I Need Winter Break To Come Faster

Haha so it's midnight and I'm completely exhausted but of course I can't sleep...so here I am.

First of all I would like to tell you how AMAZING the Shane and Shane Christmas concert was here on Wednesday! My committee brought them in, but I didn't get to hang out with any of them really because I was working the will call tickets....oh well. I did get pictures with all of them and they signed a poster for me. I still got to watch a great concert of them and Bethany Dillon and Phil Wickham. They all did an amazing job.

Today (well, Sat) I spent the day in Springfield starting early to perform in the orchestra for First Baptist Church's Christmas musical. We had a 4 hour rehearsal that lasted until 2:30 and our performance started at 7:00 so I just hung out in the town instead of making the 30 min drive back to BOMO and then going back to Springfield again. I was going to meet my friend at the mall to do some Christmas shopping but decided not to after I saw the CRAZY crowd of people there. People were parking in other lots not for the mall thats how busy it was! Ugh...anyway I got a little bit of studying done at Kaldi's for my Biology final...but not enough.

I cannot wait for this next week to be finished! I just want these finals to be over with. I will miss it here I'm sure, but I'm so ready for a break and to go home. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing all my family and friends....I miss them a lot!!! My friend wrote me today and said I needed to get back so we can play video games and watch Lost...I'm stoked because I'm became addicted to Lost this semester. I watched the first 3 seasons already, and started the 4th which I need to finish before the new season starts in January! Ahhh! Wow, I'm super tired.

Oh- I made turtles tonight! They're made with melted chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter, and peanuts. I haven't eaten one yet because a) I snacked on the melted stuff in the bowl and b) they are still drying. Haha so yeah guess I'll have to wait a while. Anyway, I should probably sleep now because I have church in the morning followed by studying and then another performance in Springfield.

Goodnight!

Advent Conspiracy

So I wrote about 2 speakers that came to my school not too long ago. Their names are Shane Claiborne and Mike Yankosky. I'm still working on reading Claiborne's book and it continues to inspire me and the way I live out my faith. Well Christmas was brought up by both speakers in the same way. I have wrote about this as well, but I'll just restate that I have definitely been convicted this season. How did we let ourselves get lost in the cultural view of Christmas with consummerism. CHRIST should really be the reason for the season. I mean yes, Christians do want to show that they celebrate this time of the year because our Savior was born, but it really doesn't show in my opinion most of the time. I'm speaking to myself when I talk about it like this, but if we all just took a step back to observe the way we live at Christmas...I think a lot of us would really be ashamed.

Today, Christmas has become this holiday where people think for themselves and what they want to get or what kind of sales they can find. The Bible doesn't even say anything about giving gifts for Christmas! This kind of reminds me of those birds in Finding Nemo that only know how to say "mine, mine, mine" over and over again. We are falling deeper into consummerism everytday. There are so many suffering without food, clean clothes, shelter, proper health care. I'm not saying that gift giving and the fun stuff should be eliminated completely...I just want Jesus to be seen. Shane told us about a new movement called the "Advent Conspiracy" while he was here. A church that started it decided to fill the floors of their church with manure on their Christmas Day service to let them see what Christmas was probably like when Jesus was born in that manger with barn animals....so all the members (most of whom dress nicely on this day) sat in poop during the service. I can only imagine what that was like and I bet none of them will ever forget that Christmas. Here is a video from them that I believe really gives the message of what I've been saying. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU&eurl=http://www.adventconspiracy.org/&feature=player_embedded Check it out!

God Bless!

This Week Is FULL!!

Wow so it's Tuesday and I'm already worn out from the week! I have already taken a Biology lab final and College Algebra exam, but still have 2 more tests this week and finals next week! So I'm definitely ready to be done and go home for my 6 week break! I cannot wait..

I am really excited about tomorrow night though...I will get to take a break to help out with our Shane and Shane Christmas tour concert! Bethany Dillon and Phil Wickham will also be performing! I'm so excited to be on the committee that brings them in because I get to help them unload when they arrive at 11:00 tomorrow morning and I'll be working they're merchandise and selling tickets before the show. It is going to be awesome!!!

