I'm ending my first long week in Joplin. I'll be leaving tomorrow after just over a week. Hopefully one day I'll get time post real stories of real people being served by a real God. In the meantime, here are some awesome quotes either told to me or overheard while here.
"whatever blessings God has for you, I pray he doubles them" tornado survivor to relief worker
"You're acting like I'm the only person in Joplin right now." tornado survivor "To us you are!" relief worker
"What all have we used duct tape for: seal refrigerators, make shoes, fix pants, belt"
"Mom! Remember when we heard our house breaking!"
"I don't know how, but I know God will get me through this." single mother of 6
"Holy Cow. It's normal to be rocked right? I just want to hug people."
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
New Apartment... New Decorations
My small hallway wall is going to be my motivation wall so I made this little special thing! It should do the trick!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Moving on up!
I'm moving!
Back to the city which I love! Into the general neighborhood that I love!
I'm excited!
I got a great deal on an apartment in the same building as one of the best people I know. But, it needed a lot of work. Part of the deal was that I'd do the cleaning and painting, I'd pay for the paint instead of a deposit, but I'd get to pick the colors and do what I wanted. Also, I'd get a new stove (the old one was so nasty I wouldn't let anyone cook on it).
This weekend was the start of the work. A lot of work. My mom came to town, I got us a hotel in the city and we were ready to go!
My biggest regret is forgetting to take before pictures of everything. You wouldn't believe the changes we made. Here's a little sampling.
First, if you are going to embark on such an endeavor... you've got to have a great team behind you. These two ladies own MCK Design in St. Louis and are unbelievable (both in talent and character)!!! They are personal friends who I am extremely grateful and indebted too!
Let's start in the back with the kitchen... Oh! the kitchen! It's old, it WAS gross, it needed help! I found a picture in the Benjamin Moore painting catalog and surprisingly feel in love with this bright green walls with dark brown cabinets. Here's the start of how we are recreating it...
After a few minutes Krissy stated the cabinet door fronts were unacceptable and she was going to make new ones. My mouth dropped (a. because she knows how to do that and b. that she would do that for me)! Also notice the brand new (albeit cheap) stove! Who's excited to be cooking with gas again?!?!!! THIS GIRL!
Before we move on, let me take a moment and explain the disgusting level of grossness that was this apartment. Whoever lived here before me was NASTY. Everything in the kitchen was covered in a thin layer of grease and gross. The refrigerator needed some love; my friend said it needed a dumpster. My mom got burnt out on painting and set to work with some bleach and now it sparkles. The outside still needs a little love, but looking MUCH better!!
Getting the rest of the stickers off will be my "home alone with nothing to do" project.
From the kitchen there's a small hallway with the bathroom to the left. I cleaned that sucker like it's never been cleaned before (or probably ever will again). There are two closets in the hallway. This apartment has the best/most storage I've ever seen in an old home; three large closets, two smaller ones, and a decent sized pantry closest... someone's getting spoiled!! No need to go wild in the hallway... it's just beige.
This picture is horrible, but the accent wall is the same green that's in the kitchen. It's a little boring now, but will have thick chalkboard painted strip horizontal across the middle. Krissy once again surprised me and bought magnetic primer for the chalkboard stripe. When we were in Home Depot she asked if I wanted it and I said I would, but since I'm renting I don't feel like I need to spend the $$ to get it. She felt the need! And, I'm going to LOVE it!
It's hard for me to pick a favorite room; I LOVE THEM ALL! But, my bedroom might take the cake. I had no clue what to do here and just forgot about it until Krissy asked "How do you feel about purple?" And, there you have it... a purple wall in my bedroom to match the lovely stain glass windows.
On the opposite wall though there was a hideous fake brick wall. HORRIBLE I tell you... HORRIBLE!!
Nothing a lot of kilz and elbow grease couldn't fix. I started and realized how much work it was going to take, but had to run to a meeting so I told my mom to not touch it cause it sucked so bad and I would do it. When I got back my friend Lauren had over half of it done! Final result...
It's still and will remain kilz white cause I'm not even going to attempt to do a second coat of anything on it. And, you can still see a little of the brick, but I think it adds a little character and tricks you to think it's a real exposed brick wall.
