or "friend" in his classroom, but knew I just wanted to avoid him. Fast forward to after school when I stopped by to ask him if he could make a bridal shower game for me because I am throwing a work bridal shower for another friend at school. I some how brought up Ru Paul's Drag Show and somehow we ended up talking for 45 minutes after school on Monday. Turns out my friend at work knows one of my fraternity brothers who does drag shows. They are friends. And my friend said he would have to take me to a drag show sometime. I would totally love that, I know odd duckling here. Whatever. On Tuesday I told my friend who I am throwing the bridal shower for about talking to my friend on Monday after school for 45 minutes and she told me some encouraging things. I also got to talk to one of the counselors at school ans she had some good things to say to me that has just really helped me to just let go and give it to God. To just surrender and let Him really guide and direct me. I do not want to be clingy or desperate. I just want to be and know that things happen in God's timing and they are perfect. </div>
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I was out on Wednesday for a dentist appointment and was back on Thursday, I found out that my friend who I am throwing the bridal shower for is having my friend work on the invitations. I also brought him the stuff for the game I wanted him to make. We are getting to work together on stuff which is good. And I have noticed that things are better. I think part of it is that I am learning that I do not need to be smothering or overwhelming to him. I do not need to be codependent (I should never be like that)/ I just need to let go and let God have me be the friend to him that he needs. He does not need codependent, smothering, mothering. He needs someone who will be calm, patient, strong but not intimidating, Someone who he can talk to and let the walls down. He does need some good friends in his life and I know that the potential is there for God to really have a great and wonderful friendship develop between the two of us. I honestly and truly care about him. He is funny and sweet and has a great personality. We can talk a lot about all sorts of stuff He is smart and has a really good memory when it comes to me. I have a good memory when it comes to him too, We had another good talk after school and ended up walking out together. I brought him my tv cabinet doors for him to work on. On Friday I surprised him with some things that he was in need of. We walked out together for him to go outside to smoke and on the way out he told me he had been at th dollar store and saw the crazy socks and almost bought me some. A miracle that he thought of me. I think of him when I see camouflage stuff. I thought about bringing him something else, but I think what I brought him at school yesterday was enough, </div>
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I know that things have been rough in the past. It is amazing to see God at work and to just let go and let Him redeem things. If God wants there to be a friendship between two people because we do not know His purpose then He will work. I pray for this friendship and for God to work where only He can. Another one of my friends is mad and cannot believe that I would even still talk to my friend at school. But you know what? She is not God. She is not the one that is guiding me and directing me. I truly truly need to depend on God for this. Man would say run far away. God's ways are not ours. He is in the business of redeeming things and making them so much better than we ever could. </div>
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Enjoy the video of 98 Degrees singing True to Your Heart. I am on a Disney kick today :) I may also want some Chinese food :)</div>
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Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-27595147593175858682015-03-04T10:11:00.000-08:002015-03-04T10:11:08.226-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Forgiveness </h2>
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So, God has opened my eyes to some things regarding my friend or "friend." I thank Him for that. Between what a friend in my small group said, the pastor at my church that I talked to said, and what someone else told me, it sunk in and the light bulb went off. I have reached the I am ticked at you stage and I no longer feel sorry for you stage because all of your issues that you are having are your doing and not some outside forces doing it to you. This came a week after a sermon on forgiveness and the very day that we had an excellent discussion on the sermon in my small group. This stage was followed shortly thereafter by the your a jerk stage.<br />
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This now leads me to realizing that there is more than one way to live out the gospel in the lives of others. I thought it entailed helping someone with a need. Oh no folks. So much more than that. One aspect is modeling forgiveness when the other person has been mean and a jerk to you. Even if I never say the words I forgive you, but forgiving them in my heart. Because let's just face it. If I went up to my friend or "friend" and said I forgive you he would be like okay I did nothing wrong. Another aspect is showing compassion to them. That does not mean I feel sorry for you. It means I have compassion on their spiritual condition and continue to pray for their salvation. Which is hard to do when my friend or "friend" has been a jerk to me and has been mean to me.<br />
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I am also learning that forgiveness is a process. It is easy for an outside person to say oh just forgive and move on. But forgiveness really is a process and it is something that only God can do. So I am asking God to show me and teach me how to forgive my friend or "friend" so that way I can have compassion on his spiritual condition and keep praying for his salvation. I know that all of these things have not been a coincidence. God did bring our paths to cross for a purpose. I will continue to pray for his salvation and a wake up call for his life. Some people need a wake up call for their lives before they realize their need for God. My friend or "friend" is one of those people. I believe his wake up call is en route and will be here before any of us knows it. If my part in all of this is to plant the seed and pray then I will do it and do it well (kind of like the episode of Friends when Phoebe got to be in charge of cups and ice for Monica's bridal shower).<br />
