the new week is here.
it is "short" but it will be very long.
and i can almost be guaranteed to work more than normal anyway due to the nature of the week and the projects it contains.
God give me the strength, the energy, and the excitement i need.
i sure won't have it without You.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Today, I celebrate.
Yup. It's my birthday.
And, (apparently) I like the word "yup." I've used it too much in my typing lately... along with "apparently"...
Today, I am blessed to have been given 27 years on this planet, and to have spent 22 of them as a child of God. How much better can it get?
Life may not be easy, but I sure am thankful today.
Thankful for the several/many (I didn't count) friends who have wished me "happy birthday" on facebook or via email - both old and new and in-between. Including a link to a song from my brother, which made me laugh (though I don't really like the show) because I could hear him singing it in my head (though I've never heard him singing that particular song either - i don't think - but I know the voice he uses to mimick such things). I laughed out loud. Thanks Drew.
I am thankful that I am breathing. I am thankful that I have a place to live, a job to support me, and friends and family who care for me. And for the Starbucks treat that came my way unexpectedly today (a venti (L) drink for the price of a different (cheaper) grande (M), and a coupon for a free drink the next time I decide I'd like Starbucks). Mm. nice.
Plus, I'm looking forward to a long weekend (thanks for the labor-day weekend always around my birthday) with friends, family, friends, family, and possibly more friends.
Today, I feel like I can do anything.
Today, I celebrate.
I am Kara, hear me roar.
And, (apparently) I like the word "yup." I've used it too much in my typing lately... along with "apparently"...
Today, I am blessed to have been given 27 years on this planet, and to have spent 22 of them as a child of God. How much better can it get?
Life may not be easy, but I sure am thankful today.
Thankful for the several/many (I didn't count) friends who have wished me "happy birthday" on facebook or via email - both old and new and in-between. Including a link to a song from my brother, which made me laugh (though I don't really like the show) because I could hear him singing it in my head (though I've never heard him singing that particular song either - i don't think - but I know the voice he uses to mimick such things). I laughed out loud. Thanks Drew.
I am thankful that I am breathing. I am thankful that I have a place to live, a job to support me, and friends and family who care for me. And for the Starbucks treat that came my way unexpectedly today (a venti (L) drink for the price of a different (cheaper) grande (M), and a coupon for a free drink the next time I decide I'd like Starbucks). Mm. nice.
Plus, I'm looking forward to a long weekend (thanks for the labor-day weekend always around my birthday) with friends, family, friends, family, and possibly more friends.
Today, I feel like I can do anything.
Today, I celebrate.
I am Kara, hear me roar.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
OH my.
So... yesterday evening, I had an actual, genuine thought that I wished it was Christmas & winter.
Yes, folks, I am sick.
It happened rather out-of-the-blue. It was not due to some random music thing on my ipod, or an old movie with a Christmas moment on tv. No, it was soap.
That's right, soap.
I was cleaining my house up a bit in anticipation of my parents being over on Saturday, and I realized that my almost-empty hand soap dispenser laying on it's side looked a little ghetto. Ok, ok, maybe not ghetto, but it looked pretty sad/bad/tacky. Yikes. And seeing as my dad hasn't been to my new digs since he delivered the piano 2 days after I moved in, back in May, I think I should at least try to present a good front, regardless of how much I have to shove in closets or under the bed. ;) Needless to say, I began digging in my collection of "extras" in the cabinet - extra toothpaste, extra shampoo, extra medicine, extra soap. I found to my happy surprise that I had not 1 (as I expected) but 2 (!) soaps to choose from! Consequently, I pulled them out and took a whiff to decide which to replace the old-practically-empty one on my counter. They both smell fabulous, but the 1st was a smell that told my brain "this is good for cold weather. It's a comforting, warming, cozy smell. Like at Christmas." Seriously. That was what ran through my head. SO I put it back under the counter, and pulled out the vanilla scented soap for now.
As I walked into my living room (windows wide open, mind you) to continue with my evening plans of working on a cross stitch ... thing ... for my almost-here-niece, I smelled the fresh, cool air, and (coming off of the soap thoughts) I thought (or may have actually said aloud to myself) "Wow. I wish it was Christmas. I wish it was snowy and cold and there were Christmas lights out." Then I laughed (this time I know it was out loud) and thought, "It's September 1st. SEPTEMBER 1ST!!!"