That's the new place! There's still a lot to be done, but it will get there. I believe a home is a work in progress that you continually improve and add to it.
I love that three friends and my mom have helped so far in making this my home. Every time I look at that purple wall and the brick wall, I will think about and pray for my friends, Lauren and Krissy. And, every time I'm not afraid to put something in the refrigerator, I'll think and pray for my mom!
And, if you aren't doing anything on July 3, I've got a plan for you ;)
Back to the city which I love! Into the general neighborhood that I love!
I'm excited!
I got a great deal on an apartment in the same building as one of the best people I know. But, it needed a lot of work. Part of the deal was that I'd do the cleaning and painting, I'd pay for the paint instead of a deposit, but I'd get to pick the colors and do what I wanted. Also, I'd get a new stove (the old one was so nasty I wouldn't let anyone cook on it).
This weekend was the start of the work. A lot of work. My mom came to town, I got us a hotel in the city and we were ready to go!
My biggest regret is forgetting to take before pictures of everything. You wouldn't believe the changes we made. Here's a little sampling.
First, if you are going to embark on such an endeavor... you've got to have a great team behind you. These two ladies own MCK Design in St. Louis and are unbelievable (both in talent and character)!!! They are personal friends who I am extremely grateful and indebted too!
Before we move on, let me take a moment and explain the disgusting level of grossness that was this apartment. Whoever lived here before me was NASTY. Everything in the kitchen was covered in a thin layer of grease and gross. The refrigerator needed some love; my friend said it needed a dumpster. My mom got burnt out on painting and set to work with some bleach and now it sparkles. The outside still needs a little love, but looking MUCH better!!
From the kitchen there's a small hallway with the bathroom to the left. I cleaned that sucker like it's never been cleaned before (or probably ever will again). There are two closets in the hallway. This apartment has the best/most storage I've ever seen in an old home; three large closets, two smaller ones, and a decent sized pantry closest... someone's getting spoiled!! No need to go wild in the hallway... it's just beige.
It's hard for me to pick a favorite room; I LOVE THEM ALL! But, my bedroom might take the cake. I had no clue what to do here and just forgot about it until Krissy asked "How do you feel about purple?" And, there you have it... a purple wall in my bedroom to match the lovely stain glass windows.
On the opposite wall though there was a hideous fake brick wall. HORRIBLE I tell you... HORRIBLE!!
Nothing a lot of kilz and elbow grease couldn't fix. I started and realized how much work it was going to take, but had to run to a meeting so I told my mom to not touch it cause it sucked so bad and I would do it. When I got back my friend Lauren had over half of it done! Final result...
That's the new place! There's still a lot to be done, but it will get there. I believe a home is a work in progress that you continually improve and add to it.
I love that three friends and my mom have helped so far in making this my home. Every time I look at that purple wall and the brick wall, I will think about and pray for my friends, Lauren and Krissy. And, every time I'm not afraid to put something in the refrigerator, I'll think and pray for my mom!
And, if you aren't doing anything on July 3, I've got a plan for you ;)
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Joplin
It's been a week now since I've been in Joplin. Slowly I'm beginning to think clearly and understand how I'm feeling about the whole experience.
My job equips me to respond to needs from around our Acts 29 Midwest Region and we have an amazing pastor, Steev Inge, in the heart of Joplin. Immediately we were overwhelmed by an outpouring of support and prayers for Steev's church, Mystery. Steev planted Mystery Church about 5 or 6 years ago with a desire to see gospel restoration take place through out the city, but not knowing he'd be a part of God literally rebuilding the city.
After a week and half of countless emails and phone calls back and forth, I was finally in Joplin surrounded by devastation and praying for clarity and vision for a strategic plan. God is good and faithful to His children. I left with a plan and friends who I can't wait to meet again!
My job equips me to respond to needs from around our Acts 29 Midwest Region and we have an amazing pastor, Steev Inge, in the heart of Joplin. Immediately we were overwhelmed by an outpouring of support and prayers for Steev's church, Mystery. Steev planted Mystery Church about 5 or 6 years ago with a desire to see gospel restoration take place through out the city, but not knowing he'd be a part of God literally rebuilding the city.
