its been a month

well. its been a month since I last posted. and today I can finally say I am DONE. DONE. and DONE. with Senior Project.

today we had 45 minutes of presentation and questioning our work from the entire semester and its over.

I am so thankful to be only a week and a half away from walking across that graduation stage and waving the ‘peace out’ sign to the entire audience….ok so I wont do that…maybe.

I still have one more small presentation and a test tomorrow, but decided I could procrastinate finishing up those to blog real quick!

More updates coming soon on wedding planning, life after, and everything in between!

Cant wait to share---love you blog world!

Katelyn- OUT.

a heavy heart for Haiti

Tonight when my family got home, some kind of animal had invaded our trash and there was a huge stinky mess. I got a trash bag and went to help my Dad pick it up. The stench was horrendous, but so familiar to the constant smell that surrounds you as you drive through the streets of Haiti. Immediately my heart was reminded of them.

When I returned from Haiti, my heart was often heavy for the people there during the most mundane tasks. Brushing my teeth with clean water. The power not going out during a hard rain. Driving on smooth pavement.

Its hard to not be cliché when you describe an event that absolutely changed your life forever. Its hard to turn a blind eye to people who have held your hands.

Its hard to forget little girls who you had absolutely no language communication with yet the bond you felt them was undeniably straight from the Lord.

Tonight I’ve been thinking about Haiti even more heavily as the news talks about Tropical Storm Tomas headed straight for them. It literally breaks. my. heart. as I think about how most of the country's living conditions still look a lot like this:

I often find myself praying and reflecting in the weirdest moments and tonight as I was washing my face, I was praying fervently “Father God I believe You can change the course of this storm. You can weaken it. You can stop it completely. Please God for the people of Haiti, save them, protect them, from this.”…..God reminded me of His will, and my thoughts not being His thoughts and so I prayed further … “God bring comfort and peace to the children who touched my heart so deeply. Surround them so they will not be afraid.”

It was then I noticed the bracelet that has been on my right hand wrist for the past 3 months. My team made bracelets with the children with beads to remember Bible stories from the story of Noah, to the 10 Commandments, to the story of Christ.

One of the beads was a fish to tell the story of Jesus feeding the 5000. A story of provision.

I pray that tonight as the winds blow, and the rain pours that those children will be reminded of Gods grace, love, provision, and purpose for their lives. I pray they will remember Noah and the covenant God made with the rainbow. I pray they remember the story of Jesus and His love and sacrifice for THEM. And I pray they remember the story of the 5000 and Gods provision for His people.

I pray that they feel the prayers of me and so many others for their safety and strength.

WU #2 (Wedding Update) VLOG!!!

Here is the second installment of our wedding updates! I cant believe how fast time is flying. School has been pretty hectic for both of us and we are so excited for the day when we can settle into our jobs and real life together!

WU #2 (wedding update) from Katelyn on Vimeo.

Hope yall enjoyed it! <3

life lately

Life has been super busy lately. Daniel and I have had exciting stuff going on pretty much every weekend, and we've been 'flip-camming' like CRAZY!!! We cant wait to share videos of some fun adventures with great friends and another WU sooon after that!

Meanwhile, we have a few tests and other school stuff to get through first!

WU #1 Vlog (wedding update)

I know I haven't written in a while….but the end of the summer was nuts and then school started and yada yada….but then Daniel bought me a flipcam and so I’m following in Jitneys Journeys footsteps and “vlogging”. I’m going to start documenting major steps along the wedding process and try and turn this into a more combined “soon-to-be-wed” blog…...so if you enjoy this, stay on top of me and make me keep doing them!!! haha….enjoy!!!

WU #1 (wedding update) from Katelyn on Vimeo.

Boxes.

Through the years several people have used the word “boxy” to describe me. I compartmentalize…everything. Boxes make things neat, organized, and efficient.

For a long time, I compartmentalized God. He had a very large box of course, but a box none-the-less. Because His box was so big, it was easy to say he was an active part of my life…but really…when “things” are in boxes, they are not active---they are contained.

Soon after Daniel and I started dating is when I finally woke up to this Power that I was containing.

Daniel challenged me in so many ways---ways that forced me to open that box and relay fully on God instead of just using Him as decoration.

For the past two years, it has been a daily struggle to be aware and awake to the awesome God I serve. To work to ensure that I am not compartmentalizing Him in certain aspects of life. I still fail at this so often, but I am so thankful that God is showing me these places and giving me opportunities to rely fully on faith.

May 21st I received an email from our campus minister. A mission trip to Haiti through the Georgia Baptist Convention was in the works. July 28th-August 4th. A response was needed by May 26th.

Like a clap of thunder, I heard God shouting “GO” at me before my brain could even process….of course I started sorting through excuses.

School?---My classes would be over.

Work?---I could miss for one week.

Cost?---After reading the fine print---the trip was entirely free to those who were willing, able, and had their passports now.

Amazingly, Daniel and I had received our passports only 3 weeks earlier after applying for them in preparation for our honeymoon next year.

It seemed as if God knew what every single excuse of mine could be and struck them down one by one. I don't think God could have made it any clearer. You’re going Katelyn. I responded “yes, I’ll go” before talking to anyone (even Daniel). I knew God was telling me to go and I didn't want anyone trying to change my mind. 

My heart literally bursts with excitement every time I think about this trip. In my moments of fear, God comforts my heart. In my moments of excitement, I feel like God is cheering right next to me.

Haiti is exactly where I am supposed to be between July 28th and August 4th.

It is a huge leap of faith. It is way out of character for a girl who has never been out of the south east. It is amazing. And it is so much bigger than any kind of box I could ever find.

And I should know, because right now, my life is in boxes. Literal boxes. Since my apartment lease ends July 31st, I must be completely moved out and moved home before I leave for Haiti the 28th.

Right now, I am not sure how I will get it all together and get everything ready and packed for Haiti.

….But I’ve realized, the one thing I truly need for Haiti does not have to be boxed, bagged, or checked…and I praise the Lord for that.  ;)

Pray for our team, and pray for the hearts of the people and children of Haiti.

I'm a big girl now….see my big girl shoes.

Yesterday I accepted a job offer for a full time position beginning in January 2011 after I graduate in December.

Yes it is EARLY to already have a job lined up. Yes, times are tough, but the offer was generous. Yes I can ONLY attribute this to God. He is good. I am thankful.

Suddenly my life has shifted. It has actually squelched some of my senioritis. There is light at the end of the tunnel and the light is good.

I felt grown up as I read over life insurance, medical, and 401k plans.

I feel anxious.

For so much of my last 2 years of college, I have been in survival mode. Just getting by till the next semester rolls around. Trying to take one day at a time, but spending most of the time thinking about what was to come.

Now it is all feeling far to real.

I glance down at my left hand, see my ring, and all I can think about is the dress I will wear in almost 9 months. The one I got last week. The one I would have danced around the store, and worn home if it hadn't been 10 sizes too big. The one I knew was THE ONE after I walked out of the dressing room and saw my mom and sisters faces.

Yes, real life, the life I’ve been praying and anxiously waiting for is coming fast. It is such a conundrum to want to soak up these last 2 semesters of college while also longing for the future.

*Inhale. Exhale. Just breathe.*