Katie’s Blog!

Ironically, the same night I posted on here saying that this blog was still around, I started a new blog at a new site…

So, check it out!  http://katie-in-real-life.blogspot.com/

Yes, believe it or not, I still exist, and, yes, so does this blog!  🙂  

Today, you can call me Suzie Homemaker.  The last time I told my mom that I had been Suzie Homemaker, she said, “Katie Homemaker.”  To which I replied:  “No, Suzie Homemaker — my identity is not in homemaking, it is simply something I do once in a while.”  

Yes, I am a feminist.  No, I am in no way suggesting that there is anything wrong with being a “homemaker.”  In fact, I think that homemaking is quite an art, and I look forward to making my own home someday (Could it be sooner rather than later, Lord?).  However, for me personally, and I believe it is with many other women, homemaking is not something I want to be identified with simply because I am a woman!!  (I think that men are just as capable of being a homemaker, and many men could do a much better job at it than I ever could…) In fact, homemaking is not something I want anyone to identify me by.  First off and foremost, I want to be identified by who I am in Christ.  Secondly, I want to be identified with the talents that God has given me to use in ministry!  (Because God has called me to ministry.  If God has called you to homemaking, then GO FOR IT, and pursue it with all you’ve got!)  Then, someday if someone happens to put me in a “homemaker” category as something I do on the side of my purpose in life, I will gladly accept that charge.  

You see, one of my favorite parts of today was, believe it or not, ministry.  My church has an upcoming event for the kiddos, and somehow I ended up making the flyers for it.  (I am sure that it was a God-thing, btw.)  Today I spent a couple hours printing and cutting over 800 flyers.  (Thank you, AB and Starlite for hours and hours of experience in that department!!)  I loved getting to use the gifts God has given me -including the precious gift of time- to play a small part in the impact in the life of (prayerfully) many, many kids!  Especially, since, you know, I DO NOT LIKE KIDS.  Ok, I like some kids, sometimes.  And I love a lot of kids, most of the time.  But overall, I am not all about them.  Making the flyers gives me the opportunity to have a part in something that isn’t exactly my ‘cup of tea.’  And, yes, I somehow enjoyed the time I spent in the church office by myself (the part where Pastor came in and about gave me a heart attack-not so much).   I just love serving others, and I thrive off of getting to be a part of ministry!!  

Ok, back to the feminist thing.  If it bothers you that I am a feminist, then I suggest that you first take the time to find out what being a feminist really entails.  (BTW, There is quite a wide range of feminism out there, some more conservative, and others more liberal.)  And if you are still bothered by it, I encourage you to pray about it, and to read about women’s liberation in a little book we like to call —The Bible.  Yes, folks, you read correctly.  Jesus Christ came to bring liberation to all people -even women!  Have you ever read John 4, where Jesus talks to a woman at a well?  Yeah, well, men (esp Jewish men) did not go to wells, much less TALK to women who were there (esp SAMARITAN women…).  But Jesus did.  He did not care about the restrictions of the culture (esp the RELIGIOUS culture!), rather, Jesus cared about the spiritual well being of a person, who just happened to be a woman.  🙂

Oh!  The implications of that story in John 4 never cease to astound me!!  Especially the implications of the little words in pink.  Jesus was a Jew.  Jews were (and are) God’s chosen people.  Yes, folks, that is the same God that Christians serve.  When Christ came, he provided a way for ALL people to be a part of God’s chosen people, despite their ethnicity, religion, or gender (among many other things …).  So, if Judaism was “the religion” of the day (kind of like many people consider Christianity to be “the religion” of the day today…), and Jesus turned Judaism and many of its legalistic ideas upside down (have you ever read the New Testament, people!?), then why are we not called to do the same with Christianity?  Because over the last couple thousand years, I believe that Christianity as a religion has been distorted because, let’s face it, that’s 2000 years of BEING HUMAN…and we are by no means perfect.  Think about it – 2000 years of mistakes.  Yes, God is sovereign, and I believe that there is much truth still to be found in Christianity (hence, I am a Christian…), but I also believe that it is well worth it to (pardon the 4 Him reference coming on…I’m really really sorry….) “GET BACK TO THE BASICS.”  And what, you may ask, are those basics?  Well, my friends, I am sure I am missing a few at least, but here is what comes to mind.  

• Jesus Christ is the Messiah, who lived on earth as fully divine as well as fully incarnate.
• Christ’s ministry was  revolutionary   unorthodox.  
• Christ LOVED ALL people.  
• Christ died on a cross to bear the sins of humanity.
• Christ rose again!

