Sassy Kassie

Where did I go

2006-09-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

No where, I'm still here! Surprised?! Wondering what I've been up to aren't you. Well, I've been busy! Between church & work there isn't much time for any thing else. I started a new job back in June. I currently work in guest services (front desk) for Spring Hill Suites by Marriott. It's bran spanking new, we've been open for almost nine months. WOW, feels like a lot longer than that. I'm part of the opening crew I stared during the finishing stages of construction. I went through out cleaning, organizing, & setting up the rooms. There isn't one inch of space I haven't touched in that place. You know the saying "blood, sweet, & tears?" I experienced them all. But we had so much fun, we really bonded as a staff. We worked crazy hours, 40+. One night my self & two other girls I became real close with worked a 20 hour shift! We called it quits at about 6am went home slept from a few hours & where back in that afternoon by 2pm ready to go back at it. We then kept our shifts between 7hrs to 18hrs. CRAZY!! Now that where open I have steady 7hr shifts. I'm full time BIG answer to prayer! But exhausting. Like I said between church & work I don't do anything else. The church is growing & doing great. The other week I did a head count & about 260 something! WOW! This weekend we have the MacSorley's from Scotland in town. Should be a good time, I have big expectations for this weekend. Well there you have it, now you know!

KEEPING IT FRESH

2006-03-29T09:06:00.000-08:00

"Hey there! Are you thirsty, come to the water!
Are you penniless? Come anyway--and eat!
Come, get your drinks, have some wine and milk.
Come without money--everything's free!
Why do you spend your money on junk food,
your hard-earned cash on clothes?
Listen to me and listen well: Eat only the best, fill yourself with what is good.
Pay attention and come close now,
listen carefully to these life-giving, life-nourishing words. God is making a lasting covenant commitment with you, the same that He made with David: it is sure, it is solid, and it is of enduring love. God set David up as a witness to the nations, made him a prince and leader of the nations, And now God doing it to you: You'll summon nations you've never heard of, and nations who've never heard of you will come running to you Because of your GOD, because The Holy of Israel has honored you.
Seek GOD while He's here to be found, pray to Him while He's close at hand. Abandon all wicked ways of living and the evil ways of thinking. Come back to GOD, who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness. Isaiah 55:1-7

Today is a fresh new day - have you taken a fresh drink lately or are you trying to live like a camel and survive on stored up water from yesterday, last week, last month or even last year?! Time and time again God pours out His blessings to us, He honors us and He calls us to go and do - every day He has something fresh and new for us. We have to keep that as our focus or else we get bogged down by trying to make it all happen in our own strength. What God is willing to give us for free, we sure can make a hard time of it by trying to work it out on our own.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

2006-02-10T09:02:00.000-08:00

LOVE IS PATIENT,
LOVE IS KIND,
LOVE IS UNDERSTANDING,
ALL THE TIME.
LOVE CHEERS OTHERS ON,
IS HUMBLEST OF HEART
AND THE STRONGEST OF BONDS.
LOVE THINKS OF OTHERS
INSTEAD OF SELF,
KEEPS TRACK OF RIGHTS
LETTING TROUBLES MELT.
LOVE ENJOYS THE TRUTH
AND IS PATIENT IN ALL THINGS.
ALWAYS TRUSTING, HOPING
AND HAVING GIFTS TO BRING.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-7

It's a New Year and a New Day

2006-01-11T10:37:00.000-08:00

Do not think so hard trying to remember the past,
all those things that have happened so long ago!
Wake up and see that I am doing a NEW thing!
It is bursting forth, a fresh flowing of rivers of life!
Open you eyes and look up so that you
don't miss what I am doing and about to do!
I am making a way for you to travel through
what has seemed so densely forested,
a jungle of turmoil and stress;
and I will provide rivers of refreshing
where you have been parched and dry as a desert.

Isaiah 43:18-19

You will live a long life & eat many fortune cookies

2005-11-30T19:18:00.000-08:00

As many of you may know my family & I enjoy take out. Especially Chinese!! I have always found the fortune cookies to be the best part. I can't wait to see what a slip of paper has to say. And I will go on record to say that I save the fortunes that I like the most. I know it's stupid but I think it's funny. Last week when my mom & I decide to once again do Chinese for lunch I received the fortune that read "It must be home-grown". I don't get it. Do you? I have been banging my head up against the wall trying to make sense of it. Do you have an opinion? A guess? Something? Come on you must have something . Well I don't get it so I thought you might.
Well..... Good Night then.

2Chronicles 26

2005-11-02T23:36:00.000-08:00

Today in my study of the Beth Moore series "Breaking Free" I read 2Chrinicles 26. This portion of scripture talks about King Uzziah taking the throne after his fathers death, all the successes that take place during his reign & then his down fall that led to his avoidable death.

Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king & reigned for fifty-two years. Uzziah did right in the eyes of God & prospered because of it. Uzziah reigned during a time of many wars. His army was built up strong because of God's favor over him. 2Chronicles 26 verse 5 say's "and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him."

But Uzziah had a down fall PRIDE. A down fall of many unfortunately. Uzziah's pride blinded him from the very rule he knew & often had obeyed in the past. Only priest could present incense before the Lord but with pride over taking Uzziah's heart, he came to the notion that he had authority to go before God in the holy place & burn incense. I would like to make a personal comment; that is not the smartest thing to do seeing how you only want to go into the holy place before God & offer up incense with a clean heart. But like I said pride had blinded Uzziah.

Needless to say the proper God appointed Priests approached Uzziah telling him to leave that this was not his place & Uzziah gets an attitude. God see all this & smites Uzziah with leprosy instantly! Uzziah goes & eventual dies alone. But the point that stands out to me is what it said in verse 5 "As long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him." As long as, that's it! As long as... Come on!! I can look back at many things in life that could have been avoidable as long as I sought the Lord. Kind of makes you hit your self in the head and say "Stupid!"

But hey that's what is a missing link for so many. As long as you seek the Lord, God will prosper you! So many falls, trips, stumbles, accident can be avoided with something so simple & easy. So that's my revelation for the day.

As Long As You Seek The Lord, God Will Prosper You!

God Would like to have a word with you .......And He did !

2005-10-03T11:38:00.000-07:00

So God spoke to Lynnsy when she read my blog titled "Nothing A Strong Drink Can't Fix" So she took what God said & but in a really cool presentation for me & well there it is on the right. I wanted to share it with you all cuz well I thought it would make a great post so there you have it. Just click on it & it should take you on to another page & maximize it for you so you can read it, cuz it looks like scribbles in the size it's in now. So I will leave you to it.

Work & More Work

2005-09-27T15:08:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note all is well here in GR. All I ever do any more is hang around the house waiting to go to work. Being an adult in not what it appears to be & any fun. Well I'm off to you know where. Later then.

Nothing A Strong Drink Can't Fix!!

2005-09-20T23:36:00.000-07:00

So I don't have any thing to write about that will grab your attention & keep you on the edge of your seat. So you might want to quit reading now cuz I'm going to complain & be rather blue.

Work is going well & keeps me busy for a good part of the week. But, I still have lots of free time. Nothing seems to make me happy right now. I don't want to go out all day & be a busy bee. But I don't want to stay at home all day or just work all the time. I can't really seem to make up my mind of what I want. And a strong drink isn't going to fix it. They never do, not that I have experience to talk from.

I don't want to put the effort in to make myself happy, but I don't want to be this way either. I don't want to do anything. I don't want to go any where, or hang out with any body. But I don't want to be alone. I just want to sleep or watch movies. Something is wrong, deep down inside I feel sick to my stomach & like crying when ever I'm in large groups of people. I wake up exhausted & at night I will fall asleep on the couch, but when I actually go to bed I can't fall asleep for hours. But on top of it all I feel fat. Such a typical girl thing I know! But Since working at Lane Bryant I feel as if none of my clothes fit & I have nothing nice enough to wear to work. I know what all the women reading this are thinking & I'm not right now. But could I maybe be slightly depressed & know enough to diagnose that I might be? Maybe I'm just losing my mind cuz it sure feels like it. Not a good sign thought hun? I just feel unsatisfied. Praying & reading the word would more than likely help eliminate or find a solution to this what ever you might call it. I look around at others in the body right now & seasons are changing spiritually as well as physically. But I don't know what is going on with me. Am I changing & if so in to what? I have so many questions & don't hear any answers. I feel like I do nothing & am nothing because of it. It's almost as if I walk around groggy all day. I want something to change but I don't know what I want it to change to. I want some thing to happen that is fun new exciting & scary but I don't know what I want to happen.

Has any of this made sense to you because I need you to explain it to me. Trying to put my present state of mind into words is really hard I might have just confused my self more. If you are reading this part why are you reading this part I would have quit back at the title. Well thanks I thought I would just ramble a few thoughts off to you who ever you are. Hope your enjoying your day & Ill try to write about some thing more interesting next time.

