If you're here, it means you missed the memo that I moved.
I'm at KatieAxelson.com now.
Come over and hang out at my new house.
Thanks!
<>< Katie
Friday, May 18, 2012
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Celebration
One year ago today I received the most expensive piece of paper in my life to date. I guess I became Katie Axelson, BA.
But I didn't really celebrate.
Sure, I took a plethora of photos, carried some flowers, and enjoyed a nice lunch tailgate. Yet I was more overwhelmed with packing and moving involuntarily across the country.
I never want to go through a year like this again, but I am grateful for the lessons I learned, the ways God proved His faithfulness, and the new opportunities that have opened up.
Since I was too busy crying to celebrate last year, I'm going to celebrate this year. Better late that never, right?
My celebration involves a major announcement:
I have a new blog!
KatieAxelson.com
Just as moving across the country physically is messy, moving across the cyberworld is messy too. The new blog's not pristine and perfect yet. There are some kinks I'm still working on (but if you want to point them out, that's fine).
Unlike moving in real life, I get to take you all with me on my move! Be sure to set your bookmarks, subscribe to, whatever to KatieAxelson.com because otherwise I'll miss you.
And you'll miss fun stuff like Jesus Worldwide, book reviews, God moments, and who knows what other fun-ness we'll explore.
Thanks, friends, you're great!
<>< Katie
KatieAxelson.com
But I didn't really celebrate.
Sure, I took a plethora of photos, carried some flowers, and enjoyed a nice lunch tailgate. Yet I was more overwhelmed with packing and moving involuntarily across the country.
I never want to go through a year like this again, but I am grateful for the lessons I learned, the ways God proved His faithfulness, and the new opportunities that have opened up.
Since I was too busy crying to celebrate last year, I'm going to celebrate this year. Better late that never, right?
My celebration involves a major announcement:
I have a new blog!
KatieAxelson.com
Just as moving across the country physically is messy, moving across the cyberworld is messy too. The new blog's not pristine and perfect yet. There are some kinks I'm still working on (but if you want to point them out, that's fine).
Unlike moving in real life, I get to take you all with me on my move! Be sure to set your bookmarks, subscribe to, whatever to KatieAxelson.com because otherwise I'll miss you.
And you'll miss fun stuff like Jesus Worldwide, book reviews, God moments, and who knows what other fun-ness we'll explore.
Thanks, friends, you're great!
<>< Katie
KatieAxelson.com
Monday, May 14, 2012
Jesus Worldwide: Cambodia
From Katie: Steph is currently on month ten of eleven on World Race. This piece was originally posted on her blog but has been reposted here with permission. To keep up with Steph's adventures, check out her blog here. <>< Katie
PS: If you've got a story to tell, tell it! KatieAxelson[at]gmail[dot]com.
PS: If you've got a story to tell, tell it! KatieAxelson[at]gmail[dot]com.
There are about 1,200 kids who live on the streets in Phnom Penh. Between 10,000-20,000 children work on the streets in Cambodia.
Many of these kids sniff glue, an inhalant that causes similar feelings as being drunk, a loss of inhibition, and hallucinations. Glue contains a solvent called toluene, which causes pleasure in the mind. It gives glue a high potential to be addictive, especially to a hungry, hurting, neglected child. Inhaling glue slows down body function and can damage the heart, kidneys, brain, liver, bone marrow, and other organs. Long-term effects include memory loss, hearing loss, limb spasms, and permanent brain damage. Boys sniffing glue on the streets are so common that passersby think nothing of seeing them anymore. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This month, it’s been an incredible blessing to work with Teen Challenge Cambodia at their boys’ centre. The centre is located in a rural area about an hour outside of Phnom Penh. The boys are identified by a partner organization, Hagar International, and if addicted to glue, they are brought to TCC to live for a year away from the temptations of the city. The boys are taught school classes, work-skills such as how to work on a farm, and most importantly, introduced to a relationship with their Father and Creator.  The boys/men's sleeping quarters at TCC.  Rice fields at the farm at TCC.  The boys and men at TCC.  They love their football. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Something that has continually amazed me on this Race is how God really is the answer to everything. As a woman who hasn’t had much exposure to the drug world, much less experienced the incredible hardships of living on the streets, I am sometimes at a loss as to what I can give these boys. But, just like in Thailand with the bargirls, there is something very tangible I can give. The love of Jesus, expressed through our actions, our words, our lessons and games with them.  Learning about the days of Creation.  At church with Pastor Mab. After their year is over, many of the boys will return to the environment from which they came. Many in the past have succumbed to the same temptations again, maybe doing even worse. “The difference is that this time, they will have the Holy Spirit,” observed my teammate Taryn. I am humbled and privileged to have a month in these boys’ lives, being used by God to impart something that will never fade away or be destroyed – the faith, love, and hope of God.  *facts found from Consortium for Street Children, Hagar International, and Surviving Drug Addiction |
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Bee-lieve It's Possible
I saw him and immediately knew we were about to have a problem. He crashed into the glass every few inches all the way down the double-hung window of "my office."
