32 Weeks
Its hard to believe that in only 8 weeks, Lord willing, our baby will be in our arms. We painted our baby’s room and have everything pretty much set up and ready to go. Yesterday, I sat down in the rocking chair in his room and just rocked and gazed out the window for a while. I pondered this entirely new feeling… this entirely new space… and entirely unknown chapter ahead. I kept hearing the holy spirit’s prompting…
“Be still, and know that I am God…” Psalm 46:10
My heart and mind have been challenged tremendously during pregnancy to believe God’s promises to me. Here are some promises that have been really sweet to meditate on over the last 7 months.
When I fear the pain and unknowns of labor and delivery, I am promised…
“fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
- Isaiah 41:10
When I fear if the strengths and personality God has given me will be useful as a mother, I am commanded…
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Joshua 1:9
When I have been weak and sick and unable to help with much or meet the needs of others, I am promised…
“But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, formy power is made perfect in weakness.”
- 2 Corinthians 12:9
When I fear losing the flexibility and lifestyle of life without children, I pray for strength to believe…
“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ”
- Philippians 3:7-8
When I am tempted to compare myself with other pregnant women or mama’s, I am gently rebuked…
”Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you
(Jesus rebuking his disciple Peter when he compared himself with his fellow disciple John)
John 21:22
That rebuke Jesus gives to Peter reminds me that he has a unique and specific purpose for me as a mother. He’s not calling me to be someone else or to walk through someone else’s experience. He’s calling me to be an authentic mother dependent on Jesus in my own skin, strengths and weaknesses. What freedom there is in that! I am thankful for the truth that because of Jesus, all of God’s comforts and promises have been freely given to me! When I finally surrender all of my anxieties and fears, I can trust in him and rest. What I love about all these promises is the reminder that I am not alone. I am not stepping into this new season un-helped, unequipped, or without grace. I have been given everything I need in Christ alone to walk through a place I haven’t ever been. That makes me excited and expectant of his help towards me in the days ahead.
The Itch to Create
This is what I’ve had in the past week… a serious itch to create! Every once in a while, I make these crazy trips to Michael’s and wander around the store trying to find all the little pieces it takes to create something I’m inspired to make. This week it was an earring holder frame (or whatever you call it?) and some made-with-love decorations for our baby’s walls.
I will take the liberty to show off my started- AND COMPLETED- projects! (To complete something I start is not always a personal forte for me 
Ta da! Here they are!
These little airplanes were like 50 cents! I bought some cheapy cheap paint and painted them… it was so much fun. I am most proud of the paper-mache framed Initial “S.” This one was the most messy and the most daunting. I was truly shocked that it turned out. I do have 2 other framed initials (first and middle), but I am not revealing them yet because his name is a surprise to be revealed on his birthday. And the earring holder I can’t take credit for… I got the idea from my dear friends Emilie and Lydia.
Anyway, I guess in the dead of winter when its freezing out and your 7 months pregnant, its kind of nice to sit inside and be crafty. This week my mom is coming over to make curtains with me out of some fabric I found at the salvation army! Once you get the itch to create, its hard to stop
What I’m Cookin’ This Week!
Eggplant, Zucchini, and Tomato Tian
My First Turkey…
Ever since Thanksgiving I have been craving more turkey. But I’ve been a little shy about making one since it seems so complicated. Tomorrow will be my first attempt… wish me luck
Turkey Soup
Assuming my turkey survives… I’m going to try to make broth from the bones and then make this turkey soup recipe!
The reason I’m blogging the meals I’m making is because my husband and I are working on “jobs” right now. He’s putting primer paint on the walls in our downstairs bathroom, and my job was to “make a meal plan for the week.” But I found I have no real system to making a meal plan, so I thought… why not just blog it… then I can have it there in front of me if I forget what I was going to make and also include the links to these recipies I am trying. Genius, I know.
I cannot wait to feast on some turkey and mashed potato goodness!! I’m really hoping I like the veggie dish… may have to add some secret ingredients to make it taste the way I like. By secret ingredients, I mean butter and salt Which is actually recommended for pregnancy… I’m ok with that!
