PRAISE THE LORD! Things weren't looking good, but you're thoughts and prayers got me through the darkness and into the light! WAHOO! I can talk and I don't sound like my voicebox is being crushed! Hopefully I will be back to work on Monday. Good thing too cause we're starvin over here! (kidding)
This is a quickee, just wanted to let my friends know that I am ALIVE! Thank you to people who called and left messages of hope. I was pretty down. I leave you with a quote:
"...the goal of education and formation for the ministry
is continually to recognize the Lord's voice,
his face, and his touch in every person we meet."
(Henri Nouwen)
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Monday, March 28, 2005
Mono = House Arrest
On St. Patricks Day (March 17th) I developed a fever. I took it easy for the next couple of days, waking up on Sunday to find that my glands were very swollen and puffy. On Monday, my husband took me to the doctor, where Dr. Peters prescribed pencillian and plenty of rest. In the days to follow, my throat became more and more swelled until breathing and swallowing had become somewhat difficult. Saturday we returned to the doctors office where they administered a Mono test and guess what? I Passed with flying colours. They gave me a shot in my right cheek (not the one on my face) and told me that I would have to wait it out for the next 6 weeks.
Needless to say, I spent Easter morning alone at home and i've been in alot of pain for the past few days. Today the doctor called in some Codeine for me, and that has made today very enjoyable.
I feel terrible about missing so much work. This is such a crucial time for my student ministry and there was so much I had planned to do. I was very excited about getting out into the community in the next couple of weeks. Things had been kind of at a stand still for a while because I didn't have a car, but then God supplied that need. I was so excited about getting on campus and promoting the SASF, starting 'Sunday's Cool' and really pounding the pavement. I guess I can still do that stuff if I hollar, "Unclean!Unclean!" everywhere I go. I miss civilization.
I don't know what I would do without Jason. Part of me has been trying to figure out where I contracted this illness. I just pray that whoever I caught it from is receiving the same love, affection and care that I am from my amazing husband. I really don't know what I would do or where I would be without him.
I'd like to solicite prayer if I could. I've been feeling really bad physically and God has taken me pretty far just in the past couple of days. Also, pray that Jason nor anyone else around me gets what I have. I wouldn't wish this on man or beast. Melissa, I would publically like to apologize to you for making fun of you when you had Mono way back in the day. This is no fun. Thanks for calling the other day. I love hearing from you.
That's it till next time. Leave me a comment. Do it!
Needless to say, I spent Easter morning alone at home and i've been in alot of pain for the past few days. Today the doctor called in some Codeine for me, and that has made today very enjoyable.
I feel terrible about missing so much work. This is such a crucial time for my student ministry and there was so much I had planned to do. I was very excited about getting out into the community in the next couple of weeks. Things had been kind of at a stand still for a while because I didn't have a car, but then God supplied that need. I was so excited about getting on campus and promoting the SASF, starting 'Sunday's Cool' and really pounding the pavement. I guess I can still do that stuff if I hollar, "Unclean!Unclean!" everywhere I go. I miss civilization.
I don't know what I would do without Jason. Part of me has been trying to figure out where I contracted this illness. I just pray that whoever I caught it from is receiving the same love, affection and care that I am from my amazing husband. I really don't know what I would do or where I would be without him.
I'd like to solicite prayer if I could. I've been feeling really bad physically and God has taken me pretty far just in the past couple of days. Also, pray that Jason nor anyone else around me gets what I have. I wouldn't wish this on man or beast. Melissa, I would publically like to apologize to you for making fun of you when you had Mono way back in the day. This is no fun. Thanks for calling the other day. I love hearing from you.
That's it till next time. Leave me a comment. Do it!
Friday, March 25, 2005
Good Friday
Good Friday. I am never satisfied with the way that I observe this day each year. How in the world do you observe such an occasion correctly? How do you give it the respect and the honor it deserves?
After observing "The Passion of The Christ" last year (during its overwhelming fame and controversy)I was deeply moved. I don't want to say that the movie 'changed my life' because Jesus did that far before the movie came out, however it did make it easier for my mind to wrap around the feelings and emotions of the people in those days. Mostly, in the middle of bawling like a baby, I felt a strange amount of relief, that I felt so much pain for my Lord. Sometimes it's easy to talk about the sacrifice that Jesus made for us as though there are words to describe it. Before witnessing this film last year, I was afraid what I might feel. What if I wasn't moved? What if I didn't feel? What if I didn't fit the mold of the other Christians around me who saw it and felt such emotion? Instead I found myself in the middle of the theater, in anguish, wanting to scream, "STOP IT!" at the top of my lungs. No film has ever impacted me like that and no film ever will after. Which leads me to the present Good Friday, which I find myself in the middle of. I am feeling sick (strep throat) which automatically puts me in a position where I am thinking about myself and how bad I feel. Having recognized this early in the day I've decided to knock that off.