I love Christmas time so much, but it's going by so fast and I don't have a lot of time to do the traditional stuff that's so fun to do this time of year. I did receive a box with PENGUINS on it full of candy and some other penguin stuff from my family. It was cute.I have to admit that I wish I could be home more so we could bake our goodies and do all of our activities we do every year. Oh well, I'll be back the 19th around 2:00!!!

Break is Over, Now on to Studying

So I'm back to school after our week-long Thanksgiving Break. It was a lot of fun! I got to spend time with all my favorite people! Our T-Day celebration was great! My turkey turned out great this year! It was 24 pounds and it fell off the bone it was so juicy! All of the food we made was amazing! I ate way too much of everything!

I am so blessed to have family and friends to spend time with. I made a lot of new memories while I was back in STL and wish that my time with them wouldn't end. I got to catch up with friends that I hadn't seen in a while and actually relax for some time! I even got to go ice skating with some friends. Haha it was only my second time to ever ice skate and I didn't do too bad.

Well now I have 3 more weeks of the semester left. I cannot believe it's already been this long that I've been in college! I have quite a few tests before finals so I am going to be pretty busy with that. But I also get to celebrate the holidays a lot around

Yay for Penguins!

So yeah if you didn't know already...penguins are pretty much my favorite animal in the entire world!! Tonight, Jana and I decorated the room for Christmas since it will be December when we come back from Thanksgiving break! We put a Christmas tree in the room (which doesn't have very many ornaments yet so we improvised a little--like a McCain/Palin button LOL) and we also put up penguin window clings...I even have a penguin stocking! All of this came from my family because we are like ultra holiday happy around this time of year and I guess they wanted my room to have a little of the same spirit as our home does! It's not a bad thing at all...I used to pretend like it was lame that we always seemed to let the decorations explode, but I love it actually...and our house is really cute! I'm kinda sad I won't be around for all of the traditions we have for Christmas. We used to do something different every day in December leading up to Christmas Day....like making cookies, cutting snowflakes, or watching a favorite holiday film! It's okay though...at least I get to be back for 5 weeks starting Dec. 19th!

Shane Claiborne and Mike Yankosky (authors who spoke at our school) really made me think about how we celebrate though. It's good to have fun with the holiday spirit, but we cannot forget what the season is really about. I mean, we were reminded from Shane of how awful it had to have been to be born like Jesus was and the time he was born. He was in a nasty smelling manger in a stable with poop! And this was at a time of genocide when all newborns were being killed! Now that's not all happy, bright fun now is it? And here we are buying tons of gifts for each other while Jesus got 3...which were probably not something a baby would want. Haha I remember Shane saying "yeah, what kind of baby wants myrrh?"

So yeah, I am totally for having fun, but really want to make sure I respectfully observe this time as being when my Lord came to Earth as flesh in Jesus to save us from our sins.

I'm coming home tomorrow after my class ends at 3:00 for a week! YESSSSSSS!!!!!!

God Bless!

So Close I Can Almost Taste It!

Thanksgiving break is comin in 2 days! I'm so ready to be home for a week to hang out with family and friends and cook some really good food with my mom and g-ma (who I call Mama). Makin the turkey and chicken 'n dumplings are just 2 among the massive menu we make every year. I just love cooking!

This week has been quite amazing so far if I do say so myself. God has really blessed me by being able to be on the committee (IFC- Integration of Faith & Cultures) that brought in a very unique, passionate, Jesus-following author named Shane Claiborne. (You may recall I wrote about his book, Jesus for President, a few posts back on my thoughts after the election). He spoke at our school 4 times...twice in chapel and twice the past 2 evenings. He wears clothes he made himself and has dreadlocks...which is awesome! I got the priveledge of getting to know him working his merchandise table and going to dinner with him with aboout 12 other students on the SGA and UAC. He has some of the most mind-blowing stories of his past experiences. I really loved every minute because he was humorous, yet challenging us and stepping on our toes about the way we live for Christ. He has been to countries all over the world reaching out, and lives in a community house with 7 others he started called The Simple Way. Each individual person in their community only lives off $150 per month! The rest they use for thier ministry...like feeding others in the neighborhood. It was very inspiring for me to see how simply he lives his life and just uses all of his time to truly glorify Christ in everything he does. Here's a pic of him...unfortunately I didn't take any with my own camera (I know...it's very unlike me!) I'm goin to move on for now...but will probably write more later on about this.

