The adventure awaits...

2012 Newness

2011-12-03T14:23:00.001-05:00

I've spent most of 2011 seeing more long term miracles than I've seen any other year. But I've also spent the last few months asking God for great things in 2012. Asking for him to raise my budget, asking him to speak to my heart, asking Him to double the amount of teams going out, asking Him to advance His kingdom, asking God to pour out... To double His anointing... To call the lukewarm church into walking with Passion, Power, Fire & Love. So keeping in line with that, I'm closing this blog and opening a new one. Fresh Fire, Fresh Blog. The Nations Await.

What do you want?

2011-05-01T12:03:00.005-04:00

Shh, if you listen you will hear him clearly. But if you don't listen you will miss it in a passing moment. He speaks. He speaks boldly and lovingly because He is both bold and loving. God is speaking to me about so many things lately that I feel like I'm traveling between dinner tables trying to just get as much in as possible. What a great feeling! A scary disappointing feeling is when you can't hear him speaking to you. If that's ever you, I challenge you to just keep seeking Him every day and eventually the clouds will clear and the sun will break through to your skin.

One thing that I have been feeling lately is "I WANT MORE!" More of anything that God has to offer! I know it sounds petty but it's a deep desperate feeling, that has been making my heart tender toward the things of God. A couple of months ago, my pastor Shannon Wooten, looked at me and asked me "Katrina, what do you want?" Not in a what do you want for your ministry, or what do you want for lunch but a what are the deep longings of your heart that you've been suppressing for others or ministry kind of question. It's been so long since I really thought about what I want that I didn't even have an answer. A friend of mine a few weeks ago told me that I never take the business face off to get to the center of the tootsie pop, in other words, I don't laugh enough to show that I am truly enjoying the Lord and what I do! That's a reality check!

A great friend and mentor, Lena Shrader, was riding with me the first night of District Council this year and she made a comment (one that I liked) she said, "Katrina, you're such a wonderlust. You want to live extravagant adventures with Jesus to wherever and whenever; but, you also want the house with the family and the dog." That is such a true statement. That totally helped me to sync my thoughts of what I want. It's all true. I want it all! I want the sweet family with the PTA and the kid in the high chair with food smeared on the wall and the husband with eyes that steal your heart every single time. AND I want to truck through the rainforest and share Jesus with natives, travel to villages that have never heard and tell them of unfailing love! To go anywhere and everywhere for the cause of Christ regardless of what the television says. AND I want a fireplace in a great home slightly outside of a city and a glass room off the back for morning reading (of course this won't all come at once ;) ). AND I want to encourage folks across the US and World to share the gospel with young and old!

I've been at a huge inner turmoil that last four month because the enemy was trying to convince me that I have to give up one of the dreams. Either the heart of a missionary or the family. Either I would live without companionship and have the adventure of a lifetime needing new sneakers when I get into heaven because the rubber is burnt off OR I would have an amazing family who loves the Lord and makes a community impact for the kingdom. This last week, the Lord shared with me that I don't have to release either dream. That His future for me, involves both. But, He also shared with me that the life I've been living is good. Amen. Both the work side and the personal me side is good. These are His words to my heart, "I love you. The life you've been living is good. But, I have great in store for you. You decide. Do you want good or do you want great? You choose. But if you choose great. We need to make some adjustments."

This is a great word from the Lord! But it's also a scary word. Why? Because "good" is comfortable! Good is what I know. But I also know that the quest for "great" can be it's own amazing adventure! I want more. I want GREAT! All my chips are in chief, no ties, no binds, no nothing here I am Lord, I want what you want (and I really hope it involves a family with lots of adventures and sharing your son anywhere and everywhere!).

I want what you want.

You Can Support

2011-02-17T12:51:00.004-05:00

I only have $1,000 a month left to raise to be able to return to the field full time. Please, today, consider joining my support team. Adopt me, as your missionary. Pray for me and give faithfully as the Lord enables you. Even the smallest contribution, given faithfully, WILL change the world. In the next couple of pages I have included a glimpse of what my ministry entails. If you have any questions please contact me.

The way support works is individuals pledge to give a certain amount... for example. $5 a month. There are several options on how to give...

There are several options on how to give, each are tax deductable and you will receive a tax receipt in the mail.

Option 1: Automatic Monthly Deduction

You can have your giving taken out automatically by filling out that section on the enclosed faith promise form.

Option 2: Online Giving

You can go to the website below and enter your information. If you aren’t viewing this document electronically, email me at katrinafrazee@gmail.com and I’ll email you the quick link.

Give Online By Clicking Here

Option 3: Send a Check

made out to “AG” and in the memo line put “Katrina Frazee 276199”. Mail the check monthly to AG, 1445 N Boonville Ave. Springfield, MO 65802

Think about the Myths... there are 2 main myths!

1) My $5, $10, $25 a month doesn't make a difference. YES IT DOES!!!! If everyone gave $5 faithfully each month, so many needs in the world would be met. Our humanitarian efforts and our evangelical efforts would be met if EVERYONE gave a little!

2) Is that if I don't do it, someone else will. NOT TRUE. You have a role to play in the kingdom no matter how big or how small. It's a role and it's your role, not anyone else's. Don't miss the opportunity to advance the heart of God in unreached places.

Halloween

2010-10-29T10:05:00.003-04:00

Wikipedia describes Halloween as...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

When we lived in Central Asia, it occurred to me that Halloween doesn't exist everywhere. Then I started to think, "what is Halloween?" My mind started roaming and combing through what is and what is not... When I look at Halloween, I see a bunch of people re-identifying themselves for a night. They select a costume whether they think it's "cool" or because it's some small piece of them that they desire to live out and on Halloween you can just "pretend" for a night and don't necessarily have to hold the stigma for the rest of your life (unless you do something stupid on that night, then your doomed).

This week, I've asked a multitude of kids what they are going to be for Halloween. A close friend's daughter has been something different every day this week whether it was "Pirate Kitty" or a princess with a sword (I like that!). Another little girl I asked at a tutoring night and she said "Tinker bell", I asked, "do you have wings?" and she said, "o yes." Wings make all the difference, who wouldn't want to fly. Other kids want to be super heroes or robots, or athletes.

On campus there has been a kid running around all week dressed as the grim reaper. Others on Halloween night will dress like witches, goblins, devils, and dark creatures. It's interesting on Halloween that you can usually find some sort of reflection of the heart represented in the costume selection. Whether it's dark, cute, beautiful, comical or anonymous... we never really know until the heart reaches the light to see what's really there.

If finances and shopping selections were of no consequence... what would you be on Halloween?

I want to be a "Ghostbuster!"

Are you threatened?

2010-10-28T20:39:00.005-04:00

The Lord has been speaking to my heart a lot the last 6 months. He speaks more frequently and louder the more and deeper that we dive into His word and His heart. Many people may want to come along and lovingly shape you to be what they believe the Lord wants you to be. Most of them mean well and they love you. But really, nothing will change in the depth of who you are until you dig deep enough to hit the place in God's heart where He is the shaper and molder of your future, your heart and your character. People can't change people, God changes people... when we seek him... He transforms the heart. This is one of the sooooo many things that the Lord has been speaking to me about. I'm currently doing a bible study by Beth Moore called "David: 90 days with a heart like his."

A heart like his... a heart after God's own heart... Don't we all want that? Don't we all desire a pure heart, a loving heart, a heart that seeks after the depth of God. To live a repentant life rather than a prideful life... to be humbled but bold in our walks for Him. To be someone that others desire to be around... a reflection of Jesus? Someone deeply responsible, humbled and encompassed in the heart of God.

One of the messages in the devo stuck out to me drastically... Saul was threatened by David. Of course, we read the word and we know this but seriously... Saul... was.. threatened... by... David. I was stunted by this when I read it. There are moments in our walk when we lose sight of the goal and the end result and begin to look at the faults... or abilities of our brothers and sisters. But not just examining these faults or abilities but using others faults against them... or using others abilities as threats to your own identity or your abilities. Where if Saul wouldn't have been threatened by David or perhaps the praises David was receiving but coupled his abilities with David's they could have done an incredible kingdom work! Incredible!! But the enemy entered in through insecurities... unnecessary insecurities. And essentially... a person could begin to establish who they are in what they aren't... crazy right... stay with me.

For instance, (forgive me, I am just going to put this out there, I didn't ask for permission so I repent if it's inappropriate), I have a great friend and sister in Jesus named Lori. Lori is a stellar artsy person. All things artsy! From coffee shops, to looking at art, clothing, fashion and being able to see things that others can't see creatively, to desiring to create beautiful artistic works. She is MASS talented. I am not artsy or talented in the creative world (although I like to dabble in creative things here and there...and I've progressively gotten better, I'm not a connoisseur). I think a moment in my life became a little jealous that I wasn't a connoisseur of artsy things and I began to allow the enemy to make me feel a little threatened by Lori's gifts and awesome ability to be MASS creative! And I began to develop in my mind a thought that began establishing an identity on what I'm not rather than what I am... and that in turn began to establish my worth in the Lord based on a shadow rather than a reality. Where, if I would have recognized this in the beginning of this little journey I could have yielded my heart, I could have more smoothly and easily coupled my gifts and abilities with Lori's gifts and abilities and watched God do BIGGER and MORE amazing things by keeping my eyes ahead on the task of the Lord rather than my sister.

Sometimes, in groups, in the church as a whole, we secretly covet the abilities of others within the body and are threatened by the achievements of others and fail yield them before God for the betterment of the kingdom. So that we might "serve Him repentant and unencumbered" (Dick Shroeder). Living a threatened life is disheartening and not attractive to people around you!

It's like me saying I don't want to be in the shoulder, I want to be the eye, the eye is so much cooler everyone looks at it everyone wants to see it, no one wants to look at the shoulder or the knee. But really understanding the value of yourself before the King not before yourself or before others.... but before Papa. Your identity and character and value before God. And what a sweet spiritual cleansing and freedom that is resolved when your identity is placed before the Identity Maker than you making your own assumptions about what the Identity Maker wants or what He values. It's like your children, if you have more than one, you love them all... but you don't really love one more than another, you just love them differently. They are just different. Isn't God cool like that!!

For me, the last 6 months have been an incredibly spiritually cleansing time... where I am just daily surrendering my worth and my heart before God and saying...

"Search me and know me o God, Know my anxious thoughts and test me, o Papa, if there a anything in me that is displeasing to you, please reveal it and walk me through discarding it."

It's meant the world to a heart of surrender...

Questions to ask yourself:

-Who determines my worth?

-Do I have anything in my heart that is dirty that I should repent of?

-Do I wish that I would receive the praise that others are receiving?

-Am I jealous?

-How can I put myself at the feet of God daily and eventually get there with a clean heart?

-How can I be more like Him and less like me?

As for Lori, Lori... I repent, please forgive me for coveting your gifts and awesome abilities instead of rejoicing as wholeheartedly as I really felt. For creating a mental divide that would have kept me from fully partnering my skills with your skills to reach the kingdom and represent Jesus the way He deserves to be represented. You have an awesome sweet set of Creative skills going on and its a total blessing to me and to the kingdom that I get to be apart of your life and see them used for the kingdom. I repent for not realizing all these things earlier in our walk together. I've always valued your creative side, I didn't realize I was coveting it in a crippling fashion. Forgive me. And please, give me tips while I dabble in the random creative things that we can do great things for God together! Love you loads!

He's Big Enough

2010-09-16T09:19:00.000-04:00

"My whole being, praise the Lord; all my being, praise his holy name. My whole being praise the Lord and do not forget all his kindnesses. He forgives sins and heals all my diseases. He saves my life from the grave and loads me with love and mercy. He satisfies me with good things and makes me young again, like the eagle..." Psalm 103: 1-5

Have you ever had those amazing moments where you were in the middle of a GOD THING and suddenly you find yourself invigorated and energetic like you've taken ten years off your life? Capable of doing anything! After all, He IS big enough to handle our heart and our lives! Amen!

Have you ever had those humdrum moments when you're at a restaurant and your less than thrilled at the taste of a steak that has just come out of the oven. Your hopes were high and the Chef's obviously were not. Next thing you know disappointment settles in and then you start thinking about the lame ending on the series finale of your favorite TV show. How your car just got a flat tire and how something recently broke at your house that needs repaired.

Sometimes, we as believers get going into the quick of life and begin to forget or set aside that the same God that is in the middle our our prayer times, our moments of healing, our ministry to others... our God of GOD THINGS is the same God who is actively involved in the little things of our life. When we're paying bills, when we're hungry, tired or just in need of company.

He is the Chef in the kitchen at an incredible restaurant. You have been seated at a table and every day you get to place an order. It might not always come out exactly as you've imagined but it's miraculous, incredible, praise worthy, sensational. Sometimes, you will find yourself ordering for other people because they just aren't sure what's good. But you'll know because you've tasted. Once they've tasted, the menu will be incredible to them and they will begin to see possibilities that you, yourself may have overlooked. Take time to thank the Chef today. Take time to order up the miraculous, He's big enough and He's invested in the outcome. Thank you Jesus for this incredible day.