I've been looking at the world around me and I am having a similar feeling today as I did a year ago in the theater. I want to scream, "STOP IT!"
I've been very angry this morning because from my couch the world is not observing the death of my Savior. It's still going at the same speed and doing the same things. Sports are still on TV and people are still going to see the new Friday movies. We have about 50 something channels I guess, and not one of them said anything about the passing of my Lord. I was mortified.
My husband had taken our Dog to the park. When he got home I shared with him my sadness as to Good Friday and the lack of respect it receives from the world, basing my opinion only on the media. Turns out, Jason met up with a few Christian friends at a coffee shop in the middle of the park. He said to me, "This morning in the coffee shop, it seemed as though everyone around me was talking about God. Either how much they loved him, or how mad they were at him or how much they didn't understand him."
He even ended up talking about Christ with a homosexual man who was desperately searching for something to believe in. So what have I learned...
I've learned that the only way to celebrate someone's life is to embrace their legacy and their reason for living. Jesus made it quite obvious to us what he wanted us to do (this was after he had died, risen again and hung out on earth for a little while.) He gave us the great commission, and even if though the world tries to tell us all that God isn't real and isn't a subject of interest, a coffee shop in the middle of Tallahassee where my husband can take our Dog and enjoy a cup of Joe, tells me other wise. Jesus is alive and people desperately need Him.
"The Passion of The Christ."
After observing "The Passion of The Christ" last year (during its overwhelming fame and controversy)I was deeply moved. I don't want to say that the movie 'changed my life' because Jesus did that far before the movie came out, however it did make it easier for my mind to wrap around the feelings and emotions of the people in those days. Mostly, in the middle of bawling like a baby, I felt a strange amount of relief, that I felt so much pain for my Lord. Sometimes it's easy to talk about the sacrifice that Jesus made for us as though there are words to describe it. Before witnessing this film last year, I was afraid what I might feel. What if I wasn't moved? What if I didn't feel? What if I didn't fit the mold of the other Christians around me who saw it and felt such emotion? Instead I found myself in the middle of the theater, in anguish, wanting to scream, "STOP IT!" at the top of my lungs. No film has ever impacted me like that and no film ever will after. Which leads me to the present Good Friday, which I find myself in the middle of. I am feeling sick (strep throat) which automatically puts me in a position where I am thinking about myself and how bad I feel. Having recognized this early in the day I've decided to knock that off.
I've been looking at the world around me and I am having a similar feeling today as I did a year ago in the theater. I want to scream, "STOP IT!"
I've been very angry this morning because from my couch the world is not observing the death of my Savior. It's still going at the same speed and doing the same things. Sports are still on TV and people are still going to see the new Friday movies. We have about 50 something channels I guess, and not one of them said anything about the passing of my Lord. I was mortified.
My husband had taken our Dog to the park. When he got home I shared with him my sadness as to Good Friday and the lack of respect it receives from the world, basing my opinion only on the media. Turns out, Jason met up with a few Christian friends at a coffee shop in the middle of the park. He said to me, "This morning in the coffee shop, it seemed as though everyone around me was talking about God. Either how much they loved him, or how mad they were at him or how much they didn't understand him."
He even ended up talking about Christ with a homosexual man who was desperately searching for something to believe in. So what have I learned...
I've learned that the only way to celebrate someone's life is to embrace their legacy and their reason for living. Jesus made it quite obvious to us what he wanted us to do (this was after he had died, risen again and hung out on earth for a little while.) He gave us the great commission, and even if though the world tries to tell us all that God isn't real and isn't a subject of interest, a coffee shop in the middle of Tallahassee where my husband can take our Dog and enjoy a cup of Joe, tells me other wise. Jesus is alive and people desperately need Him.
"The Passion of The Christ."
Sunday, March 20, 2005
Fevers are a good thing
Hello there comrads!
