tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5734331028340375952024-03-14T01:34:23.811-07:00live boldly. love freely. forgive radically....just some thoughts, stories, quotes and whatever else rattles around in my brain long enough for me to type out :)Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-67822291331968673372011-05-29T20:08:00.000-07:002011-05-29T20:51:12.054-07:00Favorite Things--May<div align="center"><br /></div><br /><div align="center">I've been meaning to do this for a while but never got around to it! The idea is simple, just a few of my current <strong>favorite things</strong> :) The only thing better thant loving something is sharing it so others can love it, too!</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /></div><br /><div align="center"></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 247px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612343779937061554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhusMOj5jy3gaer2ST3wf2qRoLpzZGQCpcrvAIkzf31HjJiFldmkGFMEP1UmI1U6r0WgB3crhJg9Vvt5IvP4cyP6atMbSvY1D5YJZciPmFKbWKRXzfW4bue5Oi90O6Hq0VAY8ttgMBvhR/s320/printable.jpg" /> <br /><p align="left">[image found <a href="http://www.kindovermatter.com/2010/07/freebie-alert-printable-free.html">here</a>]<br /><br />#1 <strong>Printables</strong> :: they are wonderful! My roomie Kristin introduced me to them. She found this one at <a href="http://www.kindovermatter.com/">Kind Over Matter</a> (an amazing blog!!). The concept is simple--something (could be a card, a note, or in this case, something to hang on a bulliten board) that is FREE and all you have to do is print it out :) I also made some Mother's Day Cards with printables this year. I spiced them up a litte by hot gluing buttons on them. I love cards, but now that i have found printables i can have cards that are precious AND save lots of $ ! It's easy, start by going to google and searching "printables blog."<br /><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRChf7xZbi8LB4hB2N7G6i71MSpnDsPFUtCDnznwbxzZLoIYFUzdvqc-nUVH8dMYeB20pYZZZ2W11GzyY6aHB9Q9DAwfmtsthVLiEVcfhCGwGTQ18YFpvQ7rIPxcQK7cnCFCSpAy3p4KQ/s1600/preserve-toothbrush-2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 230px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612343135812495666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRChf7xZbi8LB4hB2N7G6i71MSpnDsPFUtCDnznwbxzZLoIYFUzdvqc-nUVH8dMYeB20pYZZZ2W11GzyY6aHB9Q9DAwfmtsthVLiEVcfhCGwGTQ18YFpvQ7rIPxcQK7cnCFCSpAy3p4KQ/s320/preserve-toothbrush-2.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://design-milk.com/images/2010/06/preserve-toothbrush-2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://design-milk.com/preserve-toothbrush-packaging-gets-a-makeover/&usg=__GkgrV_Z53lMoj6f03iKqKFZpvsg=&h=698&w=500&sz=64&hl=en&start=0&sig2=_a84p6z_MjOyJqIISMr0dw&zoom=1&tbnid=F-Ne36PDaBeD6M:&tbnh=127&tbnw=98&ei=_wnjTefJHYW_gQeKu9C2Bg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dpreserve%2Btoothbrush%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7TSNB_en___US398%26biw%3D979%26bih%3D407%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=120&vpy=31&dur=141&hovh=265&hovw=190&tx=99&ty=199&page=1&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:5,s:0&biw=979&bih=407">[image found here]</a><br /><br />#2 <strong>My Preserve Toothbrush</strong> :: made from recycled yogurt cups! It even comes with s package that you can send it back in so it can be re-recylced (<- that was fun to type). The best part? It's a dang good toothbrush!!! Found at Target.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKK6l1Kfh7CD7bQ0ljldX2-tvYSKY_tmkwpboiNAgijIZtAQC1KlWPXxK3M7npZy2oXL_osPum8L5tBn7rNguUv6SrhLa6vfYYMF1IRTY1bCvaAJ1XAcVJr5MPUwXFkzWHvwnlVndbNsaG/s1600/scissors_clipping_coupons_hg_wht.gif"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 305px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 210px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612343129701910994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKK6l1Kfh7CD7bQ0ljldX2-tvYSKY_tmkwpboiNAgijIZtAQC1KlWPXxK3M7npZy2oXL_osPum8L5tBn7rNguUv6SrhLa6vfYYMF1IRTY1bCvaAJ1XAcVJr5MPUwXFkzWHvwnlVndbNsaG/s320/scissors_clipping_coupons_hg_wht.gif" /></a> #3 <strong>Coupons</strong>:: My mammaw taught me many lessons before she passed and a good bargain was near the top. She was a great steward of what she'd been given and even took the time to cut coupons out for each person in my family weekly. Each stack was personalized to the products or places we liked :) I miss those stacks and miss her even more, but lately the Bailey in me is really coming out. Kristin introduced me to <a href="http://thekrazycouponlady.com/">Krazy Coupon Lady</a> and my sister to <a href="http://www.southernsavers.com/">Southern Savers</a>. Both are great sites to find printable coupons. Also, Borders and A.C. Moore are great to sign up for rewards. I get a 50% off one item email nearly every week. This can really save on an expensive book or art project :) Also, <a href="https://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/user/extracare/extracare.jsp">CVS extra bucks </a>is totally worth signing up for! Finally, check out <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/heyitsfree">this</a> twitter page, every day something free!!! Remember: a key to food or tolietries coupons/deals is often buying in advance. For instance, if CVS has buy one get one on shampoo, go ahead and get it, you know you'll need it eventually :)<br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZrmZCLTQH1BO4zk1ZV443WXO7WBK4VJQXxyuiM2FzBzRzH_rYLrh049bKR_ja7qGGOLbTiGFzbKmF0ZqtWMqSYpeInsfdbX6JmdcN7B6hqDNAJ0OuF25uKKavNmarnV4SA_ZYc0lTrd3/s1600/tomato-cucumber-salad-main_Full.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612343128686427538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZrmZCLTQH1BO4zk1ZV443WXO7WBK4VJQXxyuiM2FzBzRzH_rYLrh049bKR_ja7qGGOLbTiGFzbKmF0ZqtWMqSYpeInsfdbX6JmdcN7B6hqDNAJ0OuF25uKKavNmarnV4SA_ZYc0lTrd3/s320/tomato-cucumber-salad-main_Full.jpg" /></a> [image found <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gXcNY1JREo8/TAJH-anq3UI/AAAAAAAAHfo/s0LrhRAdp18/s1600/tomato-cucumber-salad-main_Full.jpg&imgrefurl=http://bethanysrecipes.blogspot.com/2010_05_01_archive.html&usg=__e9o3TvYgKMrSIiD7t2l8NzpjQ5k=&h=325&w=400&sz=31&hl=en&start=0&sig2=T49TrljiAU5A84ZSq6y6KA&zoom=1&tbnid=qcran4c9O_zOlM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=147&ei=dQvjTYyMGIubtwfe54GpBw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dcucumbers%2Band%2Btomato%2Bwith%2Bbalsamic%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7TSNB_en___US398%26biw%3D979%26bih%3D407%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=297&page=1&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0&tx=89&ty=21">here</a>]<br /></div><br /><div>#4 <strong>Cucumbers, tomatos and balsamic vinegar</strong>:: will sent me to the farmer's market to get salad stuff but...there was no lettuce. We improvised with this little trio and it was so delicious. Be sure to add salt and pepper too! Healthy, refreshing, delicious, and easy to buy aaaand help support your local famrers:)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWxZWf6oc2Wat3H4aHagHhG3aUOkfXXK1xM5j1UiepTSMV7AT679-kmp516wSn9GoJPnI2OvB6BO0mEdSssyo7Tz5NFwFT95pgHJtIzcrnMBFAfk2kclxKVQ_93iOZaMQc0lce_BJ6IJl/s1600/npr_tib_image.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612342922560160594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWxZWf6oc2Wat3H4aHagHhG3aUOkfXXK1xM5j1UiepTSMV7AT679-kmp516wSn9GoJPnI2OvB6BO0mEdSssyo7Tz5NFwFT95pgHJtIzcrnMBFAfk2kclxKVQ_93iOZaMQc0lce_BJ6IJl/s320/npr_tib_image.jpg" /></a> [image found <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://uncommonteaching.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/npr_tib_image.jpg&imgrefurl=http://uncommonteaching.wordpress.com/tag/this-i-believe/&usg=__lrB1uQGKmbPK43Jd6YqqcRWilfo=&h=300&w=300&sz=25&hl=en&start=0&sig2=uUfaRiw8xb96cAKoJTdgfg&zoom=1&tbnid=arlyeFxdi9XOSM:&tbnh=118&tbnw=118&ei=uwrjTd_kE4S3tgfB7cyWBw&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dthis%2Bi%2Bbelieve%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7TSNB_en___US398%26biw%3D979%26bih%3D407%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=204&vpy=63&dur=94&hovh=225&hovw=225&tx=130&ty=117&page=1&ndsp=12&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0&biw=979&bih=407">here</a>]<br /></div><br /><div>#5 <strong>This I Believe</strong>:: Now that i have NPR's "<a href="http://www.npr.org/series/4538138/this-i-believe">This I Believe</a>" on podcast i can't stop listening! I've always loved this program but never had access to it so easily. For those of you unfamilar with it, listeners write essays on something they believe, a core value, moral or mantra if you will. They read their essay and it's typically only about 5 minutes. These essays can be quite emotional or maybe light hearted, regardless though, there is always a beautiful message. They really are pint-sized jewels; short enough for my attention span but packed with truth. Check them out :)<br /></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>...i think i'm going to try to do one of these for each month! i know, i know...try to contain your excitement :P :P<br /><br /></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQct-0oqbWrYFwr2dT4nH8S1o9byy_06b2ufBTUSW9_RF028Rn9RP_Wbb26kKECle1VqvULyNZmSaSVIeTPI7fY6bxH-IDnujK5zWA7lqjpcq3OYOR-fVZXBF2RBhlusuiWkzGOXjlwSAb/s1600/preserve-toothbrush-2.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-16640617144624191512011-05-28T15:05:00.000-07:002011-05-28T15:33:14.090-07:00speak up. reach out.<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8rWyeBSmLq3L2Qq2k8fdA5JxdpfagGmoGgJEiqEvtMwcqciaaxhk5I_7ie1Gz7MZSEgw7fagmOMMSY4A4v__UhlsJIBLMIZ_70NAfVkHvZWrBEF1JeL2hAGpkUKoZuhyW47z1bwdwtOR/s1600/spea+out.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy8rWyeBSmLq3L2Qq2k8fdA5JxdpfagGmoGgJEiqEvtMwcqciaaxhk5I_7ie1Gz7MZSEgw7fagmOMMSY4A4v__UhlsJIBLMIZ_70NAfVkHvZWrBEF1JeL2hAGpkUKoZuhyW47z1bwdwtOR/s320/spea+out.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611898501640004258" border="0" /></a>(image found <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2140/2273448091_bac1d509bc.