Zambia

I'm in Zambia as I write this, it's incredible to think that technology can make me so close to home. I only have about five minutes on the computer so I'm typin' fast and will get out what I can. Everything's going great, I'm an Missionary Adviser this year and the girls in my group are wonderful. It's wild to think that 72 people from different backgrounds can come together and unite in the one true gospel message. We're here to share the good news! VBS just finished up this week and I already miss the dirt stained clothes and joy stained faces in my group of adolescent orphan girls. Please continue to pray for me and the team, many of us are sick with stuffy noses and a stomach virus has been going around. Pray the full armor of God over us, and that the armor wouldn't be a heavy burden but a privilege to wear. Thank you for your support, I miss and love you all!

Home-making skills

I've recently had the time to work on some basic home-making skills. Going fishing with Jaden was fun, I enjoy some basic fresh water fishing every now and then. I've also attempted to find something I'm good at and am half an hour into drawing an African child -- more to come on that! Attempting to draw today has really made me admire the talents that some people have, it's incredible what God can put into a person. The third picture is of me, Skylar, and Jordan making stuffed mushrooms. I'm not too into mushrooms but it's neat how something that's so icky filled with something yummy can turn out to be barrable -- sort of like a yucky sinful me can be filled with the Holy Spirit and become a daughter of the Most High King, thank you Lord! The final picture is of cupcakes that immitate pool balls, Hannah and I did a darn good job on them. Yum... the point is that I'm working on these homemaking skills and am in awe of what several women (and men) have put into making a home for their families. Thank you to all of you out there who know how to bake, cook, clean, cut hair, and simply love like Jesus within your home -- not to mention doing it all with joy!

Clean Up

I enjoy babysitting, I've had the opportunity to babysit more lately because I'm finished with school and done working at childcare. I especially enjoy silly children songs including "I'm a Little Teapot," "You Are My Sunshine," and "Clean-Up Clean-Up Everybody Everywhere." Speaking of cleaning up, I want to encourage all of you to not litter. Pick up after yourselves, we've been blessed with this planet an should maintain it. It's God's job to destroy it, not ours. Here's some pictures of lovely children I like to spend time with and one of James and a reporter from The Albuquerque Journal picking up trash by the river with me.

Graduation and Invisible Ink

A few updates for ya! I graduated from both high-school and nursing school over the last week. Both graduations were too long, but I was glad to be there. It was especially exciting that my grandparents pinned me at my nursing graduation, we're all nurses now and it was just a fun kodak moment... even though I didn't get a picture! I didnt' get much of a high-school experience; never went to any dances, played sports, or joined many clubs. I didn't know many of my classmates very well. What was a bit stranger to me was that I didn't regret not being more involved in my high-school.
Michael (friend's son) squirted me with invisible ink today. I had on a fresh new blouse and he ran up to me and got this icky wet purple nonscense all over it. I freaked out a bit at first; more than I should have. It was only a second before I realized it was that silly prank invisible ink. It's too often that I get worked up over silly things like that. I'll go on thinking it's terrible that something so aweful could happen then realize that it'll work out for the better. In case you haven't cought on, I'm not just referring to an outfit crisis. I'll sit there and sinfully worry about situations and be all worked up over them when in reality the whole thing is like invisible ink! It'll all work out for His glory.

No Pictures, Read Anyway

Here's an analogy regarding recent events in my life - It's as if I've been standing outside of an exhibit, a museum if you will, for the last several years. I've been patiently waiting in line for my turn to go inside, and I've met some interesting people in line along the way. Some of these people have taken cuts, some have tried to stay behind in fear of what dwells within the museum. Though the line has been moving slowly, I've finally made my way to the door and inside to see the incredible exhibit I've been looking forward to. I'm glad to finally be inside. Upon finding the exhibit I'm slightly disappointed... it's behind glass. Though I can certainly see it, I'm unable to touch it, to taste it, to smell it, or anything of the sort.
It's mildly disheartening to keep waiting for the next stage of life. I feel as though I've been waiting for adulthood for too long. I do so want to graduate, to start a career, to move out, to get married, to start a family, but it seems as though there are a few more experiences to complete before then. Perhaps if I worked at the museum... or maybe this is it. Maybe I can gaze at the beauty of the sweet life He's granted me and chat with some others looking at the same thing. Maybe someone will care to hear my interpretation of the piece of art called life.
For now I will rejoice in what I have and be excited about what's coming next. I am not only waiting for what's to come but enjoying what I have while I can. Living life to the fullest for the glory of His name. Change will come in His timing, I will not only wait for this change but also upon my Lord. I choose to serve Him in frustration, in joy, and in a longing to love.