Oh..I'd also like to encourage you to check out his ministry at http://www.thesimpleway.org/

Lazy and Anxious

Just got out of chapel service....Higher Ground (a worship singing group here on campus) performed a time of worship with us. It was much needed for me because it allowed me to really focus on God and have a personal time to pray and worship Him without any distractions.

My weekend was actually pretty awesome...and I was in Bolivar the whole time! Yep, that's right, I didn't even go to Springfield. Friday I just hung out on my own and relaxed watching movies and such. Saturday was a lot of fun. I got to hang out with a few of my friends and we went to the public library in town and looked at Bridal and fashion magazines for about an hour. We also got library cards! :) Then we drove around Bolivar to more familiarize ourselves with the town (which did not take long since it's a tiny town lol) and we ended up at Bolivar Park...it is a very cute park. I felt like such a kid. We made a big pile of leaves and jumped in them! :) A lot of pictures were taken as well... Afterward, we went back to the dorms and watched some chick flicks and talked. And to end the night, Lindsay and Alison showed up to my room and we went and Tagged our friends, Parker and Teddy's cars! If you don't know what tagging is...we just decorated their cars with window chalk and we made their cars look like Christmas with red ribbon and candy canes. Haha it was hilarious!

Anyway...
Haha so I really don't want to have to study all week for my Biology test on Friday, but I will have to because it's a lot of material to memorize. Ugh...I definitely need prayer to maintain the motivation to focus. I'm just so anxious for the next 3 weekends to come....because I'm going to be home! Yes, 3 weekends in a row! Here's a brief summary of what's going to be happening in case I don't get to post anything for awhile because of my crazy, hectic life.

This weekend I will be going back to see Sweeney Todd on Broadway at the Fox Theatre (which is like my favorite place of all time to be in St. Louis!). And as an extra positive note for this coming weekend...my good friend Justin will be home from school to teach D-NOW at his church! I haven't seen him since August!!! I'm going to go to his church service on Sunday to see him. Yay! :)

The following weekend....is the start of my WEEK LONG Thanksgiving break! Heck yes! I'm super excited. I'll be starting out the weekend in Springfield, IL at an International Student conference, then the usual making Thanksgiving dinner with my mom...which will be on Wed. this year since she has to work all day on T-Day. I also look forward on seeing a lot of friends I haven't seen in awhile either!

That's about all I have for now....On to the Studying!

Jesus for President

So we have a new president....history is in the making with the first ever African-American president in office. There are a lot of people really upset that Obama won. I'm actually more apathetic to be completely honest. I knew...and I think everyone saw it was coming...it didn't take like some major prophecy. I may have voted for McCain, but in all honesty, I was never persuaded to like one more than the other. I did really like Palin and think that they could of had great potential as President and VP, but there is nothing we can do about it now and whining and bashing Obama will not fix anything. A lot is going to happen in the next four years, and whether good or bad comes from his first term in the White House....I choose to have complete faith in God that He is still in control and everything happens for a purpose. He is the author and perfector of our faith and we must strive as a Nation to be a follower of Christ.... and to not let the government or that we don't like the new president rule our lives. Yes, it is important to believe in our government and follow it, but we cannot let the president be the deity of our lives that we look up to. Without letting Christ take the lead...we're not going to get anywhere. The book I'm reading is very appropriate for our Nation's situation today. The book is called Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne (who's coming to SBU in like 1 and 1/2 weeks!). It is an excellent eye-opener to learn how society should focus on love, humility, and the fact that how we have become so consumed by the politics of the world has become a problem. I will close out with a quote from Jesus for President that I think is really relevant to the way I feel right now.
"Maybe it's time for Christians all over the world to lay down the flags of their nations and together raise the banner of God. The Christian icon is not the Stars and Stripes but a cross-flag, and its emblem is not a donkey, an elephant, or an eagle but a slaughtered lamb"

So much to do....

