Hello, Tokyo?

There's a banana sitting on my desk that I was supposed to eat for breakfast and didn't. I am strongly resisting the urge to pick it up and the conversation would follow something like this,

"Hello? Uh huh. Uh huh. Oh, you want Laura? Ok, here she is."

Even though I am a firm believer that Laura is a four year old somedays, her reaction would probably be, "What the crap?"
Although it would go perfectly both with what the speaker was discussing tonight and an "argument" Laura and I were having.

Laura and I were trying to decide who loves the other more. She said she loves me more and wins the argument because she's older (this is my friend Laura). I came back with the fact that I love her more because I am younger and come with the love of a child. I won even if I did have to call myself a child. Sometimes being a child is a good thing, sometimes it's not. Natalie would love to discuss how breast milk is perfect for babies but not so good for adults...

The speaker tonight was discussing Matthew 16:13-16 and how we need to go deeper with our relationship with Christ than just what we learned in VBS and Sunday School. VeggieTales only teach one so much. If you're still thinking the Babylonians prevented their wall from being knocked down by throwing slurpies, you need to think again. Great story for kids, not so good for college students. Dig deeper, respond to God. It's not just find "A", "B", and "C" plug them in and get "X" (Thank goodness because I hate math!), it's a lot harder than that and we need to search and answer who Jesus is for ourselves.

Good news: God doesn't need a banana "phone" to talk to you. That way it doesn't get all mushy in your hair! He's calling, go pick up!

In Christ,
<>< Katie
"'But what about you?' He asked. 'Who do you say I am?" Matthew 16:15 (emphasis mine).

Happy birthday, Kaitlyn!

Today is Kaitlyn's birthday. Unfortunately, she's not having a very happy one. Her birthday consists of the daily trip to the clinic for treatment followed by the necessity of eating despite the nausea. That's not to mention the light, noise, and touch sensitivity.

Kaitlyn's my sisters' friend that I haven't seen in four years. Were she in any other condition, today would go on as normal. Instead, it's causing me to pause and reflect and find a good Kaitlyn story. I could tell countless stories about her big sister. Several about her family in general, but Kaitlyn? There's the memory of crouching in the closet listening to her pace the hallway calling my name during an intense game of "Hide and Seek". Or the time we were in the basement for the tornado warning with their grandma.

A different story comes to mind and causes me to feel guilty. I usually wasn't the girl who made fun of other kids, but one afternoon I made fun of one of Kaitlyn's friends for being a little different. Kait's sister totally called me out on it.

"It's not her fault she has a speech impairment."

Ouch. I was caught up in the physical attributes of this girl and missed who was hiding behind her crimped blond hair. Kaitlyn was able to look beyond that and see a good friend. Let's learn from Kait's love and Katie's mistake! :-)

In Christ,
<>< Katie

(This was supposed to be posted yesterday... oops)

Song of the Sick

Well, it's official: I have the cold that's going around. Despite washing my hands incessantly and drinking a case of water (and then some) in four days (approximately 13 liters), I am sick. I wonder if orthodontists know that translucent sheath retainers make it almost impossible to breathe.

When I get sick, it attacks my speaking voice first followed by my singing voice. Even though I've sounded like crap all day, I was able to sing to God tonight and actually keep the song in the right key! It was an amazing miracle!

By the end of night, my singing voice was going quickly and I started squoaking. Well, go figure the next song was "Praise You In This Storm" by Casting Crowns. My sign choir did this song last year, so when my voice disappeared, I praised God with my hands.

Lord, God, I give You all that I have. I will praise You will all that I have. Whether You take those abilities away from me or not, I will praise You!

In Christ,
<>< Katie

"I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever." Psalm 86:12

The Adventures of Katie and Laura Part Four: A Run-in with the Law

One Friday evening, Laura and I were sitting at the coffee shop and decided we needed to go to Wal-mart. Instead of going to our “normal Wal-mart” we need a change of scenery and headed to the other one relatively equidistant from here as the normal one. Except this one is over state lines. One the return trip, we crossed back into the proper state and less than a mile down the road was a group of police officers stopping every single car both entering and leaving the state. The car three in front of us was asked to pull over. The following two cars were allowed to continue on. We were asked to wait while a car at the cross road was checked. The police officer was kind enough to turn his flashlight off so he didn’t blind us as he stood next to our car preventing us from continuing our journey home.

