Studio Day 2
May 19th, 2010 § 0
Hard work- The kind that makes you sweat, your mind hurts, you feel pressed, stretched, challenged, inspired, full of decision and indecision and… imaginative is somehow always satisfying, no? You get my drift? It is currently 2am on Tuesday night, and I’m vegging on this orange couch At Zach Foty’s Home recording studio. Key word: home. That’s how it feels here. His mom and dad have given their entire basement over to the life of this studio- what a blessing! So far, they’ve been popping in and out with the dogs, and Zach’s dear wife Ali has already spoiled us by making a mid-day run to starbucks. Nick, Zach, Ali and I also sneaked over to Panera for dinner and good conversation. They got married the same time Nick and I did, and they’ve been really encouraging and refreshing new friends. Gotta love when God gives you those in life, right?? Last night when we left…I actually heard… crickets chirping! Coming from downtown livin’, I had almost forgotten that sound. Outside the studio trees hang high over a hidden little pond… this place feels like a haven. Its RESTful. While the dudes set up the drums (which apparently takes like a year…who knew?) I just hung out in the kitchen with Wendy (Mom), Tom (Dad) and Sunny (Little sister). What sweet people! Sunny, adopted from India, just showed me some really cool (and rather stuntish) tricks on her wheel chair. My toes also got licked by their puppy… oh I forgot to mention I got a tour of Mr. Foty’s painting studio- so cool!
What I love about recording here is that I feel like a part of the family and really free to be myself. It also reminds me of my own home I grew up in. I miss that from time to time… the days when I would sit in the basement for hours in the ‘jam room’ listening to my brother’s band while family and friends rolled in and out or sneaking in to play and write all alone. I guess being married without kiddos yet (but someday!!) in a lot of ways is this inbetween stage of life. Its just the two of us (minus our occasional crowds of college students), so I do have my fair share of quiet- which for the introspective writer type like me is a wonderful blessing. But I’ve always love being in homes where there are lots of people coming and going too.. I love the life if breathes.
The guys: Zach (the producer), Nick (My hub a.k.a. the engineer of my life) and Collin(Zach’s cool friend)- just sipped down some energy drinks and Nick just turned to me and went like this: WOOOHHHOOW! IT JUST KICKED IN! Humorous.
So far, I feel really… humbled is an understatement. Coming into this I was feeling tired and coming off of one of the more hectic weeks I can remember. I felt so in need for God to provide grace for this song, so in need to call to mind this verse: 2 Cor 9:8 “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” I feel surrounded by people who are serving me with their time, their raw talent, their patience… and the sufficiency of Jesus in the places I am deficient. Truth be told, I’m a little dazed that so many people would come together to help produce this song “Recreated.” Its left me learning what it means to let people serve…me, which sounds strange but its a little like the gospel, which does take a stretch of humility to receive- to let the Lord GIVE you himself and all his love… that’s what its been like, to a certain degree. To watch people rack their brains, give energy, to see the depth of care and ear for precision… the willingness to lose sleep… I think its safe to say… there is a pulse to this recording that is full of HIS presence and HIS purpose… all flowing from the well of HIS mercy. I’m so convinced this song is HIS song… pierced by the promises in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and what that means for the believer. So filled with deep hope and belief in the righteousness of Christ on my behalf… and out came this song… which I’ll explain more fully another time… but to be clear: HIS song.
We finished the guitar, intro, outro, scratch vocals and the drums are being added as I write. Loving this song so far enjoying seeing the creativity of my creator in it.
Not sure what vision will develop as we go, but knowing it will come. As we drove here today, Nick and I read Psalm 57 (we love to peruse the Psalms in the car) Ps. 57:2 “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” ..to God, who is Most High… still ringing in my ears… to God who fulfills his purpose for me… anyone else comforted by that small, yet HUGE promise?
So Day 2 of this whole new journey! One day at a time… that’s how I like to roll. That’s all for now…more to come, friends.
love,
Katie
Tom’s Shoes
May 6th, 2010 § 0
If you buy a pair of shoes through this organization, Tom’s Shoes, a child in need of shoes will also receive a pair.
Read More about Tom’s Shoes @ http://www.toms.com/?gclid=CPL7hInhzaACFQIhDQodizDgzA
As a consumer, its important to be educated on the products you use and how you buy. Why? Here’s just one devastating reason: This year World Vision has launched a major campaign to highlight child exploitation and human trafficking. They estimate that in the West African Ivory Coast nation alone, over 600,000 children work in cocoa fields in very poor conditions- many of them trafficked into the jobs. None of them are receiving an education. And many of them also do not own a pair of shoes.
So, want to join me in… beginning to live a life of AWARENESS of what we are buying and how its being produced so that we are not financially supporting child labor and the trafficking of children?
Support Fair Labor Practices and learn about what you are buying through Free2Work.
I am happy to report that Tom’s Shoes are made without the labor of trafficked children.
Life Lately
April 12th, 2010 § 1
Watching the sunrise on Easter morning! Because a sinless Savior died, My sinful soul is counted free; For God, the Just, is satisfied To look on Him and pardon me To look on Him and pardon me…
Eating Free Coldstone Icecream with students at the U!
