i'm ready to DO

{okay so third consecutive blog post in one day... actually gonna use today's date this time. haha!}

Nursing school is hard.
Really hard.
And I wasn't prepared maybe...
1st semester was great.
I kinda loved it, in fact.
2nd semester.
Well... It's hard.

So here are my thoughts on life after the difficulties of failing tests and scraping by with C's and still working part-time and trying to maintain some type of life...

4/3/14

Hello God,
  I feel like I've just awakened. Just now opened my eyes. Not my physical eyes; my soul eyes. And I'm ashamed it's taken me this long to really SEE. But it's time to move on from all things in the past. All bad habits and laziness and procrastination and selfishness. Because laziness is a sin! And if I don't DO something I am selfishly throwing away the best opportunity for success you've ever given me. I'm ready to DO. I'm ready to be a DOER! Help me when I fail though. Which is, unfortunately, often. Give me wisdom and strength. Help me stay awake when I need to pull an all-nighter to study, because I like sleep a little too much. Help me stay focused and undistracted, because I like books a little too much, and netflix is a pit of darkness that is hard to crawl out of.
  You know my weaknesses (all too well, I'm sure). And now I recognize them fully...or, rather, more than I did a few weeks ago. So I'm ready to take your all powerful, steady arm and move forward without looking back.
  Sure, I'll make mistakes again. Probably several before the day is over. But I am going to FIGHT. I'm going to fight the sin inside my flesh. Because things have to be different. Starting now.

Love you,
Katie

My beautiful friend, Bethany, sent me this devotion the same day I wrote that^ in my prayer journal.

"Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him." Luke 8:25, NIV
  Is there something you are facing - whether in your outer circumstances or in your inner character that seems impossible to command? Something that has baffled you and outwitted you a thousand times, and appears that it will win over you in the end?
  Don't despair. Don't shrug and give up.
  Our Lord - your Lord and mine - can command even the most difficult, unruly thing that seems as if it will never be commanded.
  Let His word "even" be comfort to you. He who commands even the winds and water (and they must obey Him) - He can say to that "even" of yours, "Peace, be still."
  And there will come for you "a great calm" (Mark 4:39).
  Remember that there is nothing you are asked to do in your own strength. Not the least thing, nor the greatest.
  Isn't that amazing?
  How utterly foolish it is to plead weakness when we - even you and I - may move into the stream of that power. If only we will.
--Even This... by Amy Carmichael

So, onward I go. Onward I fight. This hard thing called nursing school...I can do it, with God at my side!

full of blessings

So an update.

In February I applied for a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) job at an assisted living. In order to keep my certification I had to work eight paid hours. I had zero and my deadline was a month away. Procrastination. I. Am. The. Worst.
Talk about a huge blessing when I got offered a job. Originally I was just thinking temporary. I had a job that I loved at the public library. But, after much thought and prayer, I took a big leap of faith and quit my job…before my first day at the new job. For a day or so I had a few, "Oh my gosh, what did I do!" moments. Haha!
But I love my new job. I'm helping people. Everyday. I'm doing what I want to be doing for the rest of my life. And, icing on the cake, I am able to get more hours and I get paid more for what I do.

In March I turned nineteen. I can't believe that in less than a year I will no longer be a teenager.
For my birthday I did something I've thought about doing for, gosh, probably about a year. I cut all of my hair off. Well, I say all…most of my hair.

It was a huge change. But I love it. It is so easy. So so easy. And it's me.

In May I went to see The Lion King Musical. Oh. My. Goodness. No words. It completely exceeded my expectations. I would put it up on my "top ten best experiences of my life" list.

In May I was accepted into my college's nursing program. Part of me was so excited. I was finally getting a real, tangible start on my career. Then, part of me was freaking out about starting school in August. Don't get me wrong, I really want to be a nurse. It has become my passion. But nursing school is tough! And as much as I desire my degree, it was still way out of my comfort zone. Could I really do this nursing thing?

