I miss my fiancee.
He is in Indianapolis this week, which really makes no difference because I normally don't see him during the week even if he's in Columbia, but for some reason it's just different knowing that he's so many states away.
I wish we could get married tomorrow.
We talk about it everyday....and everyday we wish we could get married tomorrow.
We are anxious and ready for it to happen.
It's crazy how that works. How you don't really realize how ready you are until it happens, and how God readies your heart for the perfect time - because now that we know it's going to happen it's all we can think about, and all we want.
We aren't really too concerned or super-interested in the whole "wedding" thing like most people seem to be. We are ready to just do life together. I mean a party is cool and all...but it's not what it's all about.
But alas, I have to finish school before all this can go down, which really stinks.
So until then...
we will keep being ready for "tomorrow."

I'm getting MARRIED!!!

Last night Mark asked me to spend the rest of my life with him.....
and I said of course.





crazy, huh?
I can't wait.....

I can't sleep. I don't know why, but my mind won't quit racing. Won't quit remembering. Won't quit thinking.

I remember the poetry.
I think about my life this time last year.
I wonder about hearts. and lives. but mostly hearts.
I am curious.
I remember the parking ticket I got today and how ridiculous it is.
I can't sleep.

"there was no judgement in your eyes, just the silent peace of God that felt so real in you...."

This weekend I got to spend some marvelous time with the fabulous Carol Marie Hegler of Kershaw, SC. I also got to spend some marvelous time with Lindsay Nicole Koeper of Hanahan, SC. My boyfiend was also involved as well. We (Mark and I) headed up to Clemson and got to eat at the most fabulous Ancheaux's which I often crave weekly, although there is only one on the whole planet, and it's 4 hours away from where I live. We then hit up a concert, Sonic, and Chris' house, before laying our heads at Lindsay's new apartment. Saturday Mark and I drove up into the mountains and made several stops along the way....Bald Rock, Cesar's Head, Brevard, Hendersonville, then to Spartanburg for an AMAZING concert. Shane and Shane rocked my socks. It was seriously phenomenal. There was straight up WORSHIP goin' on in that auditorium.

I've started school back after 2 and a half weeks of vacation. It's not a super-packed schedule which is nice.

One of my best buds Rachel got engaged which is also smile worthy.

I'm hungry for some real food right now.

This post is dedicated to: Carol Marie Hegler of Kershaw, SC.

oh - and this is hillarious - check it out.
this is a product of Lexington, SC, ladies and gentlemen (and she actually won 3rd runner up I think): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WALIARHHLII

poor girl. it actually really makes me sad for her - you know she was so nervous she couldn't think straight, but still...this is terrible. (but funny).

through a tear soaked shirt I wonder what has become of it. I cry in agony over words written 3 years and 22 days ago. Tears soak the pages. The words are written so beautifully, so simply, so pure. It was a deception. I am not what was depicted - I was a seed cast in the shadows. And God is screaming at me, 3 years later. God is making me look in the mirror again. Past what the world may see. He is ripping open the wounds, and the blood is covering me. But it isn't my blood this time. My blood left stains...the kind of stains that you hate. the kind of stains that ruin something beautiful. that never go away, and can never be forgotten. But this blood is different. This is the blood of my Father. The blood that purifies all unrighteousness. And as I was encouraged to do 3 years and 22 days ago, I will "stop talking about being pure in heart and living a rightoues life" but I will strive for it daily. I want to be one of the flowers depicted...I want to stand beautifully in the garden, and see my Maker smile.

"We will never have pure hearts unless we do whatever it takes to consistently get ourselves into the presence of God."

I'm sitting on the porch in the midst of a storm. I just heard the longest rumble of thunder I think I have ever heard, and it was awesome. It is windy, and pouring down rain, and thunder and lightening all around. Yet there is a sense of peace about it all. I love it. I watched it roll in as I was playing frisbee with a friend, and watched it turn from a sunny afternoon to almost nightfall in seemingly minutes. It is amazing how powerful God is, isn't it?

I haven't written on this thing in a while, it seems. I don't know why, sometimes I just fall out of the writing mood.

I had a thought yesterday, that I may try to implement. I am going to try to set a daily (or weekly) "goal" for myself. Things are so much more attainable that way. For instance, I REALLY need to start eating more vegetables, so setting a goal for myself to eat at least 3 servings of vegetables on Monday. You know how it goes...that way it doesn't seem unattainable or out-of-reach. I dunno...just a thought. Perhaps I will put it into practice soon.

