So...I moved to China ;)

Ok, I can imagine this blog feels abandoned...and if you are coming here to see what is going on, and are not following me on facebook or twitter...I moved to China! I just realized I never posted anything about that on here.

We have been here for about 3 months now (that is crazy!) meeting new people, learning Chinese, sharing Jesus, and enjoying the culture of China. It was been quite a challenging beginning, but this is definitely a blessing to be a part of what God is doing here. If you would like to follow my adventures over here in China, please check out my China blog at: http://chinakat.theobloggers.com

If you are interested in receiving my e-newsletter, please contact me at the e-mail address from this site, and I will be happy to add you to my list.

Thanks for checking in, and hope to connect with you at the new blog!!

Blessings~

China Kat :)

Back in the saddle again ;)

Okay, so I have been thinking about updating this all of June-but it has been one busy, crazy, and wonderful month!! :) I have been blessed with the incredible opportunity to do what I love most, what God called me to in the beginning, and what I have missed most about the past several summers (and most of the year, for that matter)...youth ministry!!!

It all began at the beginning of June when I decided to help sponsor the Garden Ridge kids to Encounter (my favorite camp and week ever!!), where I completely fell in love with these kids. I never could have imagined what a blessing they would be, and how much it would enhance my Encounter experience-which has been SO amazing thus far!! If you know me, you pretty much know that I LOVE Encounter, the blessing it is, and the role it has played throughout my life. I even got the privilege of driving them home in the van with the trailer, and had some crazy girls in that van ;) We had a blast. Encounter was amazing (as usual) this year-very challenging for both the kids and for us. The theme was "Rise" and each keynote challenged us in various ways to not just sit in church, but to BE the church. We were reminded that the statistics of kids who grow up in the church, go to college, and lose their faith are staggering-and we want them to have a strong foundation that will carry them boldly into the future. They were challenged to get out of the boc, get out of the pews, and go be the hands and feet to others-not just talk about it, but DO it!! I went to classes every day with the kids, ate lunch with them, hung out during free time, took pictures everywhere they went (they called me their personal papparazi) ;), and could not have been more proud of a group. They really impressed me-they take care of each other, and that is a beautiful thing! All in all, the week was awesome-God really spoke, hearts were touched, 20+ plus kids were baptized, I enjoyed getting to know the kids and having good conversations with some really great friends that I do not get to see often enough!!








After we returned from Encounter, I felt like I finally belonged. Garden Ridge is home now, and I wanted (plus I think John was thankful!) to keep helping. So since then, I have sponsored a junior high lock-in, girls night out, service projects, Capture the Flag games, helped organize a surprise birthday party, and last night enjoyed a Ranger game (with massive heat, a win, and a great fireworks show!!) I also helped out with VBS, which was a blast-I had the opportunity to take pictures every night of the classes and kids, and loved it. At the end of that week, they had a guy come in who does Nickelodeon type games with a Biblical twist, and at the end they had several adults come up who had been helping all week. Well, of course not everyone was there-so they had some empty chairs, and my lovely kids began yelling my name over and over until they called me up there...and I ended up with whipped cream up my nose. Awesome. I need a raise! Oh, did I mention I am not getting paid? ;) John said he would quadruple my salary. Ha ha. I just know I am going to have big gold stars with my name on them in heaven!! No, I REALLY do love it...but, I kind of wish I said way back when that I would do youth ministry without pay (I did not REALLY mean it!) ;)

It has been really great...to have a purpose...to build relationships with these kids and parents...to work with John, Susan, Josh, Jackie, and Kaila, and to have a church family again that I love being a part of and going to. I think it even means so much more after how hard the last few years have been-it is like my senses are enhanced and everything is that more meaningful and special. I cherish every moment, and am thankful for the opportunity. In fact, I should head to bed-because in about 7 hours we are headed out to take some kids to Arkansas for camp, and are staying with them a few days before we return!! I also have some big decisions to make and things to do-which I will update more about when we get back.

