That Dreaded Word

                                                    Source: jojolete.tumblr.com via My Upside on Pinterest

There's this word you see. This word that I dread saying more than anything else. That one word that I put off saying for as long as I can. Yes, you can butter it up or try and make it as happy as possible, but you can't take away that sorrowful connotation. Some of you may have already figured it out.
Goodbye.
We've all heard that saying, "It's not goodbye, it's see ya later." But does that take away any of the hurt that goes along with that? If you're anything like me, it seems to just hide the pain that we all really feel. Just a mask for the hurt and the sorrow we amplify by giving that final hug and waving that last farewell.
I had to do that today. I had dreaded this goodbye all summer. I put it off anytime I thought of it. Busyness kept it off my mind for sometime. This past week was quite a bit calmer and left me plenty of time to think. It wasn't a bad thing necessarily, but those adios's replayed over and over in my brain. I questioned why I had to be the one left behind. Yes, I know God has a perfect plan. Thank goodness for His promises never to forsake us. But oh the thought of loneliness threatened to overtake a thousand times over.
Believe me, that goodbye seemed to almost kill me. One of my best friends for over 14 years is leaving for college. I know we'll always be close friends and sisters due to our bond in Christ. But no more spontaneous Starbucks runs, no more stupid impulse shopping trips, no more just hanging out to watch movies and paint our nails. I'll be driving over to bug her all the time. She'll be so annoyed with me.
And this isn't the only goodbye. Three other of my dearest friends are leaving. Two to begin their sophomore years at college and another to serve for 9 months in a foreign country. I love these girls. I would do anything for them and I have done everything with them. These are my dear sisters in Christ who have been there for me countless times. Girls who I trust and love with all my heart.
Thank goodness for Sundays. The text preached just yesterday included this verse that I shall hold near and dear to my heart as I struggle to make this adjustment: "And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age." Matthew 28:30b. The LORD is with me to the end of the age. What better promise could I ask for to cling to? Praise God I have an amazing family and good friends to keep me company. I am blessed with a church who seeks God in everything they do and strives to reach out to every person in attendance.
In just a week's time, I'll be with my wonderful CollegePlus! friends who are diligent seekers of our great God. It will be a time of refreshment and encouragement that will be much needed and met with gratefulness.
God is good. Change is hard, but God remains the same through it all.

Party Time!

                                                                         Source: piccsy.com via Katie on Pinterest

I have a graduation party in four days!!

I'm giddy with excitement!!
It's coming up so fast and the list of things to do seems to never end!
But it can't damper how excited I am to spend all day with family and friends who have meant so much to me over the years!
And today I'm out to conquer three college credits! Nothing like accomplishing something so you can relax. :)
I hope you all are having a wonderful week!
May you continue to seek HIM in all your ways.

Love,
Katie :)

(enter title here)

AH!!!!!!!! I've fallen way behind on these journal posts! I apologize!
Life suddenly got rather busy as I prepare to leave for Michigan for a wedding this weekend!

That's Megan and me :D :D
She and her fiance, Elijah, are getting married after knowing each other for less than a year!
Is that not so adorable and romantic?!
A lot of my CP friends are going to be there, and it's just going to be a really spectacular weekend!

I watched Peter Furler's latest music video last night, and it gave me goosebumps!!!
so so cool :D

I'm really hoping that once I get home from MI, I can restart doing those journal entries!

Love,
Katie :)

Blog Love

                                    Source: huffingtonpost.com via Katie on Pinterest

You know what this means!!! You get to read other blogs other than mine :D
Because, well, I still don't have anything to write.

India writes about predestination and free will....good thoughts to think on.

My little sis Bugg wrote this post that totally made my day!!

Please keep my sick family in your prayers. It's just not ending. Everyone keeps getting sick and we're all, well, SICK of it.

Have a great week :)

Love,
Katie :)

I'm Still Alive...promise

I'm sorry for the loooooooooong silence on here.
I was kinda waiting to see if anyone was going to make a video of all the pictures and videos from California. (which was the best weekend of my LIFE!)
I think I might wait and see a little longer :)
So here's a really good song to keep you company and keep you patient until the time comes.
This song always gets me in the gut if you know what I'm saying.
I hope you like it half as much as I do.



Love,
Katie :)

A Little Catching Up

It's so hard to watch blogging fall farther and farther behind.
Ah well, such is life I suppose.
Sometime soon here I'm hoping to be able to write a nice long detailed post. :)

Here's a cool video to keep you company in my absence ;)
(and yes I do realize Christmas is over....is there a rule about when you're supposed to STOP?)



Some little tidbits of news you might enjoy:
- I got my little sister hooked on Hannah Montana.
- I got two Christmas items in the mail yesterday: one from Alaska and one from Ohio. Both of them were from dear CollegePlus! sisters.
- Last night, one of my wonderful "older sisters" got ENGAGED!!!! I'm so excited for the happy couple :D :D :D
- Spending a lot of time with my family recently has shown just how hilarious each member really is.

Happy Wednesday!!

Love,
Katie :)

This and That

                                                                 Source: google.com via Katie on Pinterest

This blog has been quiet for a while and I apologize!!
I'm still trying to get into the swing of things.
Life is still crazy between school and work and now getting ready for Christmas.
I have a government final tonight that I need to study for.
Grandparents' company to prepare for.
Christmas cookies to bake.
I could go on and on, BUT I'll save you the trouble.