A moment of Joy...

2010-08-04T23:06:00.002-04:00

Today I walked out of a building on campus. I looked around and it was quiet, no one was around. It looked cloudy like rain would be coming at any given moment. An instrumental tune hit my head and I danced myself down the sidewalk to my car (I would have done that whether anyone was around or not).

I venture to say that everything that we feel emotionally could very well be a deep matter of perspective. It would have been easy to go, "oh great, it's hot and sticky and it's going to rain! Forget this, I'm going to bed!"

But, I think the beauty rests in the perspective. As I sit in my home tonight writing this, the lightening illuminates the sky outside and the trees bend at the fate of the falling rain. It is beautiful...

Rain is exceptional... although annoying long term... the short term brings a cleansing... growth... and renewal. I have met people across the United States and World who've found themselves in places where they have spent extensive amounts of time in prayer, asking that God would have it rain and renew the land. New Life.

I love the moments in life when things aren't necessarily great nor is anything wrong but you just feel a deep welling up of thankfulness and a heart to just bask in the glory of God. Where you can feel and just know that it is not only okay but great to just "be" with Jesus. Sometimes the "doing" can overtake the divine opportunities to just savor the Greatness of God... the rain if you will. :) Don't forget to take time today!

What do YOU know of Holy?

2010-05-23T08:42:00.004-04:00

I have had an incredibly blessed week hanging out with my friends at the Ohio District Council and experiencing my first Fine Arts Festival as a room Emcee for female vocals. Although the day can become long, you could feel the joy of the Holy Spirit in the room just knowing that these teens were giving it all they had for better or for worse for His glory.

At one point one girl handed me her CD with the words in the front cover and prepared to sing. As she began to sing, I could feel the Holy Spirit as I watched the words from her case come to life... "What do I know of Holy?":

I made You promises a thousand times
I tried to hear from Heaven
But I talked the whole time
I think I made You too small
I never feared You at all No
If You touched my face would I know You?
Looked into my eyes could I behold You?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

I guess I thought that I had figured You out
I knew all the stories and I learned to talk about
How You were mighty to save
Those were only empty words on a page
Then I caught a glimpse of who You might be
The slightest hint of You brought me down to my knees

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Find More lyrics at www.sweetslyrics.com
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

(CHORUS 2)
What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of wounds that will heal my shame?
And a God who gave life "its" name?
What do I know of Holy?
Of the One who the angels praise?
All creation knows Your name
On earth and heaven above
What do I know of this love?

(CHORUS)
What do I know of You
Who spoke me into motion?
Where have I even stood
But the shore along Your ocean?
Are You fire? Are You fury?
Are You sacred? Are You beautiful?
What do I know? What do I know of Holy?

What do I know of Holy?
What do I know of Holy?

__________________________________

Doesn't this song just give you a deepening feeling of the necessity of KNOWING the Lord, rather than knowing of the Lord? Reach deep today...

A week in the life...

2010-02-20T11:44:00.003-05:00

Hey Team! Thank you for praying, we are seeing fruit!

God has been moving and doing amazing things, this is the first morning off I've had in weeks! But Papa is moving.

Friday- Saturday, The last week alone I went with the Wilmington College Chi Alpha Group to a retreat to the retreat house we used to use when I was a student. Ken and Tara Lydy did the vast majority of the planning and did an awesome job. I got to spent time listening to the hearts of our students and just seeing what they have happening in their lives. They learning that there is a deep God who loves them, who is continually showing them His love and who is asking for them to love him. It was powerful. I spoke briefly on prayer in an afternoon session to find that most of our group had literally never prayed out loud. After sharing, I split them off and they went to their own spaces and rooms in the house for about 25 minutes and when they came back you could literally see the weights on their lives disappear. One student returned saying that she felt lighter, another one really excited said that "God did something down there (he was in the basement) I'm freakin' shaken!" It was awesome! Then we made a list of people in our lives who we wanted to come to know the Lord and we all prayed out loud corporately for them. It's been less than a week and we know of 2 people on the list already who've received Jesus as their savior. God is DOING SOMETHING BIG! What a privilege we have to wake up and serve Jesus today.

Sunday- Tuesday, That retreat was followed by a 2 day training/ retreat for the Great Lakes Chi Alpha Staff up in Michigan. It was a great time had by all. Curtis Cole, the Administrative Director for XA, was there and he spoke on Leading from the 2nd chair and that was powerful, creative and insightful. He did an excellent job! The fellowship we experience as ministers in XA is such a beautiful family experience. I love it.

Wednesday, I returned to a day of meeting with students who wanted to get baptized. Followed by sharing with the Wednesday Night Bible Study group at Lebanon Assembly of God (Who are awesome), I felt the Lord in that place and we are all challenged to live a life strategically rooted in sold out commitment to the cause of Christ. I got back to Wilmington about 8:45ish and met with students until about 10:30pmish. One of our students received the Lord as her savior and there was a visual transformation that happened when we prayed. I love when Jesus shows up!

Thursday, I drove to Kettering Medical Center and hung out for the day in the Kettering Mansion where I spent the day in a premarital counselors workshop for clergy. It was awesome, uplifting and great resources! I drove back to Wilmington and shared with a full house on water baptism and then I baptized 4 students while their friends and families surrounded, clapping and cheering like a pep rally.... isn't that how it's supposed to be?! We went back to the Service House on Campus and celebrated with cake, juice, certificates and gifts. It was a great time to be a part of the church. Everyday is.

And then we're back to Friday and I spent the day catching up on paperwork from where I was out... Did I mention the short term teams that were prepared here in the midst of all this... From XA groups all over the nation. We have 2 teams going to Spain, 1 Mexico City, 1 China, 1 Cambodia, 1 Nicaragua, 1 Honduras, 2 to another university to serve... I registered over 150 students this week who will be going into the nations over their spring break... that is awesome!!! pray for fruit!

And today is Saturday... We were supposed to go to the Creation Museum but decided to reschedule for the sake of need for a Sabbath.

God is Good. Thank you for praying... Please keep going!

Love you all,
Katrina

Rev. Katrina Frazee, M.Ed.
XA Global Missions Mobilizer

Infusion!!!!

2010-01-31T20:08:00.001-05:00

It's coming!!! Register NOW @ http://www.chialpha.com/events/rui/rui2009-infusion/

The First Snow!

2009-12-19T11:00:00.003-05:00

For the last couple months, I prayed and prayed that it would not snow until I got my possessions all moved to Ohio! Well, today is December 19th and it's really the first snow... and it's beautiful. There is something incredibly calming about snow and snowfall. It seems to calm the spirit... like a nice deep breath... or a york peppermint patty! I love it! I really wish there was a way to combine winter and summer so I could play in the snow with shorts and flip flops and have a grand time! But there isn't.... so we just have to savor each moment as it comes to us and be thankful for it. :) I woke up this morning to my cat being absolutely adorable... rolling around then running to the window to watch the sky falling.

Yes friends, can you smell it... Christmas is in the air!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-13T15:21:00.000-05:00

Every year when I put my Christmas tree up, I think about what a privilege it is to awaken and share the message of my tree with the lost. My tree is small but steady, colorful but simple, covered in ornaments that have memories attached to each one and it yield a large star on top... a star far too large for the tree but it deserves to be there so every year, I put it onto the top and smile. A star... So many things come from this.. "A star is born", "A Star will guide them", etc. This year when I was reading the Christmas story, I was caught by newly illuminated information. Did you know that the star moved to where Jesus was? It said that the star appeared as Jesus was born, over the manger. Then it went on to say that the wise men visited them at their home. Even as a baby, Jesus moved the stars. Even today, He moves Heaven and Earth to show you that He loves you. Savor it this season and share it with someone who doesn't have the star in their life.

Newsletter Info!

2009-12-13T15:20:00.000-05:00

I love the holidays!

Over Thanksgiving my family gathered around a table covered in all of the great smells of familiar foods, laughter, smiles and even sales papers. It was a great time together in Ohio! Christmas is quickly approaching and I sit with grand anticipation of what is to come.

Over the last couple of weeks, I've been in a marathon of quick but Father guided decisions that lead me to filling a Uhaul truck and moving my possessions back to Wilmington, OH. I have been blessed these last two years to work from Springfield, MO. However, since I arranged things to be handled mostly online and over the phone, I can move my office to a satellite location. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to continue my work and move it to a place that I love...and a place that needs love. I am also blessed to be able split my time and bless the Wilmington College community while continuing to oversee the National Chi Alpha Teams going all over the U.S. and World. I am looking forward to an increase of XA teams as well as the Wilmington College Chi Alpha group to have some great times together. We've already begun planning the winter retreat- when Tara looked around the room and said, "how many would be interested in a winter retreat for just the WC XA?" Every hand went up! So I'm proud to come alongside Tara and Ken Lydy and supplement their efforts and work together. Changed lives make a difference. We're looking to change lives while training them to love and reach their world.

What does this mean financially?

If you are a financial supporter, you will continue to send your support through the same address and information as before.

As far as any packages or mailing correspondence, my new mailing address is:

Katrina Frazee

757 1/2 Fife Ave.

Wilmington, OH 45177

Everything else remains the same! I still receive all the calls, emails and prepare and train the teams just like before... only from Ohio with a few scheduled trips into Missouri.

Currently, I'm setting up shop in Wilmington, OH. I've already met a ton of students and am loving being back on campus! After being back, I don't know how I survived not being on a campus for the last two years.. it's fresh air.

Prayer Requests:

* SALT- we have multiple SALTS occurring all of the United States where our students are linking hand and hand over new years to celebrate and worship the Lord. I'll be attending the SALT in Indianapolis where we are anticipating 600+ participants. Please pray for this gathering. Papa has big plans in store.

* Spring Break Trips- I oversee on average 100 spring break trips every year. Spring Break is quickly approaching, please pray for wisdom as our students and leaders are seeking wisdom on locations and ministry happenings both in the U.S. and World.

* Alaska Trip June 23-July 2... please pray for the team as it's beginning to come together and my team's finances for this trip.

*Pray for me as I'm transition locations and ask the Lord to provide me with divine opportunities to share the love of Jesus with the Lost.

* Winter Retreat with the Wilmington Crew!

* It's Christmas time, please pray for your neighbors and friends who may not be in as good of circumstances as you are and ask the Lord how you might bless them this year.

If you have any prayer needs, please send them to me so I can pray with you regarding them. Know that you are prayed for frequently and thoughtfully. Thank you for partnering with me in both giving and prayer to reach the lost locally and globally. You are loved.

A sad farewell

2009-10-12T10:26:00.005-04:00

When you have to say Good-Bye a lot, some how you get better at doing it. Although, when you go get on the plane, it's still as sad as it was the first time regardless of the number of tears shed or not shed. I just had a great week of personal refreshment with the Shraders in Peru. If you don't know them, Bill is like the Bible answer man and Lena absolutely embodies the love and compassion that I'm certain represents the depth of Jesus. This week, probably for the first time ever, Lena and I got to spend a few days together. We traveled to Iquitos in the middle of the Amazon Rainforest to go to the Latin America Child Care schools there and get a glimpse of the children and the effect of the feeding program and it's affect on the children. We were met by great native laborers who catered to us like we were royalty; brothers and sisters in the Lord. The schools were great, children- more excited and thankful than ever! We were met with a gamut of emotions as well... joy, compassion, thankfulness, injustice, sadness, shock, love....

Personally this trip revived my soul through a great family, laughter and the love and vision of the Father. Exactly perfect timing, there is nothing like laugh therapy! I love it.

Now, I'm sitting in a rain storm in Atlanta and will be flying to Orlando and then onto Cincinnati (weird I know)!

Journey Peru

2009-10-09T13:07:00.003-04:00

I arrived in Peru to be with Bill and Lena Shrader a little over a week ago. I will be returning to Ohio next Monday night. I can easily say that this has been one of the most beautiful and reviving weeks of my life. I can also say it's been one of the saddest, heart impacting and world changing weeks. Emotionally, I feel truly loved here as if I never missed a step being with this great family in the last nine years. The Shraders were my campus pastors when I was in college, as I was transitioning to graduate school, they began preparing to leave to come to Peru. Now, they serve as the Latin America Child Care directors for Peru overseeing the schools, children and as of the last couple months have began partnering with "Feed My Starving Children". The children were starving, unable to focus, learn, progress or grow neither physically or cognitively and so they are working to launch the program all over the country to get nutrients into the children specifically in the LACC schools so that they can stay awake long enough to learn about Jesus.

We were in Lima and Iquitos so far this week and I can so easily say that the people here are beautiful... if you don't believe me check out my "Journey Peru" photo album. We went to the Amazon Rainforest where met with the pastors and school directors about the feeding program and greeted the children. This is a GREAT short term launching initiative that will lead to a long term outcome. In the midst of meeting this beauty with love we also got a chance to experience the Amazon River. The idea of a huge huge snake infesting the water gives me the the creeps and I don't creep easily. But when it could easily wrap around me and elongate it's mouth and devour me, I struggle with that. Not cool.

I have much more to write and I'll add more later....