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisschuepp/2273448091/&usg=__ysBsAAxVgRw7KeXzyWqbg1bt-d4=&h=375&w=500&sz=163&hl=en&start=24&sig2=WjUmG0ZEkJtr0Xl_fhwhcw&zoom=1&tbnid=K1q_5hyTr4MmrM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=130&ei=DnjhTfWvMoKitge3xpn9Bg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dspeak%2Bout%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1400%26bih%3D860%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1">here</a>)<br /></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><blockquote></blockquote></span><div style="text-align: center;"><blockquote><blockquote><br /><br /><br />sometimes i feel a little cynical. it's hard for me to pass places that i know have sweatshop tendencies and not feel uneasy. it's hard for me to go on a cruise once i hear that the workers don't have fair wages. it's hard for me to eat Tyson chicken when i know they don't treat their chickens well. it's hard for me to consume so very much when my brothers and sisters around the world have so little. it's hard for me to watch SO much food be thrown away every.single.day. And sometimes this worldview can lead to guilt, frustration, and bitterness. I expressed my struggles with this to a friend the other day and this was her response:<br /></blockquote></blockquote></div></div><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />"I know it would be easier to be ignorant, and I will be honest with you: i think that i would prefer ignorance over awareness, but we have both been given hearts of compassion and sympathy and minds that seek justice and love for all, and when i look at it in that way, I realize if even in that moment...that these harsh truths I have about the world are not intended to be crippling, but they are intended to allow me a taste into what our God has when he looks at us. I truly think our viewpoint of the world..as bitter as it makes us, as negative as it is, is a gift. Because after you identify a problem, you can give a solution. So this problem identifying is a gift because from that we offer our solution of hope, peace, and most of all joy. Do not be discouraged; though you are few, you are needed.</span>"<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">....and that 4 page text message refreshed my soul so very much. i want to be broken in the way that God breaks for those who are hurting. I want to be aware so i can act. I want to view the harsh realities as not paralyzing but fuel for a passionate fire. <span style="font-weight: bold;">I want to know the pain, the hurt, the heartache because even though it may not lead to a life of bliss, it will certainly lead to a life of meaning. and that, <span style="font-style: italic;">that</span>, is what i desire. </span>And in deep in my heart, i really beleive we all desire this.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>We all desire this meaning, justice, this love. And when presented with an injustice clearly, most folks will cry out. but the problem is--so many times we don't know of the injustice. it's swept under the rug. or it's taboo and propaganda has warped our view of it. it's whispered about, not yelled about. but my dream is that my voice will speak out and make someone aware who will use their voice. and then they will use theirs. and then the voices will echo. and as they echo all will notice, and all will realize that equality, love, peace, and hope are really the best options in this thing called life.<br /><br />here's to seeking truth even when it hurts.<br />here's to looking in the eyes of pain and letting it break you.<br />here's to a better world.<br />here's to remembering all life starts with death--so let that piece of you die, let that injustice rip your heart out, and then, let a sprout of justice grow.<br /></div><br /><br /></blockquote>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-90564492870826927242011-05-24T19:28:00.000-07:002011-05-24T19:32:52.879-07:00Here's to...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxJHL-s5o-EfVg0admfjmRGK9avSSYv1kDYGMZm83VxpVSBPcQ62H3UZL1LBK0tOh9wwrbpuDHV6JPSFac7sBa_YB_xf3ats616Pw6Qmbwdr_TNk_5M6pC06Nt9vZLtjNtjn8euVg8st-/s1600/heres+to+the+crazyones.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 440px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxJHL-s5o-EfVg0admfjmRGK9avSSYv1kDYGMZm83VxpVSBPcQ62H3UZL1LBK0tOh9wwrbpuDHV6JPSFac7sBa_YB_xf3ats616Pw6Qmbwdr_TNk_5M6pC06Nt9vZLtjNtjn8euVg8st-/s320/heres+to+the+crazyones.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610475240493514706" border="0" /></a><br />Found this on the <a href="http://www.thefreedomexperiment.com/2011/05/09/replace-your-to-do-list-100-irresponsible-liberating-slightly-crazy-things-to-do-instead/">Freedom Experiment</a> and loved it :) Check out this whole blog for some inspiration for the soul!Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-90381530053320579362011-04-14T21:22:00.000-07:002011-04-14T21:33:21.754-07:00To Travel is to...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtEKo4sv2HJ_ixJTV0j5L08_FgNETmghNu3Iv2dGuJWlFloj-qTzdWY230pSm7GvAgHAGQV3tJx7MYT2hDe-gL12tKr6zI37d00bLrSldX6ny5AqCI7mZuH2O-XVn9jD2oToXT_RRmVca/s1600/inspirationpoint.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigtEKo4sv2HJ_ixJTV0j5L08_FgNETmghNu3Iv2dGuJWlFloj-qTzdWY230pSm7GvAgHAGQV3tJx7MYT2hDe-gL12tKr6zI37d00bLrSldX6ny5AqCI7mZuH2O-XVn9jD2oToXT_RRmVca/s320/inspirationpoint.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5595661757336000690" border="0" /></a>[copied this pic off of Kristin's computer..]<br /></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;">To travel is to go.<br />To travel with an open mind is to learn.<br />To travel with an open heart is to grow<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left; font-weight: normal;">So I know this quote isn't epic or anything, but I came up with the thought in Costa Rica last month. I had lots of time to ponder/refresh in my room each night. It was kinda nice not to have technology and just enjoy reading...writing...and dancing a lot like an idiot :)<br /><br />But yeah, the quote: In CR I learned so very much.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Step #1</span> I went.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Step #2</span> I opened my mind. Sometimes it was difficult as we had lectures on history and learned horrors about our own country and exploitation of those in Central America, but I had to keep my mind open. I couldn't plug my ears, run, or hide in shame. I had to listen, swallow it, and remember it. Let it sting, you know..Let it break my heart and initiate some change.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />Step #3</span>. While in CR I was also introduced to some new views on faith, God, worshiping, and all that stuff. Again, sometimes we want to turn away from different views, but I was intrigued and this was the easiest step :) As i was engulfed in the idea of much of Latin American theology, I felt my heart changing, I felt that growth.<br /><br />So I guess what I'm saying is this:: Travel! go! But don't just go...don't just take lots of pictures and write a few journals. Seek knowledge, learn from the culture, meet people, hear stories, let your heart burst and let it break, but most of all...<span style="font-weight: bold;">let it grow.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><br /></div></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold;"></div></blockquote><blockquote><blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div></blockquote></blockquote>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-29957651609789107472011-04-07T20:58:00.000-07:002011-04-07T21:06:02.004-07:00Blog terminated, journey initiated.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPKYEkGlXw3l4yaiBUzYRbIyIon73V06FPGMJTPGIl7JFUYxaB-R3igxvkKYZCWgBxM1-F3z8tYOuvMnsUApbhe6jfugX9yfok0k_tM8vYMSMH848Y8fEJYoRQIQukEz2a4ArFdk_bvLU/s1600/notallwhowanderarelost.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 178px; height: 156px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTPKYEkGlXw3l4yaiBUzYRbIyIon73V06FPGMJTPGIl7JFUYxaB-R3igxvkKYZCWgBxM1-F3z8tYOuvMnsUApbhe6jfugX9yfok0k_tM8vYMSMH848Y8fEJYoRQIQukEz2a4ArFdk_bvLU/s320/notallwhowanderarelost.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593058935547894530" border="0" /></a><br />So in an unfortunate turn of events [so I believed]..all of my blogs but one from 2010 were deleted!<br /><br />Thank God, literally, for Kristin who found a computer nerd way to save them. It's taking me quite a while and my comments are gone forever, but eh, who cares...I'll be slowly but surely rebuilding the archive.<br /><br />As i am doing so, I started from the beginning...wow. It's so interesting to see how I've changed and in some ways how I haven't. Both are intriguing. At some points I wanted to delete some of my old posts, but then I realized...they were a part of me. A part of my journey. A part of my "wandering." I shouldn't be ashamed of what I once thought or how i perceived life, I should rejoice that I am always growing, thinking, exploring and have so many layers to still dive into.<br /><br />So even though some of the blogs I will re-post don't necessarly represent me now, they represent a piece of me that has evolved. A person is not just a current state--they are a piece of art. They are worn in with marks of pain and wrinkles of laughter. Their eyes have witness both wondrous joy and heart wrenching scenes. But all...all of these things make up a person, a soul, a life.<br /><br />Not that my blog is my life by any means, but it is a small glimpse into viewpoints and inspiration.<br /><br />goodnight world.Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-73340523613637444662011-03-13T20:55:00.000-07:002011-07-11T12:07:07.700-07:0022 things for 22 years<div class="post-header"> </div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgST5kDYSUbHG45OERLxAhnM_tSQdp2xPU_Z-sBZ549pcPipmIhrqJO9agSbE7wkSZiYwNSHzRKcOGfK2x_SJdbSYHrcSaXDuqjT_ZqLwQUQFgUmnOSjesS-SHStqS2Nvy1snwKKRfQLzcd/s1600/sylvie23.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgST5kDYSUbHG45OERLxAhnM_tSQdp2xPU_Z-sBZ549pcPipmIhrqJO9agSbE7wkSZiYwNSHzRKcOGfK2x_SJdbSYHrcSaXDuqjT_ZqLwQUQFgUmnOSjesS-SHStqS2Nvy1snwKKRfQLzcd/s320/sylvie23.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583445832697147954" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">[[--sylvia plath ]]<br /><br /><br />[[courtesy of kristin hayes]]<br /></div><br /><br /><br />well, it's official. I'm 22 years old. Technically it's really official around 4am since that's the time i literally popped out of the womb. But anyway, i figured in honor of my birthday i would record 22 things i've learned, cherish, or believe in. For some, i may elaborate, but for others, no explanation is needed.<br /><br />here we goooo... [they are in no particular order, by the way]<br /><br />1. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't be bored.</span> Louie Giglio once said, "there is no such thing as being bored, only boring people." explore. read. listen. grow. There is always an adventure waiting for you!<br />2.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Travel</span>...and do it on a budget! Hostels are cheap, and you're sure to meet a new, interesting friend! Take public transportation, and by all means, don't just hit up the tourist spots. Be a local for a day!<br />3. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Stay true to your roots</span>. It's like this, if everyone is always running away from their community because of the problems and issues, how will they ever get solved? It isn't the coolest, most glamourous thing to do, but it really can change the world. Sure, sometimes moving is necessary but just something to think about :)<br />4. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Show up.