(It wouldn’t be a complete post without a list of some sort!  And what better list to have?? hehe)

Well, I have said a lot.  Over 900 words to be exact.  And I have said a lot that some would see as controversial, but these are all things from my heart.  I am so thankful that God has allowed me to learn what I have learned, and that I am nowhere even near done learning!!  So feel free to talk to me about any questions or concerns you may have!  Although, I do ask that you spend some time in prayer over the issue before approaching me about it. 🙂  Thanks!  

I love you all,

Katie

Enjoy!

… but I am comforted in knowing I am not the only one.  

finding my voice.  being who I am.  being more than content with being who I am.  being joyful in living the beautiful life that God has given to me.  and being confident in who I am.  

 *see endnote for a sidenote 🙂  

Here is a quote I read that I really, really want to share with anyone who will listen:

“Listen to your life.  See it for the fathomless mystery that it is.  In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness:  touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.” (Taken from Gifted to Lead by Nancy Beach, but originally written in Frederick Buechner’s Now and Then)

I also believe that this quote can be beneficial in a person’s journey to finding herself.  If I stop comparing myself to other people, and my life to the lives of others, and simply and honestly love my life, then I believe I will be confident in who the God of the universe created ME to be.  

*endnote*

females and males are very different, we all know this.  yet somehow, everyone assumes that men and woman think the same way and have the same struggles within their minds.  I have found in my experience, that men tend to deal with the sin of being too prideful.  and somehow when a female finally musters up the courage to have a little confidence in who she was created to be, she is scolded and “convicted” by other Christians (sometimes outright, but mostly through other means) for being tooprideful.  Yes, there are sometimes in my life when pride slips in, but it is not nearly as often as I used to think.  Many times it was simply my modesty that I was confusing for pride.  Can someone please tell me how that happened?

The other day I was angry with someone. As I was trying to cool off, I thought I had reached the point of forgiveness, and I thought the usual, “I will forgive this person, when he/she apologizes.”

And then I realized, that is not forgiveness at all. True forgiveness is not circumstantial, and comes from your own heart and mind. Therefore, it should not matter whether or not the person who you are angry or upset with apologizes or changes his/her behavior. It is all up to you. No one else. And forgiveness is of vital importance in life.

Matthew 6:14-15:

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

…but it is time for me to do a little bit of sharing. 🙂

These past few days have really been a learning experience for me, for many reasons.  On Saturday evening I had two very God-ordained conversations.  Have you ever had one of those?  If you have, you know that no matter what I tell you or attempt to describe to you, no one else will ever fully comprehend or know the peace and guidance and love of God that was a part of each of those conversations.  If you haven’t, I encourage you to pray and seek God for whatever it is that you need or desire, and someday soon I am sure you will have one of these conversations.  

All of you know that I am in a time of EXTREME transition.  I could have never in a million years dreamt of all of the emotions and feelings and thoughts that I am experiencing.  I am so thankful to all of my friends who have offered me wisdom and encouragement in this area.  Just simply being able to talk to someone who has recently experienced this transition has been truly appreciated, as well as talking to anyone who will listen.  haha.  

Here are a few encouraging words that have been spoken to me through various people the last couple of days:

• Life is full of doors.  If you don’t know which one to pick, just start knocking.  Eventually the door you are supposed to go through will open.
• “Ask and you shall receive”  — but you’ve got to ask!  
• Obedience to God requires action and response on our my part.  

There are so many other ways God has been faithful and has encouraged me these past few days, but I am not going to share them here.  🙂  

One last thing, I am having a minor outpatient surgery on Jan 21st, and I would appreciate your prayers!  🙂

Love to all,

Katie

Happy New Year!!!!!

Well, here I am once again.  Only this time, I am a university graduate.  Yes, the time has finally come.  I have completed my undergraduate degree, and have “renested.”  Yes, that means I moved back home, and am living with my parents again.  However, that is what one does when one does not have a job.  🙂   I hope to change this soon, really soon.  

Of all that has happened over the past month of  my life, I think that  you will enjoy hearing a little from my heart/mind instead of a bunch of boring details.  So here goes.

I have changed a whole lot over the last three and a half years.  I have had my ups and downs, and I have grown and have been molded into who I am today.  The most significant change that I see in myself is not so obvious to all.  I think differently than I did four years ago.  I think deeper, and wider, and broader, and well, more cynically.  However, that last one is not so glorious.  It does provide for some good laughs, but it is not who I want to be.  It is okay to be cynical once in a while, but there comes a point when it rules your life.  And instead of seeing everything for its negatives, I want to see the beauty in everything, nay, everyone.  This is something that God truly has to be in, because all I see is the human failures.  But God sees beyond these, and God knows what is beyond the failures that we hide behind.  I desire to know what is beyond the failures that each person is hiding behind, because that is where you finally find beauty and creativity, and amazing characteristics that no one takes time to search for in others.  And yet, we all secretly, and sometimes not so secretly long and yearn for someone- anyone to take the time, with true care and concern, to know us beyond our appearance.  Appearance is so much more than just the way we dress or do our hair – it’s the way we carry ourselves, it’s the words we speak when everyone is listening, and the things we do when everyone is watching.  