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Today's song is Forgiveness by Matthew West. Very appropriate for what God is teaching me on this great adventure of faith. Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-87903215807289065492015-02-25T12:21:00.001-08:002015-02-25T12:21:41.662-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Lead Me to the Cross </h2>
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It has been a little while. I am writing something today that I have been meaning to write for a long time. It is about enjoying the journey. Something that I feel like I am constantly reminded of.<br />
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I have this one friend that is charismatic in her beliefs. She is a Christian and attends a charismatic church. We both believe in God and have been saved by grace, but that is where the similarities end. We disagree constantly on the details. She does not believe that things will get messy if God has directed you to do something. I, on the other hand disagree and point out missionaries around the world losing their lives for the sake of the gospel. I think my biggest thing with her is that she always seems so focused on blessings - material blessings. She is currently not working right now and every time I talk to her she says God is going to bless me with a great job. God is going to bless me with this. Or God is going to bless me with that. It seems like she is so focused on the end result that she forgets to stop and enjoy the journey.<br />
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I know some people are asking - what do you mean enjoy the journey? I mean enjoy the process of getting to the end result. Stop and smell the roses. Ask yourself what it is that God is trying to teach you during this time. It is like me. I am working on losing weight. When I started my completely safe no drastic stuff weight loss journey on January 10, 2014 I weighed 295 pounds. As of today I am down 54 pounds. I am not at my goal of 160 yet, but I am getting there. Would I like to be there now? Absolutely. But if I do not stop and enjoy the journey then I will miss out on the here and now. I will get caught up with the end result and that will frustrate me. I will forget to celebrate the little victories that happen along the way. Like each time I enter another decade of weight. Or each time I find I have another piece of clothing falling off of me.<br />
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As I write this, the same can be said for my friend at work. Or "friend." I do not know what he is these days. He and I both kind of had a difficult week last week. I had a mini-meltdown and took three days off of work. He had to make an emergency therapy session. Nice. I am praying for God to use me in his life and for his salvation. For miracles in his life because he needs it big time. I am praying for friendship. But that takes time just like when God draws a person to Himself. I have to enjoy the journey of getting to that point. Even if it means my friend or "friend" hits rock bottom. Which he is on the edge teetering. In the mean time I will be attending the Free at Last co-dependent group at my church so I can not have doormat secretly stamped on my forehead. Because when he does hit rock bottom and when he does come crawling to me, I will be more capable of setting boundaries both for him and for myself (he has attempted to set boundaries in a moment of anger which is not when you are supposed to do that. It is supposed to be under calm circumstances. And he has come back around every time). <br />
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I thought that the song Lead me to the Cross by Francesca Battistelli would be appropriate. After all, it is a journey of being led to the cross of the very One who loved us so much that He died for all of mankind. That if we repent of our sins, we too can live with Him in eternity.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IrxgU074ub8" width="560"></iframe><br />Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-45709280371213841792015-02-11T11:24:00.002-08:002015-02-11T11:52:16.545-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Friends</h2>
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Oh how God continues to be growing me in my great faith adventure. Nothing bad is happening in my life. Yay! What He is doing is teaching me and showing me how to be a friend to my friend here at school. For that I am very grateful. It is not easy at times, but I am learning. I shall share with whoever reads this what I am learning.</div>
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Back in October I heard a sermon at my church called Living the Gospel in the Lives of Others. I remember the part of the sermon where I prayed for God to bring someone into my life for me to live out the gospel in their life. It was one of those prayers that right after I prayed it that I said wait what the heck did I just pray God, Maybe I do not mean it. What are You going to do? Enter my friend a few days later. It all started with me running into him in the stairwell talking to him and telling him I had covered in his classes and what I had done and that I had been praying for him while he was out, He thanked me and gave me a hug and we parted ways. Little did I know that he would be out for a while starting the following week and that God would start using me in his life and what would come in November. The thing that made me glad that Nashville had never worked out because if it had then I never would have been able to help my friend out at a time when he really needed it,</div>