</span> i cannot even begin to describe how thankful i am that i showed up to events or places that seemed to be insignificant but changed my life.<br />5. <span style="font-weight: bold;">When you feel inspired, don't delay. </span>put off the homework for a second and jot down your idea, sketch your picture, or do what you do!<br />6. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Be committed. </span>My generation struggles with this so badly..including myself. Start something and finish it. Stick something out. When you promise someone, keep it. In a world where Facebook RSVP's translate like this: yes means maybe. maybe means no. and no means absolutley no...break the cycle :)<br />7. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Find out where your stuff comes from.</span> Did someone in a sweatshop make those sneakers? Did your diamond ring come at the cost of a life? Dare to google these things. And prepare to maybe make some changes!<br />8. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Be aware of your waste.</span> Skip the straw. Avoid the styrofoam. Make a compost pile!<br />9. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Take the scenic route</span>. It's good for your soul.<br />10. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Dance at weddings.</span><br />11.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Never skip out on a deep conversation</span> just for an extra hour of sleep or to finish some homework. Life isn't about stuff, credentials, or working--it's about relationships.<br />12. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Love someone long after it's fun, easy, or cool. </span><br />13. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Listen to old people.</span><br />14. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Shop local.</span> it's way better than any wal*mart, target, or starbuck's.<br />15. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Be honest</span>. It's the most liberating thing in the world and the glue to the most beautiful friendships i am a part of.<br />16.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Be informed, but don't watch the news too much</span>. You will get sucked into a deep hole of negativity. Balance it out!<br />17. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Have a hero or maybe 10</span>. But know all about at least one of these people. Their life story, their struggles, their goals. And know that you put your shoes on just like they did, you breathe oxygen, and you, too have 24 hours in each day to make a difference.<br />18. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Ask "why not?"</span> It's a question that can rock the whole world. And surround yourself with others who ask this same thing on a regular basis.<br />19.<span style="font-weight: bold;"> If there are no nay-sayers around, reevaluate</span>. If no one is harping on you or complaining about any aspect of your life--check it out. Dare to challenge. Dare to bring things out of the light. And remember that the fire only refines :)<br />20. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Look at the stars</span>. Please.<br />21. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Don't take summer classes..</span> if at all possible!! This is a very personal opinion, but i think summer is a time to breathe in the warm air, drink lemonade, be barefoot, and travel the world.<br />22 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sing in the shower. </span>And maybe even throw in some dance moves ;)Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-30297163488948449582011-02-07T20:07:00.000-08:002011-04-25T20:08:43.615-07:00What if the next time they threw a war, no one showed up?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><a href="http://katibailey2.blogspot.com/2011/02/what-if-next-time-they-threw-war-no-one.html" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); text-decoration: none; display: block; font-weight: normal; "><br /></a></h3><div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzc2pR6XUm79XpZK8ERfn8EtaTrurxEbUHSGrgK0zMEc2sqwcBy9C76_y6wtWbdCeVsuBWHkveWZMJsxTv9qMw8AL2NQdrJR-LxLVMyr1HL5gv8yzDBO0sKMofJ8Uw6KIq1sUY3sVTy6n/s1600/Pure+Belief3.jpg" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOzc2pR6XUm79XpZK8ERfn8EtaTrurxEbUHSGrgK0zMEc2sqwcBy9C76_y6wtWbdCeVsuBWHkveWZMJsxTv9qMw8AL2NQdrJR-LxLVMyr1HL5gv8yzDBO0sKMofJ8Uw6KIq1sUY3sVTy6n/s400/Pure+Belief3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571011391162165778" border="0" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 287px; " /></a><br />my friend Matt posted this <a href="http://www.redletterchristians.org/confusing-our-kids/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+RedLetterChristians+%28Red+Letter+Christians%29"><span class="Apple-style-span" >article</span> </a>about war. I enjoyed it a lot.<br /><br />It is an interesting thing to consider, or at least I find it to be interesting. War is such a confusing thing because in our fallen world today, it sometimes seems necessary. But i truly can't believe that darkness will drive out darkness. I truly can't believe that killing can cause peace. I just...can't. And although this will be a life-long debate with people of all faiths everywhere, for me, at this point, i cry out for peace. i cry out for now more war. no more violence. no more guns. But not just peace. Peace meaning good will to all, is a great thing to desire. But my boyfriend, will, made a good point to me the other day--the opposite of war is actually creation. War is destruction. Peace is not the opposite of war necessarily. In fact, creation really would be the more literal anytonym.<br /><br />So let me rephrase:: not only do i desire peace--goodwill toward all--I desire creation. Creation of friendships, art, atmospheres of acceptance and diversity.<br /><br /><br />I'll end this post with a quote that I have read before but was reminded of in this article. Always gets me thinking::<br /><br /><br /><blockquote style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 20px; ">You, my church, told me it was wrong to kill … except in war.<br />You, my teachers, told me it was wrong to kill … except in war.<br />You, my father and mother, told me it was wrong to kill … except in war.<br />You, my friends, told me it was wrong to kill … except in war.<br />You, my government, told me it was wrong to kill … except in war.<br />But now I know, you were wrong, and now I will tell you, my church, my teachers, my father and mother, my friends, my government, it is not wrong to kill except in war.<span style="font-weight: bold; "> It is wrong to kill.</span> --George Mizo<br /></blockquote></div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-73125388023347225512011-02-01T20:09:00.000-08:002011-04-25T20:10:18.549-07:00Lifeee<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><br /></h3><div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoky1Xg9fNGSEw3pvYaEsjHr1mN7K_N1ymcpdcnYAy9f750l7bOx4aAA9jBKh869S96jarf23pIWuFul5yRtPLCULrDQOFklEsRWdlhkcwARxMTY31lZG-Ci00cyvWnZo9LPIXvhCTIvKf/s1600/life.jpg" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoky1Xg9fNGSEw3pvYaEsjHr1mN7K_N1ymcpdcnYAy9f750l7bOx4aAA9jBKh869S96jarf23pIWuFul5yRtPLCULrDQOFklEsRWdlhkcwARxMTY31lZG-Ci00cyvWnZo9LPIXvhCTIvKf/s400/life.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568974710768119106" border="0" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 294px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">my friend/roommate Kristin pasted this little baby in my inspirational books she made me for Christmas.<br /><br />And I loove it :)</span></div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-47612195005065255342011-01-31T20:10:00.000-08:002011-04-25T20:11:36.343-07:00I'm baack!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">I have been so neglectful of my blog lately! Goal in 2011:: One post every 2 weeks.</span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; "><br />It's a start at least :) I'd love to post each week, but let's not get too lofty.<br /><br />Kristin and I took a very spontanous roadtrip to Lexington, KY just to get away for a day. While there we visited some really cool shops like <a href="http://www.thirdstreetstuff.com/" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; ">Third Street Stuff</a>, <a href="http://www.luciasboutique.com/" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; ">Lucia's</a>, and <a href="http://www.commongroundsoflexington.com/" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; ">Common Grounds</a>. Kristin is always good at finding things of this nature. Anywho, the trip was extremely refreshing. In one of the used book stores we frequented, we found this little treasure:::<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4uUXFU-WD5ml8CS6m9TsvKg7u8lepAifi-H0tsZsFPqJnXiffC80-dE8nTN4VgjiNu-B45YQu1tIp6zLk-eMt1Sa7cT1KF6k32b5_wRskq2eBfFsV8Q-Spp9E2T4c2bNbr2D_fayt0hx/s1600/IMG_0577.JPG" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4uUXFU-WD5ml8CS6m9TsvKg7u8lepAifi-H0tsZsFPqJnXiffC80-dE8nTN4VgjiNu-B45YQu1tIp6zLk-eMt1Sa7cT1KF6k32b5_wRskq2eBfFsV8Q-Spp9E2T4c2bNbr2D_fayt0hx/s400/IMG_0577.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568606882673572386" border="0" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px; " /></a><br /><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px; "><br />It's called Seasons of Hope. Printed in 1970.<br /><br />I'd like to share one of my favorite excerpts:<br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; "><span style="font-size: 13px; "></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: georgia; "><span style="font-size: 13px; "></span></p><blockquote style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 20px; font-family: georgia; "><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-size: 13px; "></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; text-indent: 0.5in; ">“<span style="font-weight: bold; ">The answer is to rely on youth, not a time of life but a state of mind, a temper of the will, a quality of imagination, a predominance of courage over timidity, of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease</span>. The cruelties and obstacles of this swiftly changing planet will not yield to the obsolete dogmas and outworn slogans; they cannot be moved by those who cling to a present that is already dying, a who prefer the illusion of security to the excitement and danger that come with even the most peaceful progress.</p><p class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><span></span>It is a revolutionary world which we live in, and this generation at home and around the world has had thrust upon it a greater burden of responsibility than any generation that has ever lived. Some believe there is nothing one man or one woman can do against the enormous array of the world’s ills. Yet many of the world’s great movements of thought and action have flowed from the work of a single man.