SWEET BABY JESUS!! You Are Going To Laugh At Me

2005-09-17T15:49:00.000-07:00

This hideous awful thing of the devil was in my shower earlier this afternoon! YUCK!!! As I was washing my hair out of the corner of my eye I see a shadow of something on the other side of the curtain. And then I realized that it was VERY BIG SPIDER!! I froze in complete panic. As I tried to quickly come up with some way to kill it I jumped out of the shower dripping wet, conditioner still in my hair. Wrapped a towel around my self & stood there starring, thinking, & dripping wet. I soon came to the conclusion that I could not kill this thing my self, I needed to hire an assassin!! But who? My parents had gone, Jill was out side playing WHAT DO I DO?! I could face my fear & take care of this thing my self, So I pulled back the shower curtain & caught a small glimps of it's face. There it was staring at me with all it's eyes, drooling at me! Thinking it could eat me for a late lunch!! Oh, FATHER SAVE ME!! SURELY THIS ISN'T HOW I GO?! I was left with no other option than to get Jill from out side (still in my towel dripping wet. Not such a pretty site for neighbors thank God no one was around) So Jill came in asking whats wrong, I tell her my horrifying life or death drama & she LAUGHS AT ME!! What kind of sick sense of humor does she have?! So after about a minuet of BEGGING her to save me, she agrees to help & goes into the bathroom.
She picks up a squirt bottle with water in it , & begins to shoot the GIANT SPIDER. But it doesn't die!! Then she starts spraying it with hair spay, & it tires to make a run for it! By this time I'm SCREAMING at Jill that it's moving towards me & she says "YAH I CAN SEE THAT."
So I started handing her hot cups of water from the sink to pour on it so that maybe we can BURN it to death!! Good Hun? I know.

Finally it falls on to the shower floor. Dead!! I run to the kitchen & grab A HUGH WAD OF PAPER TOWEL. Jill picks it up throws it into the toilet & FLUSHES that sucker down. But O yah your not suppose to throw paper towel in the toilet. So the toilet clogs! And the COLD LIFELESS CORPS is floating there haunting me even now! Jill runs to get the plunger & save my day!! MY HERO!! Finally that sucker went down. HA HA HA HA!!!!

As Jill is leaving the bathroom & I'm getting back in the shower she says "I JUST HOPE IT DIDN'T LAY ANY EGGS" what?!?!?!?!?! Are you kidding me?!?!?! Not only could it come back to life & walk back up the pipe & come back, or it's friends & family could come after me!!! I have to worry about it laying eggs?!?!?!?! I still have chills now three hours later.

Hold up, I do know that I have nothing to fear But my imagination tells me different! So that's been my excitement for the day. I'm off to work soon. It's going GREAT!! Just so you know.
Later yall! Much Luv!!

I'm Back!!

2005-09-11T23:12:00.000-07:00

Well hello there! It's been a little over a week since I last wrote & I do apologize. So are you ready to hear about all the new & exciting things going on? Of course you are!

So in the last blog I wrote about leaving for the bible weekend with the Kenosha church. I had a FABULOUS time!!I met sooo many new people, as well as catching up with those I've come to know over the years. I got to spend some time (not as much as I would have liked but I was mix & mingling with the young adults like she told me too) with my LOVELY Grandmother. I would like to say THANK YOU for inviting me to stay with you, as well as paying for any of my expenses (like the ferry ticket home) too! I am very much GRATEFUL! I enjoyed my self tremendously! THANK YOU again!

I Got a Job! Surprised? Yup, finally got me one. As I was leaving last Thursday night to drive to Kenosha I was give a message to call Lane Bryant (they called when I was out of the house earlier in the day). So I quick called & the offered me a sales associate position. I of course took there offer. I started this last Thursday. I worked yesterday, today, this coming Tuesday, Wednesday, & Saturday. That I know of so far. I'm enjoying it so far. My feet hurt real bad yesterday because I wore heals. I'm not the most practical all the time. But I have no money for proper nice looking flat shoes. Every thing I have now is high heels or flip flops. So I am trying to figurer something out until Friday when I get paid. Even thought I'm not making good money right now this job seems to be what works best for me. The employees & customer seem to like me. And my managers (there's four total) are willing to work with me in the scheduling department. Give me all the extra shifts they can but give me the hours I need off for other things too. GOD IS SO GOOD! He's given me what was such a Hugh obstacle back when I was looking. PRAISE HIM!!

Ladies Tuesday morning will be starting up an Tuesday. All The ladies say a very loud YEA! We all enjoy our Tuesdays, hot cup of talk, the word. & then lunch to reflect is the normal routine. Carol & Dave Roberts are coming to visit GR in October. So the ladies will have Carol for a few meetings which will be great.

Louise left this last Thursday afternoon. A very sad moment for every on here in GR. (it was longer than a momment) She is greatly missed. She was schedualed to leave on Tuesday the 6th. But when we (Lou, Mary Mom & me) arrived at the air port for check in, there was a glitch. Apparently Lou was suppose to leave on Sunday the 4th, not Tuesday the 6th. Lou had no idea that it was suppose to be this was & was understandably upset. So we spent the rest of the day trying to get another cheap flight home for Lou. She eventually did find one for a good price that left on Thursday. So Lou spent two extra days at my house which was nice. It was easier to say good bye that way too. So right now she is back in South Port. But we will see her soon. Most likely in January, unless I am able to pop over to see her first. I doubt it but you never know.