I am half way through my first semester of nursing school. Yes, it is tough. But I'm doing it. And I'm loving it.

Twenty-thirteen is nearly over. We're already half way through October. So much has changed. I've learned so much.
Life can be hard.
Unemployment.
Divorce.
Tension.
Finances.
Death.
Losing friends.
Tears.

Sure. Life is hard.
But life is also so full of blessings. You just have to stop and look.
Hugs.
Family.
My sweet, sweet residents at work.
Encouraging words.
A beautiful sunset.
Friends at school.
The Word. (Have you ever read the book of Amos? New favorite.)
Answers to prayer.
Understanding.

~~~

Tell me. What's been up with you?

it's about time

Gah. I've become such a terrible blogger. I believe an update is in order.

School is out. Thank you Lord! I don't think I've ever wanted a break so badly in my life. The past week in a half I've pretty much been a slug. Other than work, I've done nothing productive. Absolutely nothing. (Well...unless you count reading and watching tons of Netflix.) It's amazing.

I watched The Hobbit. It was absolutely fantastic. I haven't read the book. Actually, I haven't read anything relating to The Lord of the Rings. But I'm a die hard fan of the movies. And The Hobbit definitely lived up to The Lord of the Rings awesomeness.

With there being a lovely break from school, I made myself a list of things to do.
     1) Start guitar lessons. My sister who is amazing agreed to teach me. So far I know the A chord and the Em chord. We aren't real far along in our lessons, but we're getting there. Exciting!

     2) Read Les Misérables. I probably won't finish it during winter break. It's 1,463 pages. O_o But my goal is to finish before the new movie leaves theaters. I've been watching the trailer over and over. Gosh, it looks fabulous.

    3) Spend lots of time with this dear girl.

So far, Bethany and I have had a sleep over, watched lots of Doctor Who, and got our hair cut together. On Sunday we're eating out at Pizza Hut and exchanging Christmas gifts. Can't wait!

Christmas is in three days. THREE. And I don't even have all my shopping done. I'm such a slacker. I plan on finishing up this afternoon though. Hopefully. And wrapping everything. Hopefully.

Downton Abbey season three comes out on DVD on January 29th. And I'm #4 in the hold list at the library. Eek! Excited!

Well...that's all from me. How about you? How is your winter break going?

ketchup

Hello all!

Ag!  It's been a while.  I'm feeling a catch up post coming on...

I am a college student.  Anybody else out there experiencing full time college for the first time?  Mind blowing!  Some days I'll get home and not have hardly any homework and get to read all day long.  "College life is amazing!"  Then other days I'll have tons of things to do in a day and a half on top of my job.  "Panic attack!"  But overall, I'm really enjoying my college career.  Anatomy and Physiology is tough.  I'm in love with my English class.  And I get lots of exercise walking from class to class and then to my car.  Today I got a really good parking spot and I felt like doing a happy dance.

I just finished reading an amazing book.  It's called Velvet Elvis by Rob Bell. Wow.  It is incredibly thought provoking.  It's a Christian Non-Fiction and talks about repainting the Christian faith.  I definitely recommend it....but to those who are really grounded in your faith.  It touches on some major topics.

Still crazy about Doctor Who.  My sister and I actually redecorated our bathroom into a Doctor Who theme.  *grins*  I'm in the middle of season three now.  And, I'll try not to ruin it for anyone watching it currently, but the end of season two was probably one of the saddest things I have ever watched.  I cried.  And it took me a good while to move onto season three.  But, I'm okay now!  I'm getting used to Martha...she's nice.  Different.  But nice.

If you would, take a moment and click on this link here.  Walking on Sonshine is my best friend's newly established blog.  I'll love you forever if you'll go check it out.  It's pretty great!

October Baby comes out on dvd today.  I saw it in theaters and thought it was just splendid.  I'm very tempted to go out and buy it.  I might, just might, go do it...then I can have a movie night tonight.

Before I close this post and hit the 'publish' button, I wanted to take moment to say something about today, 9/11.  It's been eleven years.  I pray that we all remember that tragic day and the lessons it taught us as a country.  I also pray for the grieving families out there that lost loved ones in the attacks.  You're in my thoughts and prayers.