It isn't really my office. It's the office one of my coworkers let me borrow because she was out for the day. Since air conditioning is not my friend, I opened the window two inches and watched the bee find the very small gap.
He flew into my office, and I shrugged. Not the first bee I've shared a workspace with, and I'm sure it won't be the last. It was pretty creepy looking, though.
I began to contemplate my options:
1. Kill him. Provided he flew low enough and I had a good smack with whatever device I could find. I've got a great track-record of hitting bees with tennis rackets, but my racket was in my other computer bag.
2. Let him be. He'd buzz around my office for awhile before venturing out into the building to bother coworkers, some of whom I know full well are very allergic to bees.
3. Let him out. Right. The window was open two inches. He barely made it in. There was no possible way he'd make it out.
For a few minutes I watched him fly. He wasn't coming low enough for me to smack much less kill. Maybe I should mention the window's opening was knee-height. It seemed impossible.
I knew I could not handle the bee situation. I did the only thing I knew how to do: I prayed.
It seemed silly to pray over a bee in a building (especially one who wasn't bothering me). But I did it. It was a simple, selfish prayer, too. It went something like this:
Hey, God, please get that bee back outside through the window. Thanks. Oh, yeah, I love You.
I went back to work. Not two minutes later I looked over and watched the bee repeatedly crash into the window, nowhere near the opening.
All of the sudden something happened. Something traumatic happened in the little bee's short life.
He fell.
In between the window panes.
He was stuck, so I seized the opportunity. I grabbed the best thin weapon I could find, and shoved my notebook down the gap between the panes.
I never touched the bee.
He flew upside down and backwards. Neither one of us are really sure how it happened, but all of the sudden he was outside again.
I could almost hear him rejoicing as he flew away.
I was rejoicing too.
I had asked God to get the bee out through the window. He did. But it definitely wasn't in a way I could have anticipated. I never even thought about the bee getting trapped between the panes and escaping out the hole.
I expected him to miraculously find the same two inches he flew in through. I knew God could make that happened.
He did even better, He shot the bee out through an even smaller hole.
The bee situation was more than just a chance for God to show off. (He can do that; He created the universe).
It was a reminder to me to pray about everything. Not just the big things. Not just the things that are struggles for me. Not just the things that will alter my life.
I am not bothering the Creator of the universe when I ask Him to rid the office of a measly bee. In fact, I think He enjoyed it. I know He enjoyed the praise I gave Him afterwards.
Well done, Lord.
<>< Katie
It isn't really my office. It's the office one of my coworkers let me borrow because she was out for the day. Since air conditioning is not my friend, I opened the window two inches and watched the bee find the very small gap.
He flew into my office, and I shrugged. Not the first bee I've shared a workspace with, and I'm sure it won't be the last. It was pretty creepy looking, though.
I began to contemplate my options:
1. Kill him. Provided he flew low enough and I had a good smack with whatever device I could find. I've got a great track-record of hitting bees with tennis rackets, but my racket was in my other computer bag.
2. Let him be. He'd buzz around my office for awhile before venturing out into the building to bother coworkers, some of whom I know full well are very allergic to bees.
3. Let him out. Right. The window was open two inches. He barely made it in. There was no possible way he'd make it out.
For a few minutes I watched him fly. He wasn't coming low enough for me to smack much less kill. Maybe I should mention the window's opening was knee-height. It seemed impossible.
I knew I could not handle the bee situation. I did the only thing I knew how to do: I prayed.
It seemed silly to pray over a bee in a building (especially one who wasn't bothering me). But I did it. It was a simple, selfish prayer, too. It went something like this:
Hey, God, please get that bee back outside through the window. Thanks. Oh, yeah, I love You.
I went back to work. Not two minutes later I looked over and watched the bee repeatedly crash into the window, nowhere near the opening.
All of the sudden something happened. Something traumatic happened in the little bee's short life.
He fell.
In between the window panes.
He was stuck, so I seized the opportunity. I grabbed the best thin weapon I could find, and shoved my notebook down the gap between the panes.
I never touched the bee.
He flew upside down and backwards. Neither one of us are really sure how it happened, but all of the sudden he was outside again.
I could almost hear him rejoicing as he flew away.
I was rejoicing too.
