I know, I know

I know...I learn how to put pics up and I go crazy. I have been wanting to put these up for a while, but not until dear Mr. Tolbert took the time to tell me how to do it could I show all of you my amazing pics. Oh, but wait, I have more. We'll see how the day goes. Today might just be a day of all pics, you never know. Let's see...hmmm...what kind of day do I feel like it should be?

Picked up the Youth Institute students last night from Hong Kong. They had an amazing time. And they said the best part was bringing Bibles across the border to China. What an amazing feeling. It really brought back all my memories of Cambodia. Ahhh!

Tonight I am attempting to make dinner. Crescent Chicken is on the menu. It's funny because I have given so many of my friends this recipe, but I haven't made it in so long. I think they make more than I do. I hope I do it right. But no worries, Amy will be there and she's a chef. We'll do great!

And I know I have talked about Silas, Aynsley, and Amy many, many times. Here we all are at camp last week. Aren't they adorable? 

This is my dad and my brother, Chris, trying to climb up the side. It was so hard, but so amazing. 

This is my dad at the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado. The slope of the sand was so steep. People snow board and ski down the sides.  

man, I love this 

prayer

Hey gusy! So...I got some interesting news. Some things have changed. I can't go into much detail, but I need prayer for wisdom, guidance, and discernment. I want to make sure this thing is God thing. I don't fear to stop me or hold me back, but I also don't want to think I'm indispensable and can do anything, just cause. Please be in prayer for me today and tonight and tomorrow morning. I would appreciate it greatly. Thank you all.

personal

Can I just be personal for one moment. I know that so many times on this here blog I just write about everyday stuff. People have told me that I'm not one to open up very easily. I don't believe that to be true. But they're the ones that I'm opening up to (or not), so they should know I guess. Anyway, the point of this. Yesterday evening I was sitting in Starbucks drinking a white mocha (my favorite), writing in my journal about all of my blessings. Thinking and looking back on God's hand in my life. No matter what anyone else says I believe I am truly one of the most blessed people in this entire world for many, many reasons. I have an AMAZING family that I love with all of my being. They are all Christians who love the Lord. They are all growing in their walk and they desire to love God and give Him all of themselves. They are servants to eachother and strangers and they are hilarious. They are quirky and funny, and fun to be around and none of them ever meet a stranger. Everything they have is everyone else's. They are encouraging and supportive of anything and everything I venture on in life. Thank you my dear family!

God has also granted me the pleasure of meeting and becoming friends with incredible people who love the Lord. From Freshman year at Anderson College God has put wonderful people in my life. People who encourage me in my walk, get in my face when need be, love me for who I am and am not, and walk alongside me when things are hard. You guys are funny and fun to be around and are a wonderful example of the Body of Christ that God designed.

God has blessed me with a wonderful school (despite what some may think). He's blessed me with amazing opportunities that most would and could only dream of. I have seen Europe, Asia, Africa, and countries in there. I have seen so many other cultures that most only read about in National Geographic. I have worked for two absolutely incredible ministry places in the world: New Spring Community Church and Kingdom Building Ministries. It was my dream when I was 14 to go to Africa and he gave me that dream. Later it was dream to work for NSCC and KBM and I have.

God gave me salvation and called me to Himself. And He gave me a heart that yearns for Him constantly. God has guarded my heart even when I have not wanted to and kept from things He knew I could not do or do right. Can or should I even go on? This would be the longest blog ever (I think it already is). The point of all of this is that I am incredibly blessed with this and soo, sooo much more. I know this and am grateful. Thank you Jesus for love, life, and learning.

"If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all teh mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what good would I be? and if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn't love others, I would be of no value whatsoever."
1 Corinthians 13: 1-3

Weirdos

What is about men that freak me out? Not all men, just weird ones. It's gotten so bad that you can't trust anyone anymore. So...me, Amy, and Rebecca went to lunch today at McDonald's. That's right, I couldn't believe it either. But I really wanted it and so did Amy. Funny, huh? We walk in and the older man behind the counter says, "I've got my eye on you!". (Meanwhile, he's got one eye closed.) I'm sorry, what? What was the point in that and why would you do that? Maybe he's just trying to be funny and cute and old guyish. But it just freaked me out. I mean, how in the world am I supposed to respond to that? I see people all the time that are on the side of road broken down and I would like to stop and help (like I could actually help), but you just don't know about people anymore. I hate that.

What is it about chocolate that makes everything seem perfect? It's like a drug I think. So if you consider chocolate a drug like I do. And you say that I am addicted to chocolate, than I guess you could say I'm addicted to drugs. In a stupid, weird, not really sort of way. Chocolate is really good. I like it.