31 Weeks
Here I am at 31 weeks. So 9 weeks to go! The past month has been a whirlwind. We flew to Chattanooga, TN for our CO National Conference, which was amazing. That will have to be a whole other blog post. But baby and I made it through, though I have to say we took more naps this year and skipped a few sessions. We are getting to that point. With only 2 months to go, I’m finding my energy getting zapped a lot more quickly! I was so proud of my hubby, he worked so hard along with tons of other resource staff to plan and organize the entire conference. I don’t think any of them really slept the entire week! Its really fun to see my husband’s gifts be a blessing to so many people. He’s a great leader, and I am so proud of his cheerful attitude even during a really physically tiring week. At the end of the conference, we had a U of M share time with students. One student from the U of M from Korea said that he became a Christian at conference, and that he cried when he talked to God for the first time and felt his real presence. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the room as we rejoiced with this friend! As we flew home, Nick said- “To hear that one student came to know Jesus, I would run myself ragged all over again.” I’ve learned so much from my husband and the resource team. They give so much of their time and energy, and even though a lot of it doesn’t get outward credit- they serve joyfully because by organizing and planning conferences, etc. – college students can come and be blessed by hearing the good news of the grace of God! At 31 weeks, I am overwhelmed at the blessing our boy will have in his daddy. And as far as the third trimester goes- CAKEWALK compared to the first. All the little uncomfortable things feel like NOTHING compared to the first 4 months! Being huge, tired, uncomfortable and constantly hungry is such a blessing!!!! At least I get to be all of these things without constantly vomiting! Hallelujah! And getting daily foot rubs from Nick- not so bad either. :)
Happy New Year, Friends!
25 Weeks
Well, here we go! 3.5 months until I’m. a. MOM. I can’t believe how fast this has gone by! After eating about 20 variations of Thanksgiving dinners in the past 5 days, I’d say baby grew a bit. At 25 weeks, I’m feeling for the most part great. I do have about 2 hours a day of nausea and usually 1 unfortunate day a week of pukey. But hey, its not bad at ALL compared to those first 4 months! Baby is also kicking me like crazy. Legitimate kicks. Yesterday his Grandma Julie bent down and said hello, and he kicked! Something funny is that he kicks NON STOP when we travel. In CA a few weeks ago and this past week in WI. Over TG, my belly was protruding with little movements from all angles around Grandma Jane and Grandpa Dick! No matter who you are, if you talk to him, he moves- I love it! I am treasuring this season. It is quickly going to evolve into an entire new chapter of my life, and I’m just taking it one day at a time. I’m enjoying spending lots of time with my sweet hub talking, reading, praying with him and beginning to take some birthing classes. Its a precious time to just be still, linger in the quiet moments and wait. I’ve also been enjoying asking my mom and Nick’s mom all about their labors and deliveries. Consider me a sponge around experienced mama’s. There’s so much to do in the next three months, and yet God is gently reminding me to calm my heart in a season that could otherwise be overwhelming without the peace he supplies.
“Be still, and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10
Love,
Katie and ???
(We’re so excited- we have a name chosen for our BOY, but that’s going to be kept a secret until he arrives!)
I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
24 Weeks
Somehow I skipped taking preggers pics from week 18-24. whoops. Guess you can really see a change this way though. We took this pic in CA last week, where we took a 2 day baby moon and then stayed a week for Nick’s Administrative conference called “Rejuvenate.” I was so proud of my hubby the whole time and it was so much fun to be in his world up-close. So… our little BOY is kicking me day and night, and I’m overjoyed at his slowly growing presence in our family! I’m thankful to be feeling well out of the first trimester woes. Hubs and I are slowly taking steps towards getting ready to have this baby. We made a registry, bought paint for the baby room and signed up for Bradley Method birthing classes..(yikes!) Its been so cute, Nick now loves talking to our little guy. Yesterday, the baby must have been sleeping because he wasn’t moving a ton. Nick leaned over to my tummy and said, “Hey little guy, its your daddy…” POW! Kick city. Our little boy loves his daddy’s voice! Its the most precious thing!
Hope you all have a Happy Thanksgiving this week!
