It's true.
I'm a total and complete control and planning freak. I have planned every detail of this wedding (literally) down to the minute! Cake is ready, dress is steamed, shoes are bought, jewelry is laid out, everything is DONE! Then of course there is ONE thing that I cannot control. The weather. As of right now there is a 20% chance of rain, 16 MPH winds, and partly cloudy. So I say.....
God,
I know you have a universe to run and all. However-we should getting something straight. I have prided myself in NOT being a Bridezilla and NOT crying and being emotional about stupid details. However they don't write a freaking book about how the last 8 days before your wedding you get emotional and sentimental and cry alot. So I am asking you VERY nicely.......DO NOT LET THERE BE RAIN OR HIGH WINDS ON MY WEDDING DAY! At least while we are outside taking pictures. And don't think that I'm kidding in this request....I"M NOT! Amen.....
This is going to be a LONG week......
Friday, June 17, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Always Faithful
2 weeks ago I was wondering how I was going to get thru finals.
This past week I was wondering if I would ever stop crying-if I was going to be able to catch a break.
My brother showed up on Monday evening with news that he was going to join the military. I could have strangled him. Now, don't take this as I am not thankful for the men and women and their families who sacrifice themselves for my freedom and to keep my country safe, I just don't want it to be my brother. I cried so much and so hard that night I didn't think I was going to be able to get it under control. But true to form, Andrew came in and very gently explained everything to me. It didn't make it better-in fact he even made me watch a documentary about where he thought he would end up-that REALLY didn't make it better. But it was in that moment that I saw (for the first time) the beginnings of my little brother becoming a man. I never thought that this day would come.....the day that my brother-the one who got in trouble WITH me, who pulled practical jokes with me, who stood up for me, who even beat someone up for me one time-the day he would be all grown up.
Hit #1
Wednesday he left-he was going home to take a test for the military. I got a phone call about the time he should have been getting home that he had been in a car accident. A semi had run his car off the road and he had hydroplaned into the ditch. He was fine-but his car was totaled. I of course began to freak. But after a couple hours he called me and said things were just fine.
Hit #2
Thursday my Dad called. I don't know what it is about my family but they ALWAYS call me with bad news while I am driving. It's like they just know I am going to have to pull over and spend 20 minutes on the side of the road getting myself back together. Anyways he was calling to tell me the test results from tests he had run earlier in the week. He had been diagnosed with FSGS. It's a kidney disease and there are varying levels of severity. He of course very quickly followed it up with "I'm going to beat this". Great.
Hit #3
I spent all day on Thursday eating my feelings. I'm really good at that. I cried. I read. I cried some more. I just couldn't get my head around why all of these things were happening and all at once.
I then stumbled across a couple quotes on my computer- "Everyone is fighting their own battle- To be free from their past. To live in their present. And to create their own future. So have heart". the other one was "In the world of always changing and always going. A shifting world of uncertainty. You can be sure of one thing. The God of the Universe who called you by name is NEVER CHANGING. ALWAYS constant. & will NEVER let you go.
Take heart friends.....we have a God who is always faithful.....never changing.....always constant......no matter how many hits we get. So stand strong. Have heart. Push forward.
This past week I was wondering if I would ever stop crying-if I was going to be able to catch a break.
My brother showed up on Monday evening with news that he was going to join the military. I could have strangled him. Now, don't take this as I am not thankful for the men and women and their families who sacrifice themselves for my freedom and to keep my country safe, I just don't want it to be my brother. I cried so much and so hard that night I didn't think I was going to be able to get it under control. But true to form, Andrew came in and very gently explained everything to me. It didn't make it better-in fact he even made me watch a documentary about where he thought he would end up-that REALLY didn't make it better. But it was in that moment that I saw (for the first time) the beginnings of my little brother becoming a man. I never thought that this day would come.....the day that my brother-the one who got in trouble WITH me, who pulled practical jokes with me, who stood up for me, who even beat someone up for me one time-the day he would be all grown up.