Well, this week is going to be rough! I have already been very busy and it's only the end of Monday! Oh well...I know I'll get through it. I have to really rely on God this week to guide me in studying for my tests (a final in University seminar and a test in Chemistry).

I wanted to share a little about my weekend...it was busy as well but very fun indeed. On Friday, I went to Springfield after classes were over with my friends I met in English, Katie and Jae. Jae is from S Korea and has only lived in the states for a little over 2 years. We like to joke about being Asian. Our goal when we went to Springfield was to find some good sushi....Unfortunately one of the places that was recommended to us was too expensive for us college kids and the other place was apparently invisible because we didn't find it. Actually, we just gave up on looking for it and settled for a Chinese Buffet with Mongolian bbq. It was not the best place ever, but definitely satisfying enough for our hunger. On Saturday, I was at a retreat for being a D-Now leader here at SBU...it was good but I definitely had a few issues that I'd rather not elaborate on at the moment. Sunday, I went to Springhill Baptist Church with my roommate and my friend Lindsay. I most definitely enjoyed everything about it and am thinking that it is where I'll more than likely start regularly attending. Again, more details on that later.

Overall, life is pretty good in spite of all the craziness I always seem to have. It's okay though...life is still a blessing no matter what.

~Love and Peace~

Katlyn

Lord, Save Us From Your Followers

So I'm on the University Activities Council at my school in the Committee called Integration of Faith and Cultures....we like to show films, have speakers, and bands perform to really work on integrating our faith to the culture of society today. Well tonight, here at SBU, we got to watch a new unreleased film, "Lord, Save Us From Your Followers", and had the privilege of Dan Merchant, writer and producer of the film to speak with us. I even got to work the merchandise table and speak with him for awhile. He's a great guy.

Dan Merchant goes on a 3-year trip around the world revealing what Christians are like, how non-believers view Christians, and how Christians represent themselves through interviews, statistics, and more. So basically the movie will be a big smack-in-the-face to many Christians who really don't get how to reach out to society today and think that they are fine living in their bubbles and being judgemental to the rest of the world. The film shows how Christians are the reason people aren't being led to Christ....not Jesus. I was shocked to see when Dan interviewed non-believers on the street asking them to describe Jesus and they used words like "Love" and "Saved the World" or "Forgiven". I personally enjoyed every minute because this is what I have been trying to speak out and this film put it into action. It explores so many ways of our culture today and how it takes so much an effect on Christians. Wow I just loved all of the shocking statistics and seeing how the world views Christians.

The film is not out yet in theaters....Dan is just touring to promote the film right now. So when it comes out...go see it and be prepared to be challenged. Here's a video clip from the movie of Dan as the "Bumper-sticker man" interviewing people on the street...check it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmFHVkMud7k

or visit the website http://lordsaveusthemovie.com/home.html

So....my life lately

I'm so awake right now (12:00 am) it's not even funny. I went to Java Station, our coffee shop hangout here in BOMO and sat there for over 2 hours with my $0.94 bottomless cup for coffee that I definitely took advantage of because I drank 4 cups. By the way, the cups there are ginormous!

Anyway, it's been quite the week! I've been studying like crazy for my biology exam Friday. I pray that all the studying pays off because I really need a good grade on this one! I'm definitely determined. The workload just keeps getting heavier...like I had a quiz today in comp and a paper due in that class Friday. I'm definitely starting to really learn my study skills and how I learn best. I also feel so old and grown up because I'm doing all of this on my own without parental or teacher reinforcement. Today also was the starting process of figuring out my schedule for next semester. I can't believe it's already time for that because I feel like I'm just getting used to my schedule for this semester!

Another thing I got to do this week was train to be a volunteer substitute receptionist for a Christian pregnancy resource center called Alpha House. It is a great place where women (and men too) can come for mentoring in duration of pregnancy, post-abortion, education on pregnancy and abortion....and it's all for free. Alpha House, like me, is definitely against abortion no matter what the circumstance, so they strongly encourage women to re-think their plans if they consider abortion, but do not enforce it because they want to help.