Statue Of Liberty

2009-09-13T16:26:00.001-04:00

In New York harbor stands a lady,

with a torch raised to the sky.

And all who see her,

know she stands for liberty for you and I.

I'm so proud to be called an American

To be named with the brave and the free

I will honor our flag

and our trust in God,

and the Statue of Liberty.

On lonely Golgotha,

stood a cross,

with my Lord raised to the sky.

And all who kneel there live forever,

as all the saved can testify.

I'm so glad to be called a Christian,

to be named with the ransomed and whole.

As the statue liberates the citizen,

so the cross liberates the soul.

Oh, the cross is my Statue of Liberty,

it was there that my soul was set free;

Unashamed I'll proclaim

that a rugged cross is my Statue of Liberty.

"Statue of Liberty" © Neil Enloe

LADY LIBERTY SAYS

Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free. The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me. I lift my lamp beside the golden door.

JESUS SAYS

Come to me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. I go to prepare a place for you that where I am you may be also. I died that you might live.

Thinking about freedom today, both kinds...

"Jesus with skin."

2009-09-08T20:27:00.003-04:00

I heard the phrase "sometimes I just need Jesus with skin" several years ago. At the time, I didn't really comprehend it. I felt like, hey I prayed, he heard me-I heard Him, we're good. Later I found out that sometimes their is a deeper place in my heart that's affected in different seasons, in different emotions, in different times.

Personally, according to my love languages my highest is touch and my second highest is quality time. For me, the worst experience emotionally has been to go without a genuine hug for nearly over a month. Or to be isolated from people for a period of time. It would be better for me to be around people than to be alone. As an individual, I shrivel up without interaction or even a simple supportive pat on the back.

Although my relationship with Jesus may be thriving, there are plenty of times where I need "Jesus with skin." I think that according to the word, Jesus with skin is supposed to be the church. When have you showed someone that you care lately.

John 13:35 says, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, by your love for one another."

Reflecting back on my "True Community" post from yesterday, how much of our love for one another is the unconditional, Jesus kind of love for one another and how much is it only if it conveniences us?

True Community

2009-09-07T12:25:00.006-04:00

When I was with the team in Kyrgyzstan several years ago, I quickly realized that we were all very different people with different personalities all drawn together for the same purpose. The first couple of months we went along great, had fun together, and were united under the same purpose. But... everything isn't always roses and butterflies. In any relationship, conflict will make way and occur. Maybe someone gets their feelings hurt, maybe something is said that shouldn't be, maybe someone gets their choneys in a bunch, or someone else decides to isolate from the group... regardless, conflict occurs. It will always occur. However, if you survive that place of conflict with the best interest of the other person before your own... you will become united and family. Currently, I could call on any of my brothers and sisters from our Kyrgyzstan team, because we've survived together regardless of background, diversity, frustration, or life. After you survive conflict- you hit a place of true community- where before you may have said "oh I like you because your real" but afterwards you say "I love you despite how real you are. We're in this together until the end." And suddenly you find that you have a deeper sense of love, compassion and loyalty to the other person or people. Our Kyrgyzstan team is united until the end of time and will always only be a phone call away because we've survived conflict and entered into community striving toward a common purpose. There is a very rich sense of loyalty and depth that transcends distance.

Comparing cultures and lives in different places- Overseas, we long for community. We need relationships and community or we won't make it. We need to be interdependent, to love one another and to serve one another... doesn't usually matter whose job it is... if you are there and it needs to be done, you do it. Here in the states, people thrive off being independent to prove how strong they are or some other reasoning. In the states we don't long for the depth of true community, instead we plan for specific times when community would be "appropriate" and doesn't interfere with our inconvenience our schedule. As if true community were a programmatic event rather than depth in a relationship.

In the states, it seems when a relationship hits a place of conflict, the friendship and/or relationship never hits a place of true community because everyone can escape into their own independence and "not need" anyone else. And people can just leave and join another surface level grouping. I think it's the same reason that people can change churches like they change underwear. It gets a little hot in the pot and instead of believing that God may want to move your relationships to a deeper place of true community- people get offended, grouchy, moody, hurt... just leave and go enter a new surface level group of people until it gets a little hot there.

If you truly long for community, for "real" church, make commitments in your hearts that no matter how hot the kettle gets, as long as it aligns with the word.. you're in it until the end. Only then will we find true community.

Boy How Time Flies...

2009-08-13T18:34:00.002-04:00

I can't believe how fast time has gone by three years ago this month I boarded a plane to go to Central Asia where we met so many incredible people. On our team alone was 12 of the best people I've ever met in the world. All with different strengths talents and abilities. After a year our team returned and then I moved to Missouri to continue working with Chi Alpha Global Missions and the Martins.

Today was an uplifting but incredibly sad day. I went with the Martin's and put them on a plane to go back to Central Asia for a 9 month term. I don't know if it's sadder that they are going and I had to say goodbye to their physical selves (because they'll call nearly everyday). Or if it's that I'm not with them knowing the greatness of the adventure that awaits. For the moment, I'll attempt to suspend that thought.

Time flies... I seriously feel like it was yesterday when I was getting off the plane in K-stan and our team was uniting around hot fresh cookies randomly, $5 new release movies, large group meetings, small group meetings, tea time, divine encounters and so many Jesus moments that it's hard to think that there would be anything else. Now, I have the honor of being apart of a movement of university students and alumni who are desiring to rock their world for the cause of Christ. The Lord has really stirred my heart for Chi Alpha Missions and has really given me some exciting "God IDEAS" and direction for this coming year. I'm excited to see what He's going to do.

In the midst of my sadness for not going to Central Asia today and being left to Springfield, MO, where I've only lived for a year and a half. I'm thankful for an incredible church that I've had the privilege to plug into and the vision that the Lord has been placing in my heart to advance the kingdom.

So, several of you have asked, are you sad/disappointed that you aren't going with them? My answer- yes I am very sad and bummed. But I am not disappointed. I trust that the Lord knows what He's doing and His plan is way better than my plan. Please pray that the Lord would provide the finances and would allow me to go to K-stan in the Spring so that I could see my small group girls again before they graduate and move on to their respective futures and become difficult to find in this world. Also pray that I can go to the other stan and see the fruit of Chi Alphastan 2. Because it would bless my heart to see the success.

Thank you for praying and being apart of my life. You are loved.

Katrina

Trust in the small things...

2009-06-21T18:43:00.005-04:00

The last month of my life has been a whirl wind... I have traveled across 5 states, found out that I needed surgery, gotten the surgery, began recovery from the surgery, organized a conference, led a conference, all while making incredible new friends and deepening the relationships with old friends. All of it has NOT been fun... but I can see God's purpose in it.

Have you ever spent time and organized your life solely so that it can bless God? Regardless of how it might inconvenience you? Or how you may or may not seriously need down time... just solely seeking to bless God? Embracing the phrase... "It's NOT about me."

Well in the last 24 hours I have felt a deepening presence around me I just feel like God is seeking to bless me! One of my favorite verses and songs are "seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you." ... all the while... not focusing on the last half but the first half... I want you to know that we serve a God who longs to bless us. Frequently... he just needs a little attention first... and what He'd really like is for that attention to be consistent and building.

Within 24 hours I have experienced 4 major major blessings and miracles from God (Sometimes God just wants to bless us!) I won't share the first three to protect the parties involved from hounding. But I will say that all three are BIG!

The fourth was a simple one that just made me feel good! Last night when I went to bed, my car was parked and the gas gauge was on empty. When I woke up this morning, it was on full. I am the only one with a set of keys to my car. How cool is my living God, Jesus!!!

The Grass is Always Greener...

2009-04-08T11:41:00.002-04:00

I'm sure that everyone has heard... "the grass is always greener on the other side"... for those of you internationals reading this it frequently means that people can often have a tendency to think that what's happening in someone else's life if better than what is happening in their own life. Or continually thinking that if they could just get to that next place then everything is going to be better than it is right now.

Speaking from a place of humble transparency...

I've really been thinking about that concept... the grass is always greener on the other side. It is very very true. Over the last week, I have spoken to loads of people either on the phone, email, facebook, etc. And the statement and concepts that keep coming through... "I wish I were single"... "you have such a free spirit"... "I wish I had free time to do that". If you haven't picked up on this yet, they are all statements that are associated with my season in life at this time. I am single, which yields more time to random things, frees me up to go do things that I might not be able to go do otherwise, and allows me to make lots of work/personal commitments in church, life, leadership, friendships, etc.

The irony is that while they are envying my season... I am envying their season. To find someone that you love and are excited to spend the rest of your life with... to live this adventure with someone... to raise up a family.

So, the reality is that our minds sometimes deceive us into wishing for something that isn't in our season... becoming envious. If we can learn to savor and appreciate each season as we're going through it, we truly can have it all. Not spending so much time looking backward at what could/should have been or forward at what we wish/pray to have. But just enjoying the now. What can you do today to just enjoy the season that your life is in? Regardless of what season... everything has beautiful points and every season has it's sorrows and yearnings.

Savor the moment... and when it's time to move to the next season... embrace and savor that one too! It's all part of the master plan.

The Reality of Mortality

2009-04-06T23:14:00.002-04:00

Have you ever experienced instances of deep awareness or not even so much fear but a creeping up of the unknown. Initially, I want to pay respects to my friend who was on our team for a year Claude, whose brother passed away in a car wreck this past weekend. I've been interceding for he and his family since I heard of this loss.

It's incredible how keen your personal awareness of mortality is heightened when someone close to you or generally connected to you passes away. You have a reality of mortality. A moment when you realize that it won't always be like this that eventually you will pass on. A reality that some day, I will go home. My prayer time over the last week I've found myself weeping and begging God for more time... that the nations would have a chance to hear. I'm not sure where my heartfelt sense of urgency is coming from but I know that it's real and urgent for such a time as this...

Side note... I think paranoia is setting in because literally every channel I have clicked through since I started typing this has had death, a casket, a memorial, someone dying, etc. I'm going to withdraw from this topic for the moment. Cheers.

Snow White Syndrome (SWS)

2009-03-01T22:30:00.004-05:00

Snow White is probably one of my least favorite Disney cartoons... however, it's a classic... and yields my respect. The general plot of the story is that this gal is run out of what she knows because an evil ruler wants what she has and the recognition and acknowledgment for it. She goes and lives with seven tiny woodsman in a little cottage based hopefully on their compassion. The evil ruler finds out where she is, magically changes herself into a dirty little, old cloaked woman with a basket of poisoned apples. She goes to the cottage when the woodsman (Dwarfs) are away and gives Snow White a poison apple. She wipes out and has to wait to prince charming or a like figure to come smooch her and bring her back to life. It has a happy ending. FYI. Although that's in itself could be spoken to for quite some time... I want to take a little look at Snow White's Character... affectionately called "Snow White Syndrome."

She was infectious... meaning everywhere she went people wanted to be around her... animals wanted to be around her. She had something about her that drew others to her. Intriguing, peaceful, joyful, intelligent (although naive- who takes a random apple, from a really old stranger with four teeth, in a dark black cloak, in the middle of the day? sheesh!), appealing, at ease despite her situation, loving, etc.

I was recently in a situation that brought incredible anxiety, although I may never of confessed that otherwise. I was heading into a situation where great tension mounted. You name it, I'm sure it was there. A great friend, who didn't know the extent of the situation prayed for me and just asked for favor, covering and peace when I arrived. As I arrived at this home, a peace that just surpassed everything flooded my car. As the time went on, I found that I had a following, children and animals were following me around to see what I'd say... do... to just be in my presence. I venture to say that it wasn't my presence that they sensed or what they were attracted to... but rather the one I serve. There was a depth of peace, joy, love and every other fruit of the spirit... and a depth of the word "safe" being felt genuinely at that moment... both by me and through me. This has happened several times before but I've just found that in that moment, I was keenly aware of what was happening.

We need to daily take a look at the Lord, who we represent, and how we are representing Him. Sometimes, it's not about gaining control of certain things but rather taking a deep breath and trusting what might not always make sense. Just to find that a miracle and a lot of fruit are over that unknown hill.

Jesus had a following... adults, children, animals, even the elements of the earth obeyed Him... but I'm certain that He was mesmerizing to so many (and still is). Where the thought must have been (and still is), "there's just something about Him, I can't put my finger on it... but I just can't get enough." We represent Him... we have His spirit... what do people feel when they see you? Can they feel His spirit?

Papa- help us to represent you well. May we walk in your love-

where am i?

2009-01-27T22:07:00.004-05:00

I found myself sitting today in my fourth floor apartment watching the snow fall gracefully outside. As my cat sleeps next to me in the silence of the sunset through the snowfall, I smile. Thinking nothing more than where am I?

Eleven years ago last week, I was at a basketball game that would change my life. A friend introduced me to Jesus that night, on a set of very hard bleachers... somehow in the moment, I didn't notice. The years that followed were full of questions, searching, reading, examining, thinking, feeling...

Three years later, I died on an altar and arose never to be the same again. I've seen things happen with my own eyes that my education couldn't explain, even if I tried, not that I would expect it to.