Failure

So...last night I tried to find a good movie that was a little different. But I failed. What is it about 80's movies that they have to have so much cussing in them all the time? People think todays movies are bad, but they don't compare to 80's ones. I mean look at Breakfast Club or True Love. They are rediculous. Anyway, I failed. I'll try again soon.

I'm back at work today for the first time in a week. It feels really good to be back and feel productive and feel like I have things to do. You know? I hate not having things to do. I'm getting ready for the Youth Institute students to arrive back in the states, pick them, cook meals for them, and get ready for graduation and next steps. It's a crazy week. But a good one.

Hello??!?!?!?!?!? Can someone show me how to put pics on this thing?

okay, here we go

hello again...thank you all for being patient. (I know there are so many of you out there reading this.) Can you feel the sarcasm? Anyway, here I am at Jim and Emily's watching Silas and Aynsley again. They're sweet and right now we are all having quiet time to ourself. It's great! Ok, Boulder. Yesterday morning at 7:00 am me and some ladies from KBM and Kristen went to Boulder for the farmer's market. I got some great zuccini, squash, cherries, and peaches. The fruit is so good and tasteful. It's great. I'm definitely going to have to go back. Some of the ladies went back to Aurora and me, Kristen, and Rebecca stayed to shop!!!! We went in a wonderful home store called Peppercorn, I got a shirt from Ann Taylor and some jeans from Banana Republic. (Don't worry, they were on sale, majorly!) Is it just me or do you ladies have a hard time finding jeans to fit right? I do for reasons I won't talk about online. He! He!

Later that night Amy and I watched a movie on TV called "Unbreakable", good movie. Oh, speaking of movies, I have two to recommend. You guys have to watch them. One is "Waking Ned Devine". It is one of the most random bazarre movies I've ever seen, but it's so funny. It's an independent film set in Ireland. The other one is "Spellbound". It's a documentary, that is absolutely hilarious. You have got to see both of these great movies. Really, take my word for it.

So...while at was at this camp I started reading the book of Hosea. Very interesting and great book. My friend, Amy, recommends a novel to go with it called, "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. It looks good. Anyway, reading the book. The story about how Hosea goes and gets his prostitute wife from the beds of her lovers is kind of like the prodigal son story in the gospels. But it takes it a step further. Instead of Hosea/God waiting on prostitute/Israel to come back to him, he goes out and gets the wife/Israel. That is even more beautiful of a story. Don't you think? I really want to study that book further. It's going to be quite interesting.

So...can I even start to event try to tell how utterly excited I am that I will be in Anderson, SC three weeks from today!!!!!!!!! No one really has a clue actually. But I am excited to see ALL of you that read this. You each bring a very real, vital, and different aspect to my life that I love and appreciate. Is anyone ready for some ultimate frisbee, trips to Taco Bell late at night, Wedgy's runs, "who lives there", ABC family movies, smelly kitchens, and whatever else? I'm so excited. I do have to stop thinking about it though, or I'll forget why I'm here.

One more time, does anyone know how to put pics on this thing? I need some help.

Whew!!

Man...am I tired! I've been at a camp since last Sunday night. Amy and I went up into Divide (a little ways past Colorado Springs) to help Jim watch his two children for the week while he spoke to some youth. It was a little rough at the beginning of the week, but really got better at the end of the week. It was fun and tiring all at the same time. I really don't want to write a lot right now cause I'm tired and I need to run a lot of errands. I'm going to Boulder tomorrow!!!

really quick

I have to write this really quick because I'm meeting Amy at Qdoba in a few. A great burrito place that I have come to love. Well...we leave today for the camp for a week. It really should be interesting. But I'm excited, cause it will be fun too! Yesterday, Kristen Terry and I hung out. We went to Qdoba for dinner and Jamba Juice for a little desert (yummy) and then to Old Navy. Good times. The China team came in last night, but their flight kept getting delayed. Needlesstosay, I didn't get home until 1:00 am. For those who know me well...that is way past my bed time. I skipped church this morning. Some of you may be thinking "bad Kathryn", but I didn't sleep so badly. I did have an incredible quiet time this morning though, so it is all good. I want to write more and let you know what's on my heart, but I don't have time at the moment. I won't be writing again for another week. Talk to you soon.

What?

I babysat the chilren this morning. Good times. They rode the rocket at WAL-MART. Worked during the afternoon and went grocery shopping for Team Thailand that returns tonight! I'll be leaving here in a few minutes to go pick them up. I also went and looked at an apartment this afternoon. It was so nice and lots of nice features. I can't believe I'm going to be living by myself. There's always a first for everything. It's raining, but I still manage to wear shorts and a T-shirt. It's what I'm most comfortable in and I just love it. Tomorrow is another fun-filled day of watching Silas and Aynsley and picking up Team China from the airport. I also need to clean the bathroon. Fun, I know you're jealous. Please don't be. And good coffee with friends!