Well I will end it there so that you don't complain about me writing a novel. Cause some of you don't like it when I write for to long. Not naming any names David & Joe! God Bless! And Talk later.

Bon Voyage!

2005-09-01T11:05:00.000-07:00

Well I am off & away. In about two hours I will be piling in the car with the rest of my family (need to drug up on some thing to block them all out lol ) & will begin the four hour drive to Grandma's! I hope you all have a safe & fabulous holiday. Jilly's birthday is on Saturday so Happy Birthday Jill! Cause I won't see you then. And I will update every one when I get back (I will have no computer access all weekend). Bye!

School's Back In Session!

2005-08-30T16:22:00.000-07:00

So today the girls had there fist day of school. And I am so happy! Not that I don't love them & enjoy spending time with them. But the are ready to be back keeping busy & making new friend's. They both transferred to a different school but in the same district. Last night the school held an open house for student & parent's to come see the facility & meet the staff as well as class mates. Both of the girls where very nervous about today. And I would be to if I had a new school, new teacher, and all new class mates. Jilly transferred with two other girls she's been in class with since kindergarten. And Katie transferred with one other boy she's known since kindergarten too, but their not really friends.

But PRAISE God! He has the girls best interests in mind & made sure they did not feel alone. Both girls met a new friend right away. Katie last night (with the help of mom) met one of her class mates last night & must of hit it off?! Because Today the girl (Maradith) Came to school with a present for Katie & they both sit next to each other. They already call one another BFF! How cute& amazing how fast kids make new friends with out judgment or fear. Jilly has made friends with the girl who sits across from her. They are all ready are tying up the phone line. Like they won't see each other day after day for the next several months. lol I'm so thankful we have such an amazing God who love us SO much & takes care of all the little details.

While the girls where in school mom & I went to Marys for coffee with no interruption by kids. So nice Jenny came after a while too. But her kids don't start school till after the holiday. Poor thing she need a break from those loud boys! lol They we ran around doing some mindless arenas, which went smoothly with out two little girls who argue or are hungry & tiered & have to go to the bathroom right now! It goes so much fast when you don't have the girls slowing you down. Ha ha Now I'm baby sitting so the girls will get to bed on time cause to night is Life Group. Tomorrow I plan on painting my submission to the church art show, only one problem I have no idea what I am doing. Maybe I will drop a dot of colored paint onto a whit canvas & call it art. How about that? That is talent. lol The job search continues, I didn't get the other two I spoke about previously. But, I had an interview with Lane Bryant on Monday that went very well! I am vary happy although I would only make $6.50 an hour. That's a big bummer. But I am more excited about this one than some of the others. I also got a message from Bath & Body Works they would like to interview me. So looks like I might be go towards RETAIL. HMMMM not to sure how I feel about that. But its a job right? Oh, I will be leaving for the bible weekend at Green Lake on Thursday night. I am so excited!!

So I'll end there. Hope you are all well & enjoying your week I know it's a blessed one . (how cheesy) Much Luv

Funny Story

2005-08-25T17:06:00.000-07:00

I have this friend who is quiet special, odd, random, happy, bubblie, enthusiastic, & intoxicating. And about three years ago we went on a missions trip to Albania. And we also got to spend a few days in Greece. We spent one night in Corfu, which is located on the coast of Greece across from Albania. And after spending seven or so days in Albania , we got to spend two nights & one full day in Athens. We stayed in old town where the acropolis is. And of course we went to see the acropolis. The trip up hill & down was difficult. But we made it. Well sort of. You see the pic above is of my dear friend Andrea (which many of you know). And after struggling up hill decided that the trip down would be hard. And it was. The road was steep, and made of polished rock. It look pretty but not safe. As we traveled down (my mom Cher, & Andrea's mom Mary) we could not seem to stay on our feet. We kept falling on our butt's, just like a baby learning to walk. So Andrea after landing on her butt for what seemed the hundredth time through her hands up in the air & shouts in frustration ( and pain I would think)something like well I might as well just roll down the hill! We all agreed that this would probably be easier, plus just entertaining the thought of her actually going through with it. And to our surprise she actually did it! We laughed so hard. And there where all kinds of locals watching too. Nothing like leaving the four loudest American women all alone in a foreign country to draw attention to themselves. We did have so much fun watching Andrea just roll down the road, & then she tried to stop that was a site to see. Oh the good times we have together. In fact I'm going over to Mary & Andrea's soon so I need to go get all prettied up. Bye now.

Who Are You?