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; "><span></span>A young monk began the protestant reformation. A young general extended an empire from Macedonia to the borders of the earth. A young woman reclaimed the territory of France, and it was a young Italian explorer who discovered the New World, and the 32-year-old Thomas Jefferson who explained that all men are created equal.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; "><span></span>These men moved the world, and so can we all.<span style="font-weight: bold; "> Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events, and in the total of all those acts will be written the history of this generation</span>.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0.75em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; "><span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Each time a man stands for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustices, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope.</span></p><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">And crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.</span>”<br /><span style="font-size: 29px; "><b><br /></b></span></span><div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-size: 12pt; "><span style="font-size: 29px; "><b>–Robert Kennedy</b><br /></span></span></div></blockquote></div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-28391780590769153422010-08-07T09:42:00.000-07:002011-04-26T09:43:40.307-07:00Final Reflections from Swaziland<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">On Thursday Sara (who is here with her family thru AIM and is also a nursing student) and I went to Skhalini, one of the most rural carepoints, to set up a mini clinic. We laid some mats down under a tree, set up all our supplies (lots of medicine, bandages, stethoscopes, etc), and formed a system for children and others to come one by one and sit down and tell us their symptoms (Nombali, our wonderful translator was also sitting with us on the mat).</span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4548274605750874017" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span>As we were still setting up and people were gathering around, I felt someone behind me, it was a small girl. She was kind of leaning on me and as I turned to interact with her, the gogo spoke to her immediately and obviously told her to get up and go away as she quickly retreated. I didn’t think much of it and went back to the task at hand.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span>We saw about 10-12 people, which was a nice number because we got to treat each person in a non-rushed way. We saw coughs, skin lesions, headaches, sore throats, and everything in between. As we were on our last patient, I was listening to her breath sounds to make sure her lungs didn’t have fluid and Sara was just sitting to the side. The same little girl from the beginning plopped down. With a stethoscope in hand, and experience to be gained, Sara figured why not listen to her little heart?</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span>Thankfully she did.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; ">Her pulse was very high at 180 beats per minute and it was bounding. You could listen to any spot on her abdomen and hear it clearly. As we took a closer look we discovered her breathing was very labored and she even had a fever. Soon our previous patient was handed medicine and our focus became this little girl.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; ">As it turned out, she was 3 years old but had no older sibling, cousin, or gogo to represent her. Whereas all the previous kids we saw had that. She had come the carepoint by herself entirely. No one was there to put her in the front of the line. No one was there to even bring her to the mat to let us know she was ill. And for that matter no one even knew she was sick (as they shooed her away unknowingly).<span> </span>After a little more assessing and a phone call to a more experienced health care professional, we determined she was dehydrated and probably also needed an antibiotic for her ailment. We didn’t have the antibiotic in hand, but we did have something for her fever and some water. This particular carepoint is very far from a water source, so we had packed a jug, and sooo glad we did as we poured a cup and she just chugged it. Then another.<span> </span>Then the medicine. She was one thirsty little girl.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; "><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; ">We sat there a little longer with her and told the gogo’s to make sure she had water the next day too (we left the jug), but as I reflect, this story is symbolic of so much more than just giving a little girl water.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0.5in; "><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span>So many times in life we have a system to serve people. Think about it, whether it’s a church outreach or feeding people at the city mission—there is structure. And sometimes structure is completely necessary, but serving doesn’t need to only occur in structure. Because of our system we were creating, the gogo obviously saw this little girl as a mere distraction to our “mission”. She didn’t see her need, her sickness, or her thirst. She just saw a hang up in the smooth operation.<span> </span>And if we only focus on operations, outreaches, and structured events, we are missing out on so much!!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span>Serving people, loving people, being the hands and feet of Jesus is not always convenient, efficient, or easy. It does not only occur in planned settings, missions trips, or camps.<span> </span>Nor should it. Serving should not be a once a week event…it should be a mindset. But before we can serve others, we must know the need. And knowing the need takes a little time and effort. We must open our eyes or ask God to give us His eyes. We must be mindful of those around us, not just so focused on our own agenda that anything aside from our desire is a “distraction”.<span> </span>The biggest step however, is after knowing the need, practically meeting it. So often WE are the answer to the prayer we lift up. So many times we think that a system or structure should be put in place to solve a problem, but really…maybe it’s as simple as a cup of water. Maybe it’s as simple as giving that homeless man a cheeseburger. Maybe it’s as simple as visiting your Grandma. And maybe the cups of water and cheeseburgers and visits will add up and make something beautiful. Something people see, something that is contagious, something that is bigger than ourselves.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">So may we not be distracted by details today. May we not be bogged down with outlines and itineraries—although very useful sometimes. May we see the pain around us whether it be under our same roof or across the ocean, and may we respond with it in confidence knowing that we can’t do everything, be each of us can do something, and something is always better than nothing!</p></div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-67796002721646780192010-07-24T09:39:00.000-07:002011-04-26T09:44:38.551-07:00Washing Clothes<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">The task "washing clothes" used to be something i put on my to-do list at home and allotted about 15 minutes to complete. I mean, the sequence is usually : gather clothes, put in washer, pour detergent, push 3 buttons, then carry on until they are dry and switch them to the dryer which takes pushing 2 more buttons.</span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-1025373558231936271" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><br />Well, things have changed. This small task is now something I take part in, and when I do, I dedicate 3 hours to.<br /><br />Phindele is 28, has two kids, and works at the center for us. She does all sorts of jobs and one is laundry. This can be a daunting task when the teams are large and the clothes pile up, so I like to help her. To think how long it takes the TWO of us some days, I think she would be there til dark if I<span style="font-weight: bold; "> didn't</span> offer a little help. Anyway, I like helping her for a lot of reasons--first, she is great and I just like to spend quality time with her and gaining a little insight into her world, second, i think anyone would agree that it's nice to have some help and I would love the same, and third, i am not only with Pandele, but with all the gogo's who cook, too (it's all under the same little shelter). I like spending time with these ladies behind the scenes. The kids are precious, and fun, don't get me wrong..but these women are just amazing. They are the epitome of strong--emotionally and physically. They are dedicated. They don't get paid to cook the food, they do it because they care about the children of their community. They care. Can't we all stand to do that a little more? I think so :)<div><br />But aside from encouraging me to care and love for those around me, this tedious task has taught me other important lessons.<br /><br />Washing clothes has taught me something machines have done. I mean, i know they decrease the amount of time of chores and that is great. But they also do something else. You see, when you hand wash your clothes you realize how many you have. If you have so many clothes that you can allow them to pile up 5 miles before washing, you will QUICKLY regret it as you scrub and scrub and scrub for hours. As you are elbow deep in suds with wrinkling fingertips, you may ask yourself, "do I realllly need this many pairs of underwear?" Because washing them, using your own hands [and it is such a workout!] really forms a different relationship with your clothes and you. I know that may sound a little crazy, but i mean it. You appreciate it more as you rub your hands raw trying to get that stain out. When you wear it the next time, you remember the hard work, and instead of just wearing it once, you get lots of use of it to make all that time worth it.<br /><br />Washing clothes has also taught me appreciation for Pandele and all the other ladies in the world that take on this thankless job. In the past, I would have my clothes washed and handed the money over and said oh yeah, thank you! Then i went on my way...from now on, i want to hug these people! This is not an easy job! Even my Mom...side note::Mom--thanks for always getting allllll that dirt out of my softball socks :) I know how hard it is now. Really though, so often we overlook the "little" jobs in the world, the jobs that our society doesn't appreciate at all. They are important, and if you don't think they are, see what happens when the people that do them quit. i.e. what if the janitor at your workplace quit? Who would scrub the toilets, take the trash out, etc? I think we could all use a little more manners and thank those who do the tough, dirty jobs and oftentimes receive zero recognition.