Play Dough

This morning was not the usual working day in Aurora, CO. I watched Jim's precious children, Silas and Aynsley. (I have GOT to get a picture of them up here. Someone please tell me how to do that.) Anyway, We started off the morning riding bikes around the neighborhood and drawing ALL over the sidewalk with chalk. I have not done that in years and it was so much fun. I, of course, drew the only things I have ever known how to draw. My name and flowers. Boring, I know, but they were beautiful, I thought. I did some shading and almost made them look 3-D. I was proud. Lanna and Matt would have been too. (They are my artistic friends.) We then went to our favorite place. WAL-MART!!!!! I had to pick up a few things, that wasn't really exciting, but we all got stickers when we left. And, (side note) that was the first time ever that when me and the two kids are leaving WAL-MART that it is not raining. So that was a relief. We then went on to the pet store. We saw snakes, gerbels, hamsters, birds, fish (which Aynsley called bitch because she can't say fish right, it's hilarious), and bunnies. Good times were had by all.

After that we went home and rode our bycicles some more. And then the three of us made lunch. Grilled cheese, green beans, and cantelope were on the menu. They buttered the bread and unwrapped the cheese and I did the rest. Yummy. After lunch we all had a gumball for desert, it was cute. Then we pretended to be animals in which I always had to be the mean one (why?). They wanted me to tickle them EVERYTIME they did a summersault. That was about every 2 seconds. Aynsley went down for a nap and Silas and I played with Play Dough. That was the high light of my day.

He wanted to "bake" with the play dough. He made cookies and cupcakes and I was in charge of the cake. I made a red velvet cake with cream cheese icing (I can really make these and they are sooo good.) It was three layered with icing in the middle and icing on top and candles were lit on top. It was the most beautiful play dough cake I've ever made. I hope it's not destroyed. As a result of the "baking" my nose if forever smelling play dough. There are sacrifices you have to make for good times.:)

phones

So...in the offices of Kingdom Building Ministries there is one receptionist. Her name is Christi. She is great at the phones and loves doing them. But to give her a lunch break each department has about four people on a team and these teams rotate each week to cover lunch. This week is the Laborer Training and Development team. That means me and the people I work with. The funny thing is that most of us hate doing the phones. It's not about not having a lunch break per say. But rather, they make us nervous to do them. I always mess it up and hang up on people or lose them somehow. So today I embark upon something I hate, the phones. Today is my day. 12-1 pm, anxiety is overtaking me already. Not really. We'll see what happens, you never know.

tired

Well...since I have been gone from work for a little over a week now, I have to get back into the routine of it. I'm tired. I've been tired since 11:00 this morning. I'm not used to working all day again. Plus, vacation wasn't really restful, if you know what I mean? Is it ever?

Looking around my desk, I think I have more pictures on my desk than some people have in their whole house. I have one of my entire family. One of me and my friend, Steven at a graduation party, one of me and Karla, one of me and Sara, one of some homegroup fellas, one of some AC fellas at a formal (Jonboy, Matt, Joshua, and Adam), one of me, Worley, Karla, Lauren, and Anna (we were dating each other that night), one of me and Amy, one of my parents with my bro, one of my roommates and Matt and myself in a gondala in our den on my birthday!, one of some friends from church, one of me and my dad when I was two, and two of me and my friend Mr. Tolbert when he was admitting to the world that I am better than him at every sport and my GPA was higher than his, and multiple pictures of the mountains. I know that was a lot, do you see what I mean? It's crazy really, but I like it. Since I spend most of my days here at the office why would I have the pics at home? It's crazy really.

Well...this afternoon I'm headed to go look at an apartment for rent. I can't believe I'm doing this. It's nuts, me moving to Colorado all by my little lonesome. But oh the fun I'll have.

What an amazing trip!