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Something that stood out to me in that sermon that was preached back in October is that Jesus stepped into the lives of people whose lives were messy. My friend's life is certainly messy. I let my friend know last week that he has a friend in me and I have started praying each day for God to show me how to be a friend to him and to teach me how to be a friend to him, God is helping me to lower the walls and the awkwardness that I know were there when we got back from break. I do not know why they were there, but they were. I should have known better. But they were. I can see that God is developing in me a heart that is tender for my friend. Helping me to listen and ask questions. To be sensitive to when he might not be feeling well. To keep quiet when he asks me not to say anything. To love him like Jesus did. To know when the time is right to share Christ with him (it is not yet the time, but in time it will be and I will be there to share the hope that is found only in Christ because I want to see his life turned around and transformed). I am learning to love him like Jesus loves him. I am learning to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in his life. All nine of them - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. </div>
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I am looking more at how Jesus was a friend to others. Especially to those who were considered the unlovable and outcast of society. Not that my friend is that. But as I get to know him a little bit better, I find more and more out about what he is going through (and add to my prayers for him). One blog I looked at had three ways on being a friend like Jesus. First is to be okay with marginal. Second is to aim to love, not be liked (I have seen this first hand in my friend's life. There are times that he has not exactly been happy with me and I have still shown him love. Because he needs to know that no matter what, there are people that will love him and accept him just as he is - Jesus does). Third is to put the gospel to work. Being upside-down, inside-out, and forward-back. Being upside-down means that our lives are marked by a relentless pursuit of servant hood. In my friend's life (and in the life of whoever God sends my way) I keep my eyes and ears open for how I can be a help to him. It is not that I am co-dependent, I am not. But I am asking God to help me to keep my eyes and ears open in his life. Inside-out means that I extend grace to my friend right where he is at. I do not care what all is going on in his life or how some might think he has issues. Someone has to accept him and love him right where he is at. Jesus does. Forward-back means I love my friend who is lost and when the time comes tell him of God's great love story for mankind.<br />
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I do not do this because of some obligation. Because I feel it makes me a better Christian. I do this because I want my friend to know the hope that is found in Jesus Christ. I care about him and I do not want to see him suffer one day in eternity. I want him to know the love of God. To know that God loves him and does not care what he has done. That God has a better path and plan than how his life is currently going. It is not easy, but I will persevere on this journey. I love my friend and want to see the best for his life.<br />
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Today's video is Friends with Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant. I feel it is appropriate.<br />
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Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-48966176572922075842015-01-25T19:16:00.001-08:002015-01-25T19:16:15.891-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Great Are You Lord</h2>
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I have been meaning to blog for a while. I have a couple of things on my mind, so I will do some separate blog posts. Today's theme is from the song we sang at the end of the service. Man was it awesome! Ender brought the word today. We have been doing a sermon series on the Holy Spirit. Last week Jason preached and he encouraged us to try an experiment for 5 minutes a day for 30 days - sitting and listening to the Holy Spirit. I started last Sunday. First day I had nothing. Jason said that might happen. In fact he said it could take a while. Second day I did it. I try to do it first thing in the morning in the dark after I had read my Bible. I did it after 10 pm warm and comfy in my bed. I felt a a bit of a stirring. Then I went to sleep. Less than two hours I was waking up a bit thinking it was a lot later than it was and discovering after I heard the text message alert go off three times and then looked over a few minutes later to see who it was and the time that it was not even 12:30. Ugh. I looked to see who had text messaged me or who had commented on a Facebook status. Boy was I pleasantly surprised. My friend at school had text messaged me a three parter. He said he was going to be out the next day and not to worry the world was not ending no calamity. He was telling me so I would not start some absurd speculation as to his whereabouts and tell anyone who would listen. And he said no need to check in on him he was fine. I think folks that it is safe to say I am making a difference in his life. I also think that it was not a coincidence. Making a difference in his life is what I want to be doing. I care about him very much and have been praying a lot for him. It is not easy at times especially when I do not see answers happening. It is not easy when I see him having ups and downs. He is alternating between weeks with a negative mood one week and a positive mood another week, I have people telling me to stay away from him altogether even if he is having a good week. To them say - I will approach him on a good week and proceed with caution on a bad week as I pray like crazy for him.</div>