<br /><br />I could go on, but instead I will say this--try it! Try washing your clothes by hand one day. Grab two buckets, some powder soap and pick a sunny day so you can dry them. I've already made a promise to myself that washing by hand is going to be a part of my life in the future. Even if it is just one weekend a month, I wanna drag my little kiddies and hubby outside and make it a family event. I really believe in it for so many reasons and hope you'll give it a try :)</div></div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-61270511029443807252010-07-10T09:37:00.000-07:002011-04-26T09:44:18.910-07:00Week 1 -- so good to be back :)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">Sometimes I wonder if someone came to Nsoko without any prior knowledge of the HIV/AIDs epidemic, how long would it take him or her to wonder what was going on? Would they wonder why so many of the children are missing one or both of their parents? Would they wonder why those who are frail and deathly ill are in their beds? Would they wonder when they saw a whole section of the hospital especially for ARV Treatment or heard the woman there say that 42% of the mothers admitted there are positive? Or maybe they would really wonder why one of the questions at youth group with the girls was “where did HIV come from and how can we preventing it?”</span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span><span></span>Then I think the flip side of this question—how long would it take to forget? Would they forget in all the huge smiles of the children? Or the beautiful singing at church? Or maybe in the intensely fun games of netball or soccer? I’m not sure how the person who had no prior knowledge would take all this, but I know how I do. I forget so often. I get caught up in the love, joy, and laughter and seem to get my heart broken, and re-broken each time something hard comes up…which is on about a tri-daily basis. I haven’t gotten used to it, and I hope I never will. I hope it never becomes the status quo in my heart to see the pain and suffering caused by this horrible disease.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">…. On a more non-organized or well-written note, here is a rundown of week one:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span>So much can change in a year!! That was apparent as soon as we entered the center aka our home. We now have SHOWERS in the center, with hot water sometimes!! What?! We don’t just get 5 small bits of chicken once a week, but instead, have a standard portion of meat in our meals three times a week.<span> </span>We now have a table and chairs, an extra toilet, a fan, and a new ride! The Kombi that looked like a 1970’s hippie van (which I personally loved) is out, and the Toyota Noah (like a mini-mini-van) is in! I feel like I’m at the Nsoko Hilton!! Oh, well…minus the fact that we have also developed a new extreme cockroach problem, ha. They are EVERYWHERE, but it doesn’t really bother me? Ha.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span>Another thing that has changed are the children! My gosh they have all grown so much! I feel like my mom saying it, but really my babies are getting so big! However, I will say, waiting a year to reunite with people you love, makes that reunion very dramatically awesome! Thandie and I ran 20ft each and met in a giant hug, and as some of the kids said “Kati!” we embraced with that same enthusiasm. Ahhh, so awesome. Especially to think, they had no clue I was returning, so it was just like…Surprise! Ha <span style="font-family: Wingdings; "><span>J</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span></span>On a more ministry related note—we have had such a great week with a good bit of variety. We have done many carepoint visits, which is always awesome. We taught lessons, fetched water (it took 45 minutes and was like Be Hope to Her in real life), held the kids, and played games.<span> </span>We also did some house visits—one was with a very sick man who was delighted that we came to give him food and pray with him, and the other was with a gogo (grandma) of one of our translators or ministry partners, Mxolisi. This was such a great visit that I will elaborate on more one day. We have had women’s time, youth time, church, sorted medical supplies, visited the hospital and of course an epic netball game (usa vs. swazi). Overall, I am more than thrilled to be back to my second home here and even more thrilled to share it with some of my very best friends <span style="font-family: Wingdings; "><span>J</span></span> That’s all for now!</p></div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-44615136188787320492010-07-01T20:59:00.000-07:002011-04-26T09:44:09.933-07:00Swazi Bound! :)<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-3733635854013794956" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; "><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">helloooo all!</span></div><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.6em;">So for the next 5.5 weeks my blog is going to be transformed a bit! Normally I just use it for everyday types of ramblings and book reviews and quotes and...well you get the picture :) But over the next month or so, I will be out of town. Actually out of the continent.</span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.6em;">This is where I will be ---> </span></span><a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=nsoko%2C%20swaziland&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=il" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em; "><span class="Apple-style-span">Nsoko, Swaziland</span><span class="Apple-style-span"> </span></a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Last year I spent 2 wonderful months in this small, HIV-ravished community. I met people in the worst of circumstances holding onto God in a way I have never seen in my life. I saw so much brokenness, but then again, I saw more faith than ever. I saw joy through the struggle. I saw smiles through the pain. And I started to really grasp the concept depending on God. Like...losing your family-not having a job-hungry-but-still-worshiping-with-total-Joy kind of dependence. I learned that simplicity is intimacy and felt God in a whole new way as I wasn't distracted by tv's, texts, or tweets. But most of all, I felt God break my heart into pieces for what breaks His. I felt the call ever so clearly that we live in a hurting world, and Jesus doesn't just save us to go to Heaven, He really does desire us to bring the Kingdom to earth. Or as Shane Claiborne puts it best:</span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.6em;">"For even if the whole world believed in resurrection, little would change until we began to practice it. We can believe in CPR, but people will remain dead until someone breathes new life into them. </span></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.6em; ">And we can tell the world that there is life after death, but the world really seems to be wondering if there is life <span style="font-style: italic; ">before</span> death</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.6em;">."</span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.6em;">As I return to Nsoko I cannot WAIT to be reunited with my Swazi family--the kids, the gogo's, our translators--my family. I also can't wait for the perfect weather [it's winter there], no mosquitoes, and allllll the shooting stars. But i really, really, really can't wait to share all these things, experiences, and relationships with some of my best friends who will be joining me for the first half of the trip--Kayla, Kelly, Lindsay, and Sarah.</span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.6em;">So here we gooooo! If you'd like to join me on this adventure, feel free to peek the blog every week or so! Who knows how often I'll update, but when interned is available, I shall try :)</span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.6em;">peace&love</span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.6em;">-kati</span></span></div>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-80992868455679406802010-06-20T20:58:00.000-07:002011-04-25T20:58:54.937-07:00peace lover or peacemaker?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">"A peace lover is someone who enjoys the absence of conflict, but a peacemaker is someone who is proactively engaged in works of reconciliation in every sphere of life, from the personal to the global." -Chasing Francis, p. 136</span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><br />...an interesting way to put it. I find myself asking, which one am I?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcJ0Dzhsf-42ki_Y4Z69lIqVcX6iCzr5teKwhnq1gRxz_qXcq99_sUkt-OH54MtmIqqfv7QAWjo7o-8gMyWQtNDH9fARi9hv38Fx3DVwj0zBeSMn2Bg28H61YQlfxex7kUbWc8WNmCrq9/s1600/009.JPG" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcJ0Dzhsf-42ki_Y4Z69lIqVcX6iCzr5teKwhnq1gRxz_qXcq99_sUkt-OH54MtmIqqfv7QAWjo7o-8gMyWQtNDH9fARi9hv38Fx3DVwj0zBeSMn2Bg28H61YQlfxex7kUbWc8WNmCrq9/s400/009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484994077668088802" border="0" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a>2 of my lovely friends, Kelly and Lindsay, on International Day of Peace at Marshall</div></div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-53007744229599797382010-06-16T20:49:00.000-07:002011-04-25T20:56:13.077-07:00Why I Don't Shop at Wal*Mart<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 16px; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><img src="http://mrzine.monthlyreview.org/2005/wm488.jpg" /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;">citation: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 136, 34); font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; ">mrzine.monthlyreview.org</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(34, 136, 34); font-family: arial; font-size: 13px; line-height: 15px; "><br /></span></div>Some of you have heard the rant 50,000 times, but it has become apparent to me that others have wondered exactly...why do i refuse to shop at wal-mart?<br /><br />i mean after all--low prices, opened 24 hours, easily accessible (they are everywhere) and the list goes on.<br /><br />Well it's been almost 3 years since i have purchased something from this company, and i can thank my professor who enlightened me with "The High Cost of Low Price" [<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="cursor: pointer;"><a href="http://www.walmartmovie.com/">http://www.walmartmovie.com/</a></span></span>] Now when I first saw this documentary that absolutely picks wal-mart apart from top do bottom on issues like global explotation, discrimination, costing taxpayers millions, running small businesss out of town, etc. etc. I sat in horror. I shopped at wal*mart at least every 2 weeks. I mean we were talking the place i got all my pictures developed, my contact solution, my school supplies, my underwear, etc etc. <b>WAL-MART COULDN'T BE EVIL!!! My professor was obviously just angry at the world.