Kisses from Katie: How a Girl Chose the Word

Have you seen this? Katie Davis is following God's call.  Watch this and feel your heart swell...

{Click here if you can't view the video.}

For more about Katie and her children, visit Amazima Ministries...and feel God's call to you.

When struggle turns to trust

photo credit: MS Word

I've been bitten by the running bug and can't seem to shake it.  No, I'm not a runner.  Walking at a quick pace is about as fast as I move most of the time, except in emergencies {like racing to the freezer for a pint of Peanut Butter Cup before TechDaddy fast-forward's through the DVR's commercials}.  I can strength train, walk briskly, mountain climb, and swim like a dolphin, but running is new to me.  I know how, I just chose to never do it for fun.

But then this idea sprang into my brain last February.  The Disney Princess Half-marathon.  Have you heard of it?   It's where crowds of women gather in February at dark 'o'clock in the morning in running gear {tutus and tiaras} to race through Disney's Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.  Let's see...crowds, early AM, running...this didn't sound fun to me so I cataloged it under the brain-file "Silly Notions - dump asap." 

But this running thing hasn't gone away.  I've been struggling with it for months. It just keeps popping up like a lone daisy in a field of green grass.  It's pretty, but it doesn't belong there.

So I've really been questioning this idea.  Why would I want to run?  Why would God want me to run?

Because I do feel that God is in on this scheme.  Why else would visions of running shoes on asphalt circulate within all the brain things that go on in my head? 

Then a few weeks ago, when I read about some bloggers who ran to raise funds for Compassion International, I saw a reason to run.  Saving kids from heartbreaking circumstances is big for me.  Poverty, slavery, trafficking...I can't sit by and do nothing.  But running?  Is this how God wants me to help?

I've actually been shoving it to the back of my mind, trying to forget it, but this running idea keeps dogging me so I finally confronted the thought.  Okay, if this is in my head then let's deal with it now and be done with it.  If God wants me to run {for whatever reason} then He'll make a way, right?  So I asked some "running experts" {new twitter friends} if they thought it would be possible for me to learn and train in time.  I mean, I have NO running skills and the race is 8 months away.  I didn't see any way to get in excellent shape by then and just waited for confirmation of my own subjective opinion, ready to dump the whole running gig.

But God surprised me instead. 

Check out this timeline of my day yesterday {Tuesday}.

10:30 am - Four bloggers tweeted encouragement and advice on running.

11:45      - Two bloggers tweeted they were planning to run the same race.

2:40 pm  - Driving home from an appointment, I saw this bumper sticker on the car in front of me:  Run.

3:55   - At the chiropractor for my weekly adjustment, I read about an upcoming 5K to stop human trafficking.  And my chiro is a runner.

4:15   - Leaving the chiro, we passed the gas station on the corner.  The station's name? Marathon

Pretty cool, right? 

So I'm feeling this pull to start training to run, and I think I know why, but not entirely sure. Am I supposed to get in better shape and that's it?  I can walk miles on the treadmill and bench weights for that.  Is it for another reason?  I don't know.  

It feels like a colossal struggle to me, but maybe this is my Father's way of getting to my stubborn heart.  I always want to know why, always need to know the reason first.  But God doesn't roll like that.  Why can't I just submit to Him everyday, in every way?  Why do I struggle with Him in my daily morning habits, in my parenting?  I think it's all about trust.

When I trust Him, I don't need to know why something is a certain way, even though I might really want to.  With trust, I show God how much I love Him and that I put it all in His hands.  But when I forget to trust, that's when I struggle.

So I'm going to put it in His hands...training to run, parenting issues, everything...and see what He has planned.  I may not know the reasons for everything, but I trust Him to know and lead me.

So what would you do? Are you trusting God to handle everything in your life?

God was Here

As I sat at the checkout line in the rented church hall on Friday, I saw face after face of homeschooling families.  Mothers, fathers, grandparents, teens. Some of the faces were tiny babies strapped to their mama’s backs or bellies, peering out from their cocoon of warmth or eyes closed in sweet slumber.  Regardless of their age or family dynamic, most had come to the Used Curriculum Sale hosted by my homeschool group for one purpose: to buy much-needed items at extremely low prices so that families could continue educating their children at home.  Pure and simple.