When he returned, he requested Laura’s drivers’ license. I asked if he wanted mine, too, and he said only if Laura was driving with a permit. Of course, because she looks like she’s under 16. And I look like I’m several years old than she is. Clearly the police officer’s did not have any age-guessing perspicacity but that’s ok. He took Laura’s license and commented about where she was from: neither the state we had just left nor the state we had just entered, nor any other state bordering the two aforementioned states. He guessed she was here for education and she quickly gave the name of our school, less than ten minutes up the road. He handed her license back to her and said we were free to go.

The entire way back to campus, Laura and I brain stormed possibilities for the random security check point. We came up with everything from boredom to being worried about an alien attack (just kidding… but only a little). Our best guess was that they were preventing someone from entering or leaving the state. However, that did not explain why they only wanted Laura’s license and not mine. I admitted I had hoped they wanted mine so they could be completely confused as to why we represented two different states half-way across the country, neither of which were the two we were driving between. She admitted she wanted to be pulled over so she could inquire about the situation. We then imagined the two of us being asked to walk a straight line. Both completely sober: she’d fall over and I’d stumble and bumble my way through. As the flair says, “We’re not clumsy, we’re uniquely coordinated.”

Unique is one word for the night. I’d seen similar security check points in Mexico but never had to stop at one because I was a tourist on a big flashy bus. We did have to stop in the taxi when the taxi driver had to stop and prove he was really a certified taxi driver. That was reassuring to know since he spoke minimal English and I was not in the mood to translate and conjugate all in an attempt to communicate.

The only other time Laura had ever had to stop like that is when she drove over the border into Canada. She said today—all two minutes of it—was more of a shebang than that was.

We later learned there had been a strange car accident in the same spot a little while earlier (actually, we saw the repercussions of it on our way to Wal-mart). Luckily no one was injured (to my knowledge), but it is suspected that our police stop was a DUI check point. Good thing we decided against buying the beer at Wal-mart! (Just kidding… about contemplating to buy it, that is). Neither Laura nor I had ever gone through anything like that before, but Amber said she gets stopped for that all the time. Personally, I think it was a bit early for a DUI check point and those police officers should wait until bar time but that’s just me.

No spiritual connection at the moment. However, I do present to you a new vocabulary word:
Pusillanimous is an adjective meaning lacking courage, unmanly, fearful, and spineless.
Chillingworth in The Scarlet Letter is a pusillanimous character.

Check out the other stories in “Adventures of Katie and Laura” series:
Part One: Getting lost in a one stop-light town
Part Two: playing Marco Polo at the nursing home
Part Three: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

<><>

"Be still, and know that I am God." - Psalm 46:10a

Book Review: The Last of the Mohicans

I think I will be labelled an even bigger nerd should I choose to post any more homework on facebook. However, I have chosen to take a stand and assist anyone contemplating the reading of The Last of the Mohicans by James Fennimore Cooper.

Prompt:
The Last of the Mohicans, Introduction by Cariss Karatin has just been released. As a reporter for USA Today, you need to do a book review to help the general American public decide whether or not this is a book worth buying.

The Last of the Mohicans by James Fennimore Cooper is an American classic that should be owned by every household. That is not to say everyone should actually read this novel. Rather it would be the perfect book to sit upon a bookshelf and collect dust along with the Tales of Two Cities by Charles Dickens and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain. After all, periodically brushing dust off of these fine novels is considerably better than attempting to actually read and understand them.

In all actuality, if the reader enjoys Indian tales and is willing to chop through an overgrown forest of verbosity in order to understand the story, then this is the perfect book. If the reader enjoys old literature with a classic love scene where the beautiful Cora must choose between death or the bed of her enemy, then this book is worth pursuing. However, if the reader prefers a straight-forward, easy to read story, then this is one of which to steer clear. Perhaps anything would be a better choice.