</b><br /><br />but.<br /><br />it burned inside of me. After day 3 of the movie, i was mortified at what i had been supporting. Pause: some of you may be thinking "Kati, you let one documentary change you this much." Answer: no. I wanted this stuff to be untrue! I wanted low prices!! I DID!!! But to my dismay, as I researched and resarched...it was true. Wal-Mart really did have horrible practices. They really were getting sued. and they really WERE on the "Sweatshop Hall of Fame."<br /><br />so that's when I did it. I felt so convicted. How could i support this type of treatment to these chinese and hondurus workers? how could i let any part of my dollar go toward such a disgusting act. and right then and there, I said...no to wal-mart.<br /><br />Some of you may be thinking,<b> "Kati, every place has sweatshops. </b>Answer: No. And don't worry, I don't discriminate against Wal-Mart and Wal-Mart only, in fact, i desperately attempt to avoid all companies that are found guilty of such exploitation.<br /><br />Some of you may also be thinking,<b> "Well the only reason all this stuff is about Wal-Mart is because it's the largest corporation in the world." </b>Answer: I'm sure that the fact that Wal-Mart is so large certainly affects how much of a microscope it is under. However, in no way, shape, or form, in my opinion, does that give us a reason to excuse their behavior. Not to mention, as a global corporate leader, isn't even more important for them to set a GOOD example rather than a horrible one?<br /><br />So there it is. My main reason for not shopping at wal-mart. However, reason #2 is actually growing stronger these days. Here is a quote that sums it up beautifully:<br /><br /><br /><b>"Wal-Mart’s corporate philosophy is to drive down the cost of doing business and keep profits high principally by reducing labor costs. Wal-Mart executives and shareholders are confident that the taxpayer will pick up the difference between their pay rate and a living wage. In a sense our social welfare system is enabling companies to operate sweatshops. I’m not suggesting we should eliminate the social safety net; rather I’m suggesting that when a company’s employees need to reach out for assistance, there should be consequences. If Wal -Mart prefers that the taxpayers subsidize their profits, then we should send them the bill."</b> [<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="cursor: pointer;"><a href="http://www.examiner.com/special-interests-in-washington-dc/wal-mart-is-a-sweatshop">http://www.examiner.com/x-2071-DC-Special-Interests-Examiner~y2009m1d12-WalMart-is-a-sweatshop</a></span></span>]<br /><br />do you realize thru many wal-mart practices, you the tax payer are contributing billions of dollars to their corporation/employees? that "great deal" isn't really a great deal in the long run. check out some these links for some statistics:<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="cursor: pointer;"><a href="http://www.ufcw.org/makingchange/">http://wakeupwalmart.com/facts/taxes.html</a></span></span><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="cursor: pointer;"><a href="http://www.ideamouth.com/politics/walmartflyer.pdf">http://www.ideamouth.com/politics/walmartflyer.pdf</a></span></span><br /><br /><br />...so there you have it for anyone in the world who ever wondered or ever desired to know more about this giant that is literally trying to take over our country it seems. Is this decision easy? No. it's highly inconvenient on many occasions. is it do-able? totally. Am i special for doing this? No. Anyone can. And it would be beautiful if some saw it the way i did. but if you choose not to, well that's fine too. members or my own family still shop there and i still love them all the same.<br /><br />my only wish is that this may open your eyes to the lesson I learned.."too good to be true" has a whole new meaning. and many times, our good bargains come at the price of someone else. some say free trade is overall the best thing, and there are always 2 sides to every argument. maybe it is overall the best, and maybe ANY Job, even when exploited is better than none. and maybe i am too much of an idealist, but..i believe in a better way. and this is what my heart says for now! </span></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-7052033186716077412010-06-14T20:47:00.000-07:002011-04-25T20:48:21.794-07:00Lifetime Prayer<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">I've been reading "Chasing Francis" by Ian Morgan Cron. I'm dreading ending it because it is truly opening my eyes and showing me so many great things, but for now, here's a little treasure i just read before bed.</span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: left; "><br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">O Lord, make us instruments of Thy peace.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Where there is hatred, let us sow love;</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Where there is injury, pardon;</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Where there is doubt, faith;</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Where there is despair, hope;</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Where there is darkness, light;</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">Where there is sadness, joy;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">O Divine Master, grant that we may not</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">so much seek to be consoled as to console;</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">to be understood as to understand;</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">to be loved as to love.</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">For it is in giving that we receive;</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life;</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; ">-francis of assisi</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left; ">i want to paint this and hang it on a wall wherever i go in the years to come.<br /><br />also reminds me of a wonderful song,<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuV5btFoZas"> <span class="Apple-style-span">Surely We Can Change</span></a>, by david crowder band.<br /><br />both are incredible reminders and prayers of the life i desire to live. who's with me? :)</div></div></div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-69964088684110141032010-06-02T20:45:00.000-07:002011-04-25T20:46:31.838-07:00heartache for Juarez, Mexico :(<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><br /></h3><div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5059313426179819507" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqct2r6-5qTGON5zMHPfb7pWzqZhyphenhyphengt0K6bpFN8aoyn_bdp9XRhzSE4qAX1F-8MArK_hsvT6cglC6_06Vw34h4GUJvnt2RjxP8hVymDKU1jVhxLaKAzg10VBEbtejF7ql7eqKN_EEgYOOg/s1600/lipida.jpg" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqct2r6-5qTGON5zMHPfb7pWzqZhyphenhyphengt0K6bpFN8aoyn_bdp9XRhzSE4qAX1F-8MArK_hsvT6cglC6_06Vw34h4GUJvnt2RjxP8hVymDKU1jVhxLaKAzg10VBEbtejF7ql7eqKN_EEgYOOg/s400/lipida.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478384861374784098" border="0" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px; " /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJdxFtJxkYUgnht1BthS-HYVG0tOUr68ggyjPK9kPEpaGkFIRL3XiWGaim036j5wJWocDeCYsXekFiiEAisLNtf6fl6V4x2nblGjZZK8Geg27UcncgJdAOI5GE8_iG58QYJzSaWU2f60H/s1600/lipida.jpg" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; "><br /></a><br />my church has been going to Juarez for nearly 10 years teaming up with "casitas del ray" and other groups to help build homes, soup kitchens, have Bible school for the kids, and just love and serve the people of this violence-stricken city.<br /><br />i got the chance to go 3 years ago and again the following year. Of course, as the rest of the group does year, after year, i fell in love with the hospitable, gracious people of the city. the children melted my heart and constantly wanted to hold hands, skip, and play--<span style="font-style: italic; ">3 of my favorite activities</span>! despite all the fun and joy, the violence there was very tense at the time. There is a drug war going on between the cartel of Juarez and the government. And even in our short time there, several murders occurred, we encountered the military right at our front door, and upon returning to the states we learned that our church was just 1.5 miles away from the location of dozens of raped and murdered women. Juarez is called the most dangerous city in the world by many sources.<br /><br />wowza, right? I'm not going to lie, i had a few nightmares while i was there, but we constantly prayed and God was with us every step of the way to make sure we didn't let the fear affect loving and serving.<br /><br />this year, my church will not go to Juarez as we are doing a local mission project, but just as the bumper stickers of many members say-- Juarez is in our hearts. Always. a few minutes ago, i "stumbled" upon this <a href="http://totallycoolpix.com/2010/05/gang-wars-in-mexico/"><span class="Apple-style-span" >site</span> </a>of photographs of the latest violence. Tears welled up in my eyes as i thought of the many people i love there that have to deal with this on a daily basis. I wish I had the answer to all this, but all i can do is pray, and ask you to as well! <span style="font-weight: bold; ">Warning: before clicking on "site" please know the pictures are very graphic. but also very real. </span><br /><br />in honor of those in Juarez, and of the woman who this story is about--here is a note i wrote about my time there in 2008::<br /><blockquote style="line-height: 1.3em; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 20px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 20px; "><br />I've had a lot of good hugs in my life, but 3 days ago, I received the best hug ever on a sandy street in Juarez, Mexico during my mission trip.<br /><br />I know what you're thinking, how could I, a person who loves hugs and gives them out so often, possibly pick one out like this and call it the best? But read on and maybe you'll understand...<br /><br />Our group went to Mexico to build a soup kitchen. A soup kitchen that had been prayed about for an entire year by an awesome preacher name Julio and his community. By Thursday, we had went extreme home makeover on that cement slab and constructed a cute little building were 45 hungry kids would be fed each day. We decorated it with bible verses and pictures too. The room's bright yellow walls would warm anybody's heart, seriously.<br /><br />So after the building was constructed we had a dedication. Nearly 200 children showed up by the end of the night!! Along with plenty of adults. It was a the main event fo sho.