Today, at twenty six years old, I sit in a nice warm apartment in Missouri overlooking a snowfall. The solitude quiet of the night has silenced the noise. I've traveled thousands of miles around the world, seen the miraculous, made friends with beautiful people of various backgrounds in many places. All of this leaving me with a simple smile and a thought, where am I? I currently feel as if I am in the eye of a great storm. It's truly unexplainable at this point. But I can see the storm and somehow see that everything is exactly as it's supposed to be. I've weathered many storms before, all in good company and leadership. In the midst of it all I have a solid peace, as if the snowfall represents my soul on this cold day in Missouri.

where am i?

and again, I smile. The answer.... right where I'm supposed to be.

Many people are beginning to ask me... what's next? As each day weathers a new adventure, I choose to prolong the question. But for now, know that, I'm right where I'm supposed to be and when I'm supposed to change that, I'll know. And when I know, I'll make sure that you know. Until then... I'm simply embracing the adventure of now... in the eye of a great storm.

OH-IO

2008-12-19T22:05:00.003-05:00

No matter where you go in the U.S. if I ever need to feel at home, I can just yell out violently... "O-H".... and somewhere in the distance someone will yell out "I-O"... if they have ever lived in Ohio that is...

I think that's what heavens like... so, if we really dwell in heaven... what sound, noise, spirit, smell, fruit... do we let off that let's other Christians identify with us. How do we know that we're part of the same family... that we dwell in the same house?

It always helps to identify other folks from OHIO when there is a small group together. For some reason, it puts a sense of vigor or pride... excitement to yell out O-H randomly when others are in your group that identify.... and it definitely makes it easier to respond when a small group hears O-H and they know what that means and what the appropriate response should be. There is a never spoken of brother/sister-hood that occurs by completing OH-IO. At the same time, people who don't have the connection with OHIO don't get embittered or repulsed by it... most people give a little snicker or a chuckle. And even then, they are invited to join in whenever they hear the infamous... OH-

Sometimes, when we've followed Jesus for a long time... we get busy with habits. Habits that may not exclude others from joining the fold... but also doesn't invite them. What can we do to invite and help people to understand and feel welcome without omitting the truth, vigor and excitement of why we do, say, live...in Jesus?

Just food for thought.

Too Busy... for Christmas?

2008-12-10T21:04:00.006-05:00

Have you ever had a strong desire to post pone something in your life? What about Christmas?

I'm a natural creative planner, I plan for everything! It's not even something that I think about anymore it just happens. This month has been crazy! Usually by December 10th, I have all of my Christmas shopping complete and I'm excited to just sit back and savor the elements that make Christmas... fun... like candy, family channel's 12 days of Christmas, snow falling, ice skating, carolers, Christmas lights... and one of the most powerful symbols of the year... the nativity.

This year is soooo different from any other year. Perhaps it's because I am soooo busy that I am having difficulty enjoying the day to day blessings that are right in front of my face. My month is packed out daily... actually it's packed out until January 5th!!! And not just a busy schedule but a morning through night constantly mobile kind of schedule. In the middle of it all... The World Missions Summit2, where God will do some amazing things.

Being really busy brings out two parts of my personality that aren't typically seen otherwise. I am incredibly productive under pressure (not always the most relational, but definitely incredibly productive), when I feel the pinch, I get the job done and done well. The second, I become very dry. This is the one that I'm continually seeking to change. I can spend so much time being a "Martha" that I forget to balance it with a "Mary." And spending time as a "Mary" is what shapes our character. Only spending time in the presence of the Master will truly shape you. Doing all the right things aren't always what the Lord wants. Sometimes He just wants us... and sometimes, He's willing to let us hit our lowest possible bottom so that we'll be willing to repent and trust Him for grace, mercy, strength, compassion, love... we are so fallen, Jesus help us.

What I'm really trying to say is... if we've been too busy for Jesus, we've missed it. When's the last time you took Jesus on a date? When's the last time you thought about Him over yourself?And weren't so selfish that you hogged the whole conversation? When's the last time you repented and allowed Him to give you a clean slate? When's the last time you forgave yourself and pressed toward the mark? Is there anything keeping you from being a "Mary"? If so, maybe it's time to prioritize a little better.... repent a little more... be not condemned... have a little more faith... and be willing to let the light shine into the shadows... to be forever changed.

Something tells me that the greatest gift you could give to Jesus this Christmas is yourself. Most of you are believers, but in truth, we have to die to ourselves daily. If we fail to do this... flesh will take over. Give Him the greatest gift this season... give him you.

Psalm 34

2008-11-20T09:53:00.001-05:00

Psalm 34
1 I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.
2 I live and breathe God;
   if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy:
3 Join me in spreading the news;
   together let's get the word out.
4 God met me more than halfway,
   he freed me from my anxious fears.
5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile.
   Never hide your feelings from him.
6 When I was desperate, I called out,
   and God got me out of a tight spot.
7 God's angel sets up a circle
   of protection around us while we pray.
8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
         how good God is.
   Blessed are you who run to him.
9 Worship God if you want the best;
   worship opens doors to all his goodness.
10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
   but God-seekers are full of God.
11 Come, children, listen closely;
   I'll give you a lesson in God worship.
12 Who out there has a lust for life?
   Can't wait each day to come upon beauty?
13 Guard your tongue from profanity,
   and no more lying through your teeth.
14 Turn your back on sin; do something good.
   Embrace peace—don't let it get away!
15 God keeps an eye on his friends,
   his ears pick up every moan and groan.
16 God won't put up with rebels;
   he'll cull them from the pack.
17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening,
   ready to rescue you.
18 If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there;
   if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.
19 Disciples so often get into trouble;
   still, God is there every time.
20 He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone;
   not even a finger gets broken.
21 The wicked commit slow suicide;
   they waste their lives hating the good.
22 God pays for each slave's freedom;
   no one who runs to him loses out.

Blessing in Silence...

2008-11-07T16:52:00.003-05:00

Over the last two days... after arriving home from Phoenix... I've found incredible blessing in silence. Everything just feels so calm... it's almost like when a blanket of snow coats the earth and you just look out and can feel that the world is still and that someone besides you is in control (which we know the King who truly loves and oversees all the people of the earth).

How beautiful a feeling to know that every heartbeat was orchestrated as part of a giant symphony... that every breath inhaled was exhaled by God first... and that regardless of who we are or who we think we are... He will still be the most incredible... the most beautiful... glorious... holy. Despite our actions or what we say... He still loves us and helps us up when we stumble.

He teaches us to do the same for one another... setting the ultimate example. And all like a blanket of snow that we can't always see but if you can just be silent for a moment... you can feel the glory of the Lord.

A Warrior Spirit

2008-10-13T15:12:00.007-04:00

It seems like most people have something that they have to deal with most strongly than others. Some deal with financial difficulty, family inadequacies, major personality glitches, tragedy they have no control over... I am not an exception. I'd love to stand in front of people and say how I've got it all together and that the world is beautiful and smells like flowers (some days it is, if your in the right supermarket/bazaar aisle). But, I have a confession to make...

I love my life, I love serving Jesus, I love waking up in the morning to a cat that is very frustrated because she's on a diet... I am surrounded by great people, attend a phenomenal church, I have purpose, passion and persistence. Most of all, I serve a great God!

So what's the problem... every time the Lord is moving through me in a powerful way, I become VERY ill with random things. In college, I would get random fevers that would incapacitate me, I would pass out randomly, I had kidney stones as a 19 year old, hypo tension, hemophilia B, I had my gall bladder/appendix removed... all at the same time, after or right before the Lord used me in service to advance His kingdom in a powerful way. Currently, I'm battling a very painful abdominal infection and an infection in my jaw (and several other things)... random... YES! Physically and emotionally waring....YES! I believe with everything that I am.... that this is not an infliction from the Lord for my growth but a hindrance from the enemy to force me to withdrawal from service. I have come to this conclusion after much prayer...and mapping of these happenings in relation to Papa's move in my life.

If anyone has felt like giving in or giving up with 26 years of physical problems one right after the other... it'd be me. But I serve a good God, a righteous Father, a loving Papa, a redeemer, a healer, a counselor, a friend. And I serve persistently well or sick.

If you ever played king of the mountain growing up, you'd know that the goal of the game is to struggle your way up the hill fight person on the top. You win the right to be on top by throwing the other kid off the top and watch them topple down. The kid on top was always the big, scary looking kid, at least that's how it looks from the bottom of the mountain... and when you get to the top, the one who usually won was usually a larger or stronger kid. Growing up, this was one of the few games where I was the only girl willing to play the game. I knew it would hurt, I knew I'd get bit by bugs on the way up, I knew that I would bruise very badly, that I could break something and that the next morning wasn't going to be pretty. Why.. because I knew that their was nobility and courage that would go into the fight... but more importantly, if I won... what glory that would entail. So I would grit my teeth grab chunks of grass and climb one hand after the other, kept the enemy and the prize in sight and called up a warrior spirit. I never gave when when we played that game, no matter how bad I hurt...I just don't know when to quit... but there were definitely moments when I was wrestling with the three times my size kid and kept hoping that mom would just maybe yell for us to come in for the night... that I wouldn't surrender but get called home with my girl power pride in tack.

I feel like that so many days serving the Lord. I have the enemy and the prize insight, I'm climbing the mountain with a deep warrior spirit, tired legs, bloody knuckles, gritted teeth, one foot after the other.... piece by piece.... but this battle is different....

I'm not alone, I'm on a team. I'm on a team that doesn't accept defeat.... a team that as I'm climbing I can look over to my left and other members of the body of Christ are climbing next to me and as I'm too tired to go hirer... someone right behind me says... "Use my shoulder, get a better grasp"... all the while dodging the rocks from the overweight, slimy, scary, giant with the billy club and backward helmet above. Some of us take hits and draw his attention and it gives others on the other side enough time to go a little higher, get a little more confident and stronger.

Here's the kicker... when we, the remnant, get to the top... WE KNOW WHO WINS.

To get to the top, it's going to take purpose, passion and persistence as a team. To cover one another, to lift one another. We fight a common enemy, he has no new tricks, he's not even sneaky... he always gets us the same old way... thinking he can break us away from the mountain.

Let's fight the good fight for the Glory of the win and the family it brings honor to... and if Dad calls us in while we're in the prime of it... so be it.

Where's your warrior spirit today? Let's take the mountain...

Operation Panini

2008-09-20T20:51:00.002-04:00

A week and a half ago, I embarked on a mission that I never imagined would be as frustrating or strenuous as it was. I had a hunger pain that drove me to a deep desire for a panini sandwich. Now, if I were in my apartment this would have been a simple endeavour... but I'm in Ohio and when your not in your everyday environment you don't always mold as quickly your wants to your environment.

And so... for your enjoyment... this is the woes of my mission to make a sandwich.

Wednesday... decided that a panini sandwich would be great to make. My parents had never had one and I thought for certain it would be a great idea to share the panini adventure with them. However, there was a problem. We lacked a foreman grill (or likewise grill), turkey and spicy brown mustard.

Thursday... I convinced mom that she needed a foreman grill (or likewise grill) to make their lives easier (which is true). So she purchased one.

Friday... I was on my way home late at night, hungry... thinking that this would be the perfect night to make the Panini sandwich. So I stopped at a drive through store (yes, we do have those) and unfortunately the majority of the products for sale were alcohol and tobacco with NO turkey in sight. So I purchased a tea because I was getting a weird vibe from the lady. Regardless, I was thirsty so it didn't really matter. I left that fantastic establishment to travel a little further down the road to a corner store that I'd never been to before. I went in thinking, "hey they might have some turkey." As soon as I breached the doorway I knew it was a bad idea. There was a very intoxicated owner manning the store. As soon as I walked in he greeted me although I question if he could physically see me or not. I told him that I was looking for some turkey. He took himself over to a very dirty refrigerator and bent over routing around mumbling to himself. Then said, "ain't got no turkey but I'll give you a good deal on steaks. You want some steaks." I said no as kindly as possible thinking of ways to leave the store without losing my salvation. So I purchased a small Gatorade and left the store. He kindly told me that if I came back later he'd go get me some turkey. After my two failures for the night I decided that it must not be the night for this fabulous sandwich to pierce my lips. And so, I went to my parents house.

Saturday... Mom and I went to the Walmart late at night and purchased turkey. On the way out of the store a cat who looked very hungry was in the parking lot. So, me being the super animal lover threw it a couple slices of my cherished meat. When I got home, I was too exhausted to cook or even make the sandwich. So I went to bed.

Sunday, I went to church with visions of panini rolling in my head. After leaving church, I got home and the electricity went out because hurricane Ike caught a cold front on the way through and decided to hit Ohio. With no electric then the grill doesn't work. And so, with disappointment the day ended without the glorious panini.

Monday. No electric

Tuesday, the electric was still off causing everyone to have to empty their refrigerators into the trash. And therefore, I reluctantly threw the turkey into the trash. Knowing that the cat in the parking lot ate more of it than I did made me shake my head. At 8pm the electric was restored.

Wednesday... there was no stores around with any cold products because they too had to empty their refrigerators.