Here was I, side-by-side with my daughter working at one of the checkout stands, ringing up purchases of used homeschool curriculum for shoppers.  Staring solely at codes and numbers and index cards of information for over 2.5 hours would have been a monotonous and tiresome way to spend a Friday morning.  But this was not the case as we had the opportunity to connect with each person and family who came to our table.  We greeted customers with smiles and words of welcome, and they blessed us right back with encouraging words and sharing a little of their own stories.

Most were anecdotes by shoppers who were thrilled to find a certain book or product at a price they could afford.  Some related how far they had traveled or who was at home watching their kids.  But soon after the last customer left the building, we all heard a story that tugged at our heartstrings…and brought us all together as one body for Christ.

Melony, a Circle volunteer, shared the story of Nancy who came through Melony’s checkout stand.  Joined by 3 of her 10 children, Nancy drove the farthest of anyone who came to the UCS.  How far, you ask?  All the way from Kentucky!  At this point you might be thinking this woman: (a) must really love curriculum sales; (b) needs a break from the rest of her kids; or (c) wanted to feel the intense heat of Florida in June. If you picked any of those choices you would be wrong.  

You see, earlier this year Nancy’s family of 12 lost all of their possessions in a house fire.  In homeschooling terms, this means every single math textbook, drawing pencil, piece of sheet music, writing journal, computer disc, and microscope is gone.  In the view of a mother’s heart, that meant every craft project, history diorama, preschool handprint in paint, and family photo was taken away. Vanished into a pile of ashes.  But God was there and saw that no one was injured, though I imagine Nancy shed many tears of grief in the hours and days that followed.  

This is why Nancy drove the long distance from Kentucky to shop at the UCS here in Orlando. For one purpose: to replace as much lost curriculum as she could.  Having lived in Orlando years before, Nancy knew about Circle’s UCS and hoped she would be able to find some of what she had lost in the fire.  Little did she know she would discover so much more.

Because after Nancy’s story was shared with everyone, God moved the hearts of the UCS volunteers, who moved to make pieces rapidly fall into place.  Before we knew it her information was found, she was called and invited to come back, and a collection had been taken unbeknownst to her.  Soon after, the volunteers and our group's leader Linda Werner greeted Nancy who returned to find $400 in cash and tables of free curricula available for her to take.  Can you imagine how Nancy felt?  She had lost everything, had traveled far from home probably not expecting too much, but found the love of Christ waiting for her here in this rented hall amidst strangers.  In her surprise, I feel certain the tears that flowed this day were those of gratefulness.  Beauty had come from ashes.  And above all, I am assured of one thing:  God was here.  

“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted… to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.”   Isaiah 61:1-3

And this leads me to praise God for all of my blessings...

~ good fellowship with others educating their kids

~ Mom enduring Parkinson's with grace and patience

~ finding a needed chemistry textbook for my rising sophomore

~ my sweet 3yo niece thriving with a hole in her heart while awaiting an upcoming procedure

~ being vertigo-free for 4 months

~ TechDaddy's creative fire in all things digital

~ my church's strong mission-minded status

~ safe return of the Compassion bloggers from the Philippines

~ school being done {well, except for Spanish}

~ the space shuttle program at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and getting to watch launches from our front yard

~ my adopted daughter in India and adopted son in Haiti

~ connecting with local folks through OCC-Samaritan's Purse

Are you counting your blessings? For more words of gratefulness visit Ann.

Relevant - The Plan

Have you ever wanted something so much, but then you couldn’t have it?  In 2010, I planned for it but didn’t get to go to the Relevant Conference in Harrisburg, PA, partly due to health reasons.  Not going was a complete bummer but ended up being okay with me as I knew it was part of God’s timing for me to wait and heal. {Which I did, thank you Jesus!}  Waiting can be a drag sometimes but so worth it in the end, especially when good things follow close behind.  Like the Relevant ’11 Conference.

This year Relevant’11 is already on my horizon.  Even though my inner ear is better, I still cannot fly so I’ll be driving.  But I won’t be going alone…my daughter, Catz, is coming along!  We already have our tickets to the conference and now we have lots of planning ahead for sponsors, blogging, and traveling there and back.  