Well...sorry Lanna and Matt. I know you have missed hearing from me. I have been on vacation with my family. I returned to work only today. My parents, brother, aunt Teresa, and my mom's friend, Yvonne went all over the southeast corner of Colorado and had a blast. As soon as I figure out how to post pictures on this bad boy I'll put them on here to show you. We went to Red Rocks, Beau Joes in Idaho Springs for the most amazing pizza in my life. On to Leadville and Twin Lakes to see some ghost towns and stay in this place called The Nordick Inn with amazing feather beds and some of the best food ever. We also went canoeing across some lake to another ghost town, in which I got extremely burnt. Oh well. Then on to Mt. Princeton where we stayed for two nights and went swimming in the Hot Springs. We went horseback riding and white-water rafting through Brown's Canyon. If you ever go, go with Noah's Ark. Incredible Christian Company that does outdoor stuff. They're great! Yvonne fell out of the raft during the biggest rapid, Zoom Floom. Pretty scary, but makes for more stories! We're glad she's okay. That night I got one of the most amazing milk shakes at K's. Then on to The Great Sand Dunes near Alamosa. The are in front of the Sanchre de Christo mountains, which means "Blood of Christ". The sand dunes were amazing to see (highly recommend them) they have like a 35 degree grade for the slope, they were hard to climb and very hot. I'll show pics later. They were beautiful. People ski and snow board down them in the evenings. Wish I could have done that! The next day we drove to Colorado Springs, but stopped at the Royal Gorge on the way, INCREDIBLE! Took a cog rail to the top of Pike's Peak, beautiful up there. Drove through some hail on the way back to Aurora. Saturday we went to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, which was beautiful. Me and dad did some hiking and went to the top of the tundra, one of four in the world. In case you're like me and don't know what a tundra is, it's land that is so high and so cold that it only allows plants to grow to an inch high becuase the ground never defrosts enough to let anything else to be able to grow. It's really cool. It's above a lot of other mountains. It's so beautiful. We sat around and waited to see some big horned sheep, in which we never saw. But that was okay. Sunday the boys went fly fishing and the ladies went to Boulder!! I want to move there! One great store there that I loved! It was called Peppercorn and if you ever go to the Pearl St. Mall in Boulder you have to go there. So great! Had some Thai food last night in which that did not go over too well and dropped my parents and the rest off at the airport this morning. And now I am back at work! I'm glad to be back, I missed it. Oh, and for those of you who are reading this and are interested, I am taking a job at Kingdom Building Ministries (where I am now) starting in January. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Lot's of mixed feelings. But it's good and it's what I feel led to do!

I miss everyone so much. I will be back in Anderson in 4.5 weeks! I can hardly believe it. Can't wait to start playing some ultimate frisbee!!!! For those of you who care, please be praying for me to find a flexible job for this semester as I will be needing to travel on some weekends and have a full load at school. Thanks.

If anyone wants to let me know how to put pics on this bad boy I would be very appreciative.

Glasses

Just got back from lunch in which I stopped by lens crafters to check out some new spectacles. The ones I have now, I don't really like and they are the wrong prescription. I think this will be the next purchase with my insurance. Definitely some sofisticated, classy ones are in order. My good friend, Amy (probably reading this), helped me pick some that look very nice. Of course, I can't remember what they are called now, but hopefully I'll be able to recognize them.

Got an e-mail from Burdette, I think we are trying to get together this weekend since we're both in lovely Colorado!!!! What shall we do? Any ideas anyone? Do tell.

What is about cilantro that makes me want to vomit? I'm not really sure to tell you the truth.

Some things never change.

So...just went to my sister's blog. She has some picture of herself in punk form. Yeah, I really don't know what that's about. She went through this stage in middle/high school where she was kind of punkish, I thought she had gone out of that stage, but apparently not. Some things never change.

Just sitting here at my desk, which is covered with mess. No matter how many times I clean it off or rearrange or organize, there is always stuff EVERYWHERE. I can't handle. I just want it to be clean. I need someone to come clean it for me. That would be nice. Maybe I just shouldn't have so much stuff. That would probably make sense and by very sensible of me. But what do I do I do with all of it? Where does it go? I don't know.

So...I just finished reading everyone else's blogs, I bet they don't even know I read them, but I do. Lee's, lb's, tolbert's, joshua and matt's, Shua's, my sister's, and Lanna's. Great way to know what's going on with people.

I fear that I am not as interesting as most are. But oh well, I like writing, it's like therapy for me or something. I write in a journal, but sometimes it's really just easier to type things, you know?

This morning we had our concert of prayer to send the high school students overseas. It was a great time or p and w and great times for prayer for the students and for the people of China. Good times were had by all.

I think I'm going to go home early today. I have everything done that I need to, so I don't know, that may be in the works. I'll probably clean my desk off before I go on vacation, and possibly head up to Jamba Juice, get a Mango A-go-go (so good), and go to Barnes & Noble and do some reading. Possibly work on learning my Spanish, oh well, thank you!

One last thing...what is all of this about discipline and rebuking and hardship stuff, Tolbert made a great point yesterday about love. You can do whatever you want to "develop" yourself spiritually or to help "develop" others, but if you don't have love, it's pointless and worthless. It's as simple as that. Why don't people get it?