After a week and half of countless emails and phone calls back and forth, I was finally in Joplin surrounded by devastation and praying for clarity and vision for a strategic plan. God is good and faithful to His children. I left with a plan and friends who I can't wait to meet again!
Saturday, May 28, 2011
A Week in Review
It's hard to imagine what all has happened this past week. Please excuse my personal reflection and brain dump.
Sunday evening I saw tweets from a friend in Joplin saying he safely made it home and how horrible the weather was. I soon learned an F5 tornado ripped through the town destroying about 1/3 of the city. My friend, Steev Inge, pastors Mystery Church and he'd just been to St. Louis the week before for a training we hosted.
Monday I had my normal meeting with my boss and asked what we were doing for Joplin. One of my many responsibilities includes administrating and organizing the midwest region of Acts 29, a church planting network with over 400 churches around the world. I soon found myself organizing the midwest regions' relief effort. Immediately I'm thinking through ways to mobilize our region and whole network to get Steev help and support.
Tuesday my grandpa had major surgery. Through an amazing turn of events, they found an anuerysm in is abdominal artery. If it would have ruptured, it would have killed him. I drove up for the surgery late Monday night and was at the hospital early Tuesday morning. I'd never seen my grandpa so upset and nervous. We walked into the prep room and he just started crying. My big, strong grandpa reduced to tears, scared of what might happened. The nurse walked in and gave him a sedative to calm him down. (Note to self: if you get upset tell them you don't feel so well, they give you the good stuff.) My mom, grandma and uncle spent the next three hours waiting. I spent the majority of the time on the phone and email coordinating Joplin relief. Grandpa's surgery went VERY well. They were able to put a stint in and were out an hour earlier than expected; however it to much longer than expected to get him to ICU. Hours later we were in the ICU; he was awake and hungry.
Wednesday we went back to the hospital after spending the night at grandma's. They were getting ready to move him to his normal room. He wanted to walk and they let him. He ended up walking the entire way. The doctor happened to walk by him and stopped when he saw my mom and asked if that was Ray. She said yes and then with is mouth open said, he shouldn't be able to do that! He got settled into his room and ordered lunch (nothing seems to keep his appetitate away). I ended up leaving around 2 or so and stopped at the house to work a little more. That's when I saw the weather St. Louis was having and decided it was better to stay put awhile. My grandparent's have a weather radio and it kept going off, ironically when I was on the phone working on getting relief for Mystery Church in Joplin. At one point I thought I heard sirens so I went outside to see; my grandparents live in the country where you shouldn't have such warning systems. Sure enough they were going off so I moved my car into the garage (literally just got my car back from previous hail damage) and headed to the basement. Around that time I heard my family (minus grandpa) walk in the door. We made a quick sandwich for dinner and went back to the basement. Luckily nothing really happened and I was able to get back to St. Louis late that night.
Thursday was an early, early morning meeting with our Belleville campus leaders followed by more coordination with Joplin. The day ended so very well with birthday celebrations for myself and two of my friends. Last year we started the tradition of having dinner and cake at one of our friends houses. I'm very excited this has become a tradition. I spent the evening over good food, great conversation and even better friends.
Yesterday started a little later, but was another full day of work. Ending at the same friends house celebrating their oldest graduating high school!
And, now, it's Saturday. I'm sitting in my room wondering where the week went. It's been here and gone like a flash.
I'm hoping to wrap some planning up today and take Sunday and Monday off. Next week will be exciting as I leave for Joplin Thursday. I'll stay a day and go to Kansas City for the Mumford and Sons concert Friday night. Hopefully go back to Joplin on Saturday with a group of my friends and meet with some regional churches on Sunday.
Over the next couple of months, I'll be spending a lot of time in Joplin. I'm praying for strength and perseverance for myself, but more for the people of Mystery Church. They are tired and exhausted; a handful have lost everything. I pray God will use me to bring refreshment and encouragement into their lives. God use this devastation to show us your grace and restoration that you are bringing all things new.
If you'd like to help, money is the greatest need. Please give here. On top of giving financially, give of yourself with time. Sign up here to receive email updates and watch this video.