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Today;s message was about the Holy Spirit's work in the conversion process. How the Holy Spirit is at work in the lives of those around us and how we need to keep our eyes open and be ready to share when the time comes. I thought of my friend and how yesterday I was weeping off and on for him all day. Oh how I pray for him and for him to come to know Christ. How I pray that God is working in his life to bring him to faith in Christ. I thought about how my friend had wanted to transfer to our school for 5 years and he finally got the chance. How he has stated that he has wished he stayed put at his other school and even how we wished he had never left the first school that he started off his teaching career at. I have thought in the back of my mind - maybe just maybe God wanted you to come here because He is up to something in your life. But I cannot say that yet. Someday I hope to. I thought about the discussion that we had in my small group (I have been 5 times now!) and how God will move people geographically to be able to reach a person. He did that with Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch, He has done that with others. I am not saying this to be all high and mighty, but I wonder deep down if that is what God has done with my friend. I said back in November when God helped me to pay for his medication that I am glad Nashville never worked out. If it had not then I never would have been able to help him at a time when he needed it. And now I say if I had never moved back from Nashville then I never would have met him and never would have been praying for him like I have. I am so very glad that God has me praying for my friend. I want to keep at it to see what God does. I want to see the power of God at work in his life. I want to see the miracle of Christ in his life. He will still have his struggles, but oh how it will he worth it with God by his side. And for him to know that in eternity he will have the hope of Christ to look forward to. Somehow God has developed in my a heart for the lost as I find myself praying for my friend. It is more than him just being gay It is that he needs the hope of Christ in his life and the prayers are getting more intense for him. I mean I was weeping on and off for him yesterday,</div>
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I love this song. It is by All Sons and Daughters and they are out of Franklin, TN. Just south of Nashville. I live the message in the song and how I long for my friend to hear this and have the words mean something to him.</div>
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Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-25562098030235252102015-01-12T05:17:00.000-08:002015-01-12T05:17:32.060-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Words</h2>
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So this song was on the radio when I woke up. I really like the lyrics. That is my heart's desire when it comes to my friend at work. To be able to speak words to him that will point him to Christ. Oh how I long for him to know Jesus. I have actually wept over his spiritual condition (last week was our first week back at school and it was a little rough for the both of us). I know that I have screwed things up and I am not perfect and will probably screw things up in the future, but I pray for God's mercy and grace in all of this so that there will be a day when my friend does come to know Jesus. I really care about him and I want to see his life changed by the only One who brings change and hope and healing. The One who changes hearts. I do not know how or when, but I have to believe with all my heart that God has started the pursuit of my friend and that there will be that day coming. In the meantime I pray for friendship, I pray to be the hope, light, joy and love of Christ to my friend, and I pray to exhibit all of the fruits of the Spirit to him.</div>
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Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-67659816736833904232015-01-03T11:04:00.001-08:002015-01-03T11:04:16.266-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Take My Hand, Precious Lord/Just A Closer Walk With Thee</h2>
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So, I have some exciting news!! I finished my book last night at 10 pm!! That makes two chapter books that I have written. I never thought that when I set out to be a complete re-write of the entire Adventure in Hawaii story that I would think of ideas for other books. It was hard enough writing the first book. Then it took me a while to write the second book. Not because I was lazy, but because I have to get myself into my writing mode. It involves smooth jazz music and lots of putting other things aside to get it done. I started my dog/cat/house sitting job with 4 1/2 chapters done in my book. I got the other 3 1/2 chapters done in less than a week. Not too shabby. I seriously do not know how John Grisham or J.K. Rowling do it. I do have plans to start what will be the second book in my series (this one that I finished was the third book - yes I know it is strange, but I had the story in my head and I do what every good author does by getting it out on paper before I lose it). So, on Monday when I clock in at work I will have the notebook with me for the second book and will be happy to say that I finished my book :)<br />
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So, sometimes I struggle with my faith. Like I have the past couple of days. It is not that it is not there, it is just that my head likes to get in the way of my heart. My faith and salvation in Jesus comes from the heart and not the head. I do not understand it at all. I am glad that God does not want us to know everything or understand everything. I think if we did then we would not need Him. And we do need Him. I need Him desperately. I am learning that in times like this that I cannot do anything to make my faith better or stronger. I read that in The Patchwork Devotional book that I went through this last year. And it is true. It is something that only God can do. And He will. He will help my heart to be bigger than my head so that way I can be in awe of Him and be grateful to Him for all that He has done and is doing and will continue to do in my life. He will help me to keep growing in Him one day at a time.<br />
