an eclectic mix of thoughts for the day

Have you ever been required to do something, and you know how to do it, but it's so much that you just don't know where to start and really have no motivation to do what you are intending to do anyways? That's where I'm at right now. I have so much Sister 2 Sister documenting to do that I just don't even know where to start. And it's overwhelming. So I'm blogging and listening to songs about Jesus.

Today is the 50th Birthday Party of Malaysia!! Yay!! My dear friend Christina is from Malaysia... so this is a shout out to her and to the celebration of the country of Malaysia. Few quick facts about Malaysia: Malaysia gained it's independence today... well actually tomorrow... the 31st of August in 1957... which, by the way... August 31 is Chris Gibson and Chris DeMerell's birthdays... so happy birthday Chris, Chris and Malaysia! There are 13 states in Malaysia and 3 federal territories. Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia located in the west. Malaysia is ruled by Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin who became the 13th king in December of 2006. The prime minister is Abdullah Ahmad Badawi who started his five year term in March of 2004. There are several religions practiced in Malaysia including Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism, Christianity and Sikhism, but the dominant religion is Islam.

So yesterday I really felt like a senior. NOT!! Get this... my first class is in Burke 413 at 8:30am... so I show up at room 403... every seat is full... I crawl over people and yeah, disrupt Prof Blanchette to get to my seat because in my head I thought I was in room 413. Well I quickly realized I was in the WRONG place so I crawl back over everyone... and thoroughly confused I go downstairs... thinking maybe it's 313... so I interrupt both religion classes meeting on the 3rd floor still looking for my class, Christian Faith... no luck... back upstairs to the final religion class I could possibly interrupt and the Prof gently pointed me to the correct 413 room... on the other side of the hallway. Feeling like an idiot, a freshman, and retarded because I truly CAN read... I laughingly realized that I interrupted every single religion class that meets at 8:30 in the morning in Burke. Way to start my senior year, aye?

Good words for today:
Do not downplay the value of completing what God has called you to do. -Chap Daddy
God is faithful to me as I seek to be obedient to Him. -Chap Daddy
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant. -2 Cor. 3:5-6

Good song for today: (Paul Baloche)

You have been so good to me
You have been so good to me
I came here broken,
You made me whole
I came here mourning,
You gave me joy
How can I thank you
Lord, There is just no way
How can I thank you
Lord, How can I repay?
For your kindness
For your tenderness
For your constant presence here with me
You have been so good
You have been so good
You have been so good to me
You have been so good
You have been so good
You have been so good

All the Time, God is Good!

You ever just wanna praise God!?!
I'm in one of those moods... it's been such a crazy busy few weeks getting ready for Sister 2 Sister. Today I just about lost it... everything fell through, our tshirts weren't going to show up and we're moving tomorrow and I just... am really good at taking things personally, does that make sense? God's been working in my heart about that a lot this summer... I'll post later about what I'm learning about patience... but anyways... I just got the greatest phone call of my life!! (Well, maybe that's a bit of a stretch but in this moment no other call compares)... the tshirts are IN and on their way to ME!!! :) 9pm baby and we'll be all set. And I just want to praise God... He's had it under control this whole time... if I would just shut up and stop freaking out... ;)
God is Good.
All the Time!

It is surprising, the places one finds encouragement in!

So yesterday was just a rather lousy day. I got a lot done, but it was a little lonely, a lot frustrating, and just not a fun day. I was just feeling down and I'd been to a store the day before and had put a sweater on hold... they had some really good sales, so I decided to go back last night. I shopped around for quite a while, ya know, didn't really buy anything... but then I did find some super deals... but anyways and then I decided to get some food because I'd forgotten to eat dinner. I really wanted some chicken wings but I got to KFC 5 minutes after they closed... so I decided I'd settle for some fresh chips and salsa from Burrito Loco... only a dollar fifty!! :) So I go over there and went in, which was odd because they totally have a drive through... and as I walk in there's these two guys who look like they just had a really hard day's work... one is older than my Dad and the other's a little older than me, blonde and hot... and I think a little drunk. They hit on me, not anything extremely obnoxious or anything... and well, I very rudely walked away. I was in Egypt mode where it's not at all appropriate for men to even look at you and they were like "WOAH!" and I felt really bad and then it was rather funny because the blonde guy then started talking to me and hitting on me via the lady taking our orders, and they invited me to eat with them because "A pretty lady shouldn't have to eat alone"... and of course I didn't... I got my food to go... but it just really cracked me up and I don't know, it felt a little good to be hit on after a long lousy day. :) I came home and laughingly told the whole story to Becky while we shared the chips and salsa, and then Missy called and I told her and ended up having some great just friend time at the end of the day. So you never know... the next drunk guy that hits on you may just encourage you. :) Haa. Am I whacked out or what?