I have really been in the mood to play lately. I really think I could play every single day and be totally happy. Even if it's just for 15 minutes. I need to toss a frisbee, or a baseball, or kick a soccer ball, or do something...anything. It is an urge every single day. I love the urge...just wish I had more people around Charleston to play with. I'm glad Mark is the same way...because every time we are together, there is play involved. I love it. I like that God made me tick this way.

Speaking of God, He's really cool. Just thought I'd throw that one in there.

I am reading a great book right now by Max Lucado, called "Traveling Light." It is a journey through Psalm 23, and it's really insightful. It's about dropping all of your "baggage" and experiencing freedom in Christ. I've never read a Max Lucado book, and I'm really enjoying it. I am eager to finish though, because I want to start my next one, "What's So Amazing About Grace?" It's actually Danny's book and he loaned it to me about 2 and a half years ago...and I still haven't made it past chapter 1. But, I am determined to dig into it soon. Especially after hearing my pastor recommend it and speak extremely high of it in his sermon this past Sunday.

Speaking of, John Reeves is an AMAZING pastor. I could seriously listen to him talk about God for hours on end. He is so deeply entwined in the Lord that the Holy Spirit just pours out of him. He preaches striaght from the Bible. Doesn't preach sermons on "the five F's of Christianity" or "the ABC's of loving your neighbor" or whatever - he teaches verse by verse and just digs out so much from the pages. He is so in love with God that it makes me want to love God so much more...because I can see it in him. I can see the passion, and the desire, and the struggle, and the growth, and the knowledge. I dunno...I am just so encouraged every time I am able to hear him speak. Sunday he was speaking on Galations 5, and on truly being free in Christ, and what that means. He dug into what he called "the far right Christians" who are such rule-followers that they can't experience the true love of Christ that He meant for us to experience, because they beat themselves up every time they screw up, and "the far left Christians" who take "freedom in Christ" as meaning they can sin all they want and it's ok because they are forgiven. It was extremely insightful.

I really like my boyfriend. He sent me a "just because" card this week that was amazingly sweet. It was really funny too. The front of the card said "Remember, it's a dog-eat-dog world, and I'm wearing milk-bone underwear." Anyway - he's great, so I thought I'd throw that out there. We went shaggin' on the 4th of July, and straight tore up the dance floor.

In other news, I am trying to figure out my life, and where I will be going from January-April for my clinicals. January-February looks like it may turn out to be either Spruce Pine, NC, or Salem New Hampshire. Those are my top 2 choices anyway, so we'll see where the lottery (and God) chooses for me to go.

The rain is slowing down now. The thunder has quieted. It feels delightful.

There are only 54 more days left until kickoff of Tiger Football, so go ahead and get excited. Goodness knows I am. OK well, it's Wheel-of-Fortune time, and my friend is on there every night on the "Wheel-Watchers" club commercial...so I'm gonna go turn on the tv and laugh at her a bit. haha.

Peace......

photo review

Laden with guilt and full of fears
I fly to Thee my Lord
And not a glimpse of hope appears
But in Thy written word
The volumes of my Father's grace
Does all my grief's assuage
Here I behold my Savior's face
In every page

This is the field where hidden lies
The pearl of price unknown
That merchant is divinely wise
Who makes the pearl his own
Here consecrated waters flow
To quench my thirst of sin
Here the fair tree of knowledge grown
No danger dwells within

This is the judge that ends the strife
Where wit and reason fail
My guide to everlassing life
Throughout this gloomy vale
O may Thy counsels, mighty God
My roving feet command
Nor I fosake the happy road
That leads to Thy right hand

images from last weekend.

you're it.

Mark and I played "tag" on Sunday afternoon in my front yard at home...and let me just tell you...it was a blast.

"tag with just 2 people, Katie?" you're probably saying...and my answer is, "yes."

and no, we aren't 9 years old. haha.

it was a really good time - and I'll be honest, wore me slap out. Seriously - you just sprint. that's it. sprinting and cutting, and bending your body in crazy ways to stay away from those outstretched fingers that are just centimeters from your back. I realized that I'm no longer in elementary school and was out of breath within about 45 seconds...but I of course, kept wearin' the pants off my boyfriend with my lightening speed. I pretty much ran him into the ground and crowned myself "queen of tag." (although he may disagree...don't believe a word he says). haha.

So, next time you get the opportunity (i.e. - you and someone else are in some grass with no shoes on, and you are willing to get sweaty and stinky and out of breath)...PLAY TAG. You won't regret it. I promise.