Thankful for a Couple’s Group
My friend Jen has been doing a series on her blog about thankfulness. Her blog inspired me today to think about what I’m incredible blessed to have in my life. For the past 3.5 years, one of the biggest things my husband and I have been the most thankful for is having a couple’s group to be real and raw in front of with our new marriage. These sweet friends have helped us grow from college graduates into a strong durable marriage founded in the grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. Even after 3.5 years, I can still crash and burn in front of them. These friends have seen me at my best, and these friends have seen me at my worst. Friends like that are a gift! They’ve all been huge instruments of grace as God has transformed and changed us over the years. Thank you Poteats, Lonergans, Johnson’s and Jillek’s for speaking truth into our life and blessing us with your marriages!
Samm, Paul, Maddux and Sophie Poteat
Holly, Eric and Evvy Lonergan!
Brian and Mindy Johnson! (Also known as the Baja’s)
Our newest addition- Nikki and Ried Jilek! We’re so blessed to have them this year!
Brothers and Uncles
So I grew up in the world of brothers. That’s why I know how to make sweet snow/ice jumps in the backyard, have knees covered in scars and still feel funny curling my hair and wearing dresses. Meet my childhood comrades. Left: Nick. Right: Ben. My husband and I have been all over town trying to keep up with them this fall! About a month ago, Ben ran the Twin Cities Marathon. I’ll never understand what drives people to be so brutal to their body, but Ben made it look easy! Nick and his band, “Unsound Logic,” are releasing their first album this month! I snapped some great shots of them this fall and wanted to show them off here on my bloggity blog. Guess you could say I am proud of them and can’t wait for them to be uncles to our little BOY soon!
Meet Nick:
They are super pumped its a BOY. Like dedicated uncles, they are coming over this week to help my hubby paint the baby room. Can’t wait for them to have an influence in our little guy’s life.Easy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cupcakes
Ingredients:
1 box Yellow Cake Mix
1 can pumpkin
1 bag chocolate chips
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Mix dry cake mix (no water, eggs or oil added), pumpkin and chocolate chips into a bowl
3. Spoon mixture into muffin tin
4. Bake for 15 minutes
Enjoy!
A Snoogle, a Heartbeat & Starbucks
Yesterday, this big package came in the mail. Nick secretly ordered me “The mother of all pregnancy pillows!” (as advertised) Its called a “Snoogle.” Its AWEsome.
This was me yesterday, snoogling away after 4 hours of puking and a serious migraine. A friend came over to hang out with me, and I never left my snoogle the whole time she was here My friends are getting use to the new me: unshowered, drooling, teary-at-the-drop-of-a-hat, and now a snoogler. Yet, they keep coming over and staying friends with me. These friends are keepers.
What?!?! Is that ME at STARBUCKS? Yes it is! Hallelujah, I LEFT MY HOUSE TODAY! Isn’t it unbelievable that I went from glued to my snoogle to Starbucks all in 24 hours? This is the life of nausea these days. I am now only nauseous every OTHER day. I’ve been so grateful for a few days a week where I can function!
I had a Dr. appt. downtown today, so Nick came with me and we heard our baby’s precious heartbeat. We were so giddy and grinning from ear to ear. We’re so amazed this baby is growing safe and sound! Then, we went to Target and I bought my first maternity shirt (though I truly don’t need it yet!) But in a few weeks, maybe? My dr. congratulated me for gaining a whole 0.5 lb in my pregnancy! haha, not much but worth a congratulations!
We left the dr. appt and something came over me. I said, “Nick. I want Chinese. BAD.” Next thing I knew I was devouring the BEST meal I have had my entire pregnancy from Shanhai Wok, a secret little restaurant my brother, Nick, told us about. Oh my. I ate like a wild animal. Sheer bliss to enjoy a meal again!
To top it off, I gave Nick a “salon quality” hair-cut outside today too. What a handsome guy.
Today sort of felt like a scene from the Secret Garden, you know, where the sick boy goes outside for the first time in his life? I truly was amazed at life and don’t think you could have paid me to wipe the cheesy smile on my face all day. I did not take 1 second of this day for granted. And I guess tomorrow if I have to go back to snoogling and drooling, its not so bad. More and more, I am content to be however sick God has chosen for me to be knowing our precious and sweet baby is on its way into our lives! The sickness will be such a distant memory when we meet our beloved little one.