Knowing one another beyond appearance takes two, though.  There has to be trust on both sides, and openness on both sides.  It also takes prayer.  Praying for one another is vital to a deep, healthy relationship.  Prayer goes beyond what we see or know, or even feel.  In prayer a deep bond and love is formed through the love of Christ.

Alright, now I have began rambling.  🙂  Here are a few random details about my life this past month that I will leave you with.    

• I apparently forgot how to drive in snow and ice, as I slid into a curb the first week I was back home.  However, I was driving my sister’s car.  Yeah, I bought her a new tire rim.  Praise God that it was pretty inexpensive to fix! 
• I didn’t straighten or curl my hair for an entire week after I graduated.  🙂
• It has been extremely cold here, until this week when it was in the 60’s.  
• There was a lot of family time spent together at our house this past week – two days worth of ALL of us being sick.  Not the quality family time that is desired.  haha.  

…you have to figure out how to post again because everything has changed since the last time you posted.  Although, I have to say, I am excited about the new dashboard layout.  It seems cool, and in a few weeks I will have time to actually check it out.  🙂  

So. . . . a lot has happened since I posted last.  (I think I should stop writing this because it seems to be in every post. . . .lol)  I had a wonderful, wonderful Thanksgiving.  I loved being at home, and spending time with family and friends.  Oh, and the Turkey dumplins were FANTASTIC, as always.  hehe.  Really, the break was pretty close to perfect.  (There were a few details that I would have tweaked if I could have. . . but nothing to write about.)  

However, the drive back was NOT so fun.  Let me start out by telling you that I have never seen so many people on the road at one time –EVER.  And I have done my share of traveling.   Not only was I almost constantly surrounded by cars, there was always two full lanes of traffic going the opposite direction.  Crazy I tell ya!  

So, it was snowing when I left Troy, and it was great.  However, the first sign of snow mixed with all of the traffic on the road made for a VERY crowded gas station in Troy.  After I waited a few minutes for my turn at the pump, I was minding my own business, getting my awesome, super-cheap gas.  Meanwhile, these two ladies pulled up on the other side of the pump.  When the driver got out of her car, she realized that the pump would not reach to her gas tank.  So, she got back in the car and her passenger got out and asked the person who was at the pump in front of them to move their car back a few inches.  Apparently this person was not agreeable to this solution, and the driver rolled down her window and said, “I only need like 6 more inches.  You just don’t know how to drive.”  All I could do was chuckle to myself, and when I got back in my car the perfect song for this situation came on the radio:  “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…”   

Ok, back to my drive.  About 45 min down the road, the snow turned into flat out rain.  So, I turned some Christmas music on (Just in case you are not in the loop:  there is Christmas music on 90% of the radio stations in every U.S. city the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so I had a plethora to choose from.).  Although I do not like driving in the rain, I do it enough that I tolerate it.  Until it gets dark.  And for those of you who have not noticed, it gets dark EXTREMELY early this time of year.   After driving in the rain and the dark with more people than I ever want to meet for about three hours I was done.  I was so frustrated with people who do not know how to drive, and with the constant splash from semi-trucks that I could have beat someone up.  So, I decided that I was going to sit down and eat at McD’s when I stopped at my half-way point, whether I was hungry or not.  About twenty to thirty minutes before I came to my stopping place, it stopped raining.  When I arrived at McD’s, I ordered my food and went to sit down.  I was searching in my purse for my hand sanitizer, when I found a BIG SOMETHING.  I had not put it there, and I did not think my parents had (found out later, that they had in fact, NOT put it there), and the only other place I had been was church.  So, someone wonderful at church had slipped a $50 bill into my not-so-little purse.  The thing  is, I really needed it.  I had just enough money for rent and such, but I was not sure how I was going to buy a little thing called groceries.  And $50 was just enough to buy what I need to get me through these last few weeks.  

Do I need to tell you that I had a little attitude adjustment in McD’s that night?  I really felt like God was telling me that everything is going to be alright.  Everything- all that I was worried about, and stressed out about.  (Which is a whole lot at this point in my life.)  