Kite Runner

I have not seen the movie Kite Runner yet, but I've read summaries on the book. I'd like to see the movie, but I haven't gotten around to it. In the mean time, I've decided that it's time to learn how to fly a kite. I'm nearly certain the movie doesn't revolve around kites, but it's windy here in Albuquerque and it seemed like the appropriate thing to do. That's what Stephanie and I did today, and boy did we enjoy it. It gave me the opportunity to meet a few neighbors at the park, try out some kite-flying skills, and have some quality time with a friend. The end.

I - 1

As exhausted as I am, I decided it was time to spend a little more quality time with my youngest brother, Jaden. He asked me to play Battleship with him. I was hesitant at first because Jaden is frankly a doddler. He takes a long time to do simple things including tie his shoes, answer questions, and play Battleship. I told him I'd play if we went super speed, he gladly agreed. As we were quickly calling out various places, hit, miss, and all sorts of other nonsense, he shouted "I won!" I was caught off guard by this statement and firmly asked
"Won what?"
"No, I won!" said Jaden
"No, we're not done yet." I stated with confusion
"I 1!"
Now I got it, I felt silly and we had a good laugh. Thanks Jaden. I'm off to bed.

Lollipops and Eva

This is Eva

This is Eva attempting to steal my lollypop. The phrase is no longer "Like taking candy from a baby," it's become "Like taking candy from a Katie." I don't know why this is bolded and underlined.

Technology

I am at Flying Star doing homework today, it's a bit of a change from Satellite and I like it. I'm at the bar with seven other people on their laptops. Nobody says hello to each other, we just stare at the screen and get down to business. there are three others on laptops in various places throughout the cafe'. I don't think this is a bad thing, I like that we aren't at desks writing things down, it's convenient. I was doing homework on impaired gas exchange for pediatrics, but now I'm on blogger and facebook thinking about how the times have changed. I'm going to say hello to some more of the people in this line, I think they'll appreciate it. I'm also going to open up a book, and read about the book on the computer, oh the days I get to live in!

What Defines Us?

Nursing is important to me, that's why I look bummed out after not doing too well on a test. Sometimes I think I want to be the nursing girl who's an A+ student and has it all together. No, I want to be defined and recognized as His daughter. I passionately desire for fruit to be evident in my life and it to be what defines me, yet I get all upset about silly tests. I want HIM to define me, there shouldn't be a me... it's all to His glory! Praise God!

Hair

Hair is the name of a great musical, it's also something that has to be trimmed from time to time with the exception of those who partake in the Nazarene vow. Anywho, it was time for Eric's hair to be trimmed today and I had the honor to partake in it. I was a bit hesitant at first because last time I cut his hair he left all of it in a folded towel in my bathroom. That towel looked clean, therefore, I got out of the shower believing it was a fresh new towel and was soon covered in Eric hair. Ew. Fortunately, that wasn't the case tonight. I also went to IHOP tonight expecting free pancakes and was informed that there were now more pancakes at the International House of Pancakes. Not everything comes easy, maybe it's best I didn't get free pancakes because there wasn't any syrup either. Tonight was good. Oh and Eric is covering his new do to show off his tattoo. Check it! We were disappointed about the pancakes, but all and all, it was good. That's what joy is, being uncircumstantially happy, and that's what I want. Let's not let these trivial things like no free pancakes keep up down guys because there's plenty to be appreciative of!

Arabian Nights

Open SIMSIM! I'm reading Arabian Nights for my english class right now. It's pretty tedious, mostly due to the fact that I nearly loathe reading some novels. Anywho, Jessica and I decided to read it together, out loud and all! So here we are at Jessica's reading about Ali Baba and the 40 thieves, my what a tale! Close SIMSIM!