I had asked God to get the bee out through the window. He did. But it definitely wasn't in a way I could have anticipated. I never even thought about the bee getting trapped between the panes and escaping out the hole.
I expected him to miraculously find the same two inches he flew in through. I knew God could make that happened.
He did even better, He shot the bee out through an even smaller hole.
The bee situation was more than just a chance for God to show off. (He can do that; He created the universe).
It was a reminder to me to pray about everything. Not just the big things. Not just the things that are struggles for me. Not just the things that will alter my life.
I am not bothering the Creator of the universe when I ask Him to rid the office of a measly bee. In fact, I think He enjoyed it. I know He enjoyed the praise I gave Him afterwards.
Well done, Lord.
<>< Katie
Monday, May 7, 2012
Jesus Worldwide: Tanzania
Have you ever read the Jesus Worldwide posts and wished you could keep up with a missionary or team while on the field rather than waiting until they return?
Well, pack your bags and come with me!
There's a team of Compassion Bloggers in Tanzania right now. Even though I'm eating food my stomach enjoys, sleeping days and nights the American way, and not taking anti-malaria medicine (rejoice!), I'm in Tanzania... mentally.
Follow their journey here:
Blogs
Twitter
Let me introduce you to the team:
The Nester who met Hospitality in Tanzania.
Kelli thinks Minivans are Hot and she's not callous to the amazing work of Compassion.
Gussy's purpose is stitched up in Him.
Scott has a watch that the children are mesmerized by.
Amy's learning to hope like a child.
Jolanthe is looking at the practical things Compassion is doing.
Team leader Shaun Groves is building a Third World Dictionary.
Team leader Keely's got an amazing eye for photography.
Don't just take my word for it. Go check out their blogs.
And consider sponsoring a child in Tanzania.
<>< Katie
PS: If you have a story to tell and want to brag on how God is working around the globe, I'd love to hear it. KatieAxelson[at]gmail[dot]com.
Well, pack your bags and come with me!
There's a team of Compassion Bloggers in Tanzania right now. Even though I'm eating food my stomach enjoys, sleeping days and nights the American way, and not taking anti-malaria medicine (rejoice!), I'm in Tanzania... mentally.
Follow their journey here:
Blogs
Let me introduce you to the team:
The Nester who met Hospitality in Tanzania.
Kelli thinks Minivans are Hot and she's not callous to the amazing work of Compassion.
Gussy's purpose is stitched up in Him.
Scott has a watch that the children are mesmerized by.
Amy's learning to hope like a child.
Jolanthe is looking at the practical things Compassion is doing.
Team leader Shaun Groves is building a Third World Dictionary.
Team leader Keely's got an amazing eye for photography.
Don't just take my word for it. Go check out their blogs.
And consider sponsoring a child in Tanzania.
<>< Katie
PS: If you have a story to tell and want to brag on how God is working around the globe, I'd love to hear it. KatieAxelson[at]gmail[dot]com.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
Life's Bad Music
As soon as I walked into the coffee shop, I regretted it. I had forgotten one vital detail: it was Wednesday.
Wednesday means open mic night. My coffee shop desk had turned into a stage.
I'm all for live music. I love going to concerts. I enjoy writing to live music.
Sure, I have my favorite artists, but I'm not very particular about music (you can't be when your sign choir performs "Joyful Noise" by Flame and "Come Thou Fount" in the same semester). I'm also not a musician which means it takes a lot in order to get me to cringe.
The band on the stage in my coffee shop office on Wednesday made me cringe.
I picked the quietest corner (as if such a thing exists), sat down, and got to work. I figured if I was working, I wouldn't notice the band as much.
Wrong.
I couldn't leave because I had a lot of work to do, but after a few minutes, I couldn't stand it anymore. I pulled out my headphones and turned on my own music. At first, I couldn't even hear my song over the band. I cupped my hands over my ears as if that would drown them out more.
The band got louder. I turned up my music. I wanted nothing more than to block out the exterior noise and focus only on the delightful, familiar song penetrating my heart once again. Something changed.
The noise around me didn't go away. It was just as awful as it had always been, but the gentle voice in my ears was so sweet.
That's life.
Maybe not constantly, but life definitely has some bad bands playing from time to time.
We call them unemployment. Cancer. Debt. Miscarriage. Tornado. Broken relationships. Death. Illness. Car crashes.
We can't stand their music, but we've got a front-row seat. We didn't intend to go to their show, but we can't unplug the soundboard.
That doesn't mean they need our undivided attention.
What if, instead of focusing on the bad right in front of you, commanding your attention, you chose to focus on the sweet voice of God in your ears?
