I Have a Question

The other day at church my small group leader asked the question: "Who is God to you today?" That question wrecked me. We all know that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), but I think God is something different to me every day. For example: Sunday, He was my Shepard. Yesterday, He was my strength. Today, He is my peace. I've been having a bit of  rough week and He is most definitely my peace. 

So I want to challenge you to ask yourself the same question. Who is God to you today? I'd love to know :) Hope you're all having a great week!!

-Kaitlyn 

A New Mission

I have wanted to go on a mission trip for a while now, but I have never felt "called" to one. Ever since 2010, when the earthquake hit Haiti, I have loved the country. That was the first I had heard about it. I love learning about the culture, the people, everything. I even wrote a song dedicated to Haiti when the earthquake hit called "Hope Inside." Of course, it wasn't even good, but it's the thought that counts, right? Anyways, this past year I have wanted to be challenged spiritually. Don't get me wrong, everyday I wake up I am challenged spiritually, but I wanted a different kind of spiritual challenge if that makes sense. So March 10 I was sitting at my computer looking at all the different mission trips to Haiti my church had coming up. I saw one for October that I was totally capable of going on. I thought about it and just brushed it off. God was not happy about that. Little did I know the next night at church he would wreck me and put me in full surrender mode. That night my pastor, Nate, was talking about getting out of your comfort zone for the Lord. I thought like oh sitting with new people at lunch or something. Nope. Not on God's agenda -- not for me at least. I did not know that the next thing my youth pastor said would completely wreck me and cause me to lose it. He said "We have a fall break student mission trip to Haiti in October. Maybe that is how God wants you to get out of your comfort zone." I have never heard God scream so loud in my life. I thought to myself "This is it. I'm going." That moment I completely broke down and got down on my knees in full surrender. I thanked God for his love, sovereignty, steadfastness, etc. A quote that I am reminded of through this is:  "God isn't looking for something brilliant, He is looking for something broken." (Bob Kaufflin said that) And I discovered that when you are broken on your knees, crying to him, you find him.  That night I signed up to go to Haiti without even telling my parents. The first person I called was Craig, and I didn't even know what to say. He probably thought I was an idiot. Came home and told my parents, and they were shocked but happy. So looks like I am going to Haiti in October! Considering planes are my biggest fear, it is going to be a challenge but I am up for it. I cannot wait to spread the gospel and love on the people there. I hope to give them even just a glimpse of Christ's love so they will want to know more! I am so thankful for this and I cannot wait to see how God uses the team that I am going with. If you would like, join me in praying for the people of Haiti and our team going there. That God would use us as a vessel for these precious people.

Mark 16:15.

-Kaitlyn

Another Cool Person

Meet Evan!!! I've known Evan for almost two years now and he has been such a blessing in my life! I have only met a select few people like him. Those people are some of the most fired up people for Jesus I have ever met! Evan has a way of encouraging people that I have never seen before. Evan has this radiance and light about him that is so so rare, I don't think I have ever seen it before. When you talk to him, you can just tell he loves Jesus and is so passionate about his Savior, He encourages me when I don't even need it, and I could not be more thankful. He has truly been a vessel God has used in my life, and has become one of my very best friends. I will be eternally thankful that he is in my life, and I cannot wait to see what else God does with him!!! Thanks Evan for being such a truly amazing friend! I hope everyone has someone like Evan in your life!

-Kaitlyn

Meet This Cool Person

Meet TRISHA!!! Trisha is one of the most selfless, sweetest, kindest people I know. She is absolutely completely beautiful inside & out. She has such a heart for the Lord and for people --- something I have never seen before, She radiates such a positive vibe that is so wonderful and uplifting! I haven't known Trisha very long, but in the time I have known her I have become a better person because of her. She challenges me to tackle things I do not want to tackle and to hold onto Jesus during everything! She encourages others when they don't want it. I am so thankful for this sweet sweet sweet friend and I am so happy she is in my life!! I hope you all have someone like Trisha in your life! I am sure they are a true blessing as Trisha is to me!

-Kaitlyn

Meet This Cool Person

I have the privilege of knowing a lot of cool people, and I want to start introducing you to them. Meet Craig. (Really hope he doesn't kill me for posting this). I work with Craig and boy oh boy am I ever so thankful he was brought into my life. My first day at work he was the manager on shift and the only one to say hi to me. Now we have become super close and he is like my big brother and is one of my biggest inspirations. Craig is in school to become a pastor, and I don't think there is a better calling God could have set out for him. When you talk to Craig, you get this instant happiness inside you and you just want to know more. He has taught me so much about Jesus and my faith, and so much about myself. I don't know how I ever lived through life without him. He is my mentor, my inspiration, and my brother. Everyday I see I am scheduled to work with him I get excited because I know we are gonna either have a deep conversation or make sarcastic remarks that make my night better, So that's Craig. A Jesus loving weirdo who's heart is on fire for the Lord. I hope you all meet someone like Craig! Everyone deserves one :)

-Kaitlyn

Worth

Talking about self-worth can be a really touchy subject for some, but in this post, my aim is to help you know your worth, and what the Bible says about your worth!!

Let's start in the beginning - Genesis 1:27. Right from the start it says "So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." How cool is that to know that God created us in HIS IMAGE?!! Like it doesn't get much more beautiful than that.
Now to Song of Songs 4:7 You are altogether beautiful, my darling, there is no flaw in you." The book of Song of Songs is a beautifully written book. Solomon knew what he was talking about. This is just one of the countless times in the Bible where beauty is mentioned. It seems like God is trying to get a message across to us. Flip to Isaiah 62:3. It's talking about Zion here :: "You will be a crown of splendor in the Lord's hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God." Look how beautiful that scripture is!!!  There is so much hope in that. Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." This is a very common passage of scripture, but we can cling to it. We are fearfully and wonderfully made!!! We are all temples of the Lord, and I don't think it gets more priceless than that. There is so much hope in Jesus! There is so much WORTH in Jesus! We are His children and He made is in HIS image! Don't you just love that? From our mother's womb, he knitted us together and created us in our inmost being (Ps. 139:13). Hold onto that! Know your worth. Know your worth in Him!

Let's Talk.

Lately my life has been absolutely nothing shy of stressful and insane. I have lost friends, lost opportunities, and in a lot of ways, lost myself. I have a hard time with stepping back and taking a look at everything I have lost and gained in these past couple weeks and seeing how it has changed my life in a lot of ways. Sometimes, you lose people for a reason. The reason may not be very visible then, however God has an absolutely PERFECT design for our lives!! One of my good friends said this: "some friends are there for a reason and some are there for a season." That couldn't be more true. So as I have lost some people I thought would be in my life forever, I am so thankful for the lessons I have learned through it!! So next time things seem like they are falling apart and ripping at the seams, remember the beautiful and wonderful design God has for your life (Jeremiah 29:11) and rest in that!! He is so good!! Let's stand in thanksgiving of our sweet sweet Savior!!

Much Love,

Kaitlyn