- This sweet guy…
- Surprised me with these! I LOVE yellow tulips.
- Especially when I find them in my car! Thanks baby!
- Did I mention he plays the saxophone? Its his hidden talent… but not so hidden on Easter morning. I got to listen to my baby play for all the services… brought joy to my heart!
Freshman Dinner
April 2nd, 2010 § 0
If you’ve ever been to our apartment, you might not believe me when I tell you that 18 sweet freshman women from the U came over for dinner this past Wednesday night. I would have invited more if I could have fit more… the downside of living in my apartment is you have to draw the line somewhere when only have so much space! Here is the proof! We might have to do this again, it was a blast!
I Love Him
April 1st, 2010 § 0
Happy Spring!!
Today I am really grateful. There is nothing greater than being given the steadfast love of the Lord and His new mercy every morning. In fact, THIS morning. So often, I wake up with such a dead heart… and somehow He comes and melts me. Well, its safe to say I’m being melted here at Overflow Cafe.. physically and emotionally. Physically because its a whopping 70 degrees and the sun is shining here in the otherwise frozen tundra of MN!! (Hence, the Happy Spring greeting)… and sitting outside hearing the water from the fountain is also reminding me of life… emotionally because of the Word. It is NO JOKE. I just can’t believe that every time I open it, I come alive. Is it so strange that God’s own voice resonates with all the longing in my soul? The soul that He made? It makes perfect sense…
As I am reading this morning, I am humbled to tears. Because none of these words would make me come alive if Jesus had not died on the cross. If He was not my perfect advocate, the atonement for all my sin… if He had not come and opened up my mind and my heart, I would remain spiritually dead and unawakened. I would not have a heart of stone turned into a heart of flesh.
I was reading through the Psalms a bit today… and I just leaped in my soul echoing David in Psalm 65:1-4…
“Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. When iniquities prevail against me, you atone for our transgressions. Blessed is the one you choose and bring near, to dwell in your courts! We shall be satisfied with the goodness of your house, the holiness of your temple!”
There is just nothing better than being a daughter of such a worthy, humble, righteous king. I am a welcomed sinner in the arms of God. I am free to be showered with love and affection from Him… oh this is so much more than I deserve. This is so much better than anything else this life could offer.
All I can say today…is… I love Him. I love Jesus. He’s come to such great lengths to rescue me… and it is so sweet to be saved by Him! I am in awe of His gift of life to me… of His steadfast love to such a wandering, lost distracted girl. His humility and selfless love.. If that’s what God is like, I have so far to come in being like him. If that’s what God is like, I cannot help but fall on my face and worship Him alone. I can’t help loving Him today.. what grace. These moments are rare… there are few days where I actually love Him.
Today, I do. All because He has first loved ME. I sinned against God, and He loved me. A pretty lopsided exchange, huh? His love doesn’t make sense, it seems so foolish He would love His enemies… He would love me. I feel all light-hearted in my soul today… what can I say? I’m totally captivated by Him today.
Choosing Gratitude: Terry is grateful for his kidney failure!
March 25th, 2010 § 0
Nick and I raise financial and prayer support to work full time in college ministry. One of our supporters, Terry, has been an amazing blessing in our lives. And guess what?! We’ve never even met him! He has a daughter who was apart of a bible study Nick was involved in in California a few years ago… His daughter told him about our ministry to college students, and he felt led by the Lord to become one of our first financial and prayer supporters! We were unbelievably humbled to hear of such a cheerful giver’s deep desire for the gospel to heal and bless the hearts of college students. He has been laboring on our team with us for the past two years. And its true, we’ve never even met him!
Terry was diagnosed with kidney failure and has had to be on dialysis for some time. He recently emailed us an update of his circumstances. When we heard his story, we were blown away at his grateful heart. I thought it was only appropriate to count him as a “guest blogger” on my blog during my series of “Choosing Gratitude.” Be prepared to read about a man truly grateful for things like physical pain, suffering, uncertainty, friends, a God to trust in, and hope. Thanks for sharing, Terry!
“… as I embark upon this journey of uncertainty, not to grumble and complain about my lot in life, or to curse my bad luck at having this disease, or to ask for your sympathy, but to give testimony to the God who is my heavenly Father and who can be trusted with everything. I want to take my stand in praise of this God while things are their most uncertain so that no one can say that my faith in God is a fair-weathered faith, happy with God when he gives good gifts, but not when the road is rockier. I am confident that whatever happens is for my good and for his glory and I wanted to share this with you all so that you too may praise him with mefor his mercy and grace and wisdom and goodness and sovereignty at all times, and not live in the illusion of certainty, but thank him with me for the gift of uncertainty.
Amen and Amen.
–
Soli Deo Gloria,
TC
We praise the Lord for Terry’s partnership and for God’s faithfulness to Terry. Thank you, Jesus, for giving Terry a kidney transplant and for helping Him trust you through the pain and the unknown future.