Hope you have all had a blessed 4th, are staying out of the heat (especially if it is as hot as it has been here), are being surrounded by family and friends that you love and love you, are reminded of God's faithfulness and beauty daily, & remember that every moment and every day is one to be cherished-which we have been reminded of ever so more in recent days. God is GOOD!! :)

What a mess!!

There are 2 books right now which are kicking my spiritual behind. One I have read before, which is Messy Spirituality: God's Annoying Love for Imperfect People by Mike Yaconelli and a new one (to me-yes I know I am behind!): Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. They are both honest and challenging, which I love.

In Mike Yaconelli's (Isn't that just an awesome name?!) book, I have been reminded that the legacy of those who follow Jesus and were even included in his lineage we find in the beginning of Matthew is...messy. They, like us, both have strengths and weaknesses, were challenged to follow God; were tempted, tried, and blessed-people like David, Abraham, Lot, Saul, Solomon, Rahab, and Sarah...as Mike describes were

"God-loving, courageous, brilliant, fearless, loyal, passionate, committed holy men and women who were also murderers, adulterers, and manic depressives. They were men and women who could be gentle, holy, defenders of the faith one minute, and insecure, mentally unstable, unbelieving, shrewd, lying, grudge holding tyrants the next."

I have felt like a mess lately; sometimes wondering if I have made the wrong choices, passed up opportunities, or just somehow missed a door God was opening and have dug myself a hole. I just sometimes feel like I am not quite in the plan, even though I am trying to follow Him the best I can. But in that mess, I have also found a completely new realm of my relationship with my Father. One where the only thing I can do is trust, rely, and BElieve that He has a plan, He is in control, and the knowledge that I don't have to have all of the answers (That I have known for a long time!) Spirituality and following Jesus is not a tidy, neat package we can wrap a bow around and set it on a shelf. It IS messy, it takes us to the unknown, and can look a bit crazy. Mike describes it as

"complex, complicated, and perplexing-the disorderly, sloppy, chaotic look of authentic faith in the real world."

It is a constant journey of finding ourself in Christ, and even when we lose focus-He gently guides us back into the fold and His plan.

I LOVE this line: "Messy spirituality is the delirious consequence of a life ruined by Jesus who will love us right into His arms."

We don't have to be perfect to follow Jesus (Can I get an AMEN?!)-in fact I believe He does His best work in the midst of our messiness. I love what Jeff Walling says about needing a MESSiah because of our mess. It is a common misconception among Christians and non-Christians, and can sometimes be the absolute worst in churches and the reason why many steer far far away from them and us...that we must be perfect to go to church, for Jesus to accept us, and even when things suck-we have to put on a happy face and act like everything is great. That is far from authentic and far from the community I believe Jesus really intended for us to have. He would not have died on a cruel cross if we were expected to be perfect. Mike also claims,

"What landed Jesus on the cross was the preposterous idea that common, ordinary, broken, screwed-up people could be godly! What drove Jesus crazy were His criticisms of the 'perfect' religious people and His acceptance of the imperfect, religious people."

Isn't it so reassuring knowing that? Breathe out a sigh of relief and take that in...you don't have to be perfect. I don't have to be perfect. Look at Jesus' disciples! They were the closest to Him; and still could not understand much of His message, fought and were confused most of the time, and after He died were still unsure what to do. Thomas himself had to actually see and touch before He could believe it was Jesus.

Face it-we're all a mess ;) But, thankfully we have a MESSiah who is willing to reach into our messes, and make something beautiful-using us in spite of AND because of what we have to offer. I don't know about you, but I am sure grateful for that!! Grateful for a Father who is willing to love me back into His arms, even when I have gotten off course. Grateful for the ways He has used others to show that love and blessed me beyond comprehension. Grateful that I don't have to be perfect to follow Him, that He calls me His child, and is willing to use my imperfections...for, Jesus has said

"My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made PERFECT in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. ~2 Corinthians 12:9

I am so thankful that our Messiah can take our messes and work good out of them. For...