Blessings to you all!  Have a super fantastic day.

I've got something to say.

"You are heaven's Haley's Comet; we have one shot at seeing you shine.  You offer a gift to society that no one else brings.  If you don't bring it, it won't be brought."  --Max Lucado

Senior Banquet

Graduation

 Instead of picking one gown color, we decided to be a rainbow.

It happened.  I graduated.  I am officially a high school graduate and a college freshman.


My weekend was amazing.  If I tried to thank every person individually here and now I know for certain I'd leave somebody out... So, thank you to everyone who attended my graduation; you are the bomb.  Thank you to all the behind the scenes people that made this thing happen; everything was beautiful.  And one big thank you to my parents who put in so much hard work and dedication these last many years to giving me the best education possible.


What an incredible journey I've had up 'til now.  It's been so fun...and gone by so fast.


Am I ready for this growing up thing?  I think so.  God'll be with me.  I can do it.


The song below was kind of my theme song for graduation.  It says that if we're living and breathing, we have something to say.  That if our heart is beating, we have a message to share.  God's love is in us and speaks through us.  That is my hope for the coming years...that the Lord will shine through me.  


  


Philippians 2:13 & 15, "For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will and to act for His good purpose. ...so that you may be blameless and pure children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars."


{Photo credit goes to my daddy.}

Waldo

You know those books?  The "Where's Waldo" books?  I love those books.  In fact, I was nicknamed by a friend one time for that very reason.  But, I'm getting off subject...

God gave me Waldo.  And I wanted to tell you how.

As many of you know, I'm approaching my high school graduation.  In the fall I'll be a full time college student.  It's no secret that I'm really excited.  And also a bit nervous.  One of the reasons I'm a bit nervous is because of my schedule change.

For the past two years I've attended our community college with my brother and we have been truly blessed to be on the same time schedule with our classes.  This coming semester, though, will bring a change to that.  I'll be taking four classes, verses his two.  Which means I'll be out there a lot longer.  We both have different jobs.  My sister has a job.  My mom has a job.  We only have one vehicle.  To share.  I started getting a bit frantic.  "How is this going to work?  I can't keep the truck for the entire day while I'm at school.  What if Mom's in a meeting and I have to get to work?  Or Annie has to get to work and Zach has to be picked up from school?  This is going to be crazy!  How is this going to work?"

I started thinking about my options.  And, me being me, I worried.  A lot.  I thought that maybe I could get another part-time job in the summer to cover the expense of buying my own vehicle.  "But what if I can't get a job anywhere?  What if this doesn't work out?"

"God, I need a car!"

One Sunday morning in late March I sat in church and listened to my pastor talk about being satisfied.  And, more than that even, trusting God with everything.  And through that complete trust, how peace follows.  I decided that day to give it all to God.  That my worrying wouldn't change my circumstance.  That it wouldn't bring me a vehicle.  I realized that I thought I needed a car.  I don't need a car.  I wanted a car.  Sure, it would definitely make life a bit easier.  But I'm sure we could probably figure out a way to get by without one.

"God, I trust YOU.  I trust YOU."

The very next day...and I'm talking the very next day, my daddy tells me my aunt has called and that she suggested I borrow Grandma's car.  She's unable to use it anymore and it's just sitting in her front yard.

God is just overwhelming sometimes, you know.  The way He works in and through us for His glory.  It's overwhelming.  And completely amazing.

My grandma and some other family members gave the okay (Big, huge thanks to them!  *hugs*) and my parents brought Waldo (My twelve year old brother, Logan, gave the car it's name.  He said it sounded like Volvo.) home.  It needed a bit of work done.  Due to a sunroof leak there was some mold and water under the carpet.  It went to get cleaned...for over two weeks.  Which was a definite test of my patience.  But whenever I got stressed or anxious about the situation, I could hear God whispering to me, "Katie.  Calm down.  I've got it.  I'll get you through."