2005-08-24T00:31:00.000-07:00

So after much thought I still have no conclusion to who the secret mystery person is. My first thought was my lovely grandma. Because I know that she loves me soo much! But when I opened my mail this morning I discovered that I was wrong. So my next thought was my Parents. But my mom says it's not her. And as for my dad, well is it you? But I'm not so sure it is my dad. I'm asking for so more clues. I know that you love me,(so you must be close) your proud of me, you have witnessed growth & maturity, (you must very close) and you admire me the most. The most in who's book? My book or yours? Are we close? Do we talk regulary? Do I see you often? Do you live here in GR? Do you live in the states? Here's a big question can you name all the countries I have been to? Hint there are 5. If you do know me & love me as much as you claim you should be able to name all five. Much Luv.

The Exciting Life We All Live Here In GR

2005-08-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

I don't have much to write about. I'm still waiting to hear on the two jobs. It seems that all this week was interviews. Not much fun!
Todd & Linda Vantil are moving in to their new house today. I helped paint earlier this week. A very nice color selection, they seem to be going with a Tuscan theme.
Yesterday mom & Mary went to Jenny's to do the video interview for Extreme Home Make Over. Jenny's house need's to be ripped down, because it's falling down. Not Good.
To day is advertisement for the big out reach in one week. So this afternoon around three pm, myself as well as many others from the church will be door knocking. I hope it doesn't rain, it looks like rain, well I think it did rain but I of course was sleeping.
Hanna Dugan is on vacation in North Carolina, oh I miss her she was suppose to help today too. Erin's back in town but I haven't seen her. Jessica is dog sitting for the Dugan's while their away.
John & Hiedi Nebbeling came over last night & hung out, ate, & fellowshiped. Good times! I of course cooked. mmm.... It was good if I do say so myself. Eggpant permesan, home made bread, spaghetti, salad (Hiedi made the salad), & an ok wine. Vodka would have been better, or maybe scotch. INSIDE JOKE!

Bill Clark is in town he will be teach tomorrow at leadership development. It will be good to see him again, he's a great guy. Matt might be there too. I don't know if I want to see him again, is that too mean? Oh well, I said it. No really it will be nice to see Matt again too.
Well I should run I have laundry & dishes to do. Wow my life is so fascinating isn't it? But go about the rest of your day blessed if by nothing else other than the fact that God is good all the time! Much Luv.

Nothing

2005-08-19T09:07:00.000-07:00

No new news yet. I'm still waiting to hear from Progressive, by the end of the day I should know something. I have the second interview with Heart Land in about 45 minutes. I'll update when there is more to say. Be Blessed Cause God Is Good After All! (Like you don't know that)

When It Rains It Pours

2005-08-16T15:18:00.000-07:00

Well, it seems to be pouring on me right now. I received a call back to the interview from Monday. I have an interview tomorrow with Progressive, a design & architecture company. And Lane Bryant called for an interview (clothing store). Oh my gosh! So many choices. Praise God he is Great after all! Bye now.

The Interview

2005-08-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

So I just returned from the interview I spoke of in my last blog. Yes I did go. And I had a good time, isn't that odd to say? The lady who interviewed me was great we laughed almost the entire time. Odd, for an interview. I don't know if I got the position but I will know by Friday.
Do you want to know the details? Of course you do! It would be third shift (11pm - 7am) I don't know if I could stay awake thought. Full time, 11 something an hour, nice! (More than I made before.) The facility is only 5 maybe 10 minutes away from home. The facility isn't very big at all, only 65 beds. WOW! literlally only three hallways. A big down size from Holland Home. And as more positions open up on different shifts I have the opportunity to move shifts. But I don't know if I would want too. With working third shift I don't have to worry about missing any Sunday morning meetings. Tuesday morning women's bible study with lunch after. Tuesday night life group. Or Thursday night worship practice. My days would be free, I might just like this third shift thing.
Well I should go I need to start making dinner I'm thinking lasagna with home made bread & salad. Well I should go then I have a lot of cooking to do. Enjoy the rest of your day.