Learning to Suffer
I had to share this from Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic who also suffers from breast cancer. I am blown away by her perspective in her suffering; I am a student at her feet when it comes to learning to endure through the harder seasons of life and the fiery trials when they come. Anyone else with me?
Here’s a hopeful excerpt from her message “The Stakes are Higher Than You Think.”
“…it’s good to remember when you are suffering that every promise that the Father has ever made finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. If you are hurting, especially today, if you are sitting there hurting on the inside, He felt the sting in His chest first. If you are sitting there feeling like darkness is all around you, take heart, for even the darkness is light to our glorious Savior.
Jesus went without encouragement on his cross so that you and I might have it, that we might have Him as we bear our cross. And if you feel forsaken in life, remember that Jesus was the most God-forsaken man who ever lived. So that He, in turn, might say to you in your suffering, “I will never leave you. I will never leave you. I will never desert you. I will never forsake you.” I tell you what, friend. You can endure almost anything—paralysis, chronic pain, cancer. You can be hooked up to an IV in a chemotherapy clinic and persevere through it all if you know that Jesus, the Lord of the universe, is sitting next to you.”
Want to listen to the whole thing? This was the happiest and most hopeful 30 minutes of my week
Summer- Part 1
Summer began with a cross-country road trip down to Myrtle Beach, SC, where we joined our staff team and students for our Annual Summer Training Project. Can’t really complain about the window view, despite the long hours in the car!
Across from the motel we stay in is… The beautiful ocean! The view makes up for the strange smells and occasional cockroach lurking around project.
Here’s Ann, our student project director, giving Sophie Poteat some daily love. PRECious in that bonnet, agreed?
Garden In The City
Before
After
Nick’s mom dug up a bunch of flowers from her garden for us to plant into ours, but it was too cold and rainy when she was in town to attempt the planting stage. So this weekend, my mom came down and by the end of the afternoon- this was what we came up with! See those old stones from the “before” picture? They were so brittle that they broke in half as we shoveled them out. We liked the broken pathway once we stepped back to look at it. We are enjoying the flickers of color rising from the little corner of our mostly cement yard. Thank you, Jane, for the flowers, and thank you, mom, for helping us plant them! You are our garden hero’s!
Immunity Smoothie
Or at least that’s what I’m calling it I am real sick today. Nothing really feels good on my throat unless its cold, hot, or smooth… so today I made this smoothie with whatever I had around, and I think its pretty full of nutrients that will hopefully boost my immune system over the next 24 hours. I am no health expert, that is for sure! I’ve never thrown an avacado in a smoothie, but it wasn’t going to be ripe for much longer, and I wasn’t going to use it for anything else, so I went out on a limb. Much to my surprise, it tasted great in a smoothie. If you are sick or just want to toss some good nutrients into your body, I highly recommend!
1 Avocado (monounsaturated fats- omega-3 fatty acids, potassium and tons of vitamins)
1 banana (potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, vitamin C)
Frozen blueberries, blackberries, rasberries and strawberries (antioxidants, protein dietary fiber)
Splash vanilla rice milk
Splash orange juice (Vitamin C!)
City Livin’
It all began with a few rooms to paint… and a crew of people who helped us clean!
These are the real hero’s. (mom & dad) They helped BIG time. And all that food my mom made fed us for a week. She outDID herself!
Eventually, it began to feel homey! We found EVERY piece of furniture from craigslist and the good will. Not bad huh?
Students finally made their way over to our new place…
My brother made his way just in time for a lazy Saturday breakfast and coffee… We were all too tired to “work” so instead we listened to my brother’s new album (coming out soon!) and found him later to be sound asleep on our couch.
What a Love, What a Cost
I don’t think there has ever been a time where I’ve heard or sung this song without a wet face afterwards. There’s something about this one that stirs my emotions about what God did for me more than any other song. The message of what Jesus has done when I know I don’t deserve it… his complete and total forgiveness is overwhelming in the face of my unworthiness.
