Friday, November 25, 2011

By the Power of Christ in Me...

This has been a really great song for me to hear and sing along to right now. I pray it encourages you as well.

It's Casting Crowns' song "In Me"
you can also watch the video by clicking here

Lyrics below:
If you ask me to leap
Out of my boat on the crashing waves
If You ask me to go
Preach to the lost world that Jesus saves

I'll go, but I cannot go alone
Cause I know I'm nothing on my own
But the power of Christ in me makes me strong
Makes me strong

Cause when I'm weak, You make me strong
When I'm blind, You shine Your light on me
Cause I'll never get by living on my own ability
How refreshing to know You don't need me
How amazing to find that you want me
So I'll stand on Your truth, and I'll fight with Your strength
Until You bring the victory, by the power of Christ in me

If You ask me to run
And carry Your light into foreign land
If You ask me to fight
Deliver Your people from Satan's hand

To reach out with Your hands
To learn through Your eyes
To love with the love of a savior
To feel with Your heart
And to think with Your mind
I'd give my last breath for Your glory

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Thankful for Cookies!

Hi there!

So yes the joke is Katie does not go near a kitchen...I don't cook and have no desire right now to learn. However, because of my great friend Kristen, she showed me how to bake the most amazing cookies ever. So that's what I do, bake cookies, chocolate chip and chocolate chip-less are about the extent of my cookie baking but it's a start.

The reason I'm writing this blog is because I didn't realize how much I loved baking cookies with friends until I had to bake them by myself. It just wasn't the same. This got me walking down memory lane and I started thinking about all the people I have baked them with.

The list goes: (if I forgot you I'm sorry!)
1) The amazing Kristen who taught me how in Colorado and came all the way to NOLA to bake more with me! LOVE YOU GIRL and YOUR AWESOME FAMILY!
2) Kari from Canada and Ross from PA - it was a Sunday after church and we didn't have much to do but felt like baking. haha. Remember we even made one giant cookie and gave it to my neighbors!
3) One time after a block party with Matt, Shelby, Jen, and Jeremy in the LA house listening to Mumford and Sons in the background.
4) This summer at the guy's house on the north shore with Dustin, Keri, Ronnie, Chelsea, Jen, Shelby, and more. I did such a great job of delegating that when I asked "Who hasn't done something yet?" the response in one voice was "YOU!" haha!
5) This past November I made them twice - first with my girl Kim who even stirred in the 5+ cups of flour by hand...she's amazing! second - with Terah and Laura who came all the way from Maryland to hang out! Thanks so much girls!

So yes I'm thankful for cookies that brings friends together and provides fun and laughter and fellowship as we then eat the deliciousness the cookies and of our hard work!

Who will I bake them with next I wonder??

Katie :)

Savoring this week...

Hi Everyone!

Yes I made it safely back to NOLA. Thank you for your prayers! It was a blessing to see the staff in Haiti along with catching up with some local Haitian friends! I praise God for how He is working in Haiti!

Maxo (pictured above) is a local Haitian who we are partnering with as he invests in the local children by providing education for them and telling them of the hope they have in Christ. Maxo has over 50 students and a heart to reach even more kids with the best education possible and with the Gospel. Pray for Maxo, the teachers there, the students, and our staff members Ashlee and Mario as they invest in the lives of the teachers and students to further God's Kingdom!

I'm savoring this week in New Orleans and not just because it's Thanksgiving but this is technically the last week I'll be in New Orleans until I reach 100%. Yes I am coming back for 2 weeks at winter break but I can't stay after that unless I've reached my support goals.

So I'm seeing as many friends as possible, eating all the best food, and rejoicing in my Lord and Savior who called me to this work in New Orleans. I have a feeling once I return for good, I'll have a renewed appreciation for being here and do my best to never take it for granted. No matter what, I know God is in control, His timing is best, and "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

My prayer is that no matter where I am over these next few months I continue to draw near to my Savior, be content in Him, live each day out of my love for Christ, and obediently follow Hard after Him!

Thank you for your prayers! Happy thanksgiving!

Love you!
Katie :)

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Praising the God of Hope!

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

Hi Everyone!

I am beyond grateful to God for allowing me the chance to spend 2.5 weeks straight in New Orleans! It was such a blessing to spend time reconnecting with friends and staff! I can't believe sometimes it's been 3 years and 5 months since I've moved here...and I still wonder sometimes "Where else would I live?" I really do <3 NO!

More Praises:
God has blessed me with 4 visitors over the last 3 weekends. It has been so much fun to show them around and spend quality time with them! Thanks to my sis, Kim, Terah, and Laura for making my time in NOLA a blast!

My intern-now staff Chelsea has been recruiting at colleges in PA, MO, and AR for the internship program! Praising God for multiplying me and calling Chelsea to serve longer with us! He knew I'd need her!

From the looks of it my support is up to 50%!!!! This of course is only because of my Lord and Savior who works in people's hearts and allows them to give! I praise Him for raising my support and I praise Him for how He'll continue to show Himself faithful as I strive for 100%!

Prayer Requests:
I leave for Haiti tomorrow and I'm requesting prayer for wisdom and guidance as we seek to partner with local churches/ministries to reach their community for Christ.

Travel Plans after Haiti:
Once I return I'll spend Turkey Day in NOLA, then start my trek back to NC via ALABAMA...going to see the Jones' who took such awesome care of me and my car back in September. Then I leave for Minneapolis Dec 1st and Massachusetts/Connecticut Dec 4th! Please pray for safe travels (and no wild animals running out in the street) and for God to continue to raise up my ministry partners! I'll be in NC from Dec 12th-ish to Christmas! Hope to see you if you're around!

Prayer request for traveling mercies as I'll be driving and flying around lots!

Love you guys! Thanks for praying and for taking the time to read this! Let me know how I can be praying for you.

In Christ,
Katie :)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13