Should the reader be brave enough to open the cover of this book only to close it again once the book has been completed: more power to him. Actually, should the reader ever successfully finish the novel with the slightest understand of its plot, the reader has gained bragging rights over a majority of American society.

Over all, The Last of the Mohicans: The Cariss Karatin Edition earns two starts out of ten for its compelling and intriguing introduction, only to be followed by a let-down of a novel.

I either need to go to bed, find some hobbies, go hang out with friends, or (d) all of the above.
<>< Katie

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children." Ephesians 5:1

Welcome to Heaven

Wednesday is National Cut Schools' Grass Day. All schools' grass must be cut every Wednesday. The idiot with the lawn mower who woke me up at the crack of dawn on Monday has missed such memo. However, by cutting the grass, he eliminated the ambulance tracks from Friday. We lost one of our own, and the suddenness of it all has really ripped apart those who knew him. Prayers would be much appreciated for his wife, family, and department.

Thanks!
<>< Katie

"In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you." John 14:2

Peace Be Still

I walked into sign choir twenty minutes late today. We have an hour long practice once a week. Oops. Little did I realize we were learning a new song today. I walked in, freaking out about being late, worrying about getting caught up, and realizing that trying to cram everything in my schedule just wasn't working. And what to my wondering should I hear? (But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer... just kidding).

Come to Me, you who are weak.
Let My strenght be yours tonight.
Come and rest, let My love be your bed
Let My heart be yours tonight.

Peace, be still, peace be still.
Please be still and know that I am God.
And know that I am God.

Come empty cup, let Me fill you up.
I'll descent on you like a dove tonight.
Lift your head, let your eyes fall into Mine.
Let your fear subside tonight.

Peace be still, peace be still.
Please be still and know that I am God.
And know that I am God.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah...

American Sign Language does not match up word for word with English. Sometimes we change the words in order to get across the general concept. This is what we basically say:

Come to Me, all My tired children.
I offer My protection and rest to you tonight.
Come to be, relax, be comforted, let Me satisfy you.
Let My heart and yours be one tonight.

Everything you're going through wipes into peace.
Your busy-ness wipes into peace.
Please, son, have peace and know that I am God.
Know that I am God.

Don't give up. I'll give you My plan.
Jesus sacrificed, and ask for peace to fall down.
Look towards Heaven, pray, be in My presence, and worship.
Let your past frustrations and being overwhelmed wash away and be forgotten.

Everything you're going through wipes into peace.
Your busy-ness wipes into peace.
Please, daughter, have peace and know that I am God.
Know that I am God.

Hallelujah, Hallelujah...
Please, children, have pleace and know that I am God.
Know that I am God.
Please, know in your heart that I am God.
Look towards heaven, worship Me, from now-on.

(or something like that... it's a lot cooler in ASL...)

Go listen to the Rush of Fools song. Eventually we'll have a choir version of the song on facebook. :-)

Peace, be still.
<>< Katie

Welcome to the Family of God

Today is a special day. Today is Annie's birthday, Courtney's birthday, and Amanda's birthday. Today I declared my major. Today is also the day when God said, "Welcome to my family". I'm pretty sure today is the first day I've realized it was my baptismal birthday actually on September 10th.

Three or so years ago, I went on a retreat with my church. Picked at random, Courtney was my roommate. She was also one of two other people I knew on the trip. That night, we were too excited about the trip to go to bed. I really wanted a picture of her to commemorate our fun times, but she didn't so much like that idea. Instead, she wrapped herself up in her covers and refused to show her face (I have photos of that). So I pushed her off the bed. Then, when we finally settled down and were ready for bed we learned a very small detail about our room that created some very big problems. You see, the architect put light switches right next to each bed. Our conversations went something like this,
"Good night for real now."
"Good night."
Two minutes of silence.
Soft click.
"AHHHH!!! COURTNEY!!"
"Hahaha!"
Giggle city.
Soft click.
Five minute conversation.
"Good night for real now again. I promise this time!"
"Suuure you do. Good night."
Two minutes of silence.
Soft click.
"AHHHHH!!!! COURTNEY!!!"
Soft click.
Giggle city.
Eventually, we did finally go to sleep. The following morning we were quite rudely awakened by the singing of "Cock-a-doodle Doo" outside our door with the banging of pots and pans. It just so happened our telephone wake-up call came at the same time. Since Courtney kept me up all night, I allowed her to find a way to answer them both simultaneously. :-)

Even though she has a passion for light switches and a strong desire to wake me awake at night, Courtney and I have some great memories and great black mail stories to tell at a later date. :-) Happy birthday!

