Desperate.

I rediscovered Phil Joel today, and was reminded why I LOVE his music. Anyway, I heard the lyrics to the song "Desperate" and couldn't help but smile...this is without a doubt my 2009-2010 theme song. :)

Lord, thank You for these days
Lord, thank You for these days
This has been the most trying year
Of testing and refining here
And I wouldn't have it any other way
Lord, thank You for these days
And I will always choose to praise You

Lord, thank You for this place
Lord, thank You for Your grace
There is mercy in the midst of tests
An oasis in this wilderness
And Your light to lead my way
Lord, thank You for this place
And I will always choose to praise You

And I wanna stay
Desperate
I will remain
Desperate
For You

Lord I thank You for this rain
Healing waters when there's pain
There are rivers of Your providence
Surrounding our obedience
In Your faithfulness, I put my faith
So Lord I thank You for this rain
And I will always choose to praise You

Pray☮Make☮Live☮

Katie :)

one beautiful spring night :)

Tonight, the weather was perfect. Instead of doing homework, we decided to play outside. Great life decision. I love our campus now that it’s getting green; it was covered in snow when I visited and when I moved here! These are some of the pretty pictures we took on our adventures! :)

Flowers along the Riley Creek.

Adams Bridge & Ropp Hall, our soon to be home! :)

The Riley & the library field...our beautiful, spacious front yard!

Trees. Sun. You know.

College Hall.

Life is beautiful. :)

Have a fabulous week!

Week 13. Thursday.

It’s Thursday of week 13 of the spring semester here at Bluffton. To most people today is just another day, but it’s kind of a big deal to me. I withdrew from ONU on Wednesday of my 13th week there. So Thursday of week 13 at Bluffton means that I’ve officially been here for longer than I was at ONU. I’ve been intentional this week about remembering the journey that led me here, thanking God for this place, and reflecting on how these 13 weeks at Bluffton have shaped who I am and who I hope to become. It’s amazing, really, when I take time to think and pray and reflect…God is so faithful. But in a way, it’s strange to compare this week 13 to the last one. Week 13 at ONU was the end of what, at the time, felt like some sort of huge mistake. On this Thursday of week 13 at Bluffton, I have a completely different perspective. I know these 13 weeks are only the beginning of what God has in store for me here.

I remember a few conversations I had while I was home over Christmas before I moved to Bluffton. They went something like this: “Well, I just hope Bluffton is what you’re looking for. You know, no place is perfect. I just hope it doesn't disappoint you.” These conversations frustrated me at the time, but I know these people love me and were concerned about what seemed to them like a quick decision that I might regret later. It was a quick decision. And it’s true; no place is perfect. But the trick isn’t finding a perfect place...the trick is finding the perfect place for you. And thanks be to God, these 13 weeks have been exactly what I was looking for. My time here has surpassed my greatest expectations. And Bluffton isn’t perfect, but it’s the perfect place for me!

So thanks, God, for a week 13 marked by beginnings instead of endings. And thanks for second chances!

“Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments. For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with flowing streams, with springs and underground waters welling up in valleys and hills, where you will lack nothing.”
–Deuteronomy 8.2,7-8

Katie :)

it’s week 12?!

How did that happen?! It seems impossible that we only have three more weeks of classes left this semester, and even more impossible that I’ve been at Bluffton for three months already! But hey, time flies when you’re having the time of your life! Summer is just around the corner, and I’m not ready…I’m not ready for the seniors to graduate…I’m not ready for my friends to study abroad in the fall…I’m not ready to pack up and leave this campus and this community for the summer. But I guess I’m in luck, because I have four more weeks to spend here before summertime rolls around!

So, I have a little dilemma with this blog. Mostly, I am terrible at updating it. I want to post about the meaningful events of life, but I get busy actually participating in them and by the time I think about writing, I have no idea where to start! So…from this point forward, I’m going to try to update this blog once a week, no matter how meaningful or exciting the news might be. (we'll see how that goes..)

So what’s been happening for the past six weeks in my life? (this is the part where I have no idea where to start) Here’s a rundown…

I was the student assistant for the Beyond Borders Conference at Bluffton. I learned that air conditioning is kind of a big deal when it’s hot outside. I declared a major in Biblical Studies. I played frisbee with friends instead of writing a paper. I attended the International Conference on Conflict Resolution Education. I ate cereal out of a cup…for dinner. I went through intensive Hispanic Ministry training. I wore flip-flops outside in the snow. I registered for fall classes. I prayed and worshiped alongside professors and friends. I laughed...a lot. I was introduced to my new home where I’ll be moving this June. I learned about the epic sport of tennis golf. I got my financial aid package for next year and was reminded that the price of my education here is nothing compared to its value. I saw our campus with grass instead of snow for the first time. I ate pancakes with people I love in the town that will always be my home. I was chased by a cat…inside my dorm. I had conversations with friends and professors that stretched my understanding of peace, justice, and God’s Kingdom. I did homework…I even enjoyed homework. But most of all, I treasured every moment spent living in this community that is changing my life.

There are lots of exciting things coming up in these next few weeks and months, and I hope I will be better about updating this blog and sharing them with you all!

Live in peace. Live for peace.

Katie :)