Little Katy’s Summer To Do list. July 1, 2008

Actual journal entry from when I was 8 years old. July 24, 1991:

“Dear Diary Today I washed the car, cleaned the garage and went and picked up some things. Then I sat back and relaxed watching and movie called Parent Trap. Then rushed buisely back out and babby sat for 2 kids named Jordan and a baby I can’t remember his name. tomorrow I’m going to church. I have to go to clown practice. I began working out. It’s hard. I have to pick up a gallon of water and then I have to hold it up for 60 seconds then run up and down a BIG HILL. I can only use a dollar a day unless important.”

hindsight is 20/20 June 30, 2008

I have been reading back through years and years of journals this past weekend and what an emotional journey it has been. I read about my confusion through my senior year of high school, the growing of new friendships and death of unhealthy ones. I read about long days as a counselor at camp and the quite moments I had with God on a cement bench in an aspen grove. I read an entry from sitting on the plane on my way to England, dedicating my time there to God and telling Him how my heart is only for Him, no distractions (boys). I read a few pages later about the day I discovered Dustin and what a huge distraction he turned out to be, only to realize he wasn’t a distraction at all but the sole purpose of my trip to England. There were entries from the year I was dating Dustin with all the immensely frustrating feelings I dealt with not understanding true love and the way it makes you sometimes feel so afraid. I read about my first morning as a married woman, lying in bed soaking in the reality of the decision I made to give myself to another forever and the bittersweet feelings of the following months mourning my loss of a single life but celebrating being whole and complete, learning how to take care of a home and how to love and cherish my husband.

I read over this past year of major disappointments I suffered in myself, in marriage, in a boss, in a friend and in my own physical body only to see now how all those trials were not negotiable and absolutely had to happen which coincided with God teaching me about “respecting the process and dignifying the trial.” My current journal has a picture of a pot of soil and a spade ready to dig with the words “Growing Journal” at the top-how accurate and true. In the midst of pressure I discovered some ugly things and saw some major pruning of unhealthy fruit that desperately needed to take place in my life. Each journal entry holds my heart and speaks loudly of my true love for Christ, my heart to live only for Him and my desire to grow. Every page speaks of God’s grace to hear my words and read between the lines deep into me, every page speaks of God’s faithfulness and never-ending romance in my life. He joined me under the stars, He pursued me in England, He caught every tear, He spoke tenderly to me in the dark times and loudly in the happy times. He is my best friend, my confidant, my travel agent, my Savior, my Father, the author of my life story.

“I am my beloveds and He is mine.”

10 things I have been learning: June 23, 2008

1. Dealing with offenses is an ongoing battle that we all choose to either engage in or let dominate us.

2. Attending the Miss Colorado pageant never ceases to amaze me and fill me with hilarious stories.

3. The meaning of going through seasons and how true Ecclesiastes 3:1 is. There is a time for everything.

4. The difference between a desire and a goal. I desire to have a baby, but I can not make it my goal.

5. Honesty is important, being real with your sin is essential-but only in the presence of the right people.

6. Contentment is a choice.

7. Jealousy is a choice.

8. I have a lot to learn when it comes to being a Children’s Pastor.

9. Without Jesus I am pathetic and hopeless.

10. Most important: Something that I have always known, but am realizing more and more- I have the most amazing husband ever. I don’t deserve his unconditional, unmerited love, mercy, and fondness of me. He knows me and yet he loves me anyway. He even loves my retarded dances and whiny, little-sister voice. He thinks I am great and that makes me great. What a gift Dustin is. I love him.

Baldy’s Blog: The Beginning of the End June 19, 2008

There is a blog out of England that I have been following recently written by Adrian Sudbury, a 25 year old journalist dying from a rare form of leukemia. There are no more treatments left to offer him and his body is slowly fading away. He has done an amazing job documenting this tragedy and all the ways it affects his life and the people around him.

This post by Adrian tells how he finds out there are no more options: The Beginning of the End.

It is amazing to read a person’s thoughts and emotions as they watch their life slowly ending after only 25 years. I am assuming that Adrian does not have a relationship with Jesus due to never reading anything that would hint he does. The idea that he knows his life is ending (which all of ours will eventually) and not knowing what is coming is a very disturbing thought for me. I have thought of commenting and asking him his thoughts on the afterlife and where he stands. He has to be thinking about it all the time as he lies in bed barely able to move, talk or breath. But I feel so detached from him and am just an observer of potentially one more soul that dies without knowing Christ. It happens every day, every hour, every minute. Reading his blog just makes it more of a personal reality in my life. I feel burdened by the many times I passed up opportunities to share Christ and the thought that now they may be steps away from death just like Adrian is. Death will come to all the people we know, every co-worker, neighbor, starbucks barista, Barnes and Noble book slave, Chipotle burrito maker, friends, acquaintance, distant relative, and friends of friends.

Am I going to be unashamed of truth? Am I going to be a light in a dark world?

And the real question: Am I going to be obedient?

Ricky Gervais in a Looking Surprised Competition June 17, 2008

Ricky Gervais how I love thee.

for shelley June 17, 2008

hey matebo, no more pancakes June 16, 2008

Anti-Matebo Campaign

“Japan passed a law 2 months ago saying that companies and local governments must now measure the waistlines of Japanese people between the ages of 40 and 74 as part of their annual checkups. That represents more than 56 million waistlines, or about 44 percent of the entire population. Those exceeding government limits — 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 inches for women, which are identical to thresholds established in 2005 for Japan by the International Diabetes Federation as an easy guideline for identifying health risks — and having a weight-related ailment will be given dieting guidance if after three months they do not lose weight. If necessary, those people will be steered toward further re-education after six more months.”

Funniest/saddest part of the story: “The mayor of one town in Mie, a prefecture near here, became so wrapped up in the anti-metabo campaign that he and six other town officials formed a weight-loss group called “The Seven Metabo Samurai.” That campaign ended abruptly after a 47-year-old member with a 39-inch waistline died of a heart attack while jogging.”

Can you imagine if this law was even suggested in America? People would be calling it discriminatory against “matebos”. Matebo’s all over the south would be waving their fried chicken in the air in protest.

But think about this…if the government provided health care for all of us then they would have the right to measure our waist lines and possibly fine us for not meeting the standard inches. They would be paying for the extra inches in health care costs so we would have to stick out our pot-bellys and comply.

What do you think about Japan passing this law?

a day at the ballpark with shelley. June 14, 2008

Shelley and I went to the Rockies game on Thursday. It was so great. Bright green grass, warm summer sun, ice cream cones, skipping work, laughing so hard you go silent for a second and turn all red.

I love my life.

Summer 2008: Best Summer Ever compilation!!! June 13, 2008

For those in our “Best Summer Ever” pact we have decided to create a compilation that encompasses the long summer nights and our crazy adventures together. Everyone can contribute one song to the mix so you better make it good. Reply to this post with your vote and I will gather all the songs and create the CD’s for us.

I am still thinking about my contribution… choosing only one song is a lot of pressure!

just another day at the office… June 13, 2008

Superhero Night in Kid’s Church.

Kate the Great and Rainbow Riot

i love my job.