This entry probably will not have a point or purpose except to give me something to do, because this is my 4th consecutive day locked in my apartment. I have this weird quickly rising and droping fever thing that just won't quit. One minute, 102...next minute, 98.6...one minute, freezing(brr)....next minute, sweating (PHEW!) It's been a pretty miserable last couple of days, but i've learned alot about fevers, given that i've had a plethora of time on my hands.
For example:
1) Fevers are a good thing. At least ones that are as low as mine. It means that my body is trying to fight something off before it can hurt me, like a virus or a bacteria. THANKS BODY!
2) You should not cover up when you have a fever but should instead wear cool clothes and only cover yourself in a sheet. I didn't know that before! It's really been the oddest sickness i've ever had.
We threw a St. Patricks day party at the local homeless shelter on Thursday. I went regardless of my feeling under the weather and it turned out to be WONDERFUL. We decorated and served green cake, icecream, cookies and even tea! It was great fun and we had ALOT more people then we anticipated which is always nice! We ran out of pretty much everything but no one seemed to mind. I had Newfoundland music playing in the background and two people started to do a jig! It reminded me so much of home. It was awesome. Praise God for his amazingness! I believe he was there doing a jig too!
I could not go to church today. That's not a good thing. Ya know how some mornings you wake up and you really don't want to go to church...well this morning I woke up and really wanted to go, but I feel pretty gross. Keep Kathy in your prayers!
What else is new...Mmmm, well COPS was a "Tazed and Confused" episode last night. Always a classic. Jay and I rented the movie "RAY." I always wonder how accurate biographical movies like that are. It was good. My dog ate a pen. I saw it this morning...outside...if ya know what I mean. HAHA!
Well since this is going nowhere fast I am going to go lie down. But in closing may I just say that my husband has done nothing but wait on me hand and foot. He has been taking SUCH good care of me. He's been up at all hours of the night with me and he has gone to the store to get me juce at ridiculous times. He has put many cold cloths on my head and thermometers in my mouth these past couple of days. He even cancelled going on a fishing trip so that he could stay home and be with me.
He is my angel and I love him more than anyone could ever fathom.
If you have read this entry, please leave a 'poor baby' comment so that I may feel better knowing that I am being pitied. Heehee.
LOVE!
-Kathy
This entry probably will not have a point or purpose except to give me something to do, because this is my 4th consecutive day locked in my apartment. I have this weird quickly rising and droping fever thing that just won't quit. One minute, 102...next minute, 98.6...one minute, freezing(brr)....next minute, sweating (PHEW!) It's been a pretty miserable last couple of days, but i've learned alot about fevers, given that i've had a plethora of time on my hands.
For example:
1) Fevers are a good thing. At least ones that are as low as mine. It means that my body is trying to fight something off before it can hurt me, like a virus or a bacteria. THANKS BODY!
2) You should not cover up when you have a fever but should instead wear cool clothes and only cover yourself in a sheet. I didn't know that before! It's really been the oddest sickness i've ever had.
We threw a St. Patricks day party at the local homeless shelter on Thursday. I went regardless of my feeling under the weather and it turned out to be WONDERFUL. We decorated and served green cake, icecream, cookies and even tea! It was great fun and we had ALOT more people then we anticipated which is always nice! We ran out of pretty much everything but no one seemed to mind. I had Newfoundland music playing in the background and two people started to do a jig! It reminded me so much of home. It was awesome. Praise God for his amazingness! I believe he was there doing a jig too!
I could not go to church today. That's not a good thing. Ya know how some mornings you wake up and you really don't want to go to church...well this morning I woke up and really wanted to go, but I feel pretty gross. Keep Kathy in your prayers!
What else is new...Mmmm, well COPS was a "Tazed and Confused" episode last night. Always a classic. Jay and I rented the movie "RAY." I always wonder how accurate biographical movies like that are. It was good. My dog ate a pen. I saw it this morning...outside...if ya know what I mean. HAHA!
Well since this is going nowhere fast I am going to go lie down. But in closing may I just say that my husband has done nothing but wait on me hand and foot. He has been taking SUCH good care of me. He's been up at all hours of the night with me and he has gone to the store to get me juce at ridiculous times. He has put many cold cloths on my head and thermometers in my mouth these past couple of days. He even cancelled going on a fishing trip so that he could stay home and be with me.
He is my angel and I love him more than anyone could ever fathom.
If you have read this entry, please leave a 'poor baby' comment so that I may feel better knowing that I am being pitied. Heehee.
LOVE!
-Kathy
Monday, March 14, 2005
Love Inclusively. That's what I'm talkin about!
