Ch-ch-ch-ch Changes (turn and face the strain)

People deal with change in their very own, unique way. Some people truly hate it, some people get all giddy over it. I am the kind of person who acts like I hate it but inside I am secretly all giddy.

Everyday I get to know myself a bit more. This time I have discovered that I actually really enjoy change, even if it’s scary or uncertain. I feel all excited that something is stirring and I am a part of it. I can always see the positives of the change. Always.  Unfortunately somewhere along the way I have picked up a bad habit of acting really stressed and complaining about it the whole time.  Why do I do this? I don’t know. It makes no sense. Maybe now that I see the truth, that I love change, I can stop pretending to despise it and start receiving it with giddiness and positivity.

Naive? Yeah, maybe. Oh well, I’ve definitely never said I wasn’t naive.

As David Bowie said:

Strange fascination, fascinating me
Changes are taking the pace I’m going through

Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Oh, look out you rock ‘n rollers
Ch-ch-ch-ch-Changes
(Turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-Changes
Pretty soon you’re gonna get a little older

More about these changes next week…

Las Vegas Pics! (finally)

The Strip.

We stayed at THEhotel at Mandalay Bay. We each got suites, a little upgrade action thanks to Judi slippin’ the check-in lady a twenty. Seriously.

The pool

Our cabana by the lazy river- special thanks to Mark and Judi.

The Coca Cola Store-Bear and I have never laughed so hard in our lives. That Judith can really tell a joke.

Under water adventures at the Shark Reef!

Finding the courage to reach out and touch the stingray.

My husband was brave and put aside all thoughts about Steve Irwin.

Pretty, pretty jellies.

The Bellagio

Looking (sorta) normal next to the Bellagio fountain…but then…

THE FOUNTAIN TURNED ON!!! YYAAAA!!!

Lots of other stuff happened, but I hate being the trip photographer, so those events are not documented. Sorry! Guess you’ll have to just imagine me dominating the roulette table and taking the old men for all their money at Poker.

What a great trip.

::sigh::

Where is Kate and Dustin, you ask?

Oh, we’re just here-

Staying here-

Relaxing here-

With these 2 people-

That’s all. NBD.

Be back Thursday, ya’ll!!

Hipster Kids

It’s inevitable, our baby is going to be one of those hipster kids.

Look at that kid on the right, he’s got Dustin written all over him.

BIG NEWS!!!

Dustin and I are having a GroeneBABY!!!

After a little bit of a struggle and testing of our faith, which you can read about here and here, we are officially 7 weeks pregnant.  YAY!!!!!!! The picture above is from our Dr’s appointment yesterday where we saw the heartbeat for the first time.

Just a little flicker on a monitor and it means our whole world has changed forever.

There is a verse that is close to my heart for all those who are going through what we experienced. I hope it encourages you today.

“What a wonderful God we have-he is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us in our hardships and trials.

And why does he do this? So that when others are troubled, needing our sympathy and encouragement, we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

God is so faithful.

Kate’s Dream Vacation

Where I would stay:

What I would do:

But I wouldn’t wear a suit, that would just be silly. Right?

No, no…I would wear my wedding dress.

Get the heck out of here.

I just read that Ryan Adams married Mandy Moore. Mandy frickin’ Moore. This better not change the love-sick, depressing music I have come to love from Ryan Adams. How can an artist continue writing about love and loss after getting married? I had the same fears when Chris Martin married Gwyneth Paltrow. Coldplay’s music was little less heart-sick with love and a lot more political. I do like the songs that are about Chris Martin’s kids, those are so great.

Well, congrats you two love birds. Hopefully this will make Mandy Moore’s music more credible and not make Ryan Adams’ less.

A tall girl with a short guy. I like that.

LEGO: The Resurrection

LEGO is making a comeback, ya’ll!

a mix fit for a president

Dear Mr. President,

First off let me just say Congratulations on your historic nomination! I may or may not have voted for you, but it really doesn’t matter now, does it. I was thinking of ways to welcome you to your new role and to the White House, a plate-of-brownies-for-the-new-neighbor type of gesture. I personally enjoy receiving Mix CD’s from new friends, it helps to get to know them a little better. I decided I would create a Presidential Mix CD for you. It is quite eclectic, mixing a few things together. I’ve heard you really like “Gimme Shelter” by the Rolling Stones, so I made sure to include that one for you, Mr. President. Overall it has a political feel, but it doesn’t take itself very seriously. Kind of like me!

Thanks for serving our country. Wishing you all the best!

Kate Groeneman

P.S. check out my blog thatgirlkate.wordpress.com

My “Welcome President Obama” Mix:

1. Panic-The Smiths
2. Gimme Shelter-Rolling Stones
3. Coldplay-Politik
4. Under Pressure-Queen and David Bowie
5. Blowin’ In The Wind- Bob Dylan
6. Pride (In the Name of Love)- U2
7. Ring of Fire-Johnny Cash
8. Bonzo Goes to Bitburg- The Ramones
9. Paper Planes- M.I.A.
10. Michael Jackson- Bad
11. Star Spangled Banner

It’s about Process not Perfection

Dustin and I had an amazing conversation today about what we are both learning (with help from the Holy Spirit and Celebrate Recovery). Dustin was explaining how all his life he thought if he could just take care of sins, maybe not every sin, but at lease some, then he could lessen the weight that would hinder a closer walk with God. Like heavy stones tied to our necks, we drag ourselves along, hoping for some relief and an easier walk with Christ. In this struggle there is lack of true relationship with Christ. We try to tell ourselves it is all FOR the relationship, but the truth is it is all for perfection. We want the perfection so we can enjoy the relationship. We want to feel worthy to be called into unity with such a holy, perfect Lord. We want to feel justified and the only way to do this is to be rid of all sin, to somehow accomplish being sin-free, on our own.

We (or maybe I) have confused perfection with relationship. I have thought, this is all for YOU Jesus. My hearts desire is to be like you, to be a worthy vessel. I want the CONTROL of perfection, I want to be in charge of the steps of reaching this “perfection”. Instead Christ is calling us to join Him in the process. The process of looking at these past hurts, the past really bad choices and offenses; seeing how they effect my everyday decisions that ultimately lead to everyday sins. HE says to us, “let Me be in charge of the process. Let Me free you from the bondage of perfectionism. Let Me heal you from the past and establish your future.”

A process is about: relationship, unity, teamwork, honesty, setting and achieving goals, growing together, learning together, going deeper together.

Perfectionism is about: isolation, frustration, exhaustion, anger, resentment, an unattainable goal.

God is asking me, us, to surrender the perfectionism. Submit to the process and let Him reign over the changes and character adjustments that need to be made. He is asking for relationship. He is asking for honesty. He is asking to be let in.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

Revelation 3:20