It's not easy, but once you get a taste of the Lord's voice, once you hear Him above the noise of life, you're not going to want to stop listening.
Lord, teach us to focus our attention on Your sweet voice of love and encouragement rather than the awful noise all around us.
Katie
Wednesday means open mic night. My coffee shop desk had turned into a stage.
I'm all for live music. I love going to concerts. I enjoy writing to live music.
 |
| Photo from a Needtobreathe concert |
The band on the stage in my coffee shop office on Wednesday made me cringe.
I picked the quietest corner (as if such a thing exists), sat down, and got to work. I figured if I was working, I wouldn't notice the band as much.
Wrong.
I couldn't leave because I had a lot of work to do, but after a few minutes, I couldn't stand it anymore. I pulled out my headphones and turned on my own music. At first, I couldn't even hear my song over the band. I cupped my hands over my ears as if that would drown them out more.
The band got louder. I turned up my music. I wanted nothing more than to block out the exterior noise and focus only on the delightful, familiar song penetrating my heart once again. Something changed.
The noise around me didn't go away. It was just as awful as it had always been, but the gentle voice in my ears was so sweet.
That's life.
Maybe not constantly, but life definitely has some bad bands playing from time to time.
We call them unemployment. Cancer. Debt. Miscarriage. Tornado. Broken relationships. Death. Illness. Car crashes.
We can't stand their music, but we've got a front-row seat. We didn't intend to go to their show, but we can't unplug the soundboard.
That doesn't mean they need our undivided attention.
What if, instead of focusing on the bad right in front of you, commanding your attention, you chose to focus on the sweet voice of God in your ears?
It's not easy, but once you get a taste of the Lord's voice, once you hear Him above the noise of life, you're not going to want to stop listening.
Lord, teach us to focus our attention on Your sweet voice of love and encouragement rather than the awful noise all around us.
Katie
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Wacky Wednesday
From Katie: The following is a collection of quotes heard in conversation and found on Twitter over the month of April. Some names have been changed for the sake of privacy. <>< Katie
Jesse [23]: How are you?
Woman [70s]: Well, I have a bad case of diarrhea and I've been on the toilet all morning, Honey. I hear you wrote a book. I'm going to write a book, too. Since it looks like neither of us are going to get married, let's get hitched.
Katie: Next time I'll just cook dinner after work.
Jennifer: Hey! I've been cooking all afternoon.
Amy: That's the problem.
Katie: We appreciate your effort even if it's only effort.
Laura: I'd like a diet virgin water on the rocks. Hold the ice.
David: Katie, you eat in the caf more than I do.
Katie: Not more just as often.
David: Oh, good. As long as we're even.
Pete Webber: I hate hockey games in libraries.
Allyson: I'm so sorry, Stacy, that we're overe here having our own conversation and you're over there slaving over the microwave.
Person One: What's a cello?
Person Two: It's like a really big violin you play on the floor.
[Allyson getting plates out of the cabinet]
Jennifer: No! I already have plates out.
Allyson: Where?
Jennifer: Over there.
Allyson: There are two.
Jennifer: I was going to get more.
Stephen: Anatomically, if you had brake lights, they'd be on your butt.
Katie: Meeting with David.
Autocorrect: Mewing with David.
Rebekah: I mewed with David and Meagan tonight.
Katie: I need to remember not to go to work tomorrow.
Lisa Whittle: Tell that person you believe in them, love them, appreciate them today. You have no idea how much they may need to hear it.
Isaac [Age 4]: If we were all rocks, we'd be mulch.
Jennifer: Allyson, are you done with this?
Allyson: That's my sandwich.
Jennifer: It's all this gross stuff.
Allyson: Those are called vegetables.
Laura: Zeke is Twatching Katie. In public even!
Anna: I wouldn't lie to you.
Josh: You did once.
Anna: Really? When?
Josh: You once said I was a good person.
Katie: High of 61. What is this? January?
Jennifer Rothschild: God is present in your present; He's not dwelling on your past or worrying about the future so you don't either. Be present where you are.
Allyson: These strawberries are Pintrest-worthy.
Katie: When I come back, I want you to have two pages written.
Jen: Are you coming back tomorrow?
[A few days later]
Jen: So, Katie, that story for class you were pushing me to write? It's not 5 pages. It's 26. And I might major in writing.
"Live in a way that if anyone should speak badly of you, no one would believe it." - Unknown
Jennifer: It's 7:30.
Katie: It's 8:00.
Allyson: Get a watch, witch.
Jesse: Have you Tweeted yet? It's been an hour. Please Tweet responsibly.
Katie: I need a horrible haircut. I mean, I need a haircut horribly.