Laughing, I immediately called my mother (who's from California) - who just wishes it would snow ONLY on Christmas eve, and then go back to being warm the rest of the year - to share this little story with her. I knew she'd get a kick out of my craziness. She did. She laughed and said, "You and Dad. You really are your father's daughter." (He'd like to live in a cooler climate - by water, or in the mountains.) I told her I think mabye God made a mistake, and should have dumped me in the Alps or something when I was born... which she disagreed with, of course. But maybe then I wouldn't love it so much. Mabye the (tiny) contrast of a Chicago summer is what I needed to enjoy the season of winter so much. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love all the seasons in their place, but I think Spring is the respite I need when I finally get sick of Winter, and Fall is the anticipation of Winter, and Summer is the "oh my word, this is why I love Winter."
Yes, on September 1st, I was anticipating Christmas.
I was a tad disgusted with myself, but all in all, I really do love the coldness and the Christmas, and the cheer. So mabye that doesn't count for disgusted.
I promise to try (really, really hard) not to post about Christmas again for at least a month, but I just had to share this -- it was too good to pass up, and to indicative of who I am and where my mind goes... all to often!
Yes, folks, I am sick.
It happened rather out-of-the-blue. It was not due to some random music thing on my ipod, or an old movie with a Christmas moment on tv. No, it was soap.
That's right, soap.
I was cleaining my house up a bit in anticipation of my parents being over on Saturday, and I realized that my almost-empty hand soap dispenser laying on it's side looked a little ghetto. Ok, ok, maybe not ghetto, but it looked pretty sad/bad/tacky. Yikes. And seeing as my dad hasn't been to my new digs since he delivered the piano 2 days after I moved in, back in May, I think I should at least try to present a good front, regardless of how much I have to shove in closets or under the bed. ;) Needless to say, I began digging in my collection of "extras" in the cabinet - extra toothpaste, extra shampoo, extra medicine, extra soap. I found to my happy surprise that I had not 1 (as I expected) but 2 (!) soaps to choose from! Consequently, I pulled them out and took a whiff to decide which to replace the old-practically-empty one on my counter. They both smell fabulous, but the 1st was a smell that told my brain "this is good for cold weather. It's a comforting, warming, cozy smell. Like at Christmas." Seriously. That was what ran through my head. SO I put it back under the counter, and pulled out the vanilla scented soap for now.
As I walked into my living room (windows wide open, mind you) to continue with my evening plans of working on a cross stitch ... thing ... for my almost-here-niece, I smelled the fresh, cool air, and (coming off of the soap thoughts) I thought (or may have actually said aloud to myself) "Wow. I wish it was Christmas. I wish it was snowy and cold and there were Christmas lights out." Then I laughed (this time I know it was out loud) and thought, "It's September 1st. SEPTEMBER 1ST!!!"
Laughing, I immediately called my mother (who's from California) - who just wishes it would snow ONLY on Christmas eve, and then go back to being warm the rest of the year - to share this little story with her. I knew she'd get a kick out of my craziness. She did. She laughed and said, "You and Dad. You really are your father's daughter." (He'd like to live in a cooler climate - by water, or in the mountains.) I told her I think mabye God made a mistake, and should have dumped me in the Alps or something when I was born... which she disagreed with, of course. But maybe then I wouldn't love it so much. Mabye the (tiny) contrast of a Chicago summer is what I needed to enjoy the season of winter so much. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love all the seasons in their place, but I think Spring is the respite I need when I finally get sick of Winter, and Fall is the anticipation of Winter, and Summer is the "oh my word, this is why I love Winter."
Yes, on September 1st, I was anticipating Christmas.
I was a tad disgusted with myself, but all in all, I really do love the coldness and the Christmas, and the cheer. So mabye that doesn't count for disgusted.
I promise to try (really, really hard) not to post about Christmas again for at least a month, but I just had to share this -- it was too good to pass up, and to indicative of who I am and where my mind goes... all to often!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Making it through
I'm heading into a long weekend after an even longer (than expected) week. Which is saying quite a lot, as I knew this week would be a big one.
I'm hoping to relax, see friends, get some good sleep, watch some movies, finish as much as I can of the cross stitch project for my niece (who's almost here), read, and feel refreshed for Monday.
Thanks to my amazing Lord, I made it through.
I'm hoping to relax, see friends, get some good sleep, watch some movies, finish as much as I can of the cross stitch project for my niece (who's almost here), read, and feel refreshed for Monday.
Thanks to my amazing Lord, I made it through.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
The Certainty of God's Promise
I found this in an old email to myself. I must have thought it would be good to stumble upon sometime. Today was the day, apparently.
Hebrews 6:13-20 (emphasis mine)
"When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
**We have this hope as an anchor, firm and secure. Jesus has entered on our behalf. And all we have to do is wait patiently.
