Feb
9
2010
Sometimes, I feel like life is a real challenge. Then I remember how blessed I am. Even on the days where I’m sick and have to go to the doctor for the third time in two weeks, I realize that I have it so. good. There are people right now in Dallas who only wish they could go to the doctor for their sicknesses. That’s just in Dallas. There are people all over the world who have never been to see the doctor. Who have never imagined the day that they will be healthy. I am blessed.
There are days when I have to take a test after feeling like I’ve learned very little on the subject. On those days, I try to remember that I am getting a college education while there are little girls around the world who would cry tears of joy at being told they are allowed to go to school for the first time in their lives. I am blessed.
There are days when I feel like I don’t want to get up and go to work, when all I want to do is stay at home and read. I am so blessed to have a job I like, much more so to have a job at all.
On days when wedding planning overwhelms me, I realize that I am blessed in getting to have a wedding where I not only know the groom, I love him and he loves me. Many women around the world are denied this pleasure. I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams.
I do not claim to know why I am blessed with all of these things and why others are suffering daily, but I do know that I want to help them. Where women, girls, men and boys are denied these blessings, I want to be the one God uses to help them. I know that God created me for this reason–to share his love and blessings with those around me and those across the globe. I can’t save the world, I know. But I can most definitely try to make one little difference. That is my goal. Make a difference.
Jan
19
2010
And so it begins…my last full semester of college. Sure, I’ll have two classes this summer, but seriously, those don’t really match up to the intensity of a full semester. I had my 8 am class this morning, where I found out that I’m pretty sure I’m going to like it, despite the terrible timing. The class is aerobic walking (which sounds funny), and it is made up almost entirely of women. There is, as of today, one lonely male. Maybe he’ll find a girlfriend, if he doesn’t already have one. One of my coworkers is in the class with me, as is a friend that I’ve had in several classes before. It should be a great way to get exercise and have fun, too.
My other class today was 20th century America. I’m pretty excited about this class, although I know that it will be quite a bit of work. Nevertheless, I am really looking forward to it! I still have three more classes to go before I’ve been to all of them, but I think that they have great potential as well. There is one that I am looking forward to a little less than the others, but I won’t say which one, just in case it turns out to be fun.
Our new roomie, Brandi, moved in last weekend, and so far she’s fitting in great! She is a lot of fun to hang out with, which is always a plus! I hope to spend a lot more time with my friends this semester, since I’m taking fewer hours. We’ll see how that goes!
Well, I’ve got a paper to write, so I’ll wrap it up for today. If I have a chance, I’ll update again at the end of the week so that I can tell you how my other classes are going. Oh! I almost forgot! My church is doing something really cool! We’re having 10 different goals in 2010, some of which will be community service-type things. The next one is a book fundraiser for a local Headstart pre-k class! I’m really excited about this, and can’t wait to kick it off! Check out our website for more details! You can find it at http://glenrosebaptist.org.
Later gators!
Dec
13
2009
Finals are this week. Another semester is over, practically before it started, it seems. I cannot believe that next semester is my last full semester. After that, it’s one summer semester, and then…real life. 
/ 
I seriously go between feeling super excited about the future (I’m getting married in 300 days!!!!!) to kinda worried (what will life be like after school? What will I do? Where will I live?). It’s been a semester full of rollercoastering (it’s a word(now)) emotions. I’ve had some of the happiest moments in my life to date, but then again, I’ve had some moments where I felt like the only thing I could be sure about after I graduate is that I’m getting married. And that’s all. Really, I’m getting worried about my future about one year in advance. Lame? Yes. Unnecessary? Yes.
Although I’m anxious to know what the future holds after I graduate next August, when I really sit back and think about it, I’m not worried at all! I’ve got the best insurance in the world in God, and I’ll be starting the best chapter of my life thus far. I have nothing to worry about. Not where I’ll live, not what I’ll eat, not what I’ll wear. Jesus says:
“Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; but I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? You men of little faith! And do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not keep worrying. For all these things the nations of the world eagerly seek; but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek His kingdom, and these things will be added to you.” Luke 12:27-31, NASB
So whenever I start to think about the way that I have never before stepped into such an unknown, I’ll consider the lilies.
Nov
26
2009
Okay, so I know that this isn’t supposed to be a wedding blog, but I wanted to say that you should really head on over to http://markandkatie.us and check out our engagement pictures!
Oct
27
2009
In my advanced written communication class, we were asked to write a commentary/editorial on an issue that is important to us. I chose human trafficking. In my research, I learned so much, but I feel as if I have so much more to learn. I barely scratched the surface, but I learned that there are 27,000,000 slaves in the world today. Isn’t that astonishing? In a time when the world is becoming more an more modern, there are still people bought and sold every day. Even here in America. I learned that the average price of a slave is $90. That Asia and Africa have the biggest markets for the buing and selling of humans, and that the majority of the workers on chocolate plantations in Africa are slaves.