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. ~Romans 8:28

Reflections on becoming a Master...

As of Saturday, May 9, 2009 at around 12:06 pm I became a MASTER!!! What a journey. It is hard to adequately describe how it felt to FINALLY walk across that stage. My heart was pounding and I was ecstatic!! 7 years wrapped up in only a few short steps across the stage...mixed with a hooding, several handshakes, a hug and encouraging words from Jack Reese, and the handing over of my "diploma". Wow.

It feels so strange to have this chapter over in my life. It began 7 years ago...I knew while I was working on my Bachelor's at LCU that I would want to pursue my Master's-so I started part time at LCU to get my feet wet, taking 6 hours a semester. The classes were online, which was a bit different, and there was definitely WAY more reading and writing involved!! However after my first year, I actually had a 4.0!! (My first B came in Old Testament towards the end of my 2nd year). I knew I would eventually transfer to ACU, and after a summer youth ministry internship in Alaska I contacted them about transferring the following spring...because this was about a week before school actually started! Much to my surprise, they said I could enroll in the fall-so I made a mad dash around Lubbock getting transcripts, references, filling out applications, and making plans to move to Abilene!!

That was quite the whirlwind of a week, and before I knew it I was in Abilene...even before I had a place to stay or a job. I don't know if that was the smartest decision, but I became a full time graduate student for the first time and went full force that year. However, after that year I realized that I could not handle the copious amount of loans I was acquiring (after all I was majoring in ministry!!!), and knew I had to find a job that would allow me to go to school, but would also allow me to pay for it. I was blessed to be hired at ACU as a Residence Director, which not only was a great job financially with benefits, but also paid for my school. It was an awesome chance at ministry and experience, but it did slow me down academically because the job and my girls came first. My professors were incredibly understanding and worked with me, and that position taught me more life experience than I think any classroom could.

Though it was a struggle at times and there were many challenges which arose along the way, I am thankful for my time at ACU. God really led me through, even when I could not see it or wondered what the heck I was doing or if it would ever be worth it. I was truly blessed with some incredible professors and relationships while I was there, and am grateful for each one. I loved how my professors were not only my teachers; but also my friends who invited me into their homes, their family's lives, and several of them I worshiped with weekly. That really struck me this weekend as each of them again spoke blessings and words of wisdom into my life, even after 2 years of not being in Abilene.

What an incredible day!! It began with the Graduate School of Theology's "Covenant Service" where the graduates, professors, families, and friends gather together to covenant with God and each other in our efforts to take what we have learned and use it wisely to teach others. I was blessed with the opportunity to lead the prayer for ministry to the nations, which was really special-especially in light of where I just was and where I might be soon. It was even more poignant because many of the girls who were in McDonald Hall my first year as an RD were also graduating; and it was awesome to watch them walk across that stage, cheer them on, and hug many of their necks afterwards!! In fact, several of them were mentioned during graduation-one was ACU's honor woman and another led the alma mater!! I was a proud "Mama K"! ;)

I could never have done it without my Father who led me through; all of my family and friends who encouraged, spurred me along, & walked beside me on this journey. I am so thankful-I realize how blessed I have been by this opportunity and by all of the people who God has placed in my life along the way. Now, I hope I can put it all to use!! ;)

I am thankful for the ultimate Master who led me on this journey and continues to lead...

Give as you have received...

I really wish I was better at this blogging thing...I have so many ideas, stories, and posts running through my mind constantly-somehow they just never make it on here!! There is so much going on right now, lots of decisions, waiting, looking for God's guidance and perfect timing...which I will write more on later, but today...

My good friend Trey Morgan has asked us to step up and reach out to the "Dump people" in Honduras-these are people who literally live and eat at a dump because they have nowhere else to go. His post found here definitely explains it better than I can...and he has challenged us to give so that these people can have food, water...basic things that we are blessed to have daily, probably don't think about very often & might even take for granted...but to these people who find leftover scraps to survive...a sandwich and a cup of cold water is like heaven.