Every one else is so positive - I'm not so sure

2005-08-15T00:10:00.000-07:00

So I haven't truly written in a long time. But nothing interesting is going on that is worthy to be written about.
I haven't gotten a job yet but God is in control & I'm not in need. I have an interview tomorrow after noon with yet another nursing home. But I'm in conflict. I can not seem to settle on how I feel about working there & if I really do want the job. But with talking to God about every thing we've come to the conclusion that if this is where I'm to be then I'll know, & if not God will slam the door & I'll know his decision. And be in peace about what happens. Last week I had an interview with the local hospital for a CNA position in a continuing care unit. I didn't get the job. And I never got upset scared or emotional at all. I just simply said ok I'll keep looking. I must say that I'm proud of my self because normally by now I would be thrashing my self on the floor like a 2 year old in a fit of rage. But I'm in complete peace.
Today at church during yet another week of intense corporate worship God spoke to me about the job interview tomorrow. He told me this is not the one. This job would take me away from where I am today, but not to worry he has something better that I'm going to love & will fit perfectly. Well, ok then. But as the day has gone on I don't know what to do. Do I go to the interview and face possible rejection or a job offer that I might have the temptation to go against what God told me? I have no problem going tomorrow & facing rejection, but to face possible temptation is not a good idea. Here is where a bigger problem comes to play was it me who said this & not God? I felt at the time this is God it couldn't have been more clear. He spoke so clearly which made me more excited than anything to just here his voice. But, My mind is not helping, it just tries to rationalize everything. When I don't what it all to be rationalized out. I in all honesty believe God spoke clearly and I heard him, but I'm slightly confused on the directions. Do I go to the interview or not?
This is a post where I would love to hear all comments not that I don't on the others. But please comment & let me know your thoughts. So praise God, hallelujah, God is good. Be blessed by his amazing favor!

Weekend Update

2005-08-10T00:13:00.000-07:00

So Saturday night was the big event for James & Lynnsy. It was absolutely lovely. But quiet hot! The ceremony was rather unbearable. It was out side as the sun was beginning to set. The reception though cooled off which made it comfortable.

This pic was actually taken about two years ago at Ben & Debbie James wedding.

Sunday morning was AMAZING! The worship, & the word Andrew brought was excellent. The presence of God was so thick you could cut it with a knife. (not that you would want too) But during worship as we where singing the presence of God fell & you could suddenly hear then tone, or note, something dramatically change with in the entire body. WOW! It was as if the voices suddenly changed throughout the congregation. Or angles joined in. And then we went up another level. It was so GOOD! God Is Great!

Hey There Cowboy

2005-08-05T14:30:00.000-07:00

So not too much is going on. It's Katies Birthday today, tomorrow is Jame's & Lynnsy's wedding. But tonight is food, friends, & movies. Oh yah good times. Erin, Jessica & eventually David will all be coming over to hang out. If your in the neighborhood drop by.

Well, Nathan won't be there. But I thought it was a good pic & needed to be shared with the world. And let it be a big laugh for all the GAPPERS. (inside joke) He just wants to be a cowboy! And what a FANTABULOUS Cowboy he is.

Oh, as I was writing this post I got a call for a job. I have an interview on Tuesday morning with Spectrum Health. The local hospital. I'll keep you all up to date, bye.

mmm... Bithday cake

2005-08-05T14:00:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATIE! Today my little baby sis is 8 years old. WOW! Hard to believe.

2005-08-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

So have a good laugh , we all did! And congratulations to James & Lynnsy on this coming Saturday. Every ones looking forward to it.

Bachlorette Party!

2005-08-01T15:15:00.000-07:00

It was ladies night and the feeling was 80's. Oh Grand Rapids had a blast from the past Saturday night, it was Lynnsy Firlan's bachlorette party. And wow did we all have a good time. The theme was the 80's a bit scary but several good laughs. Some cheap champion, a little karoking, big hair & lots of makeup. Good times.

Relationships

2005-07-29T20:52:00.000-07:00

Today I hung out with an old friend. I don't know if you could use the term "old friend" because we've never been friends until recently. Jessica & I were on the GAP team together, we started out as two people placed in a position that would most likely end up in friendship. But, I had my doubts. We never seemed to get along when both of us where on the team. I can say that as far as my actions go I was not the easiest person to get along with. When in a mood I can be quiet difficult. And with every thing I was going through I was in no position to be a friend to any one, I needed to sort out internal emotional issues. In all honesty I never expected to be a friend of Jessica's. We just didn't seemed to get along no matter what. But after tonight I've had so much fun with Jess. Just hanging out & have a few good laughs, I haven't had fun like that in so long. It's not what I ever expected the two of us to be doing. I love Jess very dearly, but I didn't really see "restoration" if you will happening.Before to night that is. God is GOOD! God has surprises around the corner we never expect. But no matter how surprising they are God is good!

Now Hang On Just One Minute!

2005-07-23T01:49:00.000-07:00

Ok everyone for those who have read "The Side Of The Road" I would like to make a few points clear. First of all I am not looking for pity! So I hope you don't have the impression that I am seeking any. Secondly I write to clear my head I love getting feed back but what I say & write aren't necessarily how I feel. I let my mind & emotion's go. I tend to be very open and bold with what I say. I hope that none of you think I'm a nut case & should seek therapy. I have God so I'm not wasting money on some one to talk to. Beside I have all of you! Arn't you so lucky?! (LOL) Since I began writing my mind seems a little more at ease. Lastly I don't know if I want to be a lawyer, a nurse, or super hero. I think I would make a really good villain though. But anyways this blog has helped me to freely express my self with all that life throws my way. Like I always say " I'm just saying what every body's thinking". But I will say Thank you to all the encouragement I have recieved from you all. Luv Ya!

