Valentine's Day

ahhh. it's so adorably punny.

Valentine's Day or it's more common names: vomit day and single awareness day.
I get it. I've been there.
It's so hard to be single on Valentine's Day, especially when it seems like literally everyone is rubbing it in your face that you don't have anyone.
But they aren't. I promise. They're just super happy and they want everyone to share in their happiness.
Yes, there are some who maybe shouldn't talk about it as much as they should.
But be happy for them anyway.
Your time will come. It really will.
And then you'll be just as happy as that couple you were really annoyed with...and you might be filled with regret that you complained so much.
I know I am.
Tell those couples how happy you are for them. Encourage them and pray for them.
They need it. Believe me.
Then enjoy your singleness. You won't be single forever.
Enjoy the people God has placed in your life here and now.
He put them in your life for a reason.
Love on them.
Do super nice things for them without expecting anything in return. Just because you care.
God has called us to love one another in Christ.
Find some way to show that.
Maybe unbelievers would then start to realize we actually aren't a bunch of stuck up jerks.
Love others with the love of Jesus. Unconditionally.

On another note...I did get to spend Valentine's Day with my far away valentine.
I did the first impulsive thing in my life.
I was talking to my dear Andy and suddenly realized how badly I wanted to spend my first Valentine's Day not single with my favorite person.
And with my parent's permission, I drove six hours to the freezing cold town of Aberdeen, SD.
When I got into town, Andy took me shopping and bought me more clothes (last minute decision to stay the whole weekend resulted in me not bringing any extra clothes...) and groceries for our homemade pasta Valentine's dinner.
I had homework that was due at midnight that night.
Andy volunteered to cook dinner so I could make sure I was able to get it all done in time. (isn't he just so sweet?)
It turned out delicious.
After we ate, we went out and had dessert with Andy's roommate and his girlfriend who are both very dear friends of ours. (side note...they set us up. such a fun, small world.)
It was such a sweet time of fellowship, and it eased the pain of loneliness I had felt so keenly for the past month.
Afterwards, Andy and I visited with his mom for awhile.
We then watched a bit of Les Miz before calling it a night.
The next day Andy had a track meet in Fargo.
Did you know that people actually voluntarily live in North Dakota?!
Yeah. Me neither.
But it was super wonderful to finally be able to see what Andy commits half his life to these days.
He ran both his races in new personal record time.
Most of the time my ignorant mind had no idea what was going on, but I was thrilled for him.
And I have to brag on this dude: he broke his school's record for the 200m race.
I am still just so proud of how hard this guy works.
He has been so gifted with talent from God, and he does not waste it.
Andy's mom was so generous (and rocks at thrifting) and bought me 16 pieces of clothing for only $6! I'm telling you she's a genius.
I got the super awesome opportunity to finally attend Andy's church Sunday morning.
I was beyond thrilled to get to see where my wonderful friend worships God each week.
It was a fantastic experience and I can't wait to go back soon.
Andy and I went out to lunch with a few of his wonderfully Godly friends, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
Andy got the shock of the weekend when he found out he didn't have to go into work that afternoon.
We decided to be extremely productive with the few extra hours we had together and watch Spongebob and drink coffee.
We laughed ridiculously hard and were complete dorks all afternoon.
It was the most fun I had had in far too long.
That guy makes me laugh. All the time.
Since I had to drive six hours back to school on a Sunday evening, we decided we should talk the whole way so I wouldn't get sleepy.
We did just that.
It ended up being a five hour conversation.
Longest phone call of my life, but oh it was so much fun.
I miss that guy so much.
He's a wonderful friend and listener.
And people. He got me a Winnie the Pooh for Valentine's Day.

I will leave you all with this:
You don't need Valentine's Day for an excuse to love on someone.
Love someone who doesn't deserve it.
That's what Jesus did.
And we're called to be just like Him.
It's something I want to strive to do better at.
Won't you join me?

Love,
Katie :)

an entire year. how time does fly.

oh how so many things have changed since I blogged the last time.
I have seen a change in school,
                   a change in town,
                   moved away from my family,
                   entered a relationship with the coolest guy ever,
                   and watched God reveal Himself in a way I never thought possible.