We brought Waldo home to stay on Wednesday.

 My little flip flop air freshener.

Waldo is my blessing.  My big, amazing blessing.

{Thank you to Annie for taking some of the photos.}

this thing called life

My mom and I ordered my graduation invitations the other day.
I've been looking at different cap and gown combos.  Hm...I'm thinking green.
Senior photos were captured over the weekend.
Full time college schedule quickly approaching.

This thing called life...it sure is moving fast.  Part of me is immensely excited.  The other part?  Well it just wants a moment to breathe.

I wrote in my prayer journal today..."Thanks for being in control!"  It sure is a relief.  I don't have to carry all this adult-ish stuff on my shoulders.  God's got it all taken care of.

With no worries to bog me down I think I'll...

{source}

So that when I go to bed at night I can easily say...

{source}

and that...

{source}

This is how my story goes.

Want to know something?

Want to know something special?

Really, really special and exciting?

Ok, ok, I'll tell you.  ;-D

This is how my story goes...

All week long I've been anticipating the mail.  Every single day I wait patiently until our mail lady (that's right...not a mail man, a mail lady) comes around the cul-de-sac to our house.  And all week, I haven't received what I've been waiting for.

And then Thursday arrives. 

Thursday, the mail happens to come early and I spot our mail lady across the street at 2:30.  My anticipation grows as she walks around the cul-de-sac and finally makes it to our house.  I exit the front door, sprint down the porch steps, open the mail box, shuffle anxiously through the envelopes...

And then my eyes light on my name.  My name.

I pull it out of the stack, glance at the return address.  Is it?  Is it?

Yes.  Yes it's exactly what I've been waiting for!

I nervously and with much excitement run back into the house, calling for my mom.  You see, I was too anxious to open the letter myself.  My mom smiles at me, rips open the envelope, her eyes soaking in the words.

She grins and quotes... "You have successfully completed both the written and the performance tests of the Medicaid Nurse Aide Competency Evaluation..."


I jump!  I grin!  I'm breathless!  I'm so excited!  So blessed!  All in the very same moment.

Do you know what this means?

This long awaited moment?

This means...that I am a Certified Nursing Assistant!

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
Psalm 27:14

You know you're growing up when...

when your mom says it's officially ok for you to wear eyeliner.

In moderation of course. ;)  I'm not really a fan of heavy make up.

 

when you're starting a list of colleges you'd like to look at and possibly attend.

Right now, this college is #1 on my list when I finish at the community college.

{not my image}

They have a pretty sweet mascot. ;)

{not my image}

when your driving test is right around the corner and you'll be able to legally drive independently.

{not my image}

I don't think my mom will let me drive independently just yet...but I will be able to when she lets me!  Whoopy! 

when you watch younger relatives grow up.

These are my baby cousins.  That aren't really babies any more. :( 

when you realize you only have one more year...

One more year of church and home school youth group.  One more year of youth praise band.  One more year of high school.

One more year of kidhood.  (<---Yes I made that word up.)  O_O

But there are also positive things to this.  One more year 'til I can join the adult church choir.  One more year 'til graduation (which equals a big party).  One more year 'til I'm 18 (which equals another big party).  So, yeah, I guess growing up isn't all that bad. ;)

What makes you feel like an 'almost grown up'?  Tehe ;)

Me? A nursing student?

Yesterday was my first day of nursing home clinicals for school.  It was such an...I don't know, almost indescribable day.  I was experiencing a small taste of what I could be doing.  Of who I could be.  Better yet, I loved it!  And I love that I loved it because through this whole process of college and settling on nursing has left me a little nervous and frazzled.

Why, you ask?  Well, ever since I was a little girl I'd wanted to be a teacher.  It was kinda my dream.  A couple years ago, my mom had surgery and I was the one who took care of putting ointment and bandages on her stitches.  That was the first time nursing even came to mind.