Hey everyone if anyone reads this...(lately I'm not sure) but either way it's great therapy for me! If you have not read my previous entry, please do and let me know what you think. I'm in the middle of studying God's will and what it is. I need any insight, book recommendations, inspirational quotes, a smack up the side of the head, anything that may aid the situation.
I wanted to give any SAMS people who read this and update as to what's going on in the Tallahassee Corps. OH MY GOSH! God is moving like a mighty force throughout this crazy town. Well, first of all, we love it here. We love the town, we love our new friends, we love that its 30 degrees (Celsius) in March...We love Tallahassee. But above and beyond that, we love that God has chosen us to be apart of his re-facing the army here in this town. On our first Sunday here, there were about 10 adults in the congregation and about 20 children. What a beautiful sea of children the army has here. They are AMAZING kids too. So warm and welcoming. They'd rather minister in a nursing home then go to the movies...But I'm getting side tracked by their coolness. Yesterday we had a little over 60 people in church! AH! God is just blessing this corps like crazy and the best part is, people are coming here from literally ALL walks of life. We have a large group of professional business people, we have homeless from the Shelter and the new HOPE community center, we have young families and some elderly. IT"S CRAZY! And we are all worshipping our God together. It's almost becoming this surreal utopia worship center where all people gather together. Now don't get me wrong, change always brings a little growing pains, but this past Sunday was an overwhelming experience for me because people seemed to leave their skepticism and their discomforts and their uncertainties at the door and we all just came together in His name. We had people here who had not been here in several months, and 10-12 who were here for the very first time. One was a family of 8 who are the most precious people you could ever imagine. It's been insane! It's been such a blessing for Jason and I to #1) invite people to church #2) have them show up and #3) Get paid to do it. Sometimes I feel guilty, but I know I should just feel blessed because having the time and ability to create these relationships is what God is blessing and the corps IS growing. PRAISE GOD! Our Tuesday night youth programs are growing too. I ask that you pray for the new members of our corps, that we may effectively meet their needs and fulfill the mission of the Southern Territory, "Salvationists of the Southern Territory USA are answering God's call to make radical followers of Jesus Christ who love inclusively, serve helpfully and disciple effectively in the communities where they live." I think I may have mixed up the order of the verbs but you know what I mean!
Yesterday after our amazing day in church, we had a potluck with all of the people, eating together and getting to know each other. Then Jason and I went to the beach with our dog and we took pictures of alligators. There's a sentence I thought I'd never say! Hey if you read this, leave me a comment to boost my self esteem. I determine my self-worth by my blogspot comments...Sniff sniff...
Ok, Ok maybe not but I'd love to know who reads this. Take care!
I wanted to give any SAMS people who read this and update as to what's going on in the Tallahassee Corps. OH MY GOSH! God is moving like a mighty force throughout this crazy town. Well, first of all, we love it here. We love the town, we love our new friends, we love that its 30 degrees (Celsius) in March...We love Tallahassee. But above and beyond that, we love that God has chosen us to be apart of his re-facing the army here in this town. On our first Sunday here, there were about 10 adults in the congregation and about 20 children. What a beautiful sea of children the army has here. They are AMAZING kids too. So warm and welcoming. They'd rather minister in a nursing home then go to the movies...But I'm getting side tracked by their coolness. Yesterday we had a little over 60 people in church! AH! God is just blessing this corps like crazy and the best part is, people are coming here from literally ALL walks of life. We have a large group of professional business people, we have homeless from the Shelter and the new HOPE community center, we have young families and some elderly. IT"S CRAZY! And we are all worshipping our God together. It's almost becoming this surreal utopia worship center where all people gather together. Now don't get me wrong, change always brings a little growing pains, but this past Sunday was an overwhelming experience for me because people seemed to leave their skepticism and their discomforts and their uncertainties at the door and we all just came together in His name. We had people here who had not been here in several months, and 10-12 who were here for the very first time. One was a family of 8 who are the most precious people you could ever imagine. It's been insane! It's been such a blessing for Jason and I to #1) invite people to church #2) have them show up and #3) Get paid to do it. Sometimes I feel guilty, but I know I should just feel blessed because having the time and ability to create these relationships is what God is blessing and the corps IS growing. PRAISE GOD! Our Tuesday night youth programs are growing too. I ask that you pray for the new members of our corps, that we may effectively meet their needs and fulfill the mission of the Southern Territory, "Salvationists of the Southern Territory USA are answering God's call to make radical followers of Jesus Christ who love inclusively, serve helpfully and disciple effectively in the communities where they live." I think I may have mixed up the order of the verbs but you know what I mean!
