Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Something Old, Something New, Something Good from Something Blue


One of the things Mark and I loved about our wedding day was how God brought a lot of our favorite people and put them in one room with us!  There were 20 states and 3 countries represented at our wedding.  I don’t say this to brag but to point out a very awesome fact about Mark and I’s wedding day.

The majority of these people who came from all over were people Mark and I had met while serving in New Orleans.  To name a few: the pastor who married us, the couple who took our photos, 4 members of the bridal party, our cake baker, and many guests!  If it wasn’t for Hurricane Katrina, Mark and I wouldn’t have met in New Orleans.  If it wasn’t for Hurricane Katrina, we wouldn’t have met all of these amazing people and had the chance to celebrate with them. 

The “Something Good from Something Blue,” I reference in my title is that Mark and I’s union would not have happened without the devastation and sadness caused by Hurricane Katrina and God putting it on our hearts to show the love of Christ to those in need.  We praise God that He can take the storms of this life and make something good come out of them.  We are so thankful that God would choose to use us to bring the hope of Christ to others in the wake of crisis.  We pray that whatever storms we or others may face, we don’t forget that our God is sovereign, He is in control, and He can turn them into good. 

"He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushedThen they were glad because they were quiet, so He guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the LORD for His lovingkindness, and for His wonders to the sons of men! Let them extol Him also in the congregation of the people, and praise Him at the seat of the elders." (Psalm 107:29-32)

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Katie, Katie, married lady!!

"Katie, Katie married lady" is the song a friend sings to me as she's getting my attention.  It is crazy to believe that yes she is talking to ME! This lady is married!

Thank you for your prayers and best wishes for Mark and I as we said "I do" on February 1st, 2014.  The day was absolutely beautiful!  We praise God for not just the weather but for the people that were able to come and witness our union.  We also praise God for the ceremony and how the pastor was able to make it all about Christ and what He did for us so that we could be united with God and with each other.  God is good all the time!

New Orleans News
We have a team in New Orleans this week from Appleton EFC, WI.  I first met this team in August 2008 and I'm so glad they have come back!  The team is working at brother Larry's home and at John's home in the lower 9th.  Please lift them up in prayer as they minister to the homeowners and community as they venture out on prayer walks!  Our staff members Bud and Lois started out as volunteers with Appleton EFC.  You just never know who God may call to come serve with us longer and our staff has definitely been blessed by Bud and Lois! 

Intern News
Please pray for me as I ramp up for spring break rush with 5 colleges coming to serve in New Orleans in the month of March.  Please pray for me as I reach out to college leaders and college students now about internships with ReachGlobal.  We have one accepted intern for New Orleans this summer and another gal has completed her preliminary information form to serve this summer.  Please pray for God to raise up the right people to serve with our ministry for summer 2014!

Personal Prayer Requests:
I ask for prayer for Mark and I as we continue to adjust to married life and to our new home on a new street in New Orleans.  We're new to the husband and wife roles so please pray for continued love grace and wisdom to be poured out onto us.  We're excited to have the opportunity to be a light in the neighborhood and we want to build relationships with our neighbors too  Also I have quite the list of places where I need to change my name and update information.  Even this blog is created in my Katie Hooks name with my katiehooks gmail account.  I'm praying the process isn't as painful as I'm anticipating!

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Proverbs 9:10