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I go back to work on Monday. I will get to see my friend again and I am praying a lot for this part of the school year and him. I keep praying each day for him and I am glad. I want to see what God does through all of this. It is not easy at times, but I am learning through all of this. To keep praying even when it is difficult. To have God continue to give me a compassionate heart for my friend. I do care about him. It is just different when you do not see each other for a while. You fall into solitude and vacation mode since you are not out there interacting with the world. But now that work starts back up, I can go back refreshed and ready to face what God will have me doing.<br />
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Today's video seems appropriate. I do desire a closer walk with Jesus and need Him to take my hand as we go through this journey of life and faith together.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/P56eSXwGNrc" width="420"></iframe>Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-18808880439027239492015-01-01T19:23:00.001-08:002015-01-01T19:23:59.014-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Welcome 2015</h2>
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Well somehow 2014 ended and now it is 2015. I have been on an adventure of sorts since December 27th. I am dog/cat/house sitting in north Dallas. I work with the lady at my school and know both of their daughters from school as they have been in classes that I have covered. I have yet to meet the husband and son, but I know that one of these days I will. They are super super nice and have a beautiful house in a very nice part of north Dallas. I am taking care of their two dogs and cat (they took their third dog with them). It has been a nice get away of sorts. I have gone to my apartment for a few hours every other day to check on my kitties. They are all doing fine. No one is sick anymore (Etta picked up something from the place she got fixed at, so I had to take her to the vet where she proceeded to attack me multiple times. I think it gave the vet tech some entertainment). Anyway. Etta's illness spread to the other three making me for a moment feel like a mom with human kids when all their kids are sick at once. I shared her antibiotic with the other three and everyone is better now. Thankful to start the new year off with healthy fur kids.</div>
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I have been enjoying myself at this very nice house. I thought it would be a bit scary to be staying in this big of a house by myself, but thankfully it is not. I have the two dogs who are inside. They are good watch dogs. Plus I have been sleeping in the world's most comfortable bed. Seriously. I want a bed like it. Although if I had a bed like it, I would be fired because I would never want to leave it. Or I would be figuring out a way to work from bed. I have also been able to work on my book. I am down to the last chapter. Just trying to figure out what to make my characters do next. I have been having a lot of fun with it and am looking forward to showing up to work on Monday being able to say I finished the book! I think starting Monday I will be carrying around another notebook as I start to work on the second book, I have already been thinking about my characters and the first chapter. Uh oh folks. We have a writer on our hands.</div>
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So, I decided to look at last year's blog post for New Year's Day to see what my goals were and let you all know how I did.</div>
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1. Get into my new daily four routine - read in my daily devotional book, exercise for 30 minutes. tae my multivitamin, and do my Bible reading.</div>
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<b>I am happy to say that I accomplished this goal. I finished reading The Patchwork Devotional that my friend Julie got me, I finished reading through the entire Living Bible New Testament Large Print edition before the end of the year and started in another one of my Bibles. I also took my multivitamin everyday and I not only exercised 30 minutes a day - I did more than that. And have lost 52 pounds to boot. </b></div>
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2. Get my first children's book out by the summer.</div>
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<b>This did not happen, but I am almost done writing my second chapter book and am working on building my savings account back up. </b></div>
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3/ Read 24 chapter bools this year.</div>
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<b>Not sure how many I read. but I did read.</b></div>
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4. Get my own place again</div>
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<b>This happened at the end of April. I am pretty sure that all of the going up and down stairs with my stuff contributed to my 52 pound weight loss.</b></div>
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5. Get seasons 6-10 of Beverly Hills 90201 on dvd</div>
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<b>This has not happened, however I did get Season 3 of One Tree Hill on dvd. I have now staryed the collection :)</b></div>
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6. Get my passport again.</div>
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<b>It has not happened, but I did pick up the paperwork when I went to the courthouse for the wedding of one of my former students.</b></div>
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7. Go see someplace I have not seen yet.</div>
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<b>I went down to San Antonio in March and finally saw the Alamo and the Riverwalk. During the summer I finally got myself to La Grange where my great-great-great-great grandfather is buried and I made a pilgrimage to Shiner, TX</b></div>
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8. Get out to California to see my sister and brother.</div>