Mark surprised me and took me to see a Broadway musical last night. "Cats" was playing in Greenville at the Peace Center for their 25th anniversary - and it was INCREDIBLE. Those people are insanely talented.

Also, an FYI:

My top 3 NASCAR drivers are as follows:
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Kasey Khane
3. Karl Edwards


The End.

hearts tangled
tears wept
love lost
like dust, swept

there are some questions I will never know the answers to. my life has been a journey that I never imagined would take the course that it has taken...that I could have never even dreamt in my wildest dreams. the biting reality of its course boggles my mind and clouds my perception quite often. it is no fantasy. life doesn't take place in a storybook, and I delight in that fact. but reflection brings question and with it, a ripple of emotion.

desire. (emotion). longing. (complete). fulfillment. (broken). love.

there are a lot of things I miss. a lot of things I wish I could change. a lot of things I weep for. a lot of love I wish I could give. but no regrets.

my innermost being is known by the creator of the universe. and one day, all of the questions will answered...

until then, I will hope.

"Now, love is not a feeling in your chest
It is bending down to wash another’s feet
It is faithful when the sun is in the west
And in the east"

-Andrew Peterson

God is good.

Tonight was wonderful. I got to hangout with Lindsay and Marie downtown at a coffee shop for awhile, then we all grabbed some dinner, and Marie and I went down to the battery afterwards and walked around. It was BEAUTIFUL out there tonight. There was an almost full moon, and it was the perfect weather out there on the water. The scenery could honestly not have been better. Nor the conversation. It was so great to get to walk around outside for an hour or more and just talk about life. Talk about what God is doing in our lives right now, where we are, how we have grown, what we are struggling with, what we need encouragement with, and what we are learning.

In my opinion, that is an integral part of the Christian life. Growing with other people, and spending quality time with people listening to their hearts and sharing your own. It is realizing your shortcomings, and being honest with one another. It is saying some things that may be hard to say. It is loving each other in spite of, and because of the crappiness that we know exists in each others lives.

It was definitely some refreshing fellowship.

Thank you, Jesus.

YAHWEH

Yahweh. That's God's name. God told us His name. How awesome is that? God was called many things in the Bible, "El Shaddai" (God Almighty), "El Elyon" (God Most High), etc. but those names just describe God. Like calling me "daughter," "student," or "friend." But, my name...is "Katie." There's a sense of belonging, of closeness, of friendship, when you call someone their name. I absolutely love it when people say my name. I actually told Mark that the other day. If someone says to me, "I love you" it is a great feeling...but if someone says to me, "I love you, Katie." - wow. It changes everything for me. There is ownership in it. There is some extra little spark to the statement that brings it to life.

Yahweh. God told us His name. Well, really, God told Moses His name. God told Moses "I AM who I AM. When you go to the people of Israel, tell them 'I AM sent me to you." Then, he later reminded Moses, "I am Yahweh. To Abraham and Isaac and Jacob I appeared as El Shadai; I did not make myself known to them by my name Yahweh."

God never gave us a definition of the word "Yahweh" but it seems to be a combination meaning "I am" and "I cause." God is the one who is, and the one who causes.

And that is big.

It means that God is unchanging. When we use the words "I am" - they are usually followed by an adjective. Right? I am....happy. I am....sad. I am...frustrated. But God didn't follow it with any adjective...He only said "I AM." That is because God never changes. He doesn't need a description. He is what He is and what He has always been.

God is. God is constant. He is solid. He is unchanging...and that is comforting. No matter where we go, God is there. No matter what our mood, God is steadfast. No matter what baggage we are carrying, God is the same today as he was yesterday and will be tomorrow. It is comforting to have that consistency in my life. To know that there is a God who created me and loves me unconditionally - and CANNOT and WILL NOT be changed. He is a still point in our chaotic lives.

Yahweh....

service with a smile

I had a really great experience at the grocery store today. For real, Harris Teeter had me smilin' when I left. I went in to get some produce, fruit, and milk. First, I walked in, grabbed my basket, and walked over to the citrus area. A man that worked there smiled and said "hi, how are you today? can I help you find anything?" -- I said thank you, but no, and continued on with my shopping. Got some oranges, squash, zucchini, spinach and tomatoes and continued on toward the dairy area. I get there, and a man that was stocking the milk smiled and said "hi, how are you?" -- I spoke, got my milk and yogurt and went to check out. There was no line, I walked up and gave the lady (Patty), my basket, and she was like "Hey there! How are you today? Did you find everything you needed ok or have any problems?" We chatted a second as she scanned my items, and I was on my way. But I'll tell you what, it was quite a pleasant 10 minute shopping adventure. Thank you, Harris Teeter, for making my day a little brighter. :-)

"too tough to tame"

My baby took me to the race! (and we even got to wear these awesome pit-crew shirts...are we hard core or what?!?) yeehaw!