Hit #1
Wednesday he left-he was going home to take a test for the military. I got a phone call about the time he should have been getting home that he had been in a car accident. A semi had run his car off the road and he had hydroplaned into the ditch. He was fine-but his car was totaled. I of course began to freak. But after a couple hours he called me and said things were just fine.
Hit #2
Thursday my Dad called. I don't know what it is about my family but they ALWAYS call me with bad news while I am driving. It's like they just know I am going to have to pull over and spend 20 minutes on the side of the road getting myself back together. Anyways he was calling to tell me the test results from tests he had run earlier in the week. He had been diagnosed with FSGS. It's a kidney disease and there are varying levels of severity. He of course very quickly followed it up with "I'm going to beat this". Great.
Hit #3
I spent all day on Thursday eating my feelings. I'm really good at that. I cried. I read. I cried some more. I just couldn't get my head around why all of these things were happening and all at once.
I then stumbled across a couple quotes on my computer- "Everyone is fighting their own battle- To be free from their past. To live in their present. And to create their own future. So have heart". the other one was "In the world of always changing and always going. A shifting world of uncertainty. You can be sure of one thing. The God of the Universe who called you by name is NEVER CHANGING. ALWAYS constant. & will NEVER let you go.
Take heart friends.....we have a God who is always faithful.....never changing.....always constant......no matter how many hits we get. So stand strong. Have heart. Push forward.
Friday, May 6, 2011
3 down 1 to go....
I never thought in a million years this day would come. I can now officially say that I am a college senior. Yes, I did say a SENIOR. Holy crap that sounds strange to say.
Hi, my name is Kaitlin and I am a senior in college.
Yep....totally creepy.
I got out of my last final today at 11:00. I got into my car and sat there staring at the back of the Smith building. By this time next year, I will be a mere 48 hours away from walking across the stage at College Church. It's been a long hard road. Lots of tears, stress, and late nights have lead up to this point, and I am proud to say that I finally made it. I overcame that which was the most difficult for me.
There have been alot of people who have contributed to me getting this far-they know who they are. But...just in case they didn't know this-I love you all. You have been a constant source of strength and encouragement for me and for that I am truly grateful.
MidAmerica was once a dream I was chasing-now....it's becoming the end of one of the best chapters in my life.....
Hi, my name is Kaitlin and I am a senior in college.
Yep....totally creepy.
I got out of my last final today at 11:00. I got into my car and sat there staring at the back of the Smith building. By this time next year, I will be a mere 48 hours away from walking across the stage at College Church. It's been a long hard road. Lots of tears, stress, and late nights have lead up to this point, and I am proud to say that I finally made it. I overcame that which was the most difficult for me.
There have been alot of people who have contributed to me getting this far-they know who they are. But...just in case they didn't know this-I love you all. You have been a constant source of strength and encouragement for me and for that I am truly grateful.
MidAmerica was once a dream I was chasing-now....it's becoming the end of one of the best chapters in my life.....
Monday, April 25, 2011
A new beginning
Beginnings-they are always exciting-and sometimes scary too. But this one for us has been ALOT of fun! After about a solid week of late nights, lots of stress, and a million boxes-our HOME is finally put together! Well, minus the bed frame and the headboard-that will get done this weekend. I'll be staying here until the wedding and then Thomas is going to be moving in after we get back from our honeymoon in San Diego. It's a GREAT place and we love it so much! Enjoy the pictures! :)
Monday, April 18, 2011
Simply Strategic Stuff part 10 91-99
Your New Staff Member Already Attends Your Church (91): Hire from the inside! By doing this you are getting people who already know your vision, mission, and what you stand for. They love what the church is trying to do and they are respected by others in the church.
Put Your Money Where Your Crowd Is (92): This chapter goes over making sure that the ministries that are making the biggest difference are the ones that are getting the money and resources that it needs. It's ok to not equally distribute money and resources!
Share Critical Knowledge, Even When It Hurts (93): Whenever you have a tough situation you need to communicate it in several ways to your church as well as communicating exactly how you are feeling. However, make sure that you 1) Pick the right crowd. 2) Be honest but not hopeless. 3) Be human. 4) Allow people time to mourn the loss. 5) Get help.