Its so easy to get distracted, especially with moving over the weekend, but as Nick and I took a break to go to church yesterday, I was pierced by every single word in this song. To think this is the news that Jesus came to tell the entire world… to think that through his suffering, I am free from the heavy guilt that follows ever bitter thought and every evil deed within me. What a love, what a cost! Of everything in my life- this is the reward I deserve least… and yet this liberation is graciously given to me. It lifts me from anguish to the deepest happiness and joy I’ve ever felt. A God who understands my weaknesses and has compassion on me… why should I gain from his reward?
“The Power of The Cross”
Written By Keith Getty
Oh, to see the dawn
Of the darkest day:
Christ on the road to Calvary.
Tried by sinful men,
Torn and beaten, then
Nailed to a cross of wood.
CHORUS:
This, the pow’r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.
Oh, to see the pain
Written on Your face,
Bearing the awesome weight of sin.
Ev’ry bitter thought,
Ev’ry evil deed
Crowning Your bloodstained brow.
Now the daylight flees;
Now the ground beneath
Quakes as its Maker bows His head.
Curtain torn in two,
Dead are raised to life;
“Finished!” the vict’ry cry.
Oh, to see my name
Written in the wounds,
For through Your suffering I am free.
Death is crushed to death;
Life is mine to live,
Won through Your selfless love.
FINAL CHORUS:
This, the pow’r of the cross:
Son of God—slain for us.
What a love! What a cost!
We stand forgiven at the cross.
A Picture Tribute to 520 Huron Blvd
Its hard to believe Nick and I are moving into a house tomorrow. I am up to my neck in boxes over here, but its strangely been manageable. Seeing the walls empty reminds me of moving in here with my very new husband 2 years and 9 months ago. A lot has happened in these walls over the past few years. A lot of transformation, trials, forgiving, laughter and learning. As small as our place is, we’ve been able to occasionally have crowds over. As part of the moving process, I thought it would be fun to post some sweet memories from 520 Huron Blvd. 
Thanksgiving With Our Malaysian and Chinese neighbors
Freshman Dinner
Nick hanging out with Ejim, Moo, Hazimi, and Jake
Taking many walks along the river, stopping at Starbucks along the way of course
Our First Christmas together!
Surprising Kate for her birthday
Cozy Dinners with the girls
Coming home to flowers and love notes
More eating with girls… is this becoming a theme of this post?
I think I officially learned to cook in this apartment
Many songs were written at 520 Huron Blvd
More girls… and food 
Getting ready for an end of the semester celebration with the sophomore women in my discipleship group
Nick’s Discipleship group of Junior Guys
Nick and the guys downstairs
Getting to know my best friend and grow with him
These precious, precious friends… I will miss living so close to them!
We hope these crowds come and fill our new home and continue to bless us with their friendship and company. We love these people… or shall I say “college students” so so much. They BETTER come over to our new house a LOT (only a 2 mile drive!) Well, I’m off to bed after a long day of taping and packaging… tomorrow begins the painting!
When we remember all the joyful blessings of living in our newly wed shack for the past 3 years… we are overwhelmed.
Proud or Broken?
The Heart God Revives
by Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Proud people focus on the failures of others.
Broken people are overwhelmed with a sense of their own spiritual need.
Proud people have a critical, fault-finding spirit; they look at everyone else’s faults with a microscope but their own with a telescope.
Broken people are compassionate; they can forgive much because they know how much they have been forgiven.
Proud people are self-righteous; they look down on others.
Broken people esteem all others better than themselves.
Proud people have an independent, self-sufficient spirit.
Broken people have a dependent spirit; they recognize their need for others.
Proud people have to prove that they are right.
Broken people are willing to yield the right to be right.
Proud people claim rights; they have a demanding spirit.
Broken people yield their rights; they have a meek spirit.
Proud people are self-protective of their time, their rights, and their reputation.
Broken people are self-denying.
Proud people desire to be served.
Broken people are motivated to serve others.
Proud people desire to be a success.
Broken people are motivated to be faithful and to make others a success.
Proud people desire self-advancement.
Broken people desire to promote others.
Proud people have a drive to be recognized and appreciated.
Broken people have a sense of their own unworthiness; they are thrilled that God would use them at all.
Proud people are wounded when others are promoted and they are overlooked.
Broken people are eager for others to get the credit; they rejoice when others are lifted up.
Proud people have a subconscious feeling, “This ministry/church is privileged to have me and my gifts”; they think of what they can do for God.