(sadly, it got rained out, and we couldn't make it back the next day. I told him it just means we have to catch another one sometime in the near future).

We are the ones who will proclaim
The power of God upon this age

And we will unite in our lives
As we fall in love with Christ
Yes, we will unite in this time
If we're bold enough to say

HEAL OUR HEARTS and make us one

Mickey D's

I ate at McDonald's for the first time in probably 10 years (at least) for dinner tonight. And it was good. Just thought I'd share that news. The end. :-)

(thanks for dinner, babe) ;-)

Tolerance

You should watch/listen to this:

http://www.newspring.cc/235505.ihtml?ResourceID=1201&type=1

this is last weeks sermon at Newspring Community Church (my old church in Anderson, SC) preached by Clayton King. It's fantastic. Take 20-30 minutes of your time and listen. He's one of the most amazing preacher's I've ever heard, you won't be disappointed. He speaks truth like not a lot of other people can convey it...so for real, listen.

"I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and every grace,
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.
'Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer;
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair.

I hoped that in some favored hour,
At once He'd answer my request,
And by His love's constraining power
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.
Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part."

Up to the Mountain

I would just like to say that if you watched American Idol and saw Kelly Clarkson sing "Up to the Mountain" and enjoyed it...then you should listen to Patty Griffin sing the original....umm.....YEA. And trust me, Patty singing it live is beyond belief amazing.

I just wanted to give her some credit - because well - they certainly didn't give her any on the show tonight.

a few things....

I am now a 3rd year DPT student. I finished my exams today and close yet another chapter of my life thusfar. C-razy. 2 years down, 1 to go....

I think my right leg is a softball magnet. No seriously. I am the pitcher for our co-ed softball team @ school....and last year I got nailed in the shin by a hit, and still have the scar from the stitches on the ball embedded in my tibial crest. Well, in our game before last, once again - I got nailed in the shin....the same shin...approximately 1 inch above the scar the one from last year left. It too swelled up like and looked like a pool ball in my leg. Well, that was 4 weeks ago...and it is still a little swollen and tender, but no biggie, ya know? So, we played our next game this past Sunday. I was on first base after a base hit, Mark was on 2nd base, and I can't even remember who was up to bat. Well, it was a good hit, so I round 2nd -- everyone tells me to keep going, so I round 3rd and as I round it, I look to see where the ball is. A guy on their team has it about 15 yards or so outside of the infield. Mark has scored by now, and is waiting on me at home plate to come in and have a stand-up score....because clearly, no one thinks the dude is gonna try to throw me out at home, especially after I've already rounded 3rd and am on my way home. I'm about halfway between 3rd and home and I see the dude chunk it. He's got a pretty laser arm....and as I'm crossing home plate...the ball freakin' NAILS me in the back of the calf. My right calf. AWESOME. I saw it coming, so tried to kind of "leap" out of the way to dodge it, but it didn't happen - it hit me while I was in the air, and I felt like I got hit with a piece of shrapnel. Needless to say I ended up on the ground as I crossed home plate, and Mark was there to pick me up. The first thing I said was "don't worry, at least it's the BACK of my leg this time!" haha. And it's true - now I just have a pretty bruise back there...I mean seriously, who needs a tan? I told my team that next week I'm just going to wear a fake leg. ;-)

(Oh, but don't worry - I scored the run -- and we ended up beating the #2 seed in the tournament with our win).

I have absolutely NO plans over these next few weeks that I have off. It's nice...but I kinda wish I had a few things lined up....I'm sure they'll come though. Oh, I do have a wedding to go to and friends coming to stay with me during it. I'm pretty excited to get to hangout with my married friends. Carla and Andy and Mark and Layne are probably gonna crash at my apartment for the wedding weekend, which should be fun. :-) I told them they could fight for my bed...which I really hope happends - that'd be a fun married couples fight to watch. They're all pretty scrappy people. haha.

I want to get a new book to read, too, which will be nice. :-) Maybe I'll get one tomorrow. Gotta have a good beach read....b/c I definitely plan on spending a lot of time out at the beach, fo' sho'.