Thursday... I went to the store and purchased turkey. Drove straight home and made the Panini sandwich.

Truth be told, I don't enjoy Panini sandwiches enough to go through this much effort for them. However, when I bit into this sandwich the only word going through my mind was...

VICTORY!!!! Ha ha ha!!!

What a legacy...

2008-08-19T09:46:00.006-04:00

Have you ever had one of those moments where your reminded of exactly how "human" you are. I don't mean spiritually...although, I have those days too. I mean physically. I remember being in second grade when my cousin passed away and I can easily recall a deep awareness of how easily and how quickly we can die...and how we can pass from one reality into the next. At the time, I was unaware of the Lord and all the truths that flow from that reality but I just recall feeling so vulnerable... so human. Before that, I just thought I got to live forever and do whatever. As an eight year old, my reality was shaken.

Over the last few days, a powerful and beloved member of the AG Chi Alpha/World family's visa on this earth has expired and he had to return home to be with Jesus.

Bro. Joe Zickafoose.
As I am beginning to write this, I'm starting to feel a little like Luke writing about the happenings of Jesus and the Disciples... because I never had the honor and privilege to meet Bro. Joe (yet). I'd mostly only even heard of Joe and Jayne through stories that Bill and Lena Shrader would tell here and there. But over the last week, I've been given a deeper birds eye view into the legacy that he spent his life sewing into the people he left behind. Bro. Joe became a believer while attending Kent State University, Ohio. He pioneered several campuses including The Ohio State University. Did amazing things and built incredible relationship at Missouri State University (formerly SMS), and the University or Louisville,KY and also pioneered University Student Ministry in Scotland before having to return to the states. He was in the construction business, constantly building the kingdom everywhere he went whether is was in his interns or just having coffee at the mudhouse in town with total strangers. I know just from reading accounts from facebook and talking to those who truly loved him here as we continue to process through the memorial service that Joe was a doer. He did a lot of stuff and continued to grow the kingdom everywhere he went. He loved. He loved his family, you can tell just by the way that he looks at his sons and wife in the pictures. He loved his guitar and music, you can tell by the passion he has in his face as he was playing. He loved students, why else would anyone work on that many different universities? Although Joe did all of these wonderful things, there is something that his life and his legacy will continue to teach me long after I post this blog and years to come.
Joe was able to be.
Sometimes, we can get so wrapped up in the doing. Are we doing right? Are we living up to our potential? Are we this or are we that? Joe was able to be and was grounded in the Lord regardless of where he was living or what he was doing. He was the same Joe whether he was having coffee at the Mudhouse with the manager or playing guitar at the European Student Conference. Anyone who I've spoken to can say one thing with complete clarity and agreement...
Joe loved Jesus.
What a legacy...
today I better understand the passage...
"come follow me as I follow Christ."

Farewell Friend.

2008-08-09T13:48:00.004-04:00

This blog is dedicated to one of my best friends growing up. He has been faithful, loyal and loving for the last 20 years. I'm sad to see you go friend; but, I understand it's time. I'm not sure exactly where you go when you die...but I like to think it's somewhere really close to my mansion and that I'll see you again. Regardless, you'll be deeply missed and I'll probably talk about you to every generation of my family that I'm alive to see. You weren't a dog, you were family. You're the best. I love you. Sleep tight, Scooter.

What an inconvenience...

2008-08-08T11:51:00.008-04:00

Americans are interesting. Most of us love people genuinely but really hate being inconvenienced. "Ah that doesn't work with my schedule." "I'd rather do something else." "I have to look after what?" I'm as guilty as the next person when it comes to me wanting what I want, how I want it.

But, it's not like that everywhere... not everyone functions around convenience or a schedule.

As a matter of fact once you head toward the middle east/Asia, etc. It actually blesses people in such a huge way to have you in their home that they will beg you to come and spend their last cent and their best animal on trying to bless you... and if you leave in less than 5 hours, it's insulting to them.

In America, it's so rare to have folks invite you to their home... to cross the threshold of their personal space... to have to clean before you get there... to do whatever preparations for your coming need to be made. Wondering continually...what if they don't like what I'm fixing...what if I don't have anything to say...what if they're weirdies...what if they stay and don't leave for a lonnnnnnnng time. Instead, we'd rather just meet you at a restaurant for the hour scheduled and then depart. That's the traditional culture of this country and most of the circles in which I personally roam.

My thought is...what if...

What if we opened our hearts to friends and strangers...

What if we didn't care how long they stay...

What if we gave our very best to the guest every time...

What if our primary goal was to bless someone who wasn't us...

and in doing this... we show them Jesus...

He opened His heart to friends and strangers...

He doesn't mind at all how long we sit in His presence and chat...even if we don't have anything to say...

He gives us His very best every time... and when the time called for it... He gave us His life...

His primary goal is to reconcile the world to Him... That should be our goal...

We can start with just simply being willing to be inconvenienced.

Sometimes you just feel like your waiting to get your head chopped off...

2008-07-25T22:17:00.004-04:00

I have a great friend that gave me a significant word yesterday. It was from Matthew 11:1-6.

There have been days here and there where you know that you know that you know that you are doing exactly what Jesus wants you to be doing. There are peaks and valleys but despite it all, you just know. But every once and a while you get a creeper of a day where you say... Oh Jesus, just remind me why I'm here. I want to do your work and your will but I just want to know that I'm going the right direction.

To me, that's how John the Baptist was feeling. He preached the word, traveled all over declaring the truth of Jesus as the messiah, he even baptized Him. Then John rebuked a powerful leader of the time and landing himself in prison. He was only doing what he thought was right at that moment. And so he was sitting in prison waiting, I'm sure stirring, maybe even feeling frustrated... maybe even saying to himself "surely this isn't what God intended." Even after all he'd preached and experienced with Jesus. As he waited in prison, he heard that Jesus was near and he sent his disciples to Jesus to ask, "Are you the one who was to come or should we expect someone else?"(NIV)

Maybe at times you've found yourself in something that feels like a prison. Your following what you know to be God's will and it lands you in a place, a situation, a hardship or a season in life that you just didn't quite expect... nor would you have selected it on your best day. But here you are in this moment knowing that your following what God intended...maybe questioning your choices, your calling, your future based on prison you've found yourself in.

As the men approached and asked Jesus, His response was, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see...(6) blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me." It's good to know that even when the most beloved of Jesus had a moment of fear, uncertainty, he was still loved. He was still lifted. As John's disciples were leaving Jesus spoke to the crowd regarding John and He lifted him. Even in the midst of doubt.

If you are struggling today, doubting for whatever reason. Know that if the most beloved of Jesus could have a moment similar to yours as he sat in prison not knowing that he was about to be beheaded. He just had to trust that the Lord had it under control. Although he was beheaded and it might not seem to us that it was under control. It was all part of a bigger picture that we can't see yet.

Remember the testimonies of what you've seen when the doubt creeps into your heart and mind and then...

Steady the course... run the race... cross the finish line.

The depth of the heart...

2008-07-15T12:41:00.004-04:00

There are days that I wonder how the Lord has made the depths of my heart so deep. The desires of my heart so full that no one person could ever fathom why or how. It's almost as if you could reach right through the physical body into a spiritual forefront. A glimpse or a taste of what is to come, but others...just can't see it... some of them can even imagine it. And if you try to explain it to them... you might as well have come out of the wardrobe after a grand adventure.
In recent past, I woke up with a startle in the night. I had a realization, one that I have quite frequently these days. I realized that I was an American and currently based in America. I got out of bed, looked at my passport and saw the various visas that are stamped there. Not because I went to vacations or tours, but because God took me there. The places that I’ve been...the places that my heart yearns to go... people don’t vacation there. I go to dirty places, places that are inconvenient, places that have expensive plane tickets but after you get there no jobs for the natives and they are cold, tired and hungry. I stared down at my visas and I smiled as the tears began streaming down my face and began to weep and pray for the people in Central Asia… had they been forgotten? overlooked by people? The smile on my face was because God didn’t overlook them nor did He forget them.

Today as I sit here and write this, the depth of my heart longs to be with the people that I've come to love, brothers and sisters 12,000 miles away. I'm fully content in my responsibility here and I'm enjoying it. But on the horizon, I see my future in a distant land. The depth of heart longs for more. Not more for myself, although I will receive with open arms, but for those who've never known truth and the freedom that it derives.

Papa, I pray that you use me, never allow me to absorb into a place of contentment but stir my heart for the things that so stir yours, my visa is not of this world, I will go...Father...Lover of my soul...Papa, I pray that these desires of my heart come to pass.

Great statements

2008-05-13T18:18:00.002-04:00

I am currently reading a book called, "In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day." It's a great and quick read...unless your me. Anyway, I was reading out of this book today and noticed a few statements that caught my attention... read them and let them penetrate your spirit and ask yourself what God is trying to say...

"At the beginning of my spiritual journey, I would have considered myself a Christ follower, but if the truth be told, it was less about me following Christ and more about Christ following me."

"I think there are two kinds of people in the world: creators and criticizers. There are people who get out of the boat and walk on the water. And there are people who sit in the boat and criticize water walkers.

Here is what I think: Sinking is better than sitting.

I'd rather get wet than have a numb gluteus maximus. When everything is said and done, I thinkour greatest regrets will be the God-ordained risks we didn't take. We won't regret sinking. We will regret sitting.

In the words of German author Johann Wolfgang von Goethe,

'Hell begins the day God grants you the visions to see all that you could have done, should have done and would have done, but did not do."

Keep Your Chains to Yourself Part 2: Consumption of Alcohol

2008-05-13T15:03:00.004-04:00

That title caught your opinion... you either got really excited about it or you were very repulsed by it. Stay with me on this...

Have you ever noticed that a chain is not a chain without many "links"... one builds off the other until you find yourself weighted down. Over the last 8 years I've had many students ask me about alcohol and what I think about it. Usually because they either want to be corrected or vindicated for their choices.

Well, here you go... I believe that alcohol consumption varies based on where you live. Italians in Italy or Germans in Germany are going to be different than say America. Some children are raised their entire lives with wine on the dining room table and certain wines go with certain meals. Who am I to tell them that is not of God?

In America, expecially with the 17-26 crowd, we see university students "binge" drinking. Meaning that they drink as much as they possibly can.

I think that the real issue isn't the alcohol... the alcohol is simply a vessel being used as a release.

What you should really ask yourself is why do I drink? The honest answers that I usually get revolve around two areas.

1) Rebellion
2) Escapism

Rebellion, is where someone told them that they couldn't drink so they're going to show them. Even if it was a parent years and years before. It's usually birthed out of anger. The second is escapism. Escapism is a tougher category. Maybe they feel like they've had a rough day and "deserve" it... maybe they are lonely, frustrated, angry, questioning the hand they've been dealt, etc.

Every person needs to make their own decisions when it comes to this issue. Some regard it as gray area. The Bible may not address whether or not to drink specifically but it does give us a little information on how to navigate this area...

1 Cor 6:19: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Speaking against "drunkeness":
Eph 5:18
Proverbs 23:21
1 Cor 6:10
Luke 21:34
Romans 13:13
Galations 5:21
I Peter 4:3

Some things to think about, not just with Alcohol but anything is:
Will this in any way harm my body?
Will this put me in a position or state to not be able to make decisions that would honor God?
Is there any reason, rebellion or desire to escape that may be leading my choices right now?
If Jesus were physically standing right in front of me right now would I still be doing this?

Personally, I choose not to consume. I want to be built up in the Lord, not the world. But, that's my personal conviction, not a universal command. Don't get them confused.

Keep Your Chains to Yourself Part 1

2008-05-12T14:38:00.004-04:00

After returning from living overseas and having a GREAT, authenic first century church experience with Jesus, I returned to find a lot of chains on the American church. When sharing the message of Jesus with people from a different religion...our approach was not to say, "here is our set of rules, you should exchange yours for ours." Our methods and strategies were to love people where they were at and watch Jesus change them. And you know what... IT WORKED! Jesus showed up daily and spoke into peoples lives. Our team deeply celebrated the little victories in our students... when they realized that cheating on tests were not a good idea... when they had a dream about the Lord. And it brings me to the thought of why aren't those things celebrated in a similar way in America....

In Central Asia, when a student says that they feel like Jesus doesn't want them to cheat anymore... we're soooo excited! we're praising God for His revelation in their lives. Because their way of living, the corruption and bribery is so thick in their culture that this is a true revelation from the Lord.

In America, when a student says that they feel like Jesus doesn't want them to cheat anymore... we think (whether we say them or not).. what a moron!... why did it take you that long to figure it out? Hello? Are you in there? And if the student feels any sense of that condemnation...or if it comes up as a later topic or accountability... that student begins to feel secluded and drawn apart.

When infact...although culturally different senarios, they have the potential for the same victory. How we as leaders, mentors, disciplers deal with counseling others through life or sin issues. We must be aware of the potential long term impact for growth. Everyone has potential, it's whether they put it to action (and how we as leaders respond to their potential & action) that makes the difference of their future and their future walk in the Lord.