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<b>This happened in June when I went for my nephew's high school graduation.</b></div>
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9. Get out to Arizona to see my parents.</div>
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<b>This did not need to happen because my parents went to California for my nephew's graduation. I was able to kill two birds with one stone.</b></div>
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10. Get a rodent.</div>
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<b>This did not happen, but I did get a kitten in July. I heard her meowing from my apartment and went in search of the meow. Big mistake,</b></div>
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11. Have another job lined up when subbing ends</div>
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<b>This did not need to happen, because they had my job again. I have been very happy about that. I am really enjoying my job this year.</b></div>
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12. Go on a book tour after the book gets out</div>
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<b>This has not happened. I need to get the book out.</b></div>
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13. Do a book signing for Adventure in Hawaii</div>
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<b>Has not happened yet, but it will.</b></div>
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14. Do something to get Sweet Kirtter Creations off the ground</div>
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<b>Need the money.</b></div>
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15. Blog more in 2014 and do some fun things with it</div>
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<b>This did happen. Although I could make it more fun.</b></div>
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16. Get the flat top roof made for the doll house. </div>
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<b>Has not happened yet, but I did get the furniture repaired that needed to be repaired and stuff back on the walls. I am thinking of working on it this month.</b></div>
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So what are my goals for 2015? Here ya go:</div>
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1. Continue on my journey of health. I got 52 pounds off in 2014, I can do that in 2015. I know what I need to do. I may not be there yet, but I will enjoy the journey.</div>
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2. Be the hope, the light, the love and the joy of Christ to my friend. I care about him very much and love him like God does. I will work to be those so that he will be drawn to the light of Christ in me so that way there will be a day when he prays to receive Jesus into his heart.</div>
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4. Finish book 3 and get book 2 done before school lets out for the summer.</div>
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5. Continue to grow my walk with God. It is not easy sometimes. but I do want to grow in my faith ad be molded and shaped into the woman of God that He would desire me to be. I want to not only be beautiful on the outside, but on the inside as well. I want to:be known as a doer, flexible, someone with a great attitude, and a woman who stands by her convictions and is a woman of integrity.</div>
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6. Be a good influence on my friend. </div>
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7. Get my secondary certification in history or social studies,</div>
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8. Start taking classes again.</div>
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9. Go to California again this summer.</div>
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10. Get my passport.</div>
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11. Get the flat top roof done for the doll house</div>
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12. Read 12 books this year</div>
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13. Blog on a more consistent and regular basis</div>
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14. Continue to persevere in prayer for my friend.</div>
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15. Read through whatever Bible I picked out to read and the Jesus Calling devotional book.</div>
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Enjoy the live video of Kenny Loggins and Michael McDonald singing This is It</div>
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Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-7966835207151400812014-12-25T07:20:00.000-08:002014-12-25T07:20:22.872-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Merry Christmas</h2>
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Hey guess what! I made it through the 24 Days of Christmas over here at the Great Faith Adventure and did not have to pull out LeRoy the Redneck Reindeer, Yay! I am already starting to think of what I can do next year. Okay maybe not yet, but I will be. Taking suggestions. Seriously. I will have it figured out by November 30, 2015. In other news, Callie my calico cat is now the big 7 years old. I remember when she was 2 years old. January will be 5 years that I will have had her. Time is flying, </div>
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Okay from all of us over here at the Great Faith Adventure (in reality it is me, 3 cats, a kitten - yep expanded my family this summer - and a turtle) we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! Here is what is now going to be an annual tradition. From A Charlie Brown Christmas - the meaning of Christmas. Enjoy!</div>
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Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-36388432943174593252014-12-24T20:12:00.002-08:002014-12-24T20:12:39.778-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Jesus Messiah</h2>