Recruit Constantly (94): Always be recruiting volunteers for your ministry! Make sure that you identify, pray, ask promote, review, and encourage! It is your role as a leader to build teams and plug them into your ministry!
Avoid Creating a "Federation of Subminitries" (95): Make sure that you are staying unified! Make sure that you maintain a common budget, don't allow departmental fundraising, end ineffective minstries. Dismiss ineffective staff or leaders, etc.
Hire an Administrator before you hire a youth pastor (96): Make sure that you have someone to help handle all of the responsibilities that the staff has. By hiring someone to do this it helps to free up the staff to continue being effective in their ministry.
Put this word in your vocabulary: Newness (97): Chapter 97 went over tips on how to keep your church in a newness condition
Study Your Stats (98): Types of measurement in ministry: 1) weekly attendance 2) Weekly offerings 3) weekly attendance and revenue forcasts 4) Spiritual steps (monthly) 5) monthly financial reports 6) quarterly vision statement progress
There are no shortcuts (99): Ministry is hard work. But when you pursue Jesus he is going to lead you in the direction you need to go and he will use you to help transform people's lives.
I believe that it is important to remember that you are "working" for God and that in his ministry there really are no shortcuts. People's lives are at stake. When you keep him at the forefront of the things that you do and your ministry, you are going to be a truly effective leader.
Put Your Money Where Your Crowd Is (92): This chapter goes over making sure that the ministries that are making the biggest difference are the ones that are getting the money and resources that it needs. It's ok to not equally distribute money and resources!
Share Critical Knowledge, Even When It Hurts (93): Whenever you have a tough situation you need to communicate it in several ways to your church as well as communicating exactly how you are feeling. However, make sure that you 1) Pick the right crowd. 2) Be honest but not hopeless. 3) Be human. 4) Allow people time to mourn the loss. 5) Get help.
Recruit Constantly (94): Always be recruiting volunteers for your ministry! Make sure that you identify, pray, ask promote, review, and encourage! It is your role as a leader to build teams and plug them into your ministry!
Avoid Creating a "Federation of Subminitries" (95): Make sure that you are staying unified! Make sure that you maintain a common budget, don't allow departmental fundraising, end ineffective minstries. Dismiss ineffective staff or leaders, etc.
Hire an Administrator before you hire a youth pastor (96): Make sure that you have someone to help handle all of the responsibilities that the staff has. By hiring someone to do this it helps to free up the staff to continue being effective in their ministry.
Put this word in your vocabulary: Newness (97): Chapter 97 went over tips on how to keep your church in a newness condition
Study Your Stats (98): Types of measurement in ministry: 1) weekly attendance 2) Weekly offerings 3) weekly attendance and revenue forcasts 4) Spiritual steps (monthly) 5) monthly financial reports 6) quarterly vision statement progress
There are no shortcuts (99): Ministry is hard work. But when you pursue Jesus he is going to lead you in the direction you need to go and he will use you to help transform people's lives.
I believe that it is important to remember that you are "working" for God and that in his ministry there really are no shortcuts. People's lives are at stake. When you keep him at the forefront of the things that you do and your ministry, you are going to be a truly effective leader.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Simply Strategic Stuff part 9 81-90
Spouses Should Share the Experience (81): The chapter goes over spouses sharing in ministry. Yes they should, but be careful that you aren't always giving all your attention to just church things. Make time for you family as well.
Answer the Phone (82): Always have some kind of answering service or call forwarding available for your church phones. If you aren't able to answer the phones-think about all the things you are missing out on! Promptly respond to the phone calls and voice mails!
Eliminate the Committees and Multiply the Ministry (83): Chapter 83 goes over having teams of people working together rather than having committees. Make sure that people are valued in ministry rather than in your meetings!
Surround Yourself with Learners (84): Add learners to your ministry team! Find people that have a student attitude in 4 areas 1)Students of Scripture 2) Students of leadership 3) Students of culture 4) Students of successful ministries
You can't overcommunicate the vision (85): Communiate your vision! Deliver a weekend series every year that recalls your vision to your church, Use stories to illustrate the impact of the vision, print your mission on your programs or bulletins every week, etc.