Yesterday after our amazing day in church, we had a potluck with all of the people, eating together and getting to know each other. Then Jason and I went to the beach with our dog and we took pictures of alligators. There's a sentence I thought I'd never say! Hey if you read this, leave me a comment to boost my self esteem. I determine my self-worth by my blogspot comments...Sniff sniff...
Ok, Ok maybe not but I'd love to know who reads this. Take care!
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
I need guidance...
Hi friends. Today's entry is a desperate cry for spiritual knowledge. I am finding myself completely perplexed as to ...Drum roll please......GOD'S WILL. What exactly is it? I know that God has called us to many things and scripture is filled with answers and direction as to what God wants us to do, but I want to know what God wants me to be. Specifically. So here's where I'm at: I love God, with all my heart. I would live a life of pure torture if he asked me to. If I knew that God wanted me to do something, regardless of my feelings, I would do it. I can truly say that I would. The issue is not my dedication or my willingness to obey and follow, but instead it is my lack of clarity and my second guessing everything. "Is that God, or is it me?," "Is this just how I am feeling today, or is it God trying to tell me something?" AH!
So here's my question(s):
-Does God call us to be specific things (ie: Doctors, Lawyers, business owners, Salvation Army Officers) or does he give us likes and dislikes, passions and talents to guide our way to what he wants us to be?
-If God's will is occupation specific, how in the world do you determine between God's will and our feelings?
- If God's will is occupationally and situationally specific, how does our free will come into play?
Okay. That's pretty much it for the questions. Please, anybody, leave your input and suggestions.
Life is great. We're nestling well into this city. There was a huge storm and Tornado warning last night which scared my newfie pants off but today it is sunny and beautiful again. Similar to life I suppose.
I've been studying Genesis lately in detail because I am trying to teach my pre-teen bible class the old testament in chronological order. I've found I almost learn more as a teacher then I do as a student. I've been studying Genesis for my Sunday scholar's and Deuteronomy for myself. Those silly Israelites.
Due to the SAMS ministry and God's spirit moving through it, we are going to have 20 people here this coming Sunday who had not even heard of The 'church' side of the Army two months ago. God is working amazing miracles through my husband who, everyday astounds me with his depth and his love for people. We have a family of 8 coming to our church this Sunday for the first time.
Pray for Tallahassee. God is moving, fast and furious.
So here's my question(s):
-Does God call us to be specific things (ie: Doctors, Lawyers, business owners, Salvation Army Officers) or does he give us likes and dislikes, passions and talents to guide our way to what he wants us to be?
-If God's will is occupation specific, how in the world do you determine between God's will and our feelings?
- If God's will is occupationally and situationally specific, how does our free will come into play?
Okay. That's pretty much it for the questions. Please, anybody, leave your input and suggestions.
Life is great. We're nestling well into this city. There was a huge storm and Tornado warning last night which scared my newfie pants off but today it is sunny and beautiful again. Similar to life I suppose.
I've been studying Genesis lately in detail because I am trying to teach my pre-teen bible class the old testament in chronological order. I've found I almost learn more as a teacher then I do as a student. I've been studying Genesis for my Sunday scholar's and Deuteronomy for myself. Those silly Israelites.
Due to the SAMS ministry and God's spirit moving through it, we are going to have 20 people here this coming Sunday who had not even heard of The 'church' side of the Army two months ago. God is working amazing miracles through my husband who, everyday astounds me with his depth and his love for people. We have a family of 8 coming to our church this Sunday for the first time.
Pray for Tallahassee. God is moving, fast and furious.
Thursday, March 03, 2005
I can't wait to give God a hug!
Lately I've found myself fantisizing about heaven. Not to worried, I am quite content being alive, but I've just been trying to fathom the coolness of heaven. I've found myself praying and thinking, 'when I get to heaven i am not going to ask God all of the burning questions that my mortal head can't wrap around, instead I simply want to fall on my face, worship and i really, really want a God hug.' How awesome would a hug from the Father be? My eyes tear up just thinking about such an amazing embrace and the mere thought of it overwhelms me! So I can't even think about meeting with the saints, the streets of gold, mansions in glory and endless delight, because if I did i wouldn't be able to function in my day to day tasks. Instead, I will think about my God hug, because everytime I do, everything around me becomes beautiful and I feel at peace.
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