So, I continued down the road, a much happier driver.  It hardly rained the rest of the way, and traffic in Nashville was nothing to talk about (I was really worried about this, and I found out later that it took people two to three extra hours to get through Knoxville that same day…).  The thing that topped it off, though, was going down the mountain.  There is a very steep grade between Nashville and Chatty on I-24.  I have driven this road more times than I can count.  I absolutely hate when I get stuck behind someone who is riding their brakes.  Yes, you have to use your brakes when going down this mountain, but riding them is so bad on your brakes.  Last time I came this way, I got stuck behind someone who was riding their brakes.  And they were going the same speed as the truck that was next to me, and I had no where to go.  It was aggravating to say the least.  But this time was perfect.  Everyone who was in front of me and going slower than I was, got over into the other lane, like you are supposed to.  It was fantastic.  

I am so thankful for the little things, and the HUGE things God blesses me with.  

I want to leave you with two more lists I have compiled (see previous post).

Most played songs on the radio (learned from 7 hours in a car by myself, and divided by genre):

• Christmas:  Do you see what I see? (several artists, but I think it is Carrie Underwood who wins the award here)
• Country:  Love Story (Taylor Swift)
• Other:  Womanizer (Brittney Spears)

T.V. Series that I want to watch way too much of after I graduate:

• Gilmore Girls
• Prison Break (I have only watched the first two or three episodes of this season!  sad day!)
• Lost
• Friends (I know this is not the best show morality wise, but it brings back good memories, and makes me laugh nonetheless)
• I forget the others at the moment, but there are others. hehe.  

And lastly, I have to tell you that in exactly a week I will be sitting in the first of the two graduation ceremonies.  But before I can do that, I must finish my last research paper and last three final exams.  And in order to do that, I must go to bed now, at 8:30 on a Friday night, my last Friday night as a college student.  And I couldn’t be happier about it -in fact, have been anticipating this moment from before I got out of bed this morning.  HAHA!  (This week has been one of the most physically draining weeks of my life, and I have a full week ahead of me.)  

Thank you all, for your prayers and support.  I love you, and appreciate you.

19.  This is the number of days until I graduate from Lee University.  

18. I wear contacts, but I do not sleep in them.  At night when I take them out, I put on my trusty ol glasses.  Well, let’s just cut to the chase:  I am missing a nose-pad.  And it is very uncomfortable.  Thank the Lord for contacts, and for my eye doctor’s appointment in less than a week.  

17. I like to make lists.  And they have to be organized, neat and tidy.   (Although, this list is VERY unorganized. . . ) 

16. I hate philosophy.

15. Martin Luther was anti-semitic.  (ok, that’s not about me, but I did learn that this past week…)

14. I wait until the VERY last day to do my laundry.  You know, the day when you are wearing your last clean you-know-what.  

13. I could not live without kleenex.  I have minor sinus/allergy issues, which results in, well, let’s put it this way:  My uncle Tim likes to use the term “knothead,”  but in this case I could be considered a “snothead.”  

12. Sometimes I am too transparent.  (see above)

11. Going to church and sitting by myself makes me feel like an independent woman.  (This is quite the improvement, as it used to make me feel lonely.) 

10. I am going to be a true “adult” very soon.. . . WHAT!?

9. I spilt some air freshener oil on my carpet a few months ago, and I tend to set stacks of papers on that spot, not thinking of the repercussions.  (The papers absorb a musty, vanilla smell –yuck!)

8. I am fully capable of taking care of myself, and in my pursuit of a husband, I am not looking for someone to take care of me:  I am looking for a companion.  

7. I am now a part of the Twitter world.  

6. My name is finally in the paper edition of the Clarion, but is extremely unnoticeable.  (see here and here if you have no idea what I am talking about)  

5. My favorite movie is Ever After.  Although, there are many close runner-ups.  

4. I will be doing a lot of homework over Thanksgiving break.  This is quite unfortunate, but necessary if I want to graduate in 19 days.  

3. I only have 4 papers and 5 final exams to finish in the next 2 and a half weeks.

2. Speaking of final exams, professors are supposed to have graduating seniors’ grades posted by noon on Dec 10th.  Somehow I don’t think this is possible considering I have one exam from 10:15-12:15 on the tenth, as well as an exam from 3:15-5:15 on the tenth.  Not MY problem, though!  🙂  

1. I never go to bed at the time that I intend to.  

I feel as though I may say SOMETHING outside my list to make this blog personal.  So, I just want to let you all know that my life is CRAZY.  and these next three weeks will most likely be the most insane three weeks of my entire life.  Feel free to offer encouragement or admonishment as you see fit!  

Love you all,

Katie