So why am I bringing my daughter?  Well, for two reasons: first, she fits the description of who this conference is meant for, a “blogging Christian woman,” quite well and is possibly the youngest one who will be attending…who can type. {grin} Going to the conference will give her the golden opportunity to meet and hear from other women about how they juggle blogging, raising a family, and serving Jesus Christ.  What a benefit this will be for her now before life gets busier.  She’ll also get to make connections with those women who focus on niches she loves {handmade, photography} to give her an idea on how to best handle her future Etsy shop.

And the other reason?  Catz is a lot of fun!  The relationship she and I share has developed because of intentional parenting.  I know, the word “intentional” has been hugely popular over the past few years, but I’m not jumping on any pop-culture bandwagon here.  Being deliberate as a mom has made a vast difference in my family, and this trip is one way for Catz and I to celebrate that mother-daughter bond.  And are we excited!!

So far our brainstorming sessions have made for great ideas and awesome snack opportunities.  {Psst! Cue the dancing cupcake.} While we munched on these incredible chocolate bits of heaven, my girl and I came up with an enormous list of projects we’d like to do in prep for our trip.  Here’s a handful:

• sew some necessary accessories {makeup bags, iPad case, iPhone pouches, giveaway bags, pj’s}
• have stationary goods made {business cards, labels, etc.}
• plan out roadtrip visits on our drive from Orlando to Harrisburg and back {burger shacks, bakeries, fun family spots, Chik-Fil-A, Cracker Barrel, Washington D.C., etc.)
• plan suggest someone else plan a get-together with any early arrivals at the hotel {Something chocolate related sounds fun!}
• complete redesign of our blogs and move to Wordpress {by June 1^st, hopefully}
• find and woo sponsors {C’mon, you know you’re out there!}
• secure a car for the trip {Ford? Chevy? Any takers?}
• craft a surprise for each attendee

Yes, we have quite a list here, but there are 23 weeks left before Relevant ’11…and I love a challenge!  But I’d also like to know what my sister-conference-goers are doing to prepare for their trip.  Will you be flying or driving? What are your plans before you leave? Will anyone be traveling with you?  Are you selling any handmade items to raise travel funds? Who are your roomies?  How are you biblically preparing your heart for this event?

I can think of a zillion more questions, but what I’d love more is to read what you ladies are up to!  Wouldn’t it be fun to share our plans?  I think so. So starting today and over the next 23 weeks I’ll be hosting a Relevant link-up every Thursday!! {This is not sponsored by the the hosts of the Relevant Conference.} Just attach the url of your Relevant-related post to the linky at the bottom of my post.  You can link up as often or as little as you like.  And please be sure to visit some of the other girls' links and leave some comment love.

Giver

Here I sit at the kitchen table watching my son, MrC, finish his dinner. My daughter Catz, sick with a serious head cold, is lying on the couch waiting for him to join her in the family room. TechDaddy, having left the house just minutes before, is on his way to a Financial Peace class at my church.

I was supposed to be with him. By his side, walking hand-in-hand into the classroom, sitting as a couple, driving home together, sharing our day. Instead I am at home, feeling aggravated at everyone including myself. Catz says she feels more comfortable with me at home with her. MrC seems unhelpful and disinterested about keeping his big sister company so I can go out. TechDaddy wants me with him. I feel like I can’t make anyone happy and so I sit watching MrC push peas around his plate and listen to the silence as the tv is paused. 

But I’m grumbling. Not out loud, but inside where only God can hear me. And I realize my face is pinched into a look of irritation. This alone could scare away anyone, child or adult. But this is not what I want for my family. I’m supposed to be giving. Of my time, my energy, my self. And I am. But they’re supposed to get the best of me.

However, Paul speaks on this in God’s word. I remember how he speaks on attitude and states it clearly:

“Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2nd Corinthians 9:7

I know he was speaking about giving tithes, but I think it still pertains to my situation. Giving tithes means we give something that’s valuable to us back to God. If I give the best of myself to my family then aren’t I still giving back to God?

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25:7 

I let out a deep breath, releasing the tension that had been mounting. Now my whole attitude has changed. I’m happy that Catz is feeling relaxed having me nearby. MrC can watch the movie with his big sis and not feel pressured to be in charge, a role he’s not used to. And TechDaddy…while I miss the time we could be having together, he’ll be home in a couple of hours. I’ll greet him with fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies {his faves}, a few well-placed kisses, and time to spend together. Cheerfully.