The Side Of The Road

2005-07-21T12:04:00.000-07:00

So it's been a few days since I've written, but in all honesty there's not much to say. It's hot & muggy outside, it did start to sprinkle but then stopped. I still haven't found a job, I feel so useless. Like I should be looked down upon. I've started having dreams about being unemployed & seeing old friends who have well established lives & then me who hasn't made anything of her self. What ever happened to all those dreams we grow up with when we were kids? Who told us we can't do it? Why do we just give up? Why do we hurt our selves ? What happened to the "NORMAL" life?
I grew up wanting to go to North Carolina University in Chapel Hill. Where I would graduate as one of the worlds finest lawyers. But I never wanted the court room life, no I wanted in the White House. Standing next to the president, being one of his trusted advisers. Nothing like dreaming big. But around the age of thirteen I went on a mission trip to Mexico. Now I know Mexico is better off than other countries but for a thirteen year old American girl this was an eye opening experience. I saw things from a different view after that trip. I came back wanting to do more for my fellow man. I still wanted to become a lawyer but the white house seemed as if it could never be a reality. And growing up in the church I know & see many things. I thought that if I became a lawyer that I could some how be able to work under Keri Jones with Ministries With Out Boarders. I wanted to be what is topically called a missionary, but not a missionary. Does that make since? No! I wanted to help people But not just helping my fellow man I wanted to help my family. The family members that I never had the opportunity to meet. The family member who had absolutely nothing. The family member who stood off in the distance & would go unseen. I wanted to help establish church's every where. So that where ever I went I had a home with in a 45 minute distance. I remember when I was a little bit younger that I looked Keri Jones in the face & said I want to do what you do, not be the wife of a man who does what you do, but me doing what it is you do. (I can be very bold in what I say, even as a little girl.) Now as I am older I have come to realize that I cant do every thing that Mr. Jones does. Biblical it would not be right.
All through high school this was my dream. But reality is Freshman year I messed up with a low attendance which a affected my grades. So inside I shut down I quiet trying and eventually only attend two classes that I was passing in. But after that I never got my act together. I eventually went on to transfer to the alternative high school, which I say was one of the best choices I made. I graduate a year & a half early with decent grades. But I went straight into working full time. With the intent to attend community college the next fall. Where was that in my dreams? Where did I settle? Now I eventually went on to do the GAP team. But ... I don't really know why other than God told me to do the team so I did. When did I stop dreaming? How did I end up where I am today? When I think about my dreams & what has happened I just end up wondering whatever happened to me. Some times when I look in the mirror I don't recognize my self. Life can really turn you upside down, can't it? And now I don't have any clue where I might be going or what I might want to be doing. It's hard to dream when realities punch still stings.
Well I'll leave it there. God has a plan this I know but I don't know what he's planed. But I guess that's where faith comes into play. Or is that life? Faith.

Finally a little excitment

2005-07-15T00:58:00.000-07:00

The north end life group of New Life Inc. is planning an out reach for the end of August. This is going to be big! Credit must go out to John Nebbling for throwing the ball out there. Well done! So here are the logistics;

Date: Saturday August 27, 2005
Target Location: 1147 Walsh & surrounding area
Advertisement & Design: Kassie Chrisy & Hannah Dugan-flyers, tracks, church pamphlets, ect.
Itinerary for the Afternoon:John & Heidi Nebbling-craft station for kids, live music, ice cream, clowns, face painting, bounce house for kids,
Goodie Bags/Back to School Starters:Cher Sikkema, Heidi Nebbling, & Kassie Christy-2 pencils, box of crayons,(25count) stickers, spiral notebook,(70pgs) folder, flyer for bash, see evagelism for distribution
evangelism:the entire life group & 10 youth group volunteers-door knocking a few days before & hand out goodie bags/back to school starters also to inform neighbors of ice cream bash, door knocking morning of with flyers to remind of ice cream bash that afternoon, one on one evangelism at ice cream bash,

As you can see we all have our work cut out for us. There are those who are working hard to get thing in place so that everything runs smoothly. Some of us have begun to call this a "neighborhood Back To School Ice Cream Bash" We are using what we call "goodie bags/back to school starts" as a hook or bait. I personally have seen local downtown church's do this in my own neighborhood & have successful results. The entire group is looking forward to this event with great expectation. We have set a limit of 150 goodie bags to be handed out. So we anticipate over 250 bodies at the bash Saturday afternoon. I would love to see God give us more, & I personally expect to see at a minimum of 30 to 40 saved. To me this minimum is quiet large but to God it's as small as a grain of sand. We will have about 29 people represent the church. So If every one gets at least 1 person saved we will reach my goal of 30 to 40 people easily. We would like to ask for you to help pray for this event & all that goes with it. In two weeks I will be training the life group on evangelism. I know what all you GAPPERS are thinking, I thought it too. Lord help me! Evangelism is not a strength or a weakness, it's not something I do. Well at least did before. In fact it was one of the things that I quit doing when on the GAP that help lead to me being kicked off the GAP. So I choose to do it now. I deserve to be smacked up side the head. It's like when you see the sign DON'T WALK ON THE GRASS you want to walk on the grass. But anyways I would appreciate any & all prayer for the outreach & my training evangelism to come back to mind quickly. Thank You all so much & I will of course keep you all updated!