Katie Lynn, the Plunger?

Here is an event that just took place in my life. There I was, innocently flushing the toilet that my brothers so often forget to flush. I was a bit irritated that they'd forgotten to flush it, but that irritation was soon dismissed when behold a grim mixture of urine, bowel, and water began to rise in the toilet. The fear of the monstrous fluid overflowing laid within me, but I knew what to do! There was no plunger in sight... I immediately resorted to turning off the water and holding the unit within the toilet that kept the water flowing. Jaden soon responded to my shouts for help and kept the water out while I went in search for the plunger. I quickly plunged the grotesque fluid down. A feeling of accomplishment overtook me, and Jaden was there to document the incident. Thank you for that Jaden. Though he did come to my rescue to keep the water back, he was the one that didn't flush the toilet in the first place. Notice the empty roll of toilet paper in the picture? That was due to Jaden's overuse of the product. He received a lecture and I think we all learned a lesson.

I passed!

An ever so dreaded med-test. Woot! Woot!

Procrastination

Procrastination is a common practice of mine. I'll wait 'til the last minute to do my homework, clean my room, go out for coffee, call my friends, do my taxes... get the picture? Well, I'm slowly realizing that it's not the healthiest practice. Though I seem to work best under pressure, I'm increasing stress levels and decreasing social time at an incredible rate. I'm never on a consistent schedule -- which I'm usually okay with. Today is different because I was told I'd have this pharmacology test about four months ago and I haven't been studying. I've decided to cram for this test-- wish me luck. If I get any lower than an 85%, it's considered failing the test. What a grading scale, eh?! I suppose I wouldn't want a nurse that didn't know at least 85% of common medications used in hospitals. Pray for me!
An after thought on procrastination -- it's never to early to start praying for people. I started to journal my prayers for people over a year ago and it's been incredible what God has done in those lives over the last year. He answers prayer -- He answers yes AND no. Praying in His will has sprouted a new kind of faith in me. Praise God for what He's done in the last year. I've continued to pray for these people but then I realized that there are plenty of people I see on a daily or weekly basis that are lacking in my prayer life. I work in a child care and I have shamefully failed to bring these children's names to His throne. Yes, there's a focus on the youth and this generation, but what of the next one? Nobody is too small or oung to change the world and to glorify Christ. Jesus said to let the little children come to Him, let's bring them to Him in our prayers that they might fall into His arms and under the shadow of His wings now rather than later -- all in His will! AMEN

I'm frustrated

I don't understand why. I'm frustrated with many things. All I want is to know Him more; to die to self -- I think that'd take care of everything. I am unjustly angry about some things right now. I'm unjustly angry at some people right now. I am not love; God grant me the strength to BE LOVE

Holiness - Unpopular?

This weekend pastor Skip Heitzig taught on our God's Holiness. Skip did a wonderful job teaching from the bible and emphasizing the importance in understanding this vital attribute off our creator. His message was entitled "God's Most Unpopular Attribute." Well, this may have been an adequate title for most of the people listening to the message. For me, God's holiness has been everywhere this past week.
Last Saturday I picked up The Attributes of God by Mr. Tozer. Tozer emphacized how in everything that God is, He is Holy. I enjoy listening to messages as I work out at the gym. John Piper, Levi Lusko, Paul Washer, and Francis Chan are growing ever popular at the gym. I usually just click on any one of their messages, download it to my Mp3 player and suprise myself with a nice study. Little did I know that nearly every message I'd listen to this week would be on God's Holiness. A few of the messages even taught from the same verses as Skip. My point is that all this week holiness just can't get out of my head. God's completely incomprehendable and out of this world.
Though holiness hasn't been an unpopular attribute of God's in my head, it's certainly unpopular among His followers -- including-- NO! ESPECIALLY in myself. I'm so unholy, so part of the crowd and identical to many people, even people who don't know our holy Father. Let us strive in everything that we do to be holy. To be seperate and desturbingly different to the world. There's so much more to say.