Life here is pretty cold in the 12th coldest city in the United States. (yeah, that's right. 12TH COLDEST! if you don't believe me...look it up)
Thankfully the snow melted.
It needs to come back on Christmas Eve, and leave again on Boxing Day.

Here's some cool links for you to take a look at :)

My friend Ruthiey blogs about drama and how it actually can be a good thing! (props to all drama queens)

Sunday night my church had a night of Christmas music in which my family sang, my brothers' band performed, and the Nativity scene  was reenacted.

Hope you're having a great week!!

Love,
Katie :)

ROAD TRIP

As part of my birthday celebration, my friend Lindsey and I went on a road trip to Sioux Falls (about 80 miles north) to go shopping!
We had a blast!!! It included lots of laughing, talking, shopping (duh), forgetting my wallet at home, borrowing money, laughing so hard you choke on your supper, singing to Michael Buble, and ending the day by totally owning our government debate.
This birthday was the best ever and I'm so thankful to all who helped me celebrate!! :D
Here's some pics of the trip yesterday:

Lindsey was the official road trip driver!

LOVED these heels!!! They made me about six inches taller. :D

Do they know how to spell Merry Christmas in Germany?

Adorable little puppy sitting in the back of an adorable little bug

T.J. Maxx and Charlotte Russe (yes!!!!)

On our way home!

Road trip soundtrack (happy)

This was pretty much the coolest thing ever.....

Two of my favorite purchases. I am in love with all things Snoopy. So, a Snoopy shirt and stationary. win.

I hope you're having a wonderful week!!!

Love,
Katie :)

Wow

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I'm not often left speechless.
This morning in church, I was.
This past week has been busy and stressful.
This coming week will be ten million times more so.
I feel in over my head, like I'm drowning.
Sinking
Deeper
And
Deeper.
God has been good, but I still feel like I can't get out of this deep dark cavern.
I've lost sleep over it.
It's just constantly on my mind.
BUT THIS MORNING!
Oh I cannot even begin to express how I.M.P.E.C.C.A.B.L.E God's timing is!
Pastor Sowers prays before the sermon, and THEE first words out of his mouth are:
"Do you ever feel like you're in over your head?"
O_O
Ok, God...I'm listening.
God just really spoke to me through 2 Corinthians 3:1-6.
It was exactly what I needed to hear.
I was floored.
In that passage, Paul speaks on relying on God to be sufficient for us.
Oh how I needed that reminder!
Even when we complain about how we're incapable of doing something, God comes gently and tell us, I will take care of you.
God's grace is sufficient.
It might not look pretty, but He is there.
Every
Step
Of
The
Way.
God is so good, you guys!
TRUST HIM!!!!
I would appreciate any and all prayers for this week :)

Love,
Katie :)

Link Love

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Oh it's SOOO nice to be back and to know this week is up!! :D
Here's some links to different stuff that made my week!

My little sis Bugg wrote this post on Lamentations 3. Simply incredible. I cried.

My brothers bought the new Switchfoot album this week and it's EPIC. My favorite song is Vice Verses

Have a great weekend y'all!!

Love,
Katie :)

Some Very Important Announcements

The first would be that it's my twin brothers' 15th birthday!
Click here to see pics and see how great they are! :D
I love you, Rye Bread and T-Bird!
You guys are some of my bestest friends and I'm so thankful for both of you :)

Also, I'm taking a break from all things online this week, so there will be no blog posts for awhile.
I love you all and you'll hear from me soon!
(prayers would be much appreciated!)
God is good.
Have a great week!

Love,
Katie :)

Proud Picture

I love oak trees.
I love black and white photos.
'Nuff said :D

Love,
Katie :)

p.s. Life is crazy busy right now, so blog posts might be scarce. :P
Make sure to check out all the blogs on my blog list if you get tired of waiting.

"Let It ALL Out"

                                               Source: flickr.com via Katie on Pinterest

Hello to all my devoted blog readers!! :D
I'm sorry this has been such a silent place lately.
Work has been tying me up, and hopefully this week will allow me to be a better blogger.

I heard this song for the first time this week and the lyrics just absolutely blew me away.
They really hold a special meaning for me.
The song is "Let It All Out" by Relient K.
God has us go through hard times for a reason.
Through those hard times, God wants us to "Let It ALL Out" to Him.
Cry out to Him.
He will hold you.
He has a reason.
TRUST.HIM.
I'll post the lyrics here so you can read them and meditate on them.
(and of course I'll post the song too.)


Let it all out
Get it all out
Rip it out remove it
Don't be alarmed
When the wound begins to bleed

Cause we're so scared to find out
What this life's all about
So scared we're going to lose it
Not knowing all along
That's exactly what we need

And today I will trust you with the confidence
Of a man who's never known defeat
But tomorrow, upon hearing what I did
I will stare at you in disbelief
Oh, inconsistent me
Crying out for consistency

[Chorus:]
And you said I know that this will hurt
But if I don't break your heart then things will just get worse
If the burden seems too much to bear
Remember
The end will justify the pain it took to get us there

And I'll let it be known
At times I have shown
Signs of all my weakness
But somewhere in me
There is strength

And you promise me
That you believe
In time I will defeat this
Cause somewhere in me
There is strength

And today I will trust you with the confidence
Of a man who's never known defeat
And I'll try my best to just forget
That that man isn't me


Reach out to me
Make my heart brand new
Every beat will be for you
For you

And I know you know
You touched my life
When you touched my heavy heart and made it light



Love,
Katie :)