I'm linking up with Emily at tuesdays unwrapped. Hope you stop by for a visit!

An MRI is Not a Photo-Shoot of Your Brain

Last week I had an MRI of my brain.  No, this was not one of those optional things like getting a choice of fries or applesauce with that burger.   No one says "Hey, Doc, I'd really like to have an MRI.  It sounds like such fun! Can you set me up for one on my lunch break?"

I mean, really...I guess I could have put a funny spin on it and told my friends and family "My brain was in a photo-shoot with an exclusive photographer {radiologist}.  I'm so honored they chose me!"  But somehow I don't think my family would have appreciated me teasing them in this situation.  Because, you see, these medical people were looking at my brain, after all. 

{{Not one more word from you, Honey!}}

Anyway, this all started with me getting daily headaches and dizzy spells, which is strange since feeling dizzy has never been an issue for me.  Being a Florida native I have always flocked with my family -- the theme park crowd -- to Orlando where we have ridden almost every ride ever invented.  I mean, come on now...I am the queen of the Mad Hatter's teacups in the Magic Kingdom, and I've been known to ride the Manta flying roller-coaster at SeaWorld eight times in a row. So this recent dizzying experience has knocked me a little off track.

Well, then my doc ordered me an MRI.  It sounds kind of funny the way they say it like that.  Like it's some kind of fast food order.  Now I really did have a hankering for some fries.

The next person I spoke with on the phone was the scheduling concierge.  As though I was about to make a reservation in a 5-star hotel.  After she set up my appointment she asked me all kinds of personal questions like "Do you have anything metal in your head?" -- a big tip-off this wasn't a hotel -- then proceeded to enlighten me about the perks of my upcoming MRI.  Can you guess? She said I could bring a cd so I could listen to music. Oh joy.

But actually, the idea of listening to music sounded more appealing as I learned more info about MRI's {thanks to the internet...big mistake}.  I read that they're loud. And a bit confining.  And my concierge had said that mine was going to take about an hour.  More joy.

So the morning of my big test had arrived.  Me and TechDaddy, who took the day off of work, arrived at the medical plaza early, registered, and proceeded to wait.  When my turn came up I was all ready.

• No metal on my body {that means on undergarments too, girls}. 
• No makeup on my face because it could contain metal...eww. {Mental note to self: don't put that stuff on your face again. Ev-er.}
• CD of my fave music {that my sweetie, TechDaddy, made for me from my fave iTunes playlist...I heart him}

There was just one problem.  The machine in the medical plaza -- where we were waiting -- was busy so we were supposed to walk next door to use the machine in the hospital.  The machine that did not have music listening capabilities. Uh, no joy.  None at all.  They had told me I could have music to get through this test -- music to calm the fears and "what if's" that had been trying to take over for days -- and now they tell me to change?! The tears were brimming at my eyelids when my knight quickly came to my rescue.

TechDaddy stepped up and said for me what was going through my head. "Uh, no. We'll wait for this machine." It won't be ready for two more hours. "That's okay.  We'll wait."  Wow. I deeply love that man.

So the time finally came hours later and I had the MRI.  Laying on a table with my head in something similar to a cage, then being slid into a long tube, and being told to keep my head completely still while this machine made LOUD banging and whirring sounds and shook like an Apollo rocket taking off...could you do that?  I'm used to moving some part of my body 99% of the time voluntarily. I sway in line at the grocery store. I even wiggle my toes while I sleep. So me holding still was definitely an act of God.

Afterward I found TechDaddy in the waiting room, hunkered down in a chair with his iPad in blog-reader heaven. {There he is on the left...isn't he cute?!}  As he packed up, I mulled over how I made it through.  All I can say is praise the Lord for music and prayer. Really. The music from my cd, that was piped into some funky earplugs, helped keep me from pushing the emergency button in my hand over and over again. There's nothing like hearing the Newsboys sing "In Wonder" to get your mind off the craziness around you. And nothing could surpass the feeling that Jesus was right there, in the tube of that giant magnet, holding me close.

I never heard from my concierge again.  Good thing for her. For one thing, this was nothing like she described.  {I secretly believe I was in some kind of astronaut training.}  And another thing, if this was supposed to be like a hotel, then I would have ordered a massage after that experience. No...a massage, mocha shake, and waffle fries. And I would have wiggled my toes. A lot.