The Feeling of Falling Short

2005-07-10T01:26:00.000-07:00

Back in May I was asked more like told to leave the GAP team. Ok I was kicked off. At that time I was living with two other ladies in the church. A short time after being released I had no other option other than to move back home because of failure to financialy support my self. But David a fellow GAP member was living with my parents, infact he was sleeping in what had been my room. So I moved into my dad's office for a little over a month.
Well David moved back to his home in Illinois. He's been gone for about four day now. So I moved some of my belongings back into my room, as I was doing this I broke down & cried. My emotions of pain, failure, & disappointment overwhelmed me. When I began the GAP back in September of 05, I moved out of my parents home & hoped I would never move back in. Now please don't get me wrong, I have a terrific family who loves me. And I love them very much. But some how in my mind I got this crazy wacky idea that once I moved out & finished the GAP that God would finely use me to do something BIG. But from the time I was kicked off the GAP through today, I came to the conclusion that I messed every thing up. That it's all over. I could see God, & my entire church body looking at me shaking their heads in shame.
I have said to my self through the tears that the GAP was all a huge mistake on my part. And what was God thinking to allow me to even apply on the team. Monday May 5th, 2005 I shut God out. I was no longer on speaking terms with Him. But I acted like I was happy & growing in God, that I had moved on. Every time someone from the church would try to give me their pity I would reply "Oh no it's all for the better good". "I'm fine, in fact I'm relieved". (I know I feel think slapping my self for that).
But despite my no speaking policy with God I began to read "Enjoying God's Grace" by Terry Virgo. It was an effort by my Grandmother who wished me to move on with God instead of walk away from him, that got me into the book. I haven't been able to let my self live freely because of the mess I made. For the last few weeks I been standing out side the circle watching others praise & worship Him. At the young adults confrence last weekend I took one step closer to the circle. I am terrified to live. I don't want to make another mistake. I don't want to fail again, especially so publicly. It's like I been standing in my house to afried to walk out the door. You might be asking where I am going with all this but bear with me. I do have a point, going straight to the glory of God.
Today I started a intense 40 days with God devotional. (Because I finished the other book I was doing).In some of the questions that this devotional asks, one question asked: Have I ever felt a void in my life? Well I thought to myself yes. Today inpaticular. But the more I thought about the question & the wording I came to the fact of the matter that I may be feeling a void but there is no void. Void means to contain nothing, lack of, feeling of hollowness, & empty space. But God fills that when we are born again. Right? And I was born again at a very young age. So I never felt the true meaning of a void. Instead I felt a wall, by my own doing.
We as humans are able to be such a mess. Because we go on our feeling, which sometime is not the best choice. In my case it was VERY WRONG to go on my feeling of failure, & falling short of the expectation of being on the GAP. Satan has been having way to much fun on my part. God & the church body isn't looking at me shaking their heads in shame. I let my feelings get the best of me. And hey I'm smarter that. But feelings mess things up. I read in Genesis 1:31 that God looked over all he had made and saw it excellent in every way. That's me excellent in every way even in the hard sad ugly cry times. Being kicked of the GAP was a good misstate.
If any one has actually read this I am so sorry to put you through the confusing realization that I've come to. I have never talked to any one about what's been said in this blog. But writings it down & letting it out of me is such a relief to come to this latest revelation. I do wish that I could have avoided it but I'm walking forward not looking back with regrets.

Life right now

2005-07-08T00:14:00.000-07:00

Life right now in GR is dull. All the big excitement has ended. The GAP has been done for about four days now. Majority of the team has gone their separate ways. It will be exciting to hear from them about what God's been doing with them. Last weekend GR hosted the young adults conference. That went really well. Worship was amazing! As well as the word too. Thank you Dan, Steve, & Andrew. As well as every one who came.
The next big event will be jame's & Lynnsy's wedding, it will be the fourth wedding this year. Bless them! But until them I'm looking for a Job. Ok, I'm not dedicated but kinda looking /waiting for one to fall in my lap. I have watched so much TV & movies that I'm sick of them. Take it from me there is nothing to see. I've been reading to pass the time. Right now I'm working on "Enjoying God's Grace" by Terry Virgo. It's my second time around. It is an easy read and good. I recommend it .