I have to turn in my computer for the next week, which will be sad......I'm gonna be lost. haha. But no worries - I will return!

See ya!

happy birfday!

I just realized that today is my half-birthday. Feel free to send monetary gifts. If you need my address, please feel free to ask.

a big tree and gatoring with my man

Events/Sights from Hiking on Saturday:
-big behind alligators (as seen below)
-lots of swamp with lots of alligators in them
-my hot boyfriend, who almost fell in the swamp
-some really cool (& huge) wood storks -- apparently people go "birding" here (we prefer to go look for alligators, not birds, though. Hence, our new term: "gatoring")
-really green stagnant water that looks really gross, but kinda cool
-cool lil' hiking trails
-NO ONE around but us -- we had the swamp to ourselves (and the gators, of course)
-a big fat oak tree that is 300 years old (no climbing allowed, though)
-good times spending 3 hours in the woods. :-)

ANGEL OAK

Mark and I went to see Angel Oak on Saturday afternoon. It's out on John's Island, and is estimated to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 300 years old. Pictures don't really do it justice, but I tried to capture it anyway. It was INCREDIBLE....and HUGE (to say the least).

Hokie Hope...

As everyone knows, today is a day of mourning in Virginia (and around the nation) for those lost in the Virginia Tech massacre. I stood in front of the tv this morning with tears streaming down my face as I watched a tribute to each of the victims play in front of me. Precious lives were lost for no reason humanly fathomable...yet hope remains as a country unites to show our support for those directly affected by such a heinous act. The Lords purpose will prevail...that I can be sure of.

just call me Rocky Balboa. (or not).

I really love challenges. I think it's because I am a pretty competitive person. I'm finding that sometimes I need to make things a competition in order for them to get done. I need a goal to achieve. I don't want to fail, I hate failure - so if I set a goal, you better believe I'm gonna work my butt off to achieve it. I needed motivation to exercise more, so I decided to run a half marathon. And well...I did it. I ran 5 times a week for almost 3 months. So, now I need motivation again to get back in shape (all of which I have lost from my training), and I can't find any half marathons that I'm dying to run (or can afford to get to) in the next 12 weeks...so I made a "self-bet" kinda thing. I told Mark that I will have to pay him money (which I have VERY little of) if I don't eat healthy (ie - no desserts, unhealthy snack food, etc.) and exercise every day for the next 2 weeks. It's just kind of a kick in the butt, short-term goal. I have tried to do this for the past 2 weeks and failed miserably - so decided that I had to voice it. Once I voice a goal - failure essentially isn't an option for me anymore. I don't want to be thought of as having no will-power, or being too weak to do something so simple. So, I gave Mark my "bet" - and he challenged himself to do the same thing (because he's awesome)....so, basically, if either of us fail, someone will be handing over some cash. Let's just hope it's not me. haha. It's a good way to motivate myself to get something done....

and it works....usually. Let's hope it does again this time, or I'll be a little more poor.

my morning prayer

"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever -- do not abandon the works of your hands."
-Psalm 138:8

everyone needs a little Oswald in their lives....

"Don't cave in because you have been baffled once, get at it again. Burn your bridges behind you, and stand committed to God by your own act. Never revise your decisions, but see that you make your decisions in light of the high hour." -O. Chambers

Patty Griffin @ the Orange Peel

One of my lifetime wishes has now been fulfilled, as of Friday night. I got to see Patty Griffin play a show in Asheville, NC. It was phenomenal. She has one of the most pure, beautiful, powerful voices I have ever heard. The set list was amazing, and I got to hear almost everything I could have wanted her to play. Including: Useless Desire, When It Don't Come Easy, Trapeze, Burgundy Shoes, Mary, Heavenly Day, Up To the Mountain, Kite Song, and so so so many more. It was fabulous. Her music is so beautiful, I had tears in my eyes during several parts of the show.

We got to sit 25 yards away from the her as she sang, on the 6th row, left center. It couldn't have gotten any better. I also would not have wanted to watch it with anyone different than who I got to see it with (Matt, Beth, Marie, Lindsay, and Matt)....some of the most amazing people in the world. :-)

Overall rating of Friday night: 10. Hands down.

"you've already lost
when you only have barely enough
of her to hang on..."

-Dashboard Confessional

tonight I met Mark for dinner in Jedberg. "What's in Jedberg, Katie?" you may say....and to you, I will answer "not much of anything." haha. Nah, we met right off the exit at Wilsons Trucking Corporation, he hopped in my car, and we found a good pizza shop (with directional help from a lady at Hess) and had some dinner. Then we drove through some pretty cool neighborhoods in Jedberg...and went and sat back in truck company parking lot for an hour and a half or so and "hungout." haha - no seriously - we just hungout. It was a good time. Always is. :-D He leaves tomorrow morning for Washington D.C. for the week. I'm jealous.