So I believe that I have made my decision in regards to my major. After much prayer over the last couple weeks and a discussion with my parents and a few other close friends, I have made the decision to be the Intercultural Studies and Nursing major. It is a 5 year program that I will receive my A.S.N. and B.A. in ICS. My last semester will be 6 months studying abroad...which was one part of the major that I was really nervous about to begin with because it's a little scary to me. But I came to the conclusion that God will protect me and guide me through everything, no matter how tough it gets and how much I actually dread the 5 years. I think it'll be a great experience and it will be wonderful to allow God to let me minister with the knowledge I will gain in ICS. So I'm super excited to see the journey God leads me in the next 5 years. Also, after my ICS degree is complete, I will more than likely work on my B.S.N. for nursing since I will only have like 35 more hours to complete. So please keep that in your prayers!

Here is a memory verse I thought was definitely appropriate from my bible study I'm doing "A Call To Die" by David Nasser.
"Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts." Isaiah 26:8

Oh, I also have been praying heavily for a lot of other things lately. Here are a couple that I hope you will take time to lift up as well.

• My good friend just left yesterday morning to do a 2-year journeymen program through the International Mission Board overseas. It was definitely rough knowing that last Sunday was the last time I'd get to see him for 2 years, but I'm definitely proud of him and he's been like a big brother and a huge inspiration to me since I was probably 13 or 14 years old!
• Our nation and the upcoming election. Need I say more? It is definitely a pivotal time right now and important that the body of Christ come together in prayer for what will be an election that goes down in history. There is what in my opinion, too many people who have strayed so far from what this country was founded upon as far as beliefs and standards go. I'm definitely preaching to myself when I say this, but as my friend said in his blog; please become informed on this election, especially for candidates running for office.

I hope that you will lift these up in prayer. God Bless

Because of His Grace,

Katlyn

Homecoming Week

In the midst of the two tons of homework and tests I've had this week, it is also Homecoming week here at SBU and I'm trying to enjoy what I can. On Tuesday night, Sean Michel(he was on American Idol and has a really long beard!) and the band Scratch Track came to perform. They were both great, but I really loved Scratch Track. Check them out if you've never heard them before.

Today we had spirit chapel. Basically, all the dorms represent their pride in chapel and each share a cheer/chant and some type of dance or skit. My dorm, Leslie won 3rd place! Ours was a dance to the tune of "Ice Ice Baby" but re-worded with "Leslie Ladies". Haha it was a riot and also very well done. Our cheer was hilarious...it ended with us sitting down and repeating "We can get real clean without standing up, without standing up"---if you don't know, our dorms are the only girl dorms on campus with bathtubs. :D ha it cracked me up!

<--Tonight was definitely very interesting. I went with a friend to see the "Brawl behind the hall". It's just a bunch of brawls between guys at the Maupin dorm on campus. I definitely freaked out a little because I was paranoid that someone would get seriously hurt. But no one did, so it's all good.

Well that's my week so far. One more test left this week then none till next Friday! Yippee!

God Bless!

craazzzaay!

So....it's like 1:00 a.m. and I can't sleep...hmm I think it's the free coffee I got from McDonalds(they're giving SBU students free coffee all week!) Haha anyway, I really should be sleeping considering I have my Biology lab test at 10:30.

Earlier today my mom calls me and leaves me a voicemail saying "call me so I can tell you what I did" ha so that gave me an immediate "uh oh" thought. It turns out that she got a cat! It's a black and white cat. I really wish I could be home to meet him. He is exactly what we'd been searching for if we decided we'd ever get another cat. I mean, our cat Tiger is like the boss of the house so we were a little worried about even considering getting him a friend. Anyway, I think my suggestion of the name "Dwight" fits very well even though I haven't officially met the new addition to our family of pets (it's turning into a zoo haha). I hope I get to see him soon and that everything works out with adjusting to the house (apparently it's Tiger who is having a hard time accepting him tho...he's selfish!)

Moving on...I pray that I can do well on this test and my other 2 tests this week. Lord knows I need the good grades on them. Also, I am really looking forward to all the Homecoming stuff this week so I hope that I will be able to balance my studying time and fun time too!