Broken people’s heart attitude is, “I don’t deserve to have a part in any ministry”; they know that they have nothing to offer God except the life of Jesus flowing through their broken lives.
Proud people feel confident in how much they know.
Broken people are humbled by how very much they have to learn.
Proud people are self-conscious.
Broken people are not concerned with self at all.
Proud people keep others at arms’ length.
Broken people are willing to risk getting close to others and to take risks of loving intimately.
Proud people are quick to blame others.
Broken people accept personal responsibility and can see where they are wrong in a situation.
Proud people are unapproachable or defensive when criticized.
Broken people receive criticism with a humble, open spirit.
Proud people are concerned with being respectable, with what others think; they work to protect their own image and reputation.
Broken people are concerned with being real; what matters to them is not what others think but what God knows; they are willing to die to their own reputation.
Proud people find it difficult to share their spiritual need with others.
Broken people are willing to be open and transparent with others as God directs.
Proud people want to be sure that no one finds out when they have sinned; their instinct is to cover up.
Broken people, once broken, don’t care who knows or who finds out; they are willing to be exposed because they have nothing to lose.
Proud people have a hard time saying, “I was wrong; will you please forgive me?”
Broken people are quick to admit failure and to seek forgiveness when necessary.
Proud people tend to deal in generalities when confessing sin.
Broken people are able to acknowledge specifics when confessing their sin.
Proud people are concerned about the consequences of their sin.
Broken people are grieved over the cause, the root of their sin.
Proud people are remorseful over their sin, sorry that they got found out or caught.
Broken people are truly, genuinely repentant over their sin, evidenced in the fact that they forsake that sin.
Proud people wait for the other to come and ask forgiveness when there is a misunderstanding or conflict in a relationship.
Broken people take the initiative to be reconciled when there is misunderstanding or conflict in relationships; they race to the cross; they see if they can get there first, no matter how wrong the other may have been.
Proud people compare themselves with others and feel worthy of honor.
Broken people compare themselves to the holiness of God and feel a desperate need for His mercy.
Proud people are blind to their true heart condition.
Broken people walk in the light.
Proud people don’t think they have anything to repent of.
Broken people realize they have need of a continual heart attitude of repentance.
Proud people don’t think they need revival, but they are sure that everyone else does.
Broken people continually sense their need for a fresh encounter with God and for a fresh filling of His Holy Spirit.
(The above article was found from Revive Our Hearts Ministries)
March At Our Apartment
Waffles are the perfect Saturday breakfast, wouldn’t you agree? We got a waffle maker for Christmas, we’ve been enjoying making waffles with blackberries, strawberries, bananas, and a touch of cinnamon… yum!
What? Is that OUR closet? Yes, my friends, is IS. We have been busy going through all of our “stuff” and getting rid of a lot because we are moving in two weeks! I got rid of about 100 things that I haven’t worn in over a year- that feels so good! I was inspired by Cultivating Collection’s post “Closet Cleanout”. Thanks, Jen, for the tips! I was also motivated by these simple moving tips from Passionate Homemaking blog. Lindsay recommends to get rid of as much as you can before you move…
I was able to get some extended practice time and was inspired to write two new songs. One is called “You Deliver Me” and the other is called “The Long Confession.” I’m excited to see how they develop.
Nick and I got to take a weekend up at my parent’s cabin. We were so grateful for a short peaceful and restful two days together! Our fire only looked like this for about 5 minutes… haha we are city people!
In preperation for our move, I am becoming quite industrious. I cleaned out this cute shabby chic white hutch and posted an ad on craigslist. I’m selling it for $40.00. ANYONE interested? Call, comment, email or text me!
Well, March for the Stromwall’s has been a lot of preparation for our move on April 1st. I’ll post about that soon! I’m thankful for the bits of motivation I’ve been given considering my struggle with motivation in the last days of winter… accomplishing small goals is what I’m all about!