As a church...refering to individual believers...not buildings... we must be aware of the concept of "Keep your chains to yourself: personal convictions is not always universal commands." How you dress, isn't necessarily how someone else should dress. What you believe about certain cultural things in America are not always what others should believe. It is up to the Holy Spirit to speak into each individuals life and to grow each individual. It is your responsibility to love people where they are at and watch the Lord change them.

There are certain things, or sins that are cut and dry in the Bible... this is only one example of scripture for that...Galations 5:19-21
"The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

These are "obvious"-ly unacceptable to the Lord. But a lot of times when people are coming to know the Lord they may be believers but not yet sanctified. Example, I expect a lot more out of the woman who is active in the church than I do the one who's on her 5th Sunday in her life. Does this mean that one is more spiritual than the other... no. It means that the one who's been to church the longer "should" have spent more time being transformed by the Lord.

Please note that I did not just say that she should have spent more time being transformed by the church... the church doesn't do it... the Lord does. And all of these things mentioned in Galations may all be happening in one persons life. Our job is to love them where they are at in the Lord and watch God change them. One day out of the blue they might say, you know, that ouija board in the closet kind of turns my stomach... it is at that point where you have an open door to explain why it turns their stomach and help them to move to the next level. Storming into their home and saying... you gotta get rid of that ouija board, it's the devil. In my opinion... lol ... is also appropriate but different people have different venue into their lives and if you have not ESTABLISHED a relationship with that person to be speaking into their lives in that way...then it could scar them worse than help them.

When I speak about personal convictions not always being universal commands. This could be anything from what people wear/ should wear. We deal with this more in the girl world than in the guy world. But one of my students last year wore really short skirts and belly shirts. She was a new believer and LOVED the Lord. The worst thing that I could have done as a representative of Jesus were to say, you know you shouldn't be wearing this or that it's not appropriate...Jesus wouldn't like it... instead. I didn't force... how I felt in my mind over onto my students. I didn't roll my eyes, I didn't have conversations about apparrel with them... because they weren't in a place to discuss it... they were brand new believers... and there are other things that are MORE IMPORTANT THAN CLOTHING!

So what happens when they are not brand new believers and your trying to breech this area or category. A lot of times people as leaders or disciplers attempt to teach them what they've been taught instead of stirring the Holy Spirit in them. What? It's easier for someone to explain what's right and wrong based on what they have been taught and their personal preferences than to teach the person how to ask God for answers and hear them theirself.

Example: you should wear this... this and this... but not that cause it shows too much shoulder and you wouldn't want to cause anyone to stumble. Is an example of a personal conviction rather than a universal command. The universal command stated in Galations that is applicable is "purity". The right thing to do is to have discussion on purity...what do they think it means... what does it look like to them. Allow Jesus to work on them... not you! Keep your chains to yourself... we have too much potential to become legalistic and put people under unneccesary captivity instead of inspiring them to allow the Lord to transform them into a realistic freedom.

Our students overseas experienced freedom. We had muslims jumping up and down excited in worship... and they weren't believers yet. Here we have Christians who can barely bring themselves to clap. We must take the time to be transformed by GOD. We must model this.

If a girl comes up to you at church and she's barely wearing any clothes, covered in unnatural haircolors and tatoos... smile... wrap your arms around them and say, "I'm so glad to see you today." Don't roll your eyes or be repulsed... see them the way God sees them. Victors for the kingdom...future soul winners. If you can strip all the drama away from working with people... Jesus just wants us to Love him and to love one another.

And you never know... they may look different... but they might have a tighter walk with Jesus than you do. Have a merciful spirit...you'll be blessed for it.

Keep your chains to yourself... not your love...
Personal convictions are great when they are your own and you are the only one with the right or ability to constantly reevaluate them for your own life...and they become chains when you put your expectations and convictions on others.

Never replace your responsibility to hear from God personally with just hearing from/through someone else.

Humpty Dumpty...Humor Me!

2008-04-24T19:49:00.002-04:00

The Theology of Humpty Dumpty… This is going to sound cheesy but I’ve actually processed this through today so see if it speaks to you…if not… humor me…it’s been a long day.You know I was at the hospital this morning doing some testing and began to think about a childhood favorite of almost everyone…

Humpty Dumpty…
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall…
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall…
All the Kings Horses…
And all the Kings Men couldn’t put Humpty back together again.
Humpty is usually visualized as a giant egg sitting on a wall.

He was loitering, maybe goofing with all his other little egg friends. Having some egg nog (cannibalism)…just living life as it comes. But then something happened that made him fall off the wall. Maybe it was a huge wind…maybe his friend pushed him off…all we know is that Humpty had a great fall.The part that I was struggling with in this children’s rhyme was that all the King’s Horses and all the Kings Men couldn’t put Humpty back together again. If these were the human king’s horses and men then they more than likely had endless resources, they had access to things, people, finances, etc. that the average person wouldn’t have had access to and they probably would have tried EVERYTHING humanly possible to think about as a solution to the mess they were probably looking at. And yet they still couldn’t do it… they still couldn’t accomplish the task at hand and resulted in the lack of sequel to the Humpty Dumpty rhyme.At this point, I want to introduce a “what if” scenario to this child’s tale… They have gone through everything, they’ve done everything to reassemble Humpty to be what He formerly was and they’ve run out of options. Have you ever come to a point where you’ve run out of options…. You’ve gotten yourself off the wall and broken either because you did something that made you fall off the wall… a wind came your way and you fell off the wall… or someone caught you off guard and knocked you off.

And then you find yourself there hoping beyond hope that these men can reassemble you before it’s too late. The Kings men can easily be awesome believers and awesome followers… they can give great wisdom… scriptures… they can have great ideas… But thinking about a new dimension to Humpty’s tale… what if God were introduced on the scene. God can surely do what men can do and what men think is impossible to do. What if the Kings men and horses… went and got the King. What if the King introduced His true power onto the scene. I envision that the King would stretch out His hands and reveal His true power and vision for this apparently broken vessel. What seems like a lost cause to our eyes may be an opportunity for truth.What if… it was the King who was behind it all? What if His ambition was to get rid of the shell? Maybe the vessel that Humpty got comfortable in… the vessel that He thought He’d be in for the rest of His life wasn’t God’s intention. I envision a broken egg on very hot concrete on a bright summer day. All the Kings Horses and All the King’s Horses and all the King’s Men, help remove the shell and the debris out of the broken servant. They can’t reassemble him into what he once was, they can’t make him anything new…to them in that moment it can appear that He’s useless… but as long as the shell is gone, there is hope.

Then the King comes, smiles and the son shines down and recreates Humpty to be and be used for what God really intended. When all along, Humpty just thought He was supposed to be on the wall chillin’ in the life he’d created for himself… sippin’ some nog on a wall.But when He got up and found that He had a new purpose… He had to make new choices…so that He could be used for what the King truly desired. Sometimes that means finding a new wall… sometimes it’s a new you on an old wall. And sometimes it’s just continuing to be salted.

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall…
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall…
All the Kings Horses and All the Kings Men
couldn’t put Humpty back together again.
So, they petitioned the King and onward He came…
He surveyed the scene and smiled the same…
All the Kings followers removed the debris,
Stepped back and watched the power of their King.

Humpty Dumpty now stands tall…
Humpty Dumpty passes by that old wall…
All of his heart and all of his soul,
Leads others from the wall,
now to the feet of the throne.

Don’t view something that has been hurt or broken as damage… God sees it as a great opportunity to become a new creature… sometimes a creature that others from the past, who didn’t see the transition no longer recognize.I've definitely been taken from a broken aparently nothing and created into something useful to God. If you are feeling broken, petition the King to transform you... you'll never wish you were on that old wall again when the power of the real King grasps the depths of your heart.

Armor

2008-04-24T19:46:00.001-04:00

A guy in Sunday school this morning made a comment that has stuck in my mind for the day and will probably radiate there until the end of the week. His comment was…“Armor is armor, whether it’s polished or dingy and beaten.”I don’t know when I have time to process these things but it seems like I do it constantly.

I’m constantly going…I thought about this or that today…but I have no idea when that actually happened. Armor is armor…powerful…anyone can read the last chapter of Ephesians and learn a spiritual explanation of armor… but what about physical armor…Like the kind of armor they wore back in the day. What a knight might wear as he went into battle. Usually a hard metal exterior that almost always took a hard hit.

Today, I had a momentary revelation…it’s still armor “whether it’s polished or dingy and beaten.” Can you imagine going into battle without any covering? Protection? Whether you had brand new armor that you could see your reflection in…or armor that is smudged, dirty, dented, scratched, and beaten…armor is still armor. No one goes to battle without armor…that’s dumb. The FBI doesn’t even do anything without a bulletproof vest…that’s simple wisdom when thinking about adverse situations that they might encounter.What does your spiritual armor look like? Have you been through any battles? Fought the good fight? Do you have new armor? Maybe your armor has a crack and your reinforcing it? Regardless if you have new armor or old, beaten armor…armor is still armor…Who do you have to go into battle with you when it approaches? Do you trust them because you have to trust them or because you naturally trust them? What does their armor look like?

My immediate thought is when I go into battle, I want someone at my side who has the beaten armor…someone who has weathered battles and storms and has come through at the Lord’s side. It’s not my natural instinct to have someone who has perfectly polished armor to enter into a battle. But once upon a time, I had perfectly polished armor and I entered the battle. My armor today may be bent, dirty, dingy and scraped….but it’s still armor…and I still pick it up and put it on…even when it’s seem too heavy to get over my head. When that’s the case, sometimes others help you put it on and even at times…help you stand up…and at other times…enter the battle with you. So, really, each battle outcome only depends on whether we choose to put on the armor. The outcome has already been determined because of the blood that’s been shed. We put the armor on…we fight the good fight…and when we can do nothing else…we stand. When it's all over, we'll all head home together to celebrate... no one left behind... and we'll have a great party.

Silent Death...Jealousy

2008-03-26T09:52:00.003-04:00

I can’t speak for men and not even for all women. But over the years, I’ve come to notice that many women seem to struggle with one key thing that continually seeks to keep them down. It takes their attention off of positive goals and sends them into a downward spiral very quickly…

The word in my mind is jealousy.

Loads of students and women that I’ve ministered to over time will be quick tell you that they aren’t jealous. Usually they want folks to feel like they can hold their own, that they don’t want to be like anyone else that they don’t want what someone else has. Usually when they really feel it deep they are going to be the last person to say, “I’m so jealous!”

There are many reasons people get jealous. Over things like someone else’s belongings or successes… over opportunities given to others over yourself… and over relationships…more time spent with one person over another. Spending more time with one person over another? Sounds petty huh? Perhaps, but deep into the soul women long to feel valued, important and loved. Some women measure this by how much time is not just spent or attention given to them but rather how much more is given to them than over someone else.

Jealousy breeds bitterness….bitterness contempt…contempt anger and then it’s definitely a snowball. As believers, we should have the strongest desire to walk in the anointing power of Jesus and not be so focused on how much so and so did for whatever. If you can honestly evaluate your life and say that you are jealous of something or someone, I challenge you to evaluate some key things going on in your life.
1) What or who am I jealous of?
2) Why am I jealous? (Are they getting attention for something? Are they liked more than you are? What’s the real thing that you feel like your missing out on?)
3) What does your time with Jesus look like? And who are you seeking attention from?

Sometimes we can find ourselves seeking to fill externally what we lack internally. We look for people who can fill certain gaps. If you need affirmation in your life and you notice that someone else gets it a lot more than you do then you automatically feel inadequate and less than. We need to have an understanding of what we need and what is the appropriate way to get it.

Some people will quickly say, “all you need is Jesus.” True but still not, the Lord gave us one another in relationship and I believe that He uses us to speak life into one another and to lift each other up to powerful levels in Him. So, know what you need. If you need to be affirmed, if you need time with people or certain people, if you need acknowledged, if you need a hug or a pat on the back… regardless, know what you need and who you’re going to get it from. For some it’s a spouse, others a friend to just say, “you’re doing a great job!” For others, it’s unwritten in their world…they are just automatically lifted by others…. But you should personally seek to also lift others.

Have a mentor or someone who can speak life into you regardless of your age. Be careful who you choose. They should be someone who is strong in the Lord. Someone who loves you and seeks to see you become the best follower of Jesus you can possibly be. Someone who’s not afraid to tell you the difficult things in life that you might sometimes not want to hear. And you need to be willing to submit to them.

Understand your individual blessing in the Lord and your corporate blessing.

Personally, as an individual, I’m a great organizer; planner, natural problem solver, natural persuader and I love to be the accomplisher! So much so that when I was in college (the first round), I was the president of 5 thriving organizations, 3.9 GPA, I worked in residence life, conference services, service learning and orientation, I was on the student judicial board and heard countless cases. And when I graduated, I spoke at Bachelorette. Over the four years, I was always the one that the other kids in the class would put up to talking the teacher out of having to take the final exam (and I was successful 6 times!). I didn’t do it for awards. I didn’t try to be better than everyone else. I just wanted to do my best (and have a little fun with it!). But when the senior banquet came, I was humbled. Out of the 8 awards they give out, I received 5 of them. Everything from state awards, senatorial citations, campus awards, community service awards but then the last award was given….