Sunday evening I saw tweets from a friend in Joplin saying he safely made it home and how horrible the weather was. I soon learned an F5 tornado ripped through the town destroying about 1/3 of the city. My friend, Steev Inge, pastors Mystery Church and he'd just been to St. Louis the week before for a training we hosted.
Monday I had my normal meeting with my boss and asked what we were doing for Joplin. One of my many responsibilities includes administrating and organizing the midwest region of Acts 29, a church planting network with over 400 churches around the world. I soon found myself organizing the midwest regions' relief effort. Immediately I'm thinking through ways to mobilize our region and whole network to get Steev help and support.
Tuesday my grandpa had major surgery. Through an amazing turn of events, they found an anuerysm in is abdominal artery. If it would have ruptured, it would have killed him. I drove up for the surgery late Monday night and was at the hospital early Tuesday morning. I'd never seen my grandpa so upset and nervous. We walked into the prep room and he just started crying. My big, strong grandpa reduced to tears, scared of what might happened. The nurse walked in and gave him a sedative to calm him down. (Note to self: if you get upset tell them you don't feel so well, they give you the good stuff.) My mom, grandma and uncle spent the next three hours waiting. I spent the majority of the time on the phone and email coordinating Joplin relief. Grandpa's surgery went VERY well. They were able to put a stint in and were out an hour earlier than expected; however it to much longer than expected to get him to ICU. Hours later we were in the ICU; he was awake and hungry.
Wednesday we went back to the hospital after spending the night at grandma's. They were getting ready to move him to his normal room. He wanted to walk and they let him. He ended up walking the entire way. The doctor happened to walk by him and stopped when he saw my mom and asked if that was Ray. She said yes and then with is mouth open said, he shouldn't be able to do that! He got settled into his room and ordered lunch (nothing seems to keep his appetitate away). I ended up leaving around 2 or so and stopped at the house to work a little more. That's when I saw the weather St. Louis was having and decided it was better to stay put awhile. My grandparent's have a weather radio and it kept going off, ironically when I was on the phone working on getting relief for Mystery Church in Joplin. At one point I thought I heard sirens so I went outside to see; my grandparents live in the country where you shouldn't have such warning systems. Sure enough they were going off so I moved my car into the garage (literally just got my car back from previous hail damage) and headed to the basement. Around that time I heard my family (minus grandpa) walk in the door. We made a quick sandwich for dinner and went back to the basement. Luckily nothing really happened and I was able to get back to St. Louis late that night.
Thursday was an early, early morning meeting with our Belleville campus leaders followed by more coordination with Joplin. The day ended so very well with birthday celebrations for myself and two of my friends. Last year we started the tradition of having dinner and cake at one of our friends houses. I'm very excited this has become a tradition. I spent the evening over good food, great conversation and even better friends.
Yesterday started a little later, but was another full day of work. Ending at the same friends house celebrating their oldest graduating high school!
And, now, it's Saturday. I'm sitting in my room wondering where the week went. It's been here and gone like a flash.
I'm hoping to wrap some planning up today and take Sunday and Monday off. Next week will be exciting as I leave for Joplin Thursday. I'll stay a day and go to Kansas City for the Mumford and Sons concert Friday night. Hopefully go back to Joplin on Saturday with a group of my friends and meet with some regional churches on Sunday.
Over the next couple of months, I'll be spending a lot of time in Joplin. I'm praying for strength and perseverance for myself, but more for the people of Mystery Church. They are tired and exhausted; a handful have lost everything. I pray God will use me to bring refreshment and encouragement into their lives. God use this devastation to show us your grace and restoration that you are bringing all things new.
If you'd like to help, money is the greatest need. Please give here. On top of giving financially, give of yourself with time. Sign up here to receive email updates and watch this video.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Illinois Half Marathon
Life has gotten busy. You could probably tell since my blogs have gotten fewer and fewer in between. I'm not into blogging enough to actually put this on top of my priority list. Actually, I'm not sure if it even makes the list.
Somehow I've squeezed in a half marathon. Isn't it funny how I can manage to train even in the busiest of times, but can't find the time to go for even a short run if I'm not training... priorities!