<br /><br />Shortly after the 2 hour preaching/singing/and other festivities we fed everyone hot dogs. Next was the toy give away. As this was coming to an end I was approached by an elderly lady. Kayla and I had passed her in the street from a distance a couple days before and she had that same familiar grin on her face this evening. As she approached me I could see her tanned, wrinkled cheeks. She put her hand out and was saying "Gracias" (thank you) in the most genuine tone I'd heard all week. Of course, I bypassed the hand and threw my arms around her for what I thought would be a brief, normal hug.<br /><br />I was very wrong.<br /><br />What started out as a wimpy hug turned into a full fledge grasp. She meant it. And as she spoke throughout the 3 minute intense embrace, I knew few words. I understood all the children, God, and thank you. Those phrases were repeated often. And somehow...standing there with sweat on my shirt and sand all over me, hanging on to a women who speaks a totally different language than myself...I could feel her thankfulness.<br /><br />Yes. Feel it.<br /><br />No one clings like that and speaks those words of thanksgiving without truly meaning it. And as we stand there arm in arm, I literally got goosebumps. And shortly before we released from our embrace, I looked down into her worn out eyes and saw tears. Tears of happiness. Tears from a lady who truly cared about all those little children running around. Tears from a lady who knew where the building came from...not from a group of 20 Americans, but from God. He made it happen. He just used us to help show His love.<br /><br />And in that moment, it was all so clear.</blockquote></div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-70862968062890331682010-06-01T20:40:00.000-07:002011-04-25T20:42:04.908-07:00Feeling.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">Well, after finished <span style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-President-Politics-Ordinary-Radicals/dp/0310278422">Jesus for Presiden</a></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-President-Politics-Ordinary-Radicals/dp/0310278422" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; ">t</a> </span>(amazing, read it!!) and<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Million-Miles-Thousand-Years-Learned/dp/0785213066/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275461359&sr=1-1"><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; "><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Million-Miles-Thousand-Years-Learned/dp/0785213066/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275461359&sr=1-1">A Million Miles in a Thousand Years</a></span> (decent) --both of which took me about 6 months to finish, ha. I read at a snail's pace during school...I have now moved on to<span style="font-weight: bold; "> <span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flickering-Pixels-Technology-Shapes-Faith/dp/0310293219">Flickering Pixels</a></span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Flickering-Pixels-Technology-Shapes-Faith/dp/0310293219" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; "> </a>by Shane Hipps. It's an interesting read, and although I still have 3 chapters left, I can safely say I have enjoyed it. Not necessarily a top fave, but has further opened my eyes in a lot of different ways from Jesus to technology and the world in general. Hipps is a smart dude!</span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><br />One section I liked a whole lot was when Hipps talks about how the "print age" turned our world into one that thinks in linear, logical, black and white, factual ways. It is one that has pros and cons, but one of the biggest cons is that it demotes emotions. In applying this to faith, he talks about how this mindset turns people into only rational and cognitive beings, emotions don't count. He goes on to talk about how this is a major problem for several reasons: our heart and emotions are an integral part of our being and life with God, our emotions do help govern our behavior and when ignored can be very dangerous as it can resurrect in something negative, and lastly, it deadens desire. Our longing for life, love, and God fades.<br /><br />Do you relate to this? I certainly do, and it saddens me to see the many people in the Church, specifically, the American church put almost alllll the emphasis on faith and never feeling. Feeling is looked at something that can come and go, so...it's irrelevant. But it's<span style="font-style: italic; "> not</span><span>irrelevant</span>! It's actually kind of important, it's actually how we were created!<br /><br />Have you ever felt God? There have been several vivid moments in my life where i have felt Him. So strongly and positively that i will never forget. these are by far the most cherished moments of my life, and i truly believe that God gave me my 5 senses for a reason other than just eating to stay alive. I believe he gave me emotions for things other than just crying when seeing a sad movie. I think He gave them to me to connect with me, too.<br /><br />When I think of Hipps logic, and look back on my time in Swaziland--a place that would not be considering the "print age" type (that is, where literature and printed materials are a big part of culture)--emotions are a huge part of fellowship with God. Dancing, smiling, crying, laughing, clapping, etc. are not only encouraged, but cherished. When Swazi's worship, they do with their whole self, and it's gorgeous. And when describing their relationship with God, they use many more words of senses and feelings...not just large words like "justification" or "sanctification." (these words are fine, of course, I'm just making a point :))<br /><br />So i guess what i'm saying is this: don't forget that we aren't just made to read, write, and regurgitate verses. We are made to enjoy our creator, to adore Him, to feel him...<br /><br />Or as one quote by Allen Hood I recently read said, <span style="font-weight: bold; "><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">"The heart can go a lifetime doing religious<br />services and exercises yet never gaze,<br />never adorn the object of worship.<br />We were made for encounter, for<br />experiencing the presence<br />and depths of God"</span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left; ">so take some time today to sit still, watch a sunrise, breathe, get uncomfortable to serve Him, love someone who doesn't love you back, or maybe love someone who the rest of the world has forgotten about...and whether you're adoring him or serving Him, don't be surprised when He shows up ;)</div></div></div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-11458592255651959882010-05-29T20:39:00.000-07:002011-04-25T20:39:50.908-07:00Shortcuts to happiness.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">I once read a quote that said "there are few shortcuts to happiness and dancing is one of them." That little beauty was on a magazine collage my friend Jessi is so wonderful at making.</span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><br />Well, I was thinking about that quote lately. Maybe it's because I've been reading the<a href="http://1000awesomethings.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://1000awesomethings.com/">Book of Awesome</a></span>, maybe it's because i had a wonderful time on the dance floor at my cousin's wedding the other night, whatever it is, I've been thinking of it.<br /><br />Of course, to clarify, we are talking about happiness, not joy. Joy, in my own words, is a constant thing. A thing, that even in moments of sadness, can prevail, knowing that there is hope. A living hope that is found in Jesus. Happiness on the other hand, is more temporary. It's a mood, a moment, a burst of smiling, a laugh or warmness. I liked when i heard someone say joy is like the climate and happiness is the weather for the day.<br /><br />Anywho, moving on, back to what the point of this is....shortcuts to happiness. But not just any form of happiness, not just a smile on your face, but a smile in your heart. <span style="font-weight: bold; ">The Book of Awesome</span> (if you clicked the link) has a lot of great things in it that make you simile or laugh, but I'm talking about those moments when things just feel right in the world in the moment. Or as one of my favorite books,<span style="font-weight: bold; ">Perks of Being a Wallflower</span> says, "In that moment..we were infinite." You know, <span style="font-style: italic; ">those</span> moments.<br /><br />In thinking of these moments, i've decided it would be fun to compile a list of them. The list is very short so far, but that's alright because in this case, quality is more important than quantity :)<br /><br />I would love your help with these! Some of mine are very specific moments in my past that can never be replicated, but some are just generic. I like both kinds, personally. But whether you share with me or not, think about these things, I think it's good for the soul :)<br /><br />Here's my mini-list so far!<br /><br />--Seeing a shooting star.<br />--Dancing, but specifically dancing in large groups to songs everyone knows.<br />--Even more specifically, dancing to "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey at my sister's wedding. One of the most fun moments of my life :)<br />--Feeling the wind as you ride in the back of a pickup....at night!<br />--Singing, or screaming, a song in a car with others when everyone knows every single lyric.</div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-4850156138385643422010-05-26T20:32:00.000-07:002011-04-25T20:38:43.045-07:00Jesus for Prez<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><br /></h3><div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-7534341438535922759" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoUO40L7NyUy2Lf3uwzKmrA5QPtf42GIdD7Qy7GlSa-TOfxt03gj17BDLx4AvAqiE5ZFlr4SFCWPYlZZUiRqh7z4lRMG9c4sL09tW4yYTvEaSE8sf7oGxw20VdqL9xHpcCuP6I6tN80Mr/s1600/jesus.jpg" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoUO40L7NyUy2Lf3uwzKmrA5QPtf42GIdD7Qy7GlSa-TOfxt03gj17BDLx4AvAqiE5ZFlr4SFCWPYlZZUiRqh7z4lRMG9c4sL09tW4yYTvEaSE8sf7oGxw20VdqL9xHpcCuP6I6tN80Mr/s400/jesus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5507275777509881106" border="0" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px; " /></a><br />so after 10 months, i have completed the book <span style="font-weight: bold; ">Jesus for President</span> by Shane Claiborne and Chris Haw.<br /><br />and I could probably turn around and read it again. It took me so long for several reasons. first, it's a pretty deep read for the first 2/3 of the way. sure the pictures make it nice, but it was a lot to take in! secondly, i just had a lot of nursing crap to read. and thirdly, if i read more than say....10 pages at a time, i usually got so fired up i couldn't sleep or had to turn to the person next to me and give them a summary.