Until next time...

Katlyn

Doing My Best

So....today I went to church with my friend Angel in Springfield, got to see my friend Grant who is leaving for East Asia for a 2 year Journey Man trip a week from Tuesday, and also got into a fender bender with Angel coming back into BOMO(I wasn't driving and everything is fine). So it was quite a day to say the very least. I'm writing this now in procrastination of my chemistry homework...shh don't tell. haha

God has really humbled me a lot in this last week. I have beat up by Him, then swept up by His grace. Ha it's truly amazing how God works. God has been teaching me and telling me that all I have to do is follow Him...it's going to be rough and confusing at times...but the reward will be great in the end. It's not like I did not really know/understand this before, but I really think I need to continue to just lay down my life and surrender fully to Him. I cannot do anything, not one tiny thing on my own. I guess I've been ignoring Him some just because I just keep being brought right back. This time, I pray that I can truly die to myself and take up my cross daily.

As for my decision on my major...it is still undefined. I am still doing some reasearch on the Intercultural Studies major and some hardcore praying in the process. I have until the end of October to make my decision...so please keep me in your prayers.

I will be going into quite a busy week starting tomorrow...it's homecoming week which should be fun since it's my first on in college, but I have to keep balance with my studies because I have 3 tests this week!

It's All By Faith.

In Christ,
Katlyn

Wake Up

I woke up this morning, and I knew God was already tearing at my heart. I did not really know what He was saying to me, so I opened my Bible not knowing where to even start. My music was playing Christian music on my laptop, and before I could even look at anything, a song by MercyMe called "Keep Singing" came on. It's such a simple song that just says I got to keep praising Him no matter what. Immediately, I knew that God was speaking to me and telling me that I shouldn't worry so much about my future and everything that I've been frusterated with. I was overwhelmed by His prescence and grace to a point where I felt tears form.

I guess I'm really thankful for the gift of music. It is such a blessing to hear words that hit so close to home. Another song that came shortly after the MercyMe song was a song by my friend Kaleb that also really speaks to my heart called "Even Here". It seems so relevant. Here are some of the words to the the song. (if you read this Kaleb...hope it's okay I put them in my blog)

"Finding my way in the night. Every step gets harder and the voices they fill me with fright as I try to progress farther and just when I think I'll never make it through the valley before me.
That's when by Grace and through Faith I begin to see the morning.

As the sun is rising, your mercy is falling on me. As I stand in the glow of its radiance I remember the light of your presence on me. Even here in the death shadowed valley.

You know each step of the way. You have gone before me And the darkness to you is like day, you are here even when I can't see.

Even here...you are with me...even here I can sing."

So I am still praying about my decision to officially be an Intercultural Studies/Nursing major....but I have faith that God will lead me to do what I'm supposed to do.

Mixed Feelings

First of all...I'm really sleepy right now and am very much considering taking a nap and further procrastinating my Chemistry scatter plot lab due tomorrow. Haha anyway...though I know that the Lord has given me a heart to do missions , I find myself really questioning whether I do the intercultural studies/nursing major here at SBU. I have really praying about my decision of whether I want to actually change it or not. I know that God will provide for me no matter what, so I just pray that he guides me in the right direction.

A Call

I am so incredibly grateful for the life I get to live. My family has never ceased to support me in everything I do...I have decided that God has called me to really do missions that I've felt so led to do through nursing. It may sound a little cliche but I know that He has given me the sign. I was in a college fair here at SBU for the St. John's College of Nursing, and my original plans were to recieve my B.S.N. and do mission work with it. Well...at the end of the meeting, the advisor said that just that morning, the Director of Intercultural Studies majors had created a Nursing/Intercultural studies major. I was completely astounded considering Intercultural Studies was so intriguing to me before I ever decided to become a nurse. SO...now I'm going to be an RN and get to do missions as my major! I'm so excited!!!

I have also interviewed in the last week to go on a mission trip next summer to Bolivia where I will be working with an Orphanage and other things in the city of Santa Cruz....and I also interviewed to be a Disciple Now leader at churches in the area that request SBU student leaders. I pray that God will really use me to minister according to His will.