Happy Saturday to You,
Katie
Change It Up
Happy Spring! Snow is melting, and its 40 degrees. Glorious, huh? I think its safe to say the winter has taken its toll on me. Right about the end of February/beginning of March, I struggle to feel motivated to do ANYthing. So I’ve been thankful for little small accomplishments… like taking a shower, doing the dishes, writing a thank you note… even if not much else gets accomplished, I’m thankful when I’m able to just “do the next thing.” I think God understands that days of constant grey and cold DO affect the human heart and emotions… at least mine Its been such a season not feeling like doing things… can anyone relate to me in that? I have such a need to pursue things that will help stir my affections for God and help me enjoy Him, which means I need to change it up a bit. These are some fun resources and ideas I am excited about trying and spending some time soaking in this week. Thought I’d pass them along to you if you want to join me!
- Take a prayer walk- jot down anxieties/needs on a notecard and walk in the sunshine and pray! ”…casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7)
- Ask God to help you cultivate a grateful heart: “Gratitude: The Attitude that Transforms” by Nancy Leigh Demoss
- Sermon from Sovereign Grace Church “The Savior’s Compassion” by Steve Whitacre Mark 6: 30-56
- Watch the Jesus Film to be refreshed and awed by the life of Jesus
- “Proud vs. Broken Relationships” devotional by Nancy Leigh Demoss (Its a 2 min audio and then a short conversation to read through)
- True Woman Blog- Peruse the blog- there’s so many great topics!
- Here’s the link to singleness posts
- Radical Womanhood Blog Posts about singles and the church
- “Things That Are True About You” a musical blog post: a series on our Identity.
- “Talk To Your Tears” article by John Piper
- Paint your toenails a bright color. Last weekend, a few girlfriends and I sat inside a cozy cabin while the snow fell and painted our toes neon pink and orange… anything bright and cheery!
- Listen to music that fills you with God’s promises and clean/declutter- turn it up loud!
I hope this week you are overwhelmed by how loved you are by God and that your identity would rest in his judgement of you as a believer in Jesus: forgiven, adored, no longer forsaken, clothed in HIS righteousness, adopted, loved, blessed, secure, safe, daughter, friend, heir of the throne of grace…
Praying that in this grey, slushy season, your soul would be cheered in little moments by knowing what Jesus went through to make you his own, to win over your heart, to bring you back to him… its still true, even when we’re not feeling it.
Love,
Katie
Finding Rest
About once a week, I come here alone. Its my favorite spot in the city… Urban Bean Coffee. I always order ginger-peach tea. Why? God tells me its good to withdraw and rest. He is the creator of rest. “And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done.” (Genesis 2:2)
I have a lot to learn from Jesus’ priorities. In this season, he seems to be showing me that even HE incorporated moments of rest into the work in his life. There are multiple moments where he withdraws and finds quiet places to rest. First, Jesus spends time with his father- even if it means waking up early and scouting out a desolate place to go to (Mark 1:35). Jesus’ work was always an overflow of his walking closely with God. He wasn’t “doing” every second. There are even accounts of Jesus saying no to certain social gatherings when he was invited. One account I find humorous is when Jesus is stone-cold asleep in the middle of a storm on a boat! (Mark 4:37-38)
Allowing himself to rest has got to be linked somehow to humility- his death to task in order to stop and listen to his father OR just plain sleep! Jesus had so many burdens to tell his father that he once sweat tears of blood while talking to him. I’m learning that I have a real need in this season to carve out time to pour out my heart to God, tell him my fears (they are often many!), pray and ask him for specific things I need- weather its patience, grace to trust him in the unknowns, wisdom to know how to walk through a conflict with someone, strength to get through a specific situation, or a promise he’s made that I need a reminder of. Sometimes I’ll tweak a few songs I’m writing or saturate my mind with truth-filled music.
Rest is tied to my joy in life. I will be joyless if those fears, insecurities and needs for grace are left unbridled in my mind, un-confessed, unspoken, and unasked. I was created with a need for refuge and escape, but the challenge I often face is desiring to zone out instead of tune in to what’s real and what God thinks of me. His promises in his Word, his thoughts for me, and his comfort IS the rest I need.
Its so sweet that God is gently inviting us to come to him as we are so that he can heal and renew us and replace all those lies in our minds with thoughts of his incredible love for us. I know that rest doesn’t come easy. We can feel guilt for not accomplishing something tangible. When that guilt creeps in, I’m reminded, God rested.
How do you find rest?