Hebrews 6:13-20 (emphasis mine)
"When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, "I will surely bless you and give you many descendants." And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.
Men swear by someone greater than themselves, and the oath confirms what is said and puts an end to all argument. Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
**We have this hope as an anchor, firm and secure. Jesus has entered on our behalf. And all we have to do is wait patiently.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Knowing the Will of God
This is a topic that came up in a meeting I was in today... and now it's got me thinking some things...they've been mulling in the back of my brain for the last while, and they've got to get out. I warn you, it's a bit raw and unpolished, and very fresh:
How DO you know what God's will is for your life?
And, not just in a general way, but specifics? In each situation, it is different. Not just "God I want to follow your will, get me from here to there." Not just "God, I want to follow You, oh, look, that's what You did, it must be your will." Not just a vague hoping that it'll all "work out" the way He wants it to and you're just stuck in it until that happens.
How do you know when He wants you to interact with that difficult person?
How do you knwo when He wants you to stand back and wait and pray?
How do you know when He wants you to move on?
How do you know when He wants you to stay where you are?
How do you know when you should give up on a situation?
How do you know when you should keep fighting, keep hoping, even though it seems impossible or improbable?
Is it possible?
Is it likely?
I know we can 'know' the will of God, but how often is it very specific, and how often is it a general feeling that we hope is right, and hope is His direction?
We are more likely, of course, to be on the right track if we are continually getting to know Him better; if we are praying constantly, if we are reading and (key) studying His word, if we are gathering with other believers for fellowship and learning and worship. BUT, that doesn't mean (at all) that we will always KNOW in our heart of hearts what His will is in every situation. Sometimes we will. Sometimes He puts it so clearly in our faces that we cannot miss it unless we are staring at our noses, smashed against the ground. However, you must acknowledge that there are times when you will not KNOW, you will be hoping, wondering, wishing, that you knew what His will was in a given situation. Those are the times I am asking about.
Is there a way?
Is there a reason to ask this question?
Or do we "give up" and "hope" that we are close enough to Him (through methods mentioned before) that we are hitting the right track, and haven't fallen off. That we've made (or are making) the right choice, the right decision.
Is this the time when you just "gotta have faith"and move on, and trust that He is working and will somehow show you what to do? When does that point come? How do you know when you've hit it?
How do you keep going when you are feeling like the hope is not real, and the path is clouded over? When do you let it out, and when do you keep it in, and how do you decide what the healthy choice is? Especially if letting it out doesn't necessrily lead to a productive end?
Hm.
How DO you know what God's will is for your life?
And, not just in a general way, but specifics? In each situation, it is different. Not just "God I want to follow your will, get me from here to there." Not just "God, I want to follow You, oh, look, that's what You did, it must be your will." Not just a vague hoping that it'll all "work out" the way He wants it to and you're just stuck in it until that happens.
How do you know when He wants you to interact with that difficult person?
How do you knwo when He wants you to stand back and wait and pray?
How do you know when He wants you to move on?
How do you know when He wants you to stay where you are?
How do you know when you should give up on a situation?
How do you know when you should keep fighting, keep hoping, even though it seems impossible or improbable?
Is it possible?
Is it likely?
I know we can 'know' the will of God, but how often is it very specific, and how often is it a general feeling that we hope is right, and hope is His direction?
We are more likely, of course, to be on the right track if we are continually getting to know Him better; if we are praying constantly, if we are reading and (key) studying His word, if we are gathering with other believers for fellowship and learning and worship. BUT, that doesn't mean (at all) that we will always KNOW in our heart of hearts what His will is in every situation. Sometimes we will. Sometimes He puts it so clearly in our faces that we cannot miss it unless we are staring at our noses, smashed against the ground. However, you must acknowledge that there are times when you will not KNOW, you will be hoping, wondering, wishing, that you knew what His will was in a given situation. Those are the times I am asking about.
Is there a way?
Is there a reason to ask this question?
Or do we "give up" and "hope" that we are close enough to Him (through methods mentioned before) that we are hitting the right track, and haven't fallen off. That we've made (or are making) the right choice, the right decision.
Is this the time when you just "gotta have faith"and move on, and trust that He is working and will somehow show you what to do? When does that point come? How do you know when you've hit it?
How do you keep going when you are feeling like the hope is not real, and the path is clouded over? When do you let it out, and when do you keep it in, and how do you decide what the healthy choice is? Especially if letting it out doesn't necessrily lead to a productive end?
Hm.
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