Please keep me in your prayers!

Remembering

It's about an hour until it is September 11th. It is extremely difficult to believe seven years have already passed when I can still remember that day so vividly. I was 12 and in 6th grade... and my math class was just starting...I recall my math teacher being overly anxious and upset. Her sister worked in the WTC and she could not get ahold of her. While all of this was going on, my friends and I looked at each other in confusion. We tried to figure out what was going on, and when she told us, it was so unreal we didn't know what to do with that kind of information. The day went on to me going home, still a little confused, but also very uneasy. My mom and I sat in front of the television for hours watching those towers fade away...I remember watching all the families of the victims and emergency crews wait for the news of whether their relative had made it out alive. I could never imagine the terror of waiting...especially for how long many of them had to. I know God has a plan and purpose for everything, but I know this had to be a definite struggle for everyone to try to comprehend.

I got the privilege of being able to see ground zero in 2006, and it was very heartbreaking to witness the tragedy that is still so heavy in that city. The subway was filled with drawings from the victims' children to their lost parent. It brought tears to my eyes knowing that so many children will not be able to grow up with a parent. That gave me a feeling of thankfulness that I am privileged to have both of my parents here with me that love and support me in all that I do.

All I know is that I will be remembering and praying for the victims and everyone who was and is directly involved with the tragedy of September 11th. I hope you are today as well.

In Christ,

Katlyn

Philippians 4:13

Living the college life...

So I've been through 2 weeks of classes, and almost through my first full weekend on my own in Bolivar. I love it! God has completely blessed me in my time here so far. God has surrounded me with other believers and I've been having a blast every step of the way. Today I got to spend time with my friends from my church in St. Louis who live here and in Springfield and then later tonight I hung out with some friends here at SBU and had a blast just goofing around with my stuffed animal Sebastian the crab. Haha we took pics with him all over Bolivar...you have to find ways to keep yourself occupied on the weekends! :)

Anyway...I hope and pray my time here continues to be fulfilling in and my walk with Christ grows fuller each and every day.

God Bless,
Katlyn

Wow

Okay so I've been in school at SBU for a week now. So far so good. It was definitely a challenge to have to leave my family and friends behind back at home and I miss them all very much, but I think I am adapting to the atmosphere here very well. With God's grace I can hopefully continue to do well here.

God has blessed me with an awesome roommate that is super kind and accomodating to our living situation...our room is not very big! Haha but we are definitely making the most of it. I think that God has big plans for my time here at SBU and I pray that I may continue serving Him in whatever way He needs. I have quite a course load so hopefully I can do well in all of them this semester.

I have all been through a few other challenges and odd situations in my new life here, and I won't go into detail, but please pray for me so that I can stay strong in this time where it is a little difficult learning how to live on my on.

Until Next Time....
In Christ,
Katlyn

Closing Time

I'm so enthralled by the grace of God. I just came back from my last trip officially as a youth at my church. Honestly, I can't believe 6 years have passed since my journey began with my youth group at South County. It has been a crazy 6 years; filled with everything from pranks to drama that I desperately tried to avoid. God has most definitely used my experiences at South County to really grow nearer to him in my walk and I'm truly thankful for each blessing, trial, temptation, etc that He has put me through. There are so many people who have helped me in my path to where I am now....I can't believe how far I've come! To God be the glory!

yesterday

So it's my first blog! I'm super blessed to be able to have celebrated my 19th birthday yesterday. It was definitely an interesting birthday to say the very least.

I got to eat at my favorite restaurant, The Lemongrass, with my family for dinner. I also got to spend time with a great friend at the mall and more time with her and another later. I'm thankful for family and friends who continue to lift me up daily.

What I didn't know was how God was going to test my patience last night. I ended up being able to learn about growing closer to Him at our youth study from our intern. Little did I know, but I actually did feel that I got closer in my faith last night because I was reminded of how I need keep strong and just be there for a friend when they are in need. I did wrong at one point last night that I immediately lifted up in prayer. It is easy to let things try to ruin your day, so you must be sure that you don't do anything to ruin anyone else's.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. (Philippians 4:6)

Katlyn