My favorite Amanda quote:
"I think this place is closed," Brittany as we pulled into a parking lot to ask for directions.
"If it's closed, then how do you account for all of the cars chillaxin' in the parking lot?" Amanda asked with a very serious tone.
"Um... it's a car dealership," we all responded laughing.

In Christ,
<>< Katie

"[Jesus] said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.'" Mark 16:15-16

Brokenness, It's What You've Got From Me

Faithfulness,
Faithfulness
It's what I long for.
Faithfulness,
it's what I need.
Faithfulness,
It's what You want from me.

Holiness
Holiness
It's what I long for.
Holiness,
it's what I need.
Holiness,
It's what You want from me.

Brokenness,
Brokenness,
It's what I long for.
Brokenness,
it's what I need.
Brokenness,
It's what You want from me.

How often do we add our own verses?

Sleeplessness,
Sleeplessness,
It's what I long for.
Sleeplessness,
It's what I need.
Sleeplessness,
It's what You want from me.

Loneliness,
Loneliness,
It's what I long for.
Loneliness,
It's what I need.
Loneliness,
It's what You want from me.

NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's sing the bridge instead

So take my heart and form it
Take my mind, transform it.
Take my will, conform it.
To Yours, to Yours, oh, Lord

We're only a few weeks into the semester and I'm already burnt out. As I look at what I'm doing as for extra circulars: they're all for Him. Most of them are Campus Ministries organizations. I'm quickly learning I can't participate in everything I want to participate in or I will probably die. I'd do better to listen faithfully to Him. THEN hear and obey the answers He gives, not the answers I want!

Oh, if only it were that easy!

In Christ,
<>< Katie

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ: He is a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come." 1 Corinthians 5:17

(Add that to the board in the youth room... that was from memory! :-))

Road Map

God spoke to me in science the other day... it was really weird (even for me)... I have to think about it some more before I can tell you about it... instead, I heard this today.

Personally, everytime I see a map, typically a weather map, I search for my home state. Usually it's not on there, but I still automatically look for it everytime. They say you've really moved when you stop watching the weather for your old home... I guess I haven't really moved yet.

Life is like a road map. Some people open it up and find where they want to go. Some people open it up and look at where they've been. Some people open it up and search for their current location. Some people can't even get the thing unfolded!

What do you look for when someone hands you the road map of life? The places you've been? Where you are currently? Where you want to go? Have you even managed to get the map open yet?

OK... Since I started typing the last paragraph God has told me something else to tell you... are you ready? It's a bit out there...

Sometime between when last semester ended and this semester started, Sam's Choice changed the bottle for their bottled water. How do I know that? I buy Sam's Choice while at school and didn't buy it all summer long... I think this new bottle is more economically friendly because it uses less plastic or something. I don't really know.

Anyway. This new bottle uses less plastic and therefore is thinner. When it's full, the bottle is firm. As the water disappears (and your body becomes more hydrated... yay water!) the bottle becomes less firm. It moves around very easily and doesn't keep it's solid structure. Once the water is gone, it's like you could pop it with your bare hands.

When we fill ourselves with Christ (or allow Him to fill us with Him, if you prefer), there's not much Satan can do to break us. But, little by little, if we allow him (Satan) to work at us and work at us and spend less time with Christ: we become more flimsy. If we try to exist, completely without Christ, like the empty bottle, it doesn't take much for the enemy to destory us.

Does that make sense?

Road maps and water bottles. I promise, the one from class is even more creative. :-)

<>< Katie

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord. 'Plans to prosper and not harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.'" Jeremiah 29:11