Build budgets on purpose (86): Begin budgetting by defining the ministry plan. Ask what you are trying to accomplish, what action steps are being taken, how will the goal help to accomplish the mission and vision, etc.
E-mail can get you in trouble (87): Advantages and disadvantages of email was discussed in this chapter. Avoid email when there is a conflict, when you are mad, when you are hurt by something someone has sent you, etc.
Give volunteers an experience, not just a task (88): Get the best out of your volunteers and their talents by caring for them-build a relationship with them and figure out who they are as a person.
Leave Well (89): When you leave-leave well. Don't discuss issues you have with the church, don't talk negatively to anyone, and don't listen to complaints from people about the church after you have left.
Numbers communicate momentum, and momentum generates numbers (90): Be creative with the way you communicate numbers! This will help you generate more momentum
I have always seen "'spouse ministry" modeled b/c my parents practice this within the context of their marriage. However, I do agree with the chapter when it says that you need to watch how much time you are giving both. There were times growing up that I was (quite frankly) tired of sharing my parents. Then there were other times that I was glad that they were available to people. I came to realize that there is a fine line between church family and "real" family. They both need you. They both need love. And above all-they both need the guidance that you can offer them.
Answer the Phone (82): Always have some kind of answering service or call forwarding available for your church phones. If you aren't able to answer the phones-think about all the things you are missing out on! Promptly respond to the phone calls and voice mails!
Eliminate the Committees and Multiply the Ministry (83): Chapter 83 goes over having teams of people working together rather than having committees. Make sure that people are valued in ministry rather than in your meetings!
Surround Yourself with Learners (84): Add learners to your ministry team! Find people that have a student attitude in 4 areas 1)Students of Scripture 2) Students of leadership 3) Students of culture 4) Students of successful ministries
You can't overcommunicate the vision (85): Communiate your vision! Deliver a weekend series every year that recalls your vision to your church, Use stories to illustrate the impact of the vision, print your mission on your programs or bulletins every week, etc.
Build budgets on purpose (86): Begin budgetting by defining the ministry plan. Ask what you are trying to accomplish, what action steps are being taken, how will the goal help to accomplish the mission and vision, etc.
E-mail can get you in trouble (87): Advantages and disadvantages of email was discussed in this chapter. Avoid email when there is a conflict, when you are mad, when you are hurt by something someone has sent you, etc.
Give volunteers an experience, not just a task (88): Get the best out of your volunteers and their talents by caring for them-build a relationship with them and figure out who they are as a person.
Leave Well (89): When you leave-leave well. Don't discuss issues you have with the church, don't talk negatively to anyone, and don't listen to complaints from people about the church after you have left.
Numbers communicate momentum, and momentum generates numbers (90): Be creative with the way you communicate numbers! This will help you generate more momentum
I have always seen "'spouse ministry" modeled b/c my parents practice this within the context of their marriage. However, I do agree with the chapter when it says that you need to watch how much time you are giving both. There were times growing up that I was (quite frankly) tired of sharing my parents. Then there were other times that I was glad that they were available to people. I came to realize that there is a fine line between church family and "real" family. They both need you. They both need love. And above all-they both need the guidance that you can offer them.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Blessings....
I've had a pretty rough week. Well....couple weeks to be honest with you. I have had so much going on and so much to do that I haven't been getting alot of sleep-which means I am a real big grump and have gotten so stressed out that I just broke down last night and sobbed for what seemed like hours.
I had to sing this morning for worship team at church. I really didn't want to go. I wanted to sleep. I was in a terrible mood and had no intention of getting out of it. Then......God decided that I needed something & in true form He did it in the best way that could get my attention......music
He never ceases to amaze me......
I had to sing this morning for worship team at church. I really didn't want to go. I wanted to sleep. I was in a terrible mood and had no intention of getting out of it. Then......God decided that I needed something & in true form He did it in the best way that could get my attention......music
He never ceases to amaze me......
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