BUT, I get to see Patty Griffin's show tomorrow night in Asheville!! wahoo!!! I'm so stoked. Then I get to go to Erin's house for the rest of the weekend for Kelley's bachelorette party....in which I get to see Erin's brand new diamond she's wearing on her finger. Yet again...stoked.

I'm worn out. Been studyin' my butt off all week for my neuro practical.....therefore, now I will go to bed. Goodnight!!

photoshoot....

(he is amazing...)

hello.

I am finally sitting down to take a 'break' this week where I have nothing on my plate to do in front of me....and it's kinda nice.
I finished a big research paper this morning, so I don't need to worry about that anymore, and although I'm sure there is some sort of school work I could find to do, I'm going to neglect to think about it at the moment, and enjoy the comfort of lying on my bed and watching PTI on ESPN.
They are talking about Jerry Colangelo right now...I've met he and his wife before. That's kinda cool. I hope he buys the Cubs.
TNext week is Vince Gill's 50th birthday...and he's married to Amy Grant. Just a lil' FYI.
My boyfriend and I had a great time this past Sunday. He didn't get into town until late Saturday night, but Sunday we played in my softball game (in which, he hit a homerun), then went out for a Sunday afternoon drive. It was BEAUTIFUL outside - so it was a great time. We had the windows down and drove out to John's Island, and the Kiawah Island area...then went out to Hamptom Park and played some frisbee, he climbed a big tree, and we just goofed off for awhile. THEN, to cap it all off we at some Zaxby's for dinner, and it was FABULOUS. It was certainly nice to spend the day with him.
I'm going home this weekend for Easter. My brother, Tifany and Anna Grace are flying in, and Mark's parents are in town - so it should be a good time.
I can't wait for the semester to be over...I'm so in need of a break. The countdown is on......
Guess that's about all for now...happy easter, everyone! Don't forget what we are celebrating (and it's not the fact that it's Cadbury Egg season), and praise Jesus, because He is, indeed, risen.

whoa!!!

My best friend in the whole wide world is ENGAGED!!!! That's right - Erin Mathis is getting married! I got the call this afternoon with the news...and haven't stopped smiling since! (seriously - my cheeks hurt). I couldn't be more excited for her....and in fact, I don't know if I've ever been more excited for anyone in my life...I even teared up I was so happy. I can't wait for this new stage in her life...she's going to have a husband...crazy! CONGRATULATIONS, ERIN...and Andy...you are marrying one of the most amazing women I have ever met.

oh, Mitch.

Mitch Hedberg is one of the funniest men to have ever lived.

click here

for some of his funnier bits.....excuse the language.

I guarantee you that these will make you laugh.

my favorite 4 year old in the world.

Tyler and I and the Koala we made on his birthday at "build-a-bear"

isn't he a stud?

a couple of cali pictures

I haven't had time to really post anything about my trip, but here are a few pictures. These are random ones at Newport Beach, Santa Barbara Pier, Malibu and Hollywood....perhaps more to come later. It was awesome. :-)

backhand.

This is good stuff. A slap in the face, if you will....but a good one that we, as Christ followers especially, need to get.

"It is much more comfortable to depersonlize the poor so we don't feel responsible for the human failure that results in someone sleeping on the street while people have spare bedorooms in thier homes. We can volunteer in a social program or distribute excess food and clothing through organizations and never have to open our homes, or beds, or dinner tables. I'm just not convinced Jesus is going to say, "When I was hungry you gave a check to the United Way and they fed me, or when I was naked you donated clothes to the Salvation Army and they clothed me." Jesus is not seeking distant acts of charity. He seeks concrete acts of love: 'you fed me...you visted me in prison, you welcomed me into your home...you clothed me.'"

shout out

My flight leaves for California in 8 hours...which means I have to get up very very soon...

but before I leave, I just want to give a shoutout to my parents and to my boyfriend for being so awesome. Both of whom are helping make this trip possible in big ways.

Y'all rock my world.

Until we meet again, I'll be gettin' my dose of sunshine on the other side of the country. PEACE!!!

me, in a nutshell.

I'm tired. I've had 2 tests in the past 2 days...both of which I didn't begin to truly study for until the night before. But, they are finished now, and aside from working on a project I am home free until I leave for LA.