God has been incredibly faithful and He has blown me away with how He has answered prayers and the pleadings of my heart in miraculous ways.
there have been extremely hard times and wonderfully happy times.
I have seen Scriptures speak to my heart that have made me cry tears of sadness and shame at the thoughts of my sin and yet tears of pure joy at the love of my great Jesus.
I have worshiped with believers in a way that I will never be able to describe.
I have experienced Godly fellowship with my dear family and close friends that I could never replace.
there have been tear filled days and nights filled with loneliness and ones filled with endless laughter.
and I wouldn't trade any minute for anything.
God has blessed me richly and I thank Him for His great mercy and love that I do not deserve but for the precious blood of Jesus.
in the span of a year, God has turned my world upside down.
some things are much better but other things have grown worse.
but I will praise God.
because He is God.
and is worthy of it all.

I'll leave you with this picture: (pretty much the best person I have in my life right now. my heart overflows with thankfulness.)

isn't he the cutest thing?!

Love,
Katie :)

stuck

     

                                                           Source: aquieterstorm.tumblr.com via Katie on Pinterest

I haven't blogged in almost two months.
This is because I have no life.
No life that happens to keep me terribly busy.

I work.
I study.
I separate fighting siblings.
Repeat.
And sleep comes in there somewhere.
I also occasionally exchange emails with close friends.

Most of the time it seems so hard to find meaning in this mundane repetition of nothingness.
It seems so pointless.
Nothing ever seems to come out of it.

But then there's those small glimmers....

God whispers that there is a reason.
He is sanctifying me.
Preparing me.
For what?
At this point, I have absolutely no idea.
All I know is that where I am right now will bring the most glory to God.
And that must be enough.
Because
He
is
enough.

Rose of Bethlehem

'Tis Christmas music season, and this has been a favorite of mine for a long time.
Selah's Christmas CD is one I listen to over and over every Christmas.
I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do as we remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place.

Love,
Katie :)

Country Love

This song is kinda country sounding, and if you know me, you know that I'm very strongly against country.
It all sounds the same to me, and I can't stand it when people sing with that twangy voice. It sets my teeth on edge.
But I think this has to be one of the cutest songs ever.
So here's me. Posting a country song. Just this one time.

Love,
Katie :)

Contentment

                                                        Source: Uploaded by user via Katie on Pinterest  

    I know I've blogged about this topic a couple times before, but it's so deep and broad. I keep learning more about it and feel like sharing it with you all.
    I've really struggled with being content in the season of life God has me for quite a while now. I would have good days and bad days. Don't we all? But it truly was a daily battle. I constantly found myself on my knees begging God to provide me with satisfaction in the only place joy could be found: in Himself.
    However, knowing that I should be content in my God and actually being content are kinda different. Watching my friends move on and start new stages of life was devastating and brought a new wave of restlessness and utter discontent. Why do I have to be the one who is always left behind?! When will my turn come?
    But praise God that He does not let us wallow in our self-pity. I was reminded of all that I have and to be thankful for. God chose me. He saved me. And most certainly not based on anything that I had done! This alone should wipe any atom of discontent with my life. It gets better. He also showed me a gentle reminder that this world is not my home. I'm not going to be satisfied by anything on earth because I was created to live somewhere else entirely. However, God has blessed me with many earthly things. I have a wonderful family and a close relationship with my parents. I have a good job that I love. School is going well and am saving lots of money by being able to do CollegePlus! All these things go to show I have no reason to ever complain.
    When the next stage of life comes, I'll sure be ready. But I'm going to enjoy whatever this season has for me because that's where God has me. And that truly is best.

Love,
Katie :)

Christ: Our Everything(?)

This sermon by Paul Washer on the Gospel of Jesus Christ is humbling and it's convicting.
Do we really know Christ? Do we even try to comprehend what He did on the cross?
If you're anything like me, than you most certainly don't.
Yes, I realize that it's 103 minutes long. Yes, I understand that time is important to us nowadays.
But I beg of you, even if it takes you a whole week to listen to this, listen and let God work on your heart.
Be reminded of who Christ is and what He has done for us! How different our lives look in the light of the cross. Is He truly our everything?! Do we seek Him and love Him as we ought? The answer is of course not, but do we run with endurance? Are we running after holy things and loving what Christ loves?
Praise be to our LORD who took the full punishment of our sins and gave us His righteousness. What a good God we serve.
Here's another video by Paul Washer that's only three minutes long. Run after eternal things. Live for Christ.

Love,
Katie :)