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Well I have survived two Christmas Eve services once again this year. I did not know for sure if I had to work the second one or not, but Joel our media guy that coordinates the volunteers reminded me that I said I would work both, So I did, Tis okay. I had fun, Especially in between services when I was downstairs in the back hanging out with the other media people. Really is a great group of people to work with,</div>
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I realized a couple of things today. First,before I left to go to my friend Julie's house for a yummy dinner with her sister and parents, I found myself wondering why I couldn't have been a school counselor by now, or why I couldn't have been working at a college by now or why Nashville never worked out. Then God reminded me - if those things had worked out, I never would have met my friend at work and I never would have been able to help him at a point in his life when he really needed the help. I also would not be praying for him like I have been, So I found myself grateful to God that those things never worked out and that His purposes are better than mine. The other thing that I realized is that I do not have to be with my family at the holidays, I have my non blood family right here in Texas and they are pretty cool. I can see my family during the summer since I do fly on airline passes of another friend of mine. That is quite okay, </div>
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I also realized that if I end up a Christmas orphan, I cannot guarantee that I will have normal meals on Christmas Day. Yep tomorrow's meals will be a combo of Japanese, Chinese, Indian, and Arabic. This tends to be what happens when my friends Jim and Benji do not go out to eat with me because they had to leave church early. I end up eating food that is yummy, but I have no idea what I am eating, </div>
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Today's installment is not really a Christmas song, but we sang it tonight in our Christmas Eve service. I picked it because I like the message in the song and what it has to say about Jesus. </div>
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Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8272081845156864622.post-38956083265003132272014-12-23T19:31:00.002-08:002014-12-23T19:31:44.594-08:00<h2 style="text-align: center;">
The Little Drummer Boy</h2>
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Wow! After today there will be one more day left in the 24 Days of Christmas blog posts. It has been a bit challenging at times. Going to see if I can come up with something different next year. Maybe do Christmas movies. I am taking suggestions.<br />
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Today has been better than yesterday. I am glad. Still praying for my friend. God is helping me.I had a good talk with y friend Julie who I will be spending Christmas Eve with. She is amazed at how much I have changed for the better this year. I am too. I want to keep moving forward. I know without a doubt that reading my Bible on a pretty much daily basis as well as reading in my devotional book that I picked out to read this year is helping me grow in my walk with God, I am glad. We talked about my friend at work. I told her that as I have been praying God has done something in me. I now care about my friend at work, Which, when you star caring, it is easy to get your heart stomped on sometimes. Not that he has willfully done that, He has made me cry at times. He just does not know it. Only me and God know that information.<br />
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It is not the song for today's post. but I was listening to Christ is Come by Big Daddy Weave. I really like that song. The names of God part is pretty cool. I like what each name means.<br />
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Prince of Peace - Jesus came to bring peace between God and man. He died to reconcile sinners to a holy God.<br />
Yeshua - means to rescue or deliver<br />
Messiah - Jesus is the Anointed One or the Chosen One.<br />
Son of Man - affirms the humanity of Christ which exists alongside his divinity<br />
Holy One - Christ is holy both in His divine and human nature. By His death we are made holy and pure before God.<br />
King of Kings and Lord of Lords - Jesus has dominion over all authority on earth<br />
The Great I Am - Jesus is the eternal God. The unchanging Jehovah of the Old Testament<br />
Comforter - Jesus ministers to each of us personally<br />
Counselor - we can trust Jesus to listen to our problems and guide us in the right direction<br />
Author and Finisher - Jesus is the founder of our faith as well as the finisher. He is the source of our faith that sustains us.<br />
Divine Truth Revealer<br />
Deliverer - Christ is our deliverer from the bondage of sin.<br />
Healer<br />
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Oh how I long for my friend to hear this song and have the names of Jesus mean something to him. It keeps me praying for him/ I have a feeling that we really are going to be good friends. That this is the calm before things really start to pick up. That is okay. God can get me ready for what is coming. I am glad that I am on Christmas break, but will be glad to get back to work so that I can see my friend (unless he decides he wants to hang out when I get over to north Dallas to pet and house sit).<br />
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Okay you know I had to do this, Yep, Stryper doing The Little Drummer, You are in for a treat, Now that makes me want to go fund Soldiers Under Command on cd and also find another To Hell With the Devil replacement poster. I really hope that I do get married one of these days (before I am 50) because I soooo cannot wait for my future hubby to know about my liking of Stryper. He is going to roll his eyes. I soooo do not care. If he loves me he will love my quirky funny humorous spunky weirdness. I sooo cannot wait to meet my future hubby, I know God has a doozy out there for me. Bring it on :)<br />
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<br />Kathihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12618066193813163796noreply@blogger.com0