A few months before my first college semester I did a complete 360.  I didn't want to be a teacher anymore.  I felt the Lord calling me to something else.  Nursing maybe?

I started my nursing courses only a couple months later and still wasn't completely sure that it was for me.  I even had the 'what am I doing here?' feeling a few times during class. 

But, you know what, God is faithful.  By the time I started my second semester of nursing, I knew in my heart that this was what I was supposed to be doing.  And now it is even more confirmed.

Here's me in my scrubs!  Wearing these were one of my favorite parts of the day. ;)   

Haha!  Daddy had me pose like this.

I'm still not 100% on what I'd like to do once I'm a certified nurse.  There's so many options.  But you know what, that's ok.  I'm going to follow the One who does know. :)

P.S. My computer is back up and running so my watermark is back!  Hooray! *happy dance* :) 

Good-bye Break!

Hi!  It's good to be back!

I'm waving at you all through my computer screen!  Haha, I literally did. ;D 

I had a really good two week break.  I will admit, though, I had to break it a couple times to get on facebook.  I had to contact some people.  It was with my parent's permission though!  I wasn't like rebelling or anything.  Hehe ;)  But, I was really kinda proud of myself.  I stayed off blogger the whole time. :)

So, what'd I do for two weeks with zero to very limited Internet access?  ....

• Annie's birthday!  She turned 14 on the 2nd.  (Her b-day post will be coming soon.)
• Reading.  I finished two books over the break and I'm almost done with a third.
• Writing.  I'm really glad I was able to write these past two weeks.  My sister and I even did some brainstorming and came up with new cool ideas for my story. :)
• School & work.  Eh.  The not so fun stuff, but I was able to concentrate on them better.
• Hanging out with friends.  On Tuesday we went to the movies and on Friday we had a cook-out party at my house.  It was SO much fun!

Well...I must conclude my little post now.  Today also happens to be finals day at school.  So I gotta go study.
It's good to be back.  I'll write soon. :)

Less than 10 Dollars

What can you get for less than ten bucks? Well, this year for me, it was school supplies. Are you wondering how? I'll show you. :)

I found these folders with Bible verses on them in a two-pack for $2.50 at Walmart. Love them!

I bought the white binder for $1.78 and then used things I already had, such as the ribbon, stickers, and colored card stock, to decorate it the way I wanted.

$0.25 notebooks! Oh yeah!

This backpack was free, courtesy of a friend. (I haven't had to use a backpack since 4th grade...what a weird feeling!) You may be saying, "I can't go around asking my friends for a backpack, Katie." Check out your local consignment shops or Goodwill store. You can find barely used name brands pretty easy sometimes for great prices.

I hope everyone has a great school year!

Back-To-School

First day of school.

Starting college classes.

Well, it's that time again! For most kids starting school is a big leap back into routines and schedules and home work. It's a little different for us. We school year round mostly, taking breaks when we need/ want to. I like it better this way I think. Before, I got bored during the summer. lol But, it's still hard to believe I'm starting my Junior year of high school. Someone recently asked me what grade I was in. When I told them I was starting 11th they said, "Oh, so you're on your way out." I guess so... That's a startling, and kind of scary fact.

Zachary and I started classes out at the community college today. We are in a program called Discover College where you can get a jump start on your education. I'm taking Health Services. By the end of my Junior year, I'll have my CNA. It's really a very neat program, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to do this. Both Zach and I will definitely have to get used to it, though. Walking around on a college campus as a student, at the age of 14 and 16. Yikes! Mom gave us each a memory verse to take with us to class this morning. Here's mine:

"I will say to the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.'"

Psalm 91:2

This reminds me that, though I may be uncertain about my future, which I am right now, to take it one day at a time and not worry. I am in the care of the Lord Almighty!