<br /><br />the book was incredibly thorough and i appreciated it so much. I held many of the beliefs discussed prior to reading, but it gave me such great detail, history, and just relevance. It blows my mind how misinterpreted the Bible really is..simply because we (most times blindly) completely ignore the culture surrounding the text. even just getting a small dose of culture can turn a verse you've heard hundreds of times (and thought you just looooved already), into an extremely bold and powerful statement that goes against every grain of "norm."<br /><br />not only did i enjoy the depth, but also the compilation of such wonderful stories, quotes, and insights gathered. i couldn't turn a page without numerous references and jarring quotes--even quotes from the time of Jesus, not just modern (many of those were my favorite).<br /><br />in the end, this piece added fuel to my fire and encouragement to my soul. i desire so much to live apart from the empire, pledge my allegiance to my King...the slaughtered lamb..love my enemies (not bomb them), and embrace my duty of being a blessing to the world by sharing love, peace and hope and remember my job is NOT to rid the world of evil by violence (or encourage it)...that's His job, and I'll let him take care of it when the time comes.. (check out the parable of weeds/wheat in <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2013:24-30&version=NIV">Matthew 13</a>).<br /><br />Until then, may we live out<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%202:42-47&version=NIV"> <span class="Apple-style-span">Acts 2:42-47</span></a> :)<br /><br />...oh, and i'll probably post a few of my favorite excerpts from the book later.</div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-11193557378911381272010-05-18T20:31:00.000-07:002011-04-25T20:32:39.834-07:00Goal.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h2 class="date-header" style="margin-top: 1.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 78%/normal 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 1.4em; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.2em; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); "><br /></h2><div class="date-posts"><div class="post-outer"><div class="post hentry" style="margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-bottom: 1.5em; "><a name="2679970602055623149"></a><div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><div style="text-align: center; "><a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v439/jamesdean4life/?action=view&current=whoshouldbelistening.jpg" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; "><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v439/jamesdean4life/whoshouldbelistening.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); " /></a><br /></div><br /><br />One of my goals for the next 40 some days before I leave for Swaziland is to live intentionally in the present. To participate and not anticipate.... Of course I'll still set aside an ample amount of time to daydream--just not excessive ;)<br /><br />[photo thanks to <span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.postsecret.com/">postsecret</a></span><a href="http://postsecret.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></a>]</div></div></div></div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-20483266735463144882010-05-09T20:29:00.000-07:002011-04-25T20:31:08.016-07:00my favorite paradox<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">Every once in a while I like to listen to a speech or sermon from Martin Luther King, Jr. Why? Because I am never the same afterward.</span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5008090956716789822" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><br />Some things are expected: I always get chills, I always cry, and I also get incredibly inspired.<br /><br />Reading about MLK is good, but listening to him...is great. Hearing his passion, sensing the what the atmosphere would be like...these things are intangible. You will understand them only if you hear.<br /><br />Which leads me to my next challenge, please...click this link. The whole thing is 9 minutes [it<br />s half of the original] , but even if you only have 4 1/2 minutes, that's it--click it. Scroll over to the 5:27 mark...and prepare to be moved.<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOrCU0jdJrs">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOrCU0jdJrs</a></span><br /><br />I love the whole last 4 1/2 minutes, but here is a part that really, really strums a cord:<br /><br /><b>If any of you are around when I have to meet my day, I don’t want a long funeral. And if you get somebody to deliver the eulogy, tell them not to talk too long. And every now and then I wonder what I want them to say. Tell them not to mention that I have a Nobel Peace Prize—that isn’t important. Tell them not to mention that I have three or four hundred other awards—that’s not important. Tell them not to mention where I went to school.<br /><br />I'd like somebody to mention that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to give his life serving others.<br /><br />I'd like for somebody to say that day that Martin Luther King, Jr., tried to love somebody.<br /><br />I want you to say that day that I tried to be right on the war question.<br /><br />I want you to be able to say that day that I did try to feed the hungry.<br /><br />And I want you to be able to say that day that I did try in my life to clothe those who were naked.<br /><br />I want you to say on that day that I did try in my life to visit those who were in prison.<br /><br />I want you to say that I tried to love and serve humanity.<br /><br />Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter. I won't have any money to leave behind. I won't have the fine and luxurious things of life to leave behind. But I just want to leave a committed life behind. And that's all I want to say.<br /><br />If I can help somebody as I pass along,<br /><br />If I can cheer somebody with a word or song,<br /><br />If I can show somebody he's traveling wrong,<br /><br />Then my living will not be in vain.<br /><br />If I can do my duty as a Christian ought,<br /><br />If I can bring salvation to a world once wrought,<br /><br />If I can spread the message as the master taught,<br /><br />Then my living will not be in vain. </b><br /><br />...and so MLK's message remains, anyone can be great, because anyone can serve. Each day is just a chance to change the world--for the better or for the worse. Every decision, every action, we make an impact...what is our impact?<br /><br />Are we indifferent?<br /><br />Do we spread this beautiful message of grace? this message of hope? this message of love?<br /><br />because in my opinion...when we fully grasp that what we are given [Salvation--life to the full now..but also in Heaven]] is all because of one thing--our faith in Jesus...when we this gift, this incredible act of service, this great thing that requires nothing but faith. it doesn't require us to be good, to be holy, but just to believe....how can we not be moved to action? How can we not want to run out of our homes and just love and serve and love and serve when we've been shown the perfect example?<br /><br />so the paradox of course, is that although we are not required to serve to earn this gift, when we get the gift, service just flows out naturally ;)<br /><br />and THIS is is my favorite paradox in the world.....<br /><br />Let's be great.<br />Let's serve.<br />Let's change the world.</div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-24828507849502970212010-05-05T20:28:00.000-07:002011-04-25T20:29:21.623-07:00My newest favorite thing<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">So i had heard of "<span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/">Stumble Upon</a></span>" before but had never tried it.</span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8670722371278726580" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><br />Well, yesterday I did. And i'm hooked!<br /><br />Now generally speaking, i do not advocate spending hours upon hours in front of a computer screen, nor will i ever, but truly "stumbling" isn't just mindless. I have learned a lot! It expands the mind and sometimes just straight up amazes me.<br /><br />here are two that i just found and enjoyed...<br /><br />--photography <a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2fXPmo/www.younggalleryphoto.com/photography/brandt/brandt.html" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; ">page</a><br />--live<a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1Toyuz/worldometers.info/"><span class="Apple-style-span" > </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" ><a href="http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1Toyuz/worldometers.info/">stats</a></span><br /><br />Seriously...check it out ;)</div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-26723044336105249542010-04-24T20:26:00.000-07:002011-04-25T20:26:39.355-07:00Sex Trafficing. It's real. And it sucks.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><br /></h3><div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.onlineschools.org/blog/stats-on-prostitution" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; "><img src="http://www.onlineschools.org/blog/stats-on-prostitution/image.jpg" alt="The Stats Behind Prostitution" width="500" border="0" style="border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-right-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); " /></a><br />Via: <a href="http://www.onlineschools.org/" style="color: rgb(85, 136, 170); text-decoration: none; ">Online Schools</a></div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-573433102834037595.post-42968994431582297812010-04-10T20:21:00.000-07:002011-04-25T20:22:18.455-07:00Franciscan Benediction<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; "><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="margin-top: 0.25em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 0px; font-size: 18px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; color: rgb(204, 102, 0); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; ">"<b>May God bless you with discomfort</b></span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><b>At easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships,<br />So that you may live deep within your heart.</b><br /><br />May God bless you with anger<br />At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,<br />So that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.<br /><br /><b>May God bless you with tears<br />To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger, and war,<br />So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain to joy.</b><br /><br />And may God bless you with enough foolishness<br />To believe that you can make a difference in the world,<br />So that you can do what others claim cannot be done,<br />To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.<br /><br /><b>Amen.</b>"</div></span>Katihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04840763284438522349noreply@blogger.com0