Erin got me SUPER-EXCITED today about going to LA. I've been absolutely thrilled at the fact that I'm going out there to see her...but I haven't actually thought extensively about the fact that I'll be in California. I've just been excited to get to spend some time with she and Carla. Well, today she emailed me a list of options of things to do while I'm out there --- and well --- I'm pumped. Just a glimpse of the possibilities to wet your whistle (and mine again):

-wine tasting in Temecula or Santa Barbara

-Clippers game- Sunday at 12pm against Detroit or Lakers game at 6pm against another team

-Santa Barbara-kayaking, biking, shopping, wine, eating, fishing??

-Surfing or playing volleyball at my beach

-Comedy-The Laugh Factory, Jay Leno at my beach on Sunday, or The Comedy Store

-music club or concert

-Hollywood- sign, shopping and all, Chinese Theater, stars, hand prints…homeless and drug dealers…spiderman

-OC - beaches, shopping, food, and people watching

-San Diego - Coronado Island, Gas Lamp district, zoo, downtown, beach, pretty things, shopping

-Santa Monica and Venice Beach-crazies doing shows for money, shopping, Santa Monica pier (this is fun but not fantastic)

-Getty art museum-Katie, this will be a good one for you to do one day while I’m at work. It is beautifully landscaped and great place to just hang out and read and people watch…there are kids’ art classes too

-Hiking in Malibu (haven’t done this but I know there are great trails)

-Shopping in Melrose

-TV show filming of some sort (I’m sure we can find something)

-Just hanging out together and you don’t care what we do

-Game night where you all slaughter us in any game involving a brain



that's right...how AWESOME does that sound? ohhhh man, I'm excited. I'm ready for a break, that's for sure.


I got a haircut tonight.
I ate Zaxby's tonight (a brand new one that just opened) and it was SO GOOD.

Oh, a funny story: Rachel and I went to study on Sunday night...and we were like "let's go to the C of C library, that'd be a good place" -- so we meet, walk across the street and try to open the doors...and they're definitely locked. So we go to the revolving door and push, and it's definitely locked, so we're peering in the windows trying to figure it out, then we realize that they are on spring break. so, here we are, 2 girls with our backpacks on looking like we're trying to get into the library, at the intersection of a busy street downtown - where there are people probably thinking we are the biggest nerds in the whole world for wanting to go to the library on the 1st sunday of spring break. We got a good kick out of it. We end up going to our library, and it also posed some funny things. For instance: it is silent up there on the 4th floor and there are only like 4 of us up there...and some dude keeps burping out loud. kinda gross...but hillarious...because we have no idea if he realized he was even doing it or not. we were like, "seriously...is this happening?!?"

ok, I think that's all the updates for now....I'm really really tired. More to come later. Goodnight.

don't build your house on sand.

"Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, beause it had its foundation on the rock."
Matthew 7:24-25

Expect the rain to come, the streams to rise, and the winds to blow in your life --- but have confidence that if you trust in the Lord, and follow his commands - that you will not fall. He is a rock upon which you can stand....even when the storms head your way.

I am a gamut of emotion.
And tired of trying to figure it out.

to allow you each to see the aforementioned cutest nephew in the world playing soccer....here you go. :-) oh, and here's the other lil' rug-rat hammin' it up with NFL runningback Samkon Gado. Gotta love a pale red-head 1 year old and a black nigerian 24 year old playing together before bed. haha.

"A page is turned in this world to reveal a little girl
With a heart that's bigger, as it is unfurled
By the language in her soul, that's teaching her to grow
With a careful cover of love that will not fail

And the God of second chance
Picked her up and He let her dance
Through a world that isn't kind..."

this, that, and the other.

I got one of the most awesome compliments ever tonight. Rachel said these words to me: "you are SO Ellen's long lost fraternal twin!!!! Seriously." It was a fabulous moment in my life. I heart Ellen, as most of you know, so to hear those words brought a smile to my face. Maybe I like her so much because she's awesome like I am. Uhh, I mean...
No seriously - thanks Rach...you know how to make a girl smile.

I've decided that I'm going to read straight through the gospels over the course of the next however long it takes me. I started tonight in Matthew, of course. Should be cool. It's the story of Jesus, how could it not be?