The Robert E. Lucas Student Leadership Award for Conspicuous and Significant Contributions to Wilmington College given by the president of the college. This was the greatest award that the college gives…and they called my name. Of all names…other people had done such great things and I never thought that the work and countless hours that I’d put into the campus, the students, the community would ever deserve this type of acknowledgement. I went up and received the award and I was shocked beyond shocked.As I sit here writing this today, I have a plaque in a college pretty far away that has my name engraved on it and over my desk is the award that I was handed on that day. I worked hard seeking to be my best in every moment of my time on campus.

I went home that day and wept because I had spent 4 years thinking that no one had noticed or cared. Sometimes the things we do are hard, tiring and go unnoticed (they are noticed by God).

But there will come a day when we will sit in a banquet hall and Jesus will call our name to come up and receive the award. On that day, I want to be worthy of receiving it. Living every day of life in excellence even when it means sorting through the hard things in life like jealousy, envy, sin… don’t let yourself fail to be what God longs for you to be. Discipline yourself to be all that God longs for you. Doesn’t He deserve it?

1 Cor. 9:24-27
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

Every time I read these verses they have a new application. Today, If you are running aimlessly, confused, or so focused on the other runners that you lose focus of the PURPOSE that you are running then refocus. It’s time. You should be running your personal best and only you know what that is…and what God deserves from you.Corporately, as a body of believers… when one runner trips, it’s our responsibility to help them get back up and in the race again… and if we are the one that trips not to be so embarrassed that we try to quit the race. But we are blessed by one of our fellow teammates and runners who are willing to help us get back up and run with us until we hit that finish line. How do you treat your teammates? Your fellow believers?

Be your best for the Lord and help them be their best for the Lord. When they get acknowledged be glad for them (not fake glad)… together we represent God so when they are lifted…you are lifted.

Surprise!

2008-03-24T16:23:00.001-04:00

There are days when every one of us Christian or nonchristian spend time wondering what God was thinking when this happened… or that happened… but for me… today was not one of those days.

I find that today I’m contemplating the concept of surprise. Like… SURPRISE! I love good surprises… random gifts…presents…seeing people you haven’t seen in a long time…those are all good things and I’ll take those on any given day! What about bad surprises… you know the kind that feels like you are receiving a stiff kick to the face while having a blind fold on. I hate those…especially when it’s dealing with me personally. I still hate it when it more involves other people but…hmm…surprises.

A few examples…

My first ministry experience was a surprise. I was a 4 month old Christian… 16 years old. I was in drama class and I asked to go use the restroom but when I walked into the restroom I heard a girl crying violently. She was a freshman, a cheer leader, very well known, cream of the crop of her class, kind but liked to go party. She always wore baggy clothes but no one really knew why. People liked her… she was “cool”. She was 14 years old and weeping in a bathroom stall. My mind wanted to disregard it for that moment but I couldn’t I got her attention and entered her stall...and SURPRISE! The only thing I heard her saying fanning through her tears was… “Pleeeeeaaaaasssseeee don’t tell….don’t tell anyone…please!” I quickly deciphered from the fluid on the floor, her posture and many other things that this 14 year old girl was in labor. SURPRISE! (Looking back, how can people not have realized that…who knows…but they didn’t!) I didn’t have to go to the bathroom anymore. I told her that I was going to go get the counselor…. She pleaded and begged me not to… but sometimes…things are bigger than we are…and this was way bigger than my 16 year old self in that moment! I went to the counselors office where she looked frantic and hip deep in paperwork. I said, Mrs. #@$%#$ you need to come with me right now. (I was very calm…until she said…not now.) Then I grabbed her hand, gave her “the look” and said “RIGHT NOW”. I took her to the bathroom and she started to panic. I would have been better off on my own… was my first thought. Then she called an ambulance and they were much better at taking it from there. The 14 year old had a beautiful baby girl. Her parents…got a SURPRISE! And a life change all in a moments notice. But for me in that moment…I think that God brought me out of that classroom to be the one that found her. Later that night, I drove to the hospital. Where I met her and her mother. Her mother appearing shocked and disgusted and “needed some air”…(no kidding, I can’t imagine!). But that left me there with this 14 year old mom and her new baby. None of her friends showed up they were too embarrassed by her. The first time I officially met her was in the bathroom earlier that day. But God wasn’t surprised. He knew…and he sent me. That night, she got an authentic gospel presentation from a 4 month old baby Believer and decided to start owning up to her decisions and actions.

Before church one day, a set of parents stopped me in the parking lot within this past year. I asked her how she was doing and she said, “fine.” I said, “no really, how are you doing.” Sometimes…you just know there’s something else going on. She began to go through her children’s lives. Her son just turned 10 a couple weeks ago and he was doing good in school. Her oldest daughter is kind but hitting a phase where she’s just annoyed by her parents. And she said, her middle daughter just turned 16 the day before. She said, “you know what she did for her 16th birthday?” I said, “what thinking she did something miniscule and random.” She said, “She sat us all down on the couch as a family and told us that she was pregnant with the baby of a 20 year old guy that she’d been dating for a month.” (SURPRISE!) Then tears began to stream down her face as she started to say, “I don’t know what we’re going to do.” There were a million thoughts parading through her head in that moment. Over the next few months, I watched the 16 year old girl attempt to own up to her actions…she stood tall and didn’t quit church or school. (not trying to justify her actions) but sometimes surprises will completely shift our lives in a simple moments notice. This family has pushed and toiled through agony these last 7 months. Recently, she lost the baby. It was a little girl and she’s with Jesus now. This is a sad story but none of this caught God off guard. He wasn’t surprised and still has everything under control. (Keep this family in your prayers as they filter through the emotions and life changes that will come with this.)

I was thinking today about surprises….mostly bad surprises. And that the one thing that God has never felt or experienced….may very well be “surprise!”. He already knows what has happened, what is happening and what will happen. He’s gotten every day of our lives figured out and under control. Thinking about surprise…a little more… when we get a bad surprise we have to make adjustments to accommodate them whether they are for you personally or for other people. And usually in that process we feel a little frantic. But God doesn’t. Since He doesn’t get surprised…then He doesn’t have to make split second decisions on how to accommodate situations. All that said…

Rest assured.

Knowing...ISN'T ENOUGH

2008-03-18T22:13:00.000-04:00

I distinctively remember my 7th grade teacher teaching about the natural and the supernatural. And saying that the supernatural isn't real where the natural is.... I beg to differ...A few months ago, I was talking with my 11 year old cousin. She's very interesting, attends a catholic school (she's not catholic, she would want me to add that). She was studying greek mythology in school and has fallen deeply in love with the mythological creatures and the supernatural aspects that are taught at her age in school. She just genuinely fascinated.I turned on the television the other night and flipped through the channels to find a variety of shows with the same themes really...The movie "The Craft"Buffy the Vampire Slayersome show with 3 "good" witchesSupermanWishboneand there were several others...I believe that every individual inherently has a reality sensor and they are so curious about supernatural things regardless of their origin. As humans we KNOW that there is something more. We struggle and wiggle and maybe we don't want to say that we're curious because it would commit us to some weird random discussion or relationship. The shows above wouldn't be on the air if people weren't fascinated by them and watch them. I love watching superman, he does things that I can't...he can fly...he can help people...he changes his clothes a LOT faster than I do! I want to be super(wo)man! Why not...it's interesting...it's cool!People want the supernatural in their life! Something that a load of people aren't willing to talk about is the FACT THAT GOD IS SUPERNATURAL and what HE does is SUPERNATURAL...and contradictory to my 7th grade teacher...God is REAL. People are a lot more willing to talk about a supernatural God when they or someone they love needs healing and doctors can't help. But I can say that I definitely have people's attention faster when I talk to them about miracles that I've experienced rather than just dumping heaps of scripture on their lap. The Bible IS supernatural. We can read it but the promises in it are for TODAY! They are ALIVE and although a simple book is natural...words that are alive are supernatural. You can read them, CLAIM them as your own and apply them to your life. An example, I've prayed healing for many people both through intercession and through the laying on of hands and I believe that God can do it. (supernatural...we as humans can't just "figure it out"). I was in Central Asia a little over a year ago and a student from an incredibly rough background came up to me and asked me to pray for him. He said that he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and was dying. If you looked at him, you wouldn't have questioned it, the man LOOKED DEAD. In the old testament, there is a point when Elijah has to put everything he knows to be true on the line...a point of either faith or no faith (and this man had FAITH with capital letters! He had an altar that needed to be lit on fire and God had to do it... he let the other team go first...their god needed to light their altar on fire... they did everything they could to get their god to light their altar... nothing happened. Then it was Elijahs turn...fire from heaven needed to come down and light this bad boy on fire! Not only did Elijah ask God to light it on fire... He dumped lots of water on it! (God delights in doing things that we think would be impossible...especially when it makes him look really good!). And so...short story short...God burns that altar up! Awesome right?Then we come back to now...and you have Elijah moments in your life... moments where you darn well better know that you know that you KNOW...that what you stand for an believe is true... KNOWING...ISN'T ENOUGH... you have to do something with it. For Elijah to just know that God was real and not step out...not put his faith on the line wouldn't have been enough. For me to know that my God is a God that heals wouldn't be enough...especially with an influential man...a future leader of a CNN country to be in need of healing and for me to just KNOW that God heals wasn't enough... I had to do something with it. I spoke with authority and said that it was not a tumor that it was a migraine and I laid my hands on him (which was against a load of his cultural regulations) and claimed his healing in the middle of a student union. The next morning, he went to the doctor and came in to see me in the union again looking healthy, excited and saying, "Katrina, he used the same words you used...the same words, it's a migraine and not a tumor Katrina...a migraine and not a tumor!" The only words that came from my mouth at that moment were:"That's the God I serve."Knowing that my God heals wasn't enough, we have to step out and sometimes put our reputations on the line so that He can get the glory that He deserves.Don't just know...believe...and step out. Everytime, I've ever stepped out for Jesus and done something "supernatural" to a 7th grade teacher... God has shown up and done miraculous things. The God I serve is way cooler than any "supernatural" tv show...The truth...is ALIVE.

And This Too Shall Pass...

2008-03-13T20:37:00.004-04:00

A man once asked a group of people to describe "life" in as few words as possible. People were giving extravagant answers and one man said, "and this too shall pass." What a wake up call! This too shall pass! All in all... I like life... I like doing things... meeting new people... watching the office...building a bigger family than the day before. But did you ever notice that sometime fear creeps in and tries to smother your love for the day just by stealing your attention. Instead of focusing on Jesus or advancing the kingdom you find yourself dealing with things that will "pass".

Hmm...How does one savor every moment of life from a 5:30am wake up experiment (that was a success might I add), to the smell of flowers, to the beauty in screaming children, to the smell of fresh bread, to a pile of laundry...

I think that we really appreciate the phrase, "and this too shall pass" when it's referring to things we don't like or are excited to get over like illnesses...bad relationships...poor finances...really, any rough patches.

But also...this is a phrase that refers to the good things in life too. They are going to pass too. Relationships with people are one good example. Not bad relationships (although they apply too) but good relationships. People that you grow to love dearly over time whether they are blood by family or blood by the Lord. There are points when these relationships will be so strong and powerful that they can be scary. And we know that when we die the relationships are going to change dramatically into memories... but when we're still here they can change too...whether we find ourselves moving away or into other parts of the world to fulfill the kingdom. I've moved 14 times in the last 7 years. I hate moving but I do it when it's either by necessity or the Lord says so. When you move that often sometimes your relationships shift and sometimes end completely. And sometimes many tears are shed because every time there is a move to a new place (my last 3 moves were from Ohio to Kyrgyzstan...Kyrgyzstan to Ohio...Ohio to Missouri) you have to put yourself on the line and work really hard to build relationships because the people who already live there already have a network of relationships! And for me...I'm a three people know my life...guard your pearls before swine kind of woman! But even in the differences the Lord sends glimpses of light. We are a people who were CREATED FOR RELATIONSHIP...and when we don't have relationships we will find ourselves withering whether we're introverts or extroverts. I'm good at building relationships with people because I understand that it's important to God and I have some bizarre gift for it.... but... I don't enjoy it! I'm still going to do it! But...It drains me...interesting...it also energizes me(after I get past the surface stages)! I would way rather just have a group of 5 people that I experience life with and the rest just have a surface relationship with. Just think if that were every ones perspective...where would each of us be? If someone wouldn't have poured into us...prayed for us...believed in us...where would we be... through good times and bad.

Who are you pouring into...who are you loving (even when you don't want to or are too tired)...
Remember every moment... "this too shall pass" and we won't be able to regain the moment again or "I should have said this" " I should have done that".... at this moment... it may not be too late... make new friends... have people for dinner... love them... love life... play games with children... share Jesus with the person who you think is least likely to accept Him... this moment will pass live it for all it's worth.