This was my fifth half...yes, my fifth! And, I did GREAT! Knocked a good 16 minutes off my best time. Sadly, I missed my goal of under 3 hours by 1 minute and 22 seconds :( I was seriously disappointed... as in had to stop myself from crying disappointed. I calmed myself by telling myself I actually did get under 3 since I stopped to use the restroom at mile 9. If I hadn't of had to do that, I would have made it in WELL under 3 hours.
It was a great race! The absolute perfect weather, perfect amount of people, flat course, etc, etc, etc. My brother and sister-in-law drove me to the start line... it was FREEZING!!!
They started the full marathon, then a 10K and finally the half. It was a tad confusing. I really should read the race packets more closely... I'm only ever concerned about my start time. Traffic was pretty bad, so my brother and sister-in-law went straight to mile 3 and waited for me there instead of making their way to the start. I kept my phone in my pocket and didn't get a single picture during the race; maybe my family did, I should ask.
I ran the first 7 miles without stopping!!! Yes, sir, that's the longest I've ever run... EVER! At one point I wondered if I could run the whole thing, but soon knocked myself back into reality. My brother and sis-in-law (SIL) saw me at mile 3, conveniently next to the Starbucks. My brother offered his scalding hot coffee, which I politely passed on.
There weren't a terrible amount of spectators which was kind of good. Great cause I had three people out watching for me so they could get around really easily and see me multiple times. Most of the race was through residential areas so people just sat in their lawn chairs on the yard to watch. Many kids out wanting a high fives!
Around mile 6.5 I saw my brother and SIL at the top of a slight hill. I still felt pretty great and the adrenaline from the longest run in my history was pushing me forward. Then came mile 8-10! The worse part (as always), but here we were in a park so there was no one around, it was boring, and I hated it.
I made it through the hell that was the prairie park and found my mom was stationed at mile 10. By this time I had my head down and was just going; never looking up. Soon there after we pasted a cemetery where they were digging a grave; this of course made me giggle inappropriately. I just kept thinking they are already getting ready for me!
We turned and there were the ROTC Navy men ringing the touchdown bell and of all miracles the Stadium!!! I had one mile left and I miscalculated that I had 15 minutes until the 3rd hour. I rounded what I thought was the last turn and there were my mom, brother and SIL! I nearly started crying as I told them I'm going to PR! Then we just kept running... running past where I thought we'd enter and then past what I thought was our second option. (have I mentioned I need to read the race packet closer). Finally we entered the stadium:
It was soon after that I got a text from one of my friends saying "Oh Katie... 1 min. 22 secs. away... I want to kick ur timing chip's ass."
Looks like this won't be my last half marathon!
Somehow I've squeezed in a half marathon. Isn't it funny how I can manage to train even in the busiest of times, but can't find the time to go for even a short run if I'm not training... priorities!
This was my fifth half...yes, my fifth! And, I did GREAT! Knocked a good 16 minutes off my best time. Sadly, I missed my goal of under 3 hours by 1 minute and 22 seconds :( I was seriously disappointed... as in had to stop myself from crying disappointed. I calmed myself by telling myself I actually did get under 3 since I stopped to use the restroom at mile 9. If I hadn't of had to do that, I would have made it in WELL under 3 hours.
It was a great race! The absolute perfect weather, perfect amount of people, flat course, etc, etc, etc. My brother and sister-in-law drove me to the start line... it was FREEZING!!!
I ran the first 7 miles without stopping!!! Yes, sir, that's the longest I've ever run... EVER! At one point I wondered if I could run the whole thing, but soon knocked myself back into reality. My brother and sis-in-law (SIL) saw me at mile 3, conveniently next to the Starbucks. My brother offered his scalding hot coffee, which I politely passed on.
There weren't a terrible amount of spectators which was kind of good. Great cause I had three people out watching for me so they could get around really easily and see me multiple times. Most of the race was through residential areas so people just sat in their lawn chairs on the yard to watch. Many kids out wanting a high fives!
Around mile 6.5 I saw my brother and SIL at the top of a slight hill. I still felt pretty great and the adrenaline from the longest run in my history was pushing me forward. Then came mile 8-10! The worse part (as always), but here we were in a park so there was no one around, it was boring, and I hated it.