I witnessed an unbelievable event yesterday. That's right, it's true. Mark and I went to the grocery store - and EVERY parking spot was full, including the handicap and expectant mother parking spots. There were people driving around looking and waiting for spots to open up, like at the mall during Christmas season. It was insane. I mean, who's ever seen that at a grocery store? Harris Teeter was hoppin' I tell ya. They probably all heard that I was going to be there, and that I was Ellen's fraternal twin, so wanted to catch a glimpse. It's all I can figure.

I cooked dinner last night, which was also another first, because I think for the first time ever in my short-lived cooking career I made a meal that had at least 3 different foods involved, in which case NONE of them, I repeat, NONE of them were out of a box, bag, or can, pre-made. I made a poppy-seed chicken casserole, a rice/cream of mushroom gravy-ish concoction, and some zucchini. The rice, of course was from a bag, but all rice is, right? It wasn't one of those "8 minute" rice things though that is already flavored and stuff....it was just a bag of plain rice that I started with, to make a deluctible side-item. And it all turned out delicious. Crazy, I know.

I cooked french toast this morning for breakfast, too.

I'm a machine. Can't nobody hold me down.

Clemson basketball is on a downward slide, and it saddens my heart. Perhaps they can turn it back on in the ACC tournament. But, alas! good news! It is almost MARCH. The best time of the year. College basketball at its finest, ladies and gentlemen....sigh....you can't get much better than that. I'm stoked.

I learned today that my lil' 3 year old nephew is now on a soccer team and has cleats and shin-guards. I'll be honest, I can't think of anything more cute than that at the moment. I'm gonna take my cleats home this weekend when I go, and play some soccer with him in the yard, because we are just THAT awesome when we get together. He's the man.

I just read this, so I will leave you with it. An awkward transition for an ending, but - it's good, so I will write it anyways. It's from John the Baptist, in Matthew Chapter 3. He says:

"The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I (Jesus), whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Dang. There's power all over this man named Jesus.

I'm obsessed. Completely.

I love Patty Griffin. It's true. I got my ticket today to see her in Asheville - and man - I absolutely CANNOT WAIT to see her play....

my dream set: heavenly day (hence, the video), sweet lorraine, when it don't come easy, mary, rain, tony, kite song, burgandy shoes, be careful...plus whatever else she so desires. haha. I'm a nerd, I know...and entirely too excited about seeing Patty Griffin. But hey, it happens.

aaaaaaaaand I'm pumped.

I'm going to LA in 2 weeks to see my best friend Erin. That's right - 2 weeks and counting....

and I just got a phone call from another one of my best friends in the world, Carla (who lives in D.C.), telling me that she found a good flight and got off work, so she's coming for a few days too!
woooohooooooo!!!!!!

you have no idea how excited I am. California with 2 of my best friends....shyea...we're gonna live it up.

oh, and I bought a Patty Griffin concert ticket today.

life doesn't get much better. I'm totally cheesin'

AWESOME.

If only I could be lucky enough to see something of this caliber in real life....

rain.

life can rush in quickly at times and overwhelm you with feeling.
it is often easy to get washed away when you are least expecting it.
it's like in an instant a crack in your heart can break open the flood gates.
one thing leads to another and before you know it you are lost in a thought...a memory...a tear...in the rain.

Variety Playhouse - "Come Here Boy"

I've been listening to some Imogen Heap tonight, and it took me back to when Bri and I saw her show in Atlanta at the Variety Playhouse. She is stinking amazing....and I was watching some YouTube videos of her stuff when I came across this....this is a video someone took at the show we were actually at, which is cool. It was much better in person, obviously, but well, she's good any way you look at it....on YouTube, in person, or blaring through my iTunes playlist. Enjoy.

myself when I am real.

"My love is deeper than the darkness of my soul
And my love has the habit of forgetting to let go"

Bebo Norman's song, "my love" brought me to tears tonight. Simply. Beautiful. (Listen to it if you get the chance).

Myrtle Beach Marathon: February 17, 2007

Scene: Myrtle Beach Marathon and Expo (Grand Marriott Hotel)
People: Myself, Mark, Heather, my cousin Drew, Jessica --- 1/2 Marathon runners
Place: Myrtle Beach, SC
Time: Saturday, February 17; 6:10am-9:00am
Temperature: 26 degrees - 28 degrees

So - this is it. Saturday morning. We rose at 4:45am and were out at the starting line around 6:10 or so in 26 degree weather, before sunrise, ready to get our run on. We ran for a few hours, then got some medals - gave some hugs - smiled a lot at the accomplishment - froze our butts off, etc. It was a good time, and these pictures captured a little of it. (the ones in the dark are obviously pre-race pictures --- the ones in the light are post-race).