May we all remember how blessed we have been & that as we have been blessed by receiving, we should all the more want to pour that forward and give...

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink... I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." ~ Jesus

LTC and Spring Advancing!

The past 2 weekends have been such a blessing-having the chance to be involved in youth ministry twice in a row has just been awesome! I went to LTC last weekend where usually I am a sponsor/coach/judge or a combination of the three...but this year I went purely to socialize and watch many of the kids from the churches I have previously attended perform. It was so wonderful to connect, re-connect, and hang out with so many people that I love dearly! It was also great to watch and cheer on many of my kids from Lubbock and Abilene-so wonderful to watch them blossom and grow in our Father-using their gifts for His Kingdom and having fun!
Yep, my crazy Broadway kids!

This past weekend I was blessed to sponsor the Garden Ridge youth ministry's Spring Advance, and it was a blast!! I did not know many of the kids before going, but fell in love with many of them before the weekend was over and was so thankful for the opportunity to spend time with and get to know them! It is a great group of kids, and Scott really challenged and encouraged us by showing us how to better evangelize and share Jesus with others in a less intimidating and more intimate way. He showed us how Genesis 1 is more than just a creation story-how God had us in mind & that we were part of THE story from the very beginning. So awesome-Scott just continues to challenge and encourage me in my walk as God speaks through him!

It also reminded how much I miss youth ministry, that my passion for it has not waned, and how thankful I am for every opportunity I get to spend time with teenagers! There is a special energy and confidence I get when I am a part of it. I really have missed being a part of it, and was afraid that the opportunities would not come again and I would not have a chance to pour my passion into it for awhile-so I was truly thankful. I honestly wondered for awhile if it was a thing of the past and if I still had it in me-and I realize how God really has given me that passion and He will not take it away, but use me when I embrace the opportunity and allow Him to.

God is really working on me-teaching me a lot, and I hope I am paying attention enough-sometimes I feel like I am not. I have felt uneasy about things more often lately-which I think is in part because God is doing, & is about to do and show me some incredible things, and that is both scary and exciting! I have long said "Here am I, send me" asking Him to use me wherever He sees fit, but now that we are knocking on the door of some incredible opportunities-there are some fears settling in, which I am praying His perfect love will drive out those fears!

I do have more on China that I have written and want to write about...so stay tuned and I will share some more about that incredible experience that I am still processing through over 3 weeks later! :)

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young; but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity. ~1 Timothy 4:12

The Resurrection and the Life!!

I was so blessed by Scott's sermon (once again) yesterday!! Jarvis just brings it EVERY week and every lesson pierces right through my heart! I walked into church feeling very unsettled and unsure about several things...and left feeling encouraged and at peace. Scott reminded us that the Resurrection is not just an event, not just a day...but is the essence of who Jesus is...in John 11 He proclaimed "I am the resurrection and the life"!! What an absolutely amazing concept!! Because we believe, because we have faith that Jesus came as a man to this earth, suffered a cruel death on a cross...and then 3 days later rose again and now prepares a place for us in heaven...my sins are forgiven, your sins are forgiven...we have the promise of eternal life one day where there will be no more sorrow, no more pain, no more struggles, no more tears...only joy, peace, love and the chance to worship our Father forever. Amazing and sometimes unfathomable!!! I am ever so thankful.

He also reminded us that when we go through trials, are unsure of the future, don't know how we are going to make it...we need to remember that God IS the one in control, that ultimately He gets all of the glory...and that it is NOT about us!! Our hope is in Him-our faith, our trust, everything we need is in HIM...the I AM...the Resurrection, the Life, the Way, the Truth...in Him we have everything we need or ever will need. Our past, the present, and the future-are all in His capable hands! Our trust is in Him and no matter what we are doing or are facing-He is the one getting the glory! Hallelujah! :)

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. ~Romans 5:1-5