There can be slaves who are captured walking down the street and forced into working, who are promised a better life and then forced into prostitution, and who are sold off to pay their family’s debt. This happens in Dallas, in LA, in China, in Russia. All over the world. Fortunately, there are organizations dedicated to ending slavery. Free the Slaves, Not for Sale and Stop the Traffik all have excellent programs and materials.
I am definitely going to continue researching this topic, and I am going to get involved in stopping human trafficking. Because once you know it’s out there, how can you not?
Oct
13
2009
Well, not much has changed since my last update in the school department. I took Crafts over fall break, which was awesome, but waaay to time consuming, and I’m paying for it by having to write a paper now that I should have already finished. I’m really happy I took it though, because I learned how to do a lot of awesome projects that will be great things to do when I have time.
Later!
Sep
17
2009
Dear Everyone,
I’m sorry that my blogging has been rather skimpy of late. I have found myself swamped with learning! Between Shakespeare, East Asian Literature, Advanced Written Communication, Urban Development and Constitutional Law, I have so much reading to do I practically keep my books open all the time! Plus, planning a wedding is more complicated than it seems, but you can hear about all of that over at http://www.markandkatie.us.
One thing that I am really enjoying right now is the surprisingly fall-like weather! Here in Dallas, it has been rainy and cool for pretty much the past week. Although I am a sunshine-lovin’ gal, I adore the atmosphere provided by a chilly day and dark skies. Seriously, this is curl up by the fire, wrapped up in a blanket, drinking a hot chocolate while reading a good novel weather! If only I had the time. And a fireplace. Oh well, I’ll settle for reading a textbook in my under-the-lofted-bed workspace.
Well, that’s all I’ve got for now. See ya!
Sep
3
2009
I never really updated the blogosphere (no, spell check, not the heliosphere.Thanks, though.) with the fact that one week ago today, I got engaged. It was pretty awesome, to say the least. And I, of course, am beyond excited.
But never fear, this blog will not be weddingified. Oh no. We have a website for things like that! I won’t tell you the URL just yet because I am making it awesome, but I will eventually be putting it up here.
On that note, have a great day/night!
Aug
24
2009
Dallas Baptist University. August 24, 2009. First day of school.
The nice thing about this semester is that there is no reason for me to be awake at 7:00 am for any reason. This is a new development in my life, as for the past 9 years, I’ve had to be awake at or before 7:00 at least twice a week during the school year. I really enjoyed waking up at 9:00 today, but not nearly as much as I will enjoy waking up at 9:30 tomorrow!
I know that my schedule sounds pretty sweet so far, but you should know that I am taking 15 hours of upper level political science and English classes, and that, although today is the first day of school, I already have to read the Constitution, chapter 1 of my Constitutional law textbook, and all of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by various points this week. Not to complain, just to put things in perspective.
Well, I have a lot to do tonight, so I’ll end now. I do want to say, however, that this year looks like it will be awesome!
Aug
21
2009
I got back from Korea a little over a week ago, and can say with full confidence that I am glad to be home. However, I am still feeling the effects of my trip.
When I say effects, I don’t just mean jet lag, although that is a very real and powerful phenomenon that has held me at it’s mercy for the past week. No, I also mean the memories of Korea, all the people I came to know and love, the way of life I embraced, the scenery, the smells, the sounds. There is so much about Korea that I miss. I really miss all of my kids, even the ones that gave me trouble. I miss the way that Clara (morning TA) and I had to wrangle kids, and the way Jinny (afternoon TA) and I talked on our breaks. I miss Angelina running up and hugging me the way kindergartners tend to do, I miss talking to Ray in the mornings before my most stressful class began, and I miss trying to teach grammar in a way that is interesting and understandable to fifth graders who are learning English (okay, so that one is a challenge).
I miss quality time with the team, riding in the van everywhere, having interesting moments where no one is quite sure what’s happening. I miss how my host family gave us sandwiches, kimbap and cake for breakfast, and how every once in a while, the cafeteria would have good food.
However, as I stated before, I am definitely glad to be back home. I’m happy to be around my friends from work and my roommates. I’m glad I can talk to my family at normal times, and I’m glad that I can see Mark every day. I’m glad that I don’t have to wonder what’s going on every other minute, and I’m glad that I have a comfortable bed, a real shower and AC. I’m also glad that after this trip, I know more people than I did before, and that we will always have our trip memories.
I guess the point is that while Korea was amazing and wonderful and fabulous and memorable, home is here, with family and friends.
I’m getting married!
-
