how bright is your light?

Tonight I attended my new Bible study for the first time. I have been helping lead a Bible study for Jr. High girls, but decided that I wanted to further my accountability personally. This is what brought me to a group of individuals that congregated in a circle in the middle of a building. It was after hours and all lights were out except for our area. Among us sat a wide range of personalities, interests, and backgrounds, but we all had one similarity. We love Jesus. Our goal is simply to live like Jesus. I don't think I said anything tonight, but I listened. I've been discovering the beauty of hearing with silent lips. I have nothing more important to say than the words of those around me. Their doctrine was pure. Tonight I wanted to learn. I heard a quote from a guy that I have had a class with everyday for the past few years and talked to only a handful of times. He quoted a classmate in saying, "don't shine your light so bright that it blinds". As a church we often have an unwilling heart to relate to those around us. We force ourselves into a world that doesn't desire our change. Our goal should be to literally illuminate something unmistakable and irreplaceable...something people want. Give them a chance to see this light before blinding them. Shine because it's natural...Jesus did. Love because it's natural...Jesus did. Put yourself in a place to be able to relate...Jesus did. Listen and understand...Jesus did.

a binder, poster, dust pan, and duck tape

It all began at 12:19 A.M. Hearing the swoosh of wings against the still air, my eyes immediately opened and shot towards the ceiling. The shadow of a figure dashed before me and my immediate reaction resembled action i'd practiced many times in middle school during tornado drills. Without thought I ducked and covered as "DADDDYYY" echoed through rooms. Over a year in the new house and we have encountered our first...bat. Of course Dad sprang into action which gave me enough courage to get up and dart to my mother's side. Somehow my room became the prime location for trapping the unwanted mammal. I think Father secretly hoped Willie Mac (the family tabby) would take care of business since he happened to be shut in the room as well. But our loving cat seemed just as dismayed as my moaning mother. Allow me to back up; Dad's game plan was to kill the bat, Mom's game plan for life is to give every single living creature the right to life. This is where the whimpering began from Momma Lu; she didn't want the disgusting black thing to get hurt. So as I took her side we began yelling/crying out to Dad not to hurt it.

12:45

Dad instructed us to be quiet so we didn't wake the neighbors; apparently windows were open. Oops. We'll just sayyyy he couragously and silently entered my room and with heroic strides captured the bat. Somewhere in between all of this Bond-like action Mom fetched him a binder, poster, and duck tape (the dust pan was brought in at the beginning of the mission).

1:00

I was put on door duty. Swift as a bat (pun intended), Dad carried the taped up contraption down the stairs and out the door...and down the block. There was no telling where he was going to stop. Leaning our heads further and further out the front door, I practically fell onto the porch trying to watch my Dad take an early morning stroll with Wilbur (once his life was spared I felt it safe to name him). As the two parted ways Mom simply smiled and said..."Now watch him run". And run he did, becoming one with the motions of poor Wilbur the night first flew into our home.

1:30

The giggling slowed, I became less scared of my room, and to sleep I did return.

the end

sweet dreams my friends,

Kat

Daddy Up-Do

As you can see to your left, my father tried to do my hair tonight. Due to 50% boredom and 50% curiosity I sat down by Dad on the couch and begged him to put down his coffee and braid my hair. After a couple tries and a question or two, here is the outcome. Tonight I stayed home with the parental units. We made a delicious dinner, drank coffee, discussed how unfortunate it is that the Islams are taking over the world, and are soon to bring to night to an end by watching the local news. My question to you, is this normal? An 18-year-old girl sitting at home all night in sweats with no make-up...by choice? To my defense, I didn't finish all of my (black) coffee, I dazed out a little during the Islamic discussion and had to ask some questions to catch me up at the end, and I'm watching the news out of guilt to be the "perfect daughter". Advice to readers...when all else fails, make it a spa night; ask for a daddy up-do.

I hope your weekend has been worry-free (make-up free) and full of smiles.

Until tomorrow,

Kat

Sister

On this beautiful sunny day I refuse to be sad! My big sister is moving in 4 short days and believe me I could write pages of mushy stuff explaining how my world will come to an utterly pathetic end on Friday. HOWEVER, again, I refuse. Instead I will reflect on what my crazily fun 26-year-old sis has taught me over the years.

1. an organized list = an organized life (hence the reason I'm using this format)

2. never get a dog larger than you...unless you have an excessive amount of love, patience, and strength.

3. there are no dumb questions.

4. everything needs a little volume..including hair AND body.

5. plan ahead, but smile at the unexpected.

6. take chances, be adventurous.

7. almost always add caramel macchiato creamer.

8. "never hover in heels"

9. set goals... then reach them

10. love to the moon and back

She will be missed, but life is about removing the filters, exceeding expectations, and stepping out on a limb, hoping it doesn't break... knowing that if it does you have someone to catch you before you fall. Good luck sister!

Love,

Kat

tearful treasures

Perhaps I shouldn't have worn mascara today. The highlights of my day seemed to be equally shared with laughter and a quivering lower lip. First, I picked out my prom dress. Now, this has been quite an exciting and difficult event! However, I may have teared up a little when I picked the dress that my best friend said "doesn't do anything for me" (when referring to my appearance). After looking at the clock I realized I didn't have time to wash my two black eyes, created by smeared make up, because I was late for practice. After loyally listening to my somewhat cheesy God music, hoping for a bit of inspiration, and spending 30 minutes driving around town trying to find keys and my soccer uniform, I made it to practice. I endured the trainers queries about my "tired" appearance, but then I was on the soccer field. I will admit I almost encountered a moment of weakness when a girl younger than I bluntly explained everything I was doing wrong, in the middle of our scrimmage. But, I remembered I had played more minutes than her and could therefore smile...then kick the ball at her...really hard. To end my night, well, my sister picked up where I left off. She broke down about her quickly approaching move, to which my dad exclaimed from across the room, "someone hug her". It has been a roller coaster of a day, but the tears are gone and now the treasures remain.

1. I have found a prom dress I like (I think) and get to attend my senior prom with all of my best friends.

2. My first soccer game is less than 2 days away. Scrimmages are over and a winning season is about to take off.

3. I have an endless amount of sunny, warm, adventurous vacations with no fee living quarters. ahh the countless beach/mountain hours I anxiously await.

My life, full of treasures! But first I must go protect my dear sister from the bogey (spelling?) man so she can safely make her way to North Carolina in the next week.

Safe journeys to you and your loved ones in the days to come:)

thanks for reading friend,

Kat

Guess What?!

I get to go to college with one of my closest friends. does life get much better? don't think so!

Satisfied with Settling in

Tonight I had a plan. In as many words as it took I was going to describe in great detail my excitement about going to college next year. Not just any college, but Truman! But, I can't write about that tonight. As much as I'm ready to get out of this town and find new adventures, this week I've rediscovered the importance of family. It sounds cliché, but I'm in this small town, with my small family, and for now there is nowhere else I'd rather be. My grandpa died Tuesday night. It was unexpected...I thought he was the healthy one in my family. I've never watched anyone die before. When the medicine stopped being administered we were told that it would only be seconds before he passed...but my grandpa fought for 45 minutes. Watching his gaze fixed on every family member, I knew what kept him fighting. After flat lining multiple times, he came back with a deep breath if even a hand was laid on him. He held on for his family. He waited for everyone to come and say goodbye.

Maybe tomorrow I can write about my adventures to come with college in my near future. For now I'm going to cheese it up and love every moment of being surrounded by my family because I'm not ready to say goodbye.