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!