I leave you with a simple idea... One day several years ago, I was angry, frustrated at the world and just exhausted by life and I locked my car door and proceeded to walk into work, I crossed a highway on this walk. I never stopped, I never looked both ways and it was an incredibly busy street...I didn't even care, I was just doing what I knew I had to do without analyzing it. When I got to the other side of the street I was approaching the sidewalk when I heard the VOICE of the Lord say,

"When are you going to start living like that for me?"

At that moment I looked back to see cars zooming back and forth and I had walked in a straight line in between them without ever knowing or paying any attention. If we learn and know the right way... who to follow (Jesus, for anyone confused) and we do it without getting distracted by the things that could scare us or slow us down...there is no stopping us.

(P.S. Once upon a time...His statement there...changed the course of my life...again.)

This too shall pass....take advantage of loving God, loving life and loving people into the first two.

OOOooo...Dezyahvoo

2008-03-10T09:39:00.003-04:00

Have you ever had an experience during the day and could swear that you have already lived the exact same motions and words that you and the people around you are doing? That happens a lot to me...I mean a lot! This morning I was eating breakfast and I realized that I had dream the same experience with my same house guests over a year ago when I hadn't even met my house guests yet. I was speaking at a church in Arizona in February and I'd had a dream about a year before that when I was in Kyrgyzstan about that exact church and pastor that I experienced while I was in AZ. People that I'd never met before.

What happens when you learn to recognize the dream as a future Dezyahvoo? I had a dream that carries very similar smothered pattern a week ago and it wasn't a good dream it was a guy that I know randomly a great speaker and in this dream I was in my office and walked past two women who were partcially saddened saying "I can't believe ^%&$%$ died." This was such a real moment than when I woke up the next morning, I thought he was dead. But it carries the same patterns as my other dreams that turn into Dezyahvoo. Crazy...

So, if this could be truth...what do you do about it...all I can think is to pray a deeper covering over this man who I've never personally met. wow.

Culture Shock

2008-03-08T22:41:00.005-05:00

Getting used to the way things work here in Springfield has been quite an experience. I can say that a few families from the amazing church that I attend outside town have invited me into their homes and treated me nothing short of family. I've felt truly blessed by this display of hospitality and I believe that God will bless them for looking out for strays.

Culture shock...Thursday night I was downtown with a girl I work with and we were looking for a parking spot and this guy came up to the window of the car and kept trying to get our attention and roll the window down. So finally mildly freaked out she cracked the window and the guy was like "wait a second and I'll give you my parking spot...I'll move my car and you can take it". She rolled up the window and the only words that could be thought of at that moment was..."culture shock"... I've never seen that happen in Cincinnati. People in Ohio are kinder than many places that I've been to and experienced but the people here just initially meeting you are fairly forthcoming with the surface talk...going beyond the surface...I'll let you know later...hasn't happened yet.

Although I still haven't hit my place here yet, I can feel it approaching and then the light speed that happens afterward will come. I've come here to build the missions program but I have a feeling that my being here is for much greater things than what I'd even expected upon coming. I don't know what it is...but I just know that it is and it's blessed.

It's been a while...

2008-02-24T22:44:00.002-05:00

Well today is Sunday Feb.24th and it's been a while...since I last wrote and updated. I'm going to try a little harder to get better at this...but we'll see. Well, Koshi and I packed up our goods and services and moved out here to Springfield, MO. 10.5 hours away from everything I know to be "home" and 3 days travel away from several folks that I miss more than I ever dreamed. I've been traveling to and fro since arriving here and I'm settled in my apartment. It's a great little apartment it feels homey and I am enjoying the blessing of it. People continue to ask me if I intend to get a roomate and Lord willing my next roomate will be my husband and not another community living experience. (Just to satisfy your questioning curiousity side...there isn't anything in the works at this point ;) ). Just from an interesting perspective in Ohio, I think it's easier to be a single person than it is in Missouri. Seems like everyone here is married (which isn't a bad thing). But it's interesting. I'ven never felt so in between worlds before. I'm older and more educated than one section of the population that surrounds me but I'm not married with children which excludes me from the other population experience. And so I find myself in an interesting place in this good ole Springfield.

I started my missions appointment and still need to raise a load of monthly support so if you're thinking of supporting monthly...please just do it. Other than that, I'm enjoying what I'm doing and seeking Papa's face daily for guidance, patience, love, and more. I know that the Lord is going to advance his international kingdom through this in a very powerful way and I'm excited to be apart of it.

I have been attending a church called Brighton Highway Assembly of God and the people there are very kind with a very inviting presence and heart. So they have welcomed me to the assembly and it's been nothing short of refreshing. Tonight the Evangel football team came to Brighton. The team is going out to Kyrgyzstan to play an international football tournament in May...recognizing power and opportunity. Once upon a time... I called Scott when I saw and opportunity and now several steps later...we have an international football tournament. how cool. Here...I haven't really found my nitch yet. I'm somewhat exhausted by thinking about it but I'm sure it will come. Papa has always given me the ability to recognize when power meets opportunity and I'm sure that time will once again come.

Physically and emotionally I feel like I've been on some crazy rollercoaster. Almost like a first year teacher, since arriving here, I have caught what feels like every cold around. Including an on again off again ear ache that has been a pain and every time the weather changes (which is daily) I find myself taking migrane medication. Besides this the only two things that I've found to releave illness has been fasting and releaving stress has been exercise (I went ice skating on Saturday and afterward I felt like loads of weight were lifted from my shoulders...the two days before that was as if life as I know it was coming down around me...but for no reason). Interestingly.... In the midst of all this craziness the Lord has been speaking to me in a nearly constant stream for the last 2 weeks. The Lord has really put Nehemiah on my heart and I've really just been praying through the book and watching Papa unfold his heart into mine. I have several words from the Lord for some folks in good ole Bethel and I look forward to sharing those...prepare your ears to hear! woot.

Well...that's the today update...I'm really exhausted so I'm going to go locate my pillow!

Christmas Time...Again...

2007-12-24T18:39:00.000-05:00

Well, it's Christmas Eve again and this time last year we are having a big time in Kyrgyzstan...sipping tea and explaining the meaning of Christmas to our local friends. Last Christmas we gave away the first ever translation of the Kyrgyz Bible and had a Christmas Party that served over 350 university students where our national drama team did the absolute best rendition of the nativity scene that I've ever seen before. It still warms my heart to think about Christmas in Kyrgyzstan last year and my prayers go out to our staff and students who are there being a light even today.

At our home, we had an incredible ham dinner with happy guey mac and cheese...so good. I made an incredible Apple Crisp...and things seem to be going really well. In a while we'll go to the Candle light service that's become a tradition over time and sing songs into the silence of night. Actually quite a beautiful experience.

This year our church family is short one incredible woman who passed away late last week. Mrs. Evelyn Thompson. However, she's "home for Christmas". And I can even see her smiling at this very moment. Her only desire was to be with Jesus...and the Lord gives even an 81 year old woman her hearts desire this Christmas.

This Christmas I have a deep underlying joy in my spirit....a spirit of expectation...

on another note...I have $433.49/month remaining to raise by January 10th as I'm preparing to move on January 11th! I put a deposit down on an apartment by faith. And I'm praying and believing that the Lord will provide for the remaining of my personal budget! Praise the Lord.

Well for now...back to the annual festivities... until next time.

Christmas in Ohio....

2007-12-17T22:39:00.000-05:00

Christmas in Ohio means a lot to me... besides the reason we celebrate Christmas (JESUS)... I love that my mom makes massive amounts of Christmas candies and gives them away to friends and family. We have one that I love...It's called a "Buckeye"... yes, I know that a buckeye is classicly a nut but it's also a candy! It's a peanut buttery mixture dipped in a chocolate covering and it sets on it.... soo tasty! My mom is also VERY particular that each buckeye is exceptionally small...so when I took the dough and started making a car out of it....she was really frustrated with me....but then she saw how cool it looked and said next time we make it we're going to see what cookie cutters do! Next, time I'm going to try to make an airplane...maybe tomorrow. I posted the pictures above...yum!

Update on fundraising...I have $653.49/month remaining to raise. It's been slowly coming but I anticipate a pause over the Christmas holidays. and then a short pick up and then a break at new year and then a dropping of bread from heaven. I'm looking for folks who might be willing to host a get together in their homes...immediately following the new year. I'll provide, cake, drinks and stories and then invite folks to partner with me. If you are willing or interested in hosting. My goal is to have the rest of this raised by the 10th of January!!! Pray hard and let me know ASAP! xakatrina@live.com

36 Days Remaining!

2007-12-05T14:41:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was an incredible day. I spoke at the Fairborn Women's Daytime Lighthouse Aglow Meeting and it was just very uplifting and powerful! The Holy Spirit NEVER ceases to amaze me!

As of today I have 36 days remaining and $758.49/month remaining. Please continue to pray for an army of supporters to rise up!

40 Days to Raise...

2007-11-28T23:35:00.000-05:00

Tick Tick Tick...the clock ticks in my ear as the night comes to a dramatic close. I'm working diligently to raise my budget in the next 40 days! If you are in any way considering supporting! YOU SHOULD DO IT! As of today, I need to raise $843.49 a month! The rest is already raised. But I need your help! If you know anyone who would show any interest in supporting or even interest in praying for this ministry please hook a comment on this blog so I can contact them and link them up with my monthly newsletter and information!!!!

Soooooo close! Pray hard!

Thanksgiving means Family

2007-11-23T21:10:00.000-05:00

This year, like most others from years past....My mom stayed up all night long on Wednesday creating a feast that should only be put before Kings. With Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans, macaroni and cheese, brocoli casserole.... dirt cake, apple crisp, buckeyes (I am from OHIO!), two kinds of fudge... my aunt brought into the mixed cranberry something or other that smelled really good, oyster dressing, brownie pie, and pumpkin pie.... did I mention all of this was for 8 people? OMG! It was sooooo very good and I felt incredibly blessed to be able to be present with my family this Thanksgiving! Very fun. My cousins, who are now 12 have taken on personalities of their own...both incredibly fun!

There is something about Thanksgiving that means family to me more than any other holiday, including Christmas. Thanksgiving is just a time to come together without any obligation, no guilty or comercialism, no cards or packages....just for time...to be with one another, to fellowship, to watch football or movies or root through sales papers.... Thanksgiving means family.

How to Support!

2007-11-17T11:24:00.000-05:00

How can I help?
I need you to pray about supporting monthly. No matter how much you support, the Lord will bless your heart for giving!

I want to support, how do I do it?
Make checks payable to “The Assemblies of God.” In the memo line of the check write “Katrina Frazee 355191-8” and mail it to:

The Assemblies of God
1445 N. Boonville Ave.
Springfield, MO 65802

You can also send in your monthly support Online! Go to the web address below and follow the directions.

https://secure1.ag.org/contributions/detail.cfm?LedgerID=1c671f25-6cde-43cb-bdac-12e51c1f9e5d

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me!

Appreciation of the Obvious!

2007-11-14T20:22:00.001-05:00

Today was a typical day of running errands, phone calls, letters, etc. But today before I did all those things, I called my Aunt and went down to visit her. I knew before I left that I appreciated her. But really even after being back I've found such a great appreciation for her. Not that she even has to do anything but it's like an appreciation for the family that you've had all along. She's nice, fun to be around, I can relate to and with her. It's just great really.

After leaving she and my grandma today, I went to Walmart and picked up some envelopes. But there is something that I really couldn't get over... everywhere I looked, the people I saw looked destroyed, depressed, beaten down by the world around them. I was driving home and I looked over and saw this one lady pushing a baby stroller and her face just appeared incredibly disgusted.

Are we really in such a great country that we have so much and don't realize what we really do have. Most people have a room in their house delegated to holding things just "in case" they want them in the future. We are a country with so much stuff and busy-ness that we are lacking things that actually matter.... like joy... peace... gentleness... love... etc.

I'm not suggesting that people go out and throw all of their things away, but I am suggesting that we put things in perspective. Prioritize things in life and begin to live with deep faith in the Lord and appreciating and striving to live in the things that really matter, rather than just getting.... the next best thing.

The Path to Tomorrow...

2007-11-13T17:09:00.000-05:00

Currently I'm trudging slowly but surely down the road of support raising... something that no missionary could ever really enjoy. But at the same time, Lord has created this time and moment for this work. And I, have to be faithful to fulfill that! Honestly, I'm excited to fulfill it. Looking back at the last 3 months, I have transcended denominational boundaries speaking at all different denominational churches, retreats and gatherings. The Lord has been moving everywhere that I've been and Jesus is doing powerful things in the lives of His people. What's the problem... I'm still in the support raising phase and my soul yearns to be in the field that I've been called! I'm pumped! I'm also at 52% of my budget and I need to hit my mark so I can get to the field in January! Mobilizing University Students to fulfill the Great Commission! I'm so game! In the midst of all this, I got a kitten, she's adorable.

Her name is "Koshi" with a long o sound... While we were in Kyrgyzstan last year, we discovered the word for cat is Koshka and so it's fitting that her name be a shorter version of that!

The goal is to not be in such a hurry today to get to tomorrow that you miss today.