Julie: If you bought a Lord of the Rings ring as an engagement right, you would officially be boxed in forever as a dork.
Billy Bob: I got this thought. I know that's dangerous. You're in charge of marketing--
John Boy: I think so. Somedays. In some places. Maybe not here. I am at my house.
Laura: I'll have the steak. Medium half-well done. No pink.
Friend: You have a degree in English and Spanish? You should be a music critic.
[While discussing wars]
Becca, high school freshman: This is why we need female presidents. They won't fight with each other; they'll all be jealous of each other and no one will talk rather than fighting.
Katie: I need to go shopping in your closet.
Jennifer: You can pay me too.
Katie: I'll pay you in punches.
Jennifer: I don't appreciate that. Maybe I'll just let you borrow my clothes.
Brett: Childbirth is not the most feminine moment in a woman's life.
[Laura said something in Spanish; I translated.]
Katie: Why is the dog in the car?
Laura: Why are you standing in a box?
Max Lucado: Worship is the act of magnifying God.
Jesse [23]: How are you?
Woman [70s]: Well, I have a bad case of diarrhea and I've been on the toilet all morning, Honey. I hear you wrote a book. I'm going to write a book, too. Since it looks like neither of us are going to get married, let's get hitched.
Katie: Next time I'll just cook dinner after work.
Jennifer: Hey! I've been cooking all afternoon.
Amy: That's the problem.
Katie: We appreciate your effort even if it's only effort.
Laura: I'd like a diet virgin water on the rocks. Hold the ice.
David: Katie, you eat in the caf more than I do.
Katie: Not more just as often.
David: Oh, good. As long as we're even.
Pete Webber: I hate hockey games in libraries.
Allyson: I'm so sorry, Stacy, that we're overe here having our own conversation and you're over there slaving over the microwave.
Person One: What's a cello?
Person Two: It's like a really big violin you play on the floor.
[Allyson getting plates out of the cabinet]
Jennifer: No! I already have plates out.
Allyson: Where?
Jennifer: Over there.
Allyson: There are two.
Jennifer: I was going to get more.
Stephen: Anatomically, if you had brake lights, they'd be on your butt.
Katie: Meeting with David.
Autocorrect: Mewing with David.
Rebekah: I mewed with David and Meagan tonight.
Katie: I need to remember not to go to work tomorrow.
Lisa Whittle: Tell that person you believe in them, love them, appreciate them today. You have no idea how much they may need to hear it.
Isaac [Age 4]: If we were all rocks, we'd be mulch.
Jennifer: Allyson, are you done with this?
Allyson: That's my sandwich.
Jennifer: It's all this gross stuff.
Allyson: Those are called vegetables.
Laura: Zeke is Twatching Katie. In public even!
Anna: I wouldn't lie to you.
Josh: You did once.
Anna: Really? When?
Josh: You once said I was a good person.
Katie: High of 61. What is this? January?
Jennifer Rothschild: God is present in your present; He's not dwelling on your past or worrying about the future so you don't either. Be present where you are.
Allyson: These strawberries are Pintrest-worthy.
Katie: When I come back, I want you to have two pages written.
Jen: Are you coming back tomorrow?
[A few days later]
Jen: So, Katie, that story for class you were pushing me to write? It's not 5 pages. It's 26. And I might major in writing.
"Live in a way that if anyone should speak badly of you, no one would believe it." - Unknown
Jennifer: It's 7:30.
Katie: It's 8:00.
Allyson: Get a watch, witch.
Jesse: Have you Tweeted yet? It's been an hour. Please Tweet responsibly.
Katie: I need a horrible haircut. I mean, I need a haircut horribly.
Julie: If you bought a Lord of the Rings ring as an engagement right, you would officially be boxed in forever as a dork.
Billy Bob: I got this thought. I know that's dangerous. You're in charge of marketing--
John Boy: I think so. Somedays. In some places. Maybe not here. I am at my house.
Laura: I'll have the steak. Medium half-well done. No pink.
Friend: You have a degree in English and Spanish? You should be a music critic.
[While discussing wars]
Becca, high school freshman: This is why we need female presidents. They won't fight with each other; they'll all be jealous of each other and no one will talk rather than fighting.
Katie: I need to go shopping in your closet.
Jennifer: You can pay me too.
Katie: I'll pay you in punches.
Jennifer: I don't appreciate that. Maybe I'll just let you borrow my clothes.
Brett: Childbirth is not the most feminine moment in a woman's life.
[Laura said something in Spanish; I translated.]
Katie: Why is the dog in the car?
Laura: Why are you standing in a box?
Max Lucado: Worship is the act of magnifying God.
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