I made it through the hell that was the prairie park and found my mom was stationed at mile 10. By this time I had my head down and was just going; never looking up. Soon there after we pasted a cemetery where they were digging a grave; this of course made me giggle inappropriately. I just kept thinking they are already getting ready for me!
We turned and there were the ROTC Navy men ringing the touchdown bell and of all miracles the Stadium!!! I had one mile left and I miscalculated that I had 15 minutes until the 3rd hour. I rounded what I thought was the last turn and there were my mom, brother and SIL! I nearly started crying as I told them I'm going to PR! Then we just kept running... running past where I thought we'd enter and then past what I thought was our second option. (have I mentioned I need to read the race packet closer). Finally we entered the stadium:
 |
| I was digging in and could care less about getting a picture. |
 |
| Memorial Stadium's End Zone!! |
Looks like this won't be my last half marathon!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
I am glorified; I will be glorified
Pardon the interruption of my normal rants about losing weight and training for half marathons. But, this is Holy Week.
I'm excited for this week and am expecting God to move and work in amazing ways through out this week. It's way to easy to get extremely busy with everything that has to be done this week. I work at a church and we've got plenty to do! Yet, I want to take time each day and feel the weight and emotions of Jesus' last days. To walk side-by-side with my Savior as he willingly sacrificed His life for mine.
John 12:27-28
"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour?' But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.' Then a voice came from heaven: 'I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.'"
Jesus' purpose in life was to glorify God the Father. He knew that for him this meant taking on my sin and dieing on the cross. As it should, this "troubled his soul." It's beyond my understanding to even begin to imagine what this had to feel like. He was fully human and felt the anxiety of immanent death. He could feel the pain of what he was about to do. He probably, no he did, want another way, but there wasn't one. He knew in this moment that for God to fully be glorified, he must lay down his life.
Yet, in that moment, he knew this; he knew his calling, his purpose - to glorify God. Nothing, not even death was going to stop him from his holy purpose. But, here in John we see that God met him in that purpose and in that moment of pain. God spoke from heaven to His son to say He was glorified and He would be again. Even before Jesus laid down his life, God the Father was glorified. God was Glorified in the LIFE of Jesus, not just his death. God spoke to His son as a loving father would to say: you've made me proud, and you'll make me proud again.
We each have a calling and purpose with our lives. It's the exact same purpose of Jesus' - to glorify God. Because of Jesus' death, we also hear God speaking to us from heaven saying "I am glorified, I will be glorified." May I live a life that glorifies God and hear His voice of my loving Father saying I am proud of you and will be proud of you.
I'm excited for this week and am expecting God to move and work in amazing ways through out this week. It's way to easy to get extremely busy with everything that has to be done this week. I work at a church and we've got plenty to do! Yet, I want to take time each day and feel the weight and emotions of Jesus' last days. To walk side-by-side with my Savior as he willingly sacrificed His life for mine.
John 12:27-28
"Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? 'Father, save me from this hour?' But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.' Then a voice came from heaven: 'I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.'"
Jesus' purpose in life was to glorify God the Father. He knew that for him this meant taking on my sin and dieing on the cross. As it should, this "troubled his soul." It's beyond my understanding to even begin to imagine what this had to feel like. He was fully human and felt the anxiety of immanent death. He could feel the pain of what he was about to do. He probably, no he did, want another way, but there wasn't one. He knew in this moment that for God to fully be glorified, he must lay down his life.
Yet, in that moment, he knew this; he knew his calling, his purpose - to glorify God. Nothing, not even death was going to stop him from his holy purpose. But, here in John we see that God met him in that purpose and in that moment of pain. God spoke from heaven to His son to say He was glorified and He would be again. Even before Jesus laid down his life, God the Father was glorified. God was Glorified in the LIFE of Jesus, not just his death. God spoke to His son as a loving father would to say: you've made me proud, and you'll make me proud again.
We each have a calling and purpose with our lives. It's the exact same purpose of Jesus' - to glorify God. Because of Jesus' death, we also hear God speaking to us from heaven saying "I am glorified, I will be glorified." May I live a life that glorifies God and hear His voice of my loving Father saying I am proud of you and will be proud of you.
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