Ready to Fall? Or Stand Firm?

It's crazy to me to think about how quickly we can fall away from God... right when we think that we're standing solid and steadfast the enemy creeps up and catches us off guard and we find ourselves in places we never dreamed we'd ever find ourselves in. Just today I was reading in 1 Corinthians these verses...

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! -10:12

And I thought... naw, when I stand firm I won't fall. And then later on today I heard a heartbreaking story about a friend that was standing firm and a struggle with sin that overwhelmed and caused a crashing fall. Life will never be the same. And it's so sad. My heart breaks for my friend and I hurt and wish we could press a rewind button. Yet, at the same time my friend's story sobers me. I travel around leading worship for teenagers, I'm actively involved in church ministry and lead several organizations on campus and I am not safe. I must be on the guard, ever aware that at any moment, I too am liable to slip up and fall flat on my face.

The big question in my mind: Is there anything I can do to prevent a fall before it happens? How can I stay standing firm? I think I found part of the answer in 2 Peter chapter 1...

His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. -3-11

my girls!!

LOOK WHO I GOT TO SEE TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
oh i miss these ladies sooo much!! they're so grown up... teachers in plainfield!! erin of the first graders and amy of the sixth seventh and yes, eighth graders. ready for week number two. oh i love them so much. :)

A few from Home...

Here's a few hot shots from my week at home...
First are of Noah, the little cutie that Anna babysits... he buried Anna in pillows and then jumped on her... he was so funny... I could never quite catch him in the air jumping on her, or jumping on her... but there were a few funny ones of him counting to three before he jumped... with five fingers. HA!
Then are some shots of the night I hung out with James, Andrea and Wes in Bluffton and we played Euchre... Wes is the WORST picture taker in the world. Jerk.
And the last are of Anna and I taking Noah to the fair, a girls night shot of Mom, me and Anna and then of me and Anna dressed up... and then an awesome picture of Kelly and Shelby with Jonathan and I after our hot lunch date in Bluffton.
Enjoy!! Love y'all!!
:) Kara Joy

i hate moving with a great big bear passion

I AM THE WORST PACKER IN THE WORLD!!!!

maybe it's because s2s is right around the corner and very much distracting me. maybe its because i don't know where to start. maybe it's because i'd rather organize notebooks. maybe it's because i'd rather make food. maybe it's because people call me and then i talk to them. maybe it's just because i'm a bad packer and don't want to move!!! ok... that's it. i protest, contest, whatever i need to do... I DON'T WANT TO MOVE OUT!!!

yuck. gag me with a fork and call me a spoon.
will somebody call me when it's over?

the summer is over!! crazy aye?

Praise the Lord, O my soul.
I will praise the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
on that very day their plans come to nothing.
Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,
the maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them-
the Lord, who remains faithful forever.
He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free,
the Lord gives sight to the blind,
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,
the Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord watches over the alien
and sustains the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
The Lord reigns forever, your God, O Zion, for all generations.
Praise the Lord!
-Psalm 146



I cannot believe that the summer is over! How crazy is that!?! Last week was a sad week. I went home and once again had to say goodbye to my family although I'll be home again in just a few days which is very exciting! But then I had to say goodbye to my Kate and when I came home a few days ago, my apartment was absolutely empty of her. That was so sad. And then Jenna just left as well so it's just me and these walls. And then I had to say goodbye to my boys and we finished our summer together. Here's a few pictures from all those goodbyes...





Now that the goodbyes are over, the work starts. :) I'm here packing and getting ready for Sister 2 Sister and the coming school year. I hope you're having a great end of your summer and hopefully I'll see you soon!! Keep trusting and praising Jesus!!

Well, I was going to post some pictures but I don't feel like it.
So this is a post to simply say: I am still alive.
And: God is Good. All the time. All the time, God is GOOD!
That's all.