In the Gulf...

I meant to write about this before I left for the rest of the week, but it has been crazy these last few days.

Yesterday, I traveled to Mobile, Alabama for the weekend to help out with hurricane relief. It is my fall break at school, and this trip was offered through Union. I had other plans, but they ended up falling through, and then this trip came about. I prayed a lot about it, and I really felt God's call for me to go.
Since conditions are bad where we are working, we are staying in Mobile, at University of Mobile, which is one of Union University's sister schools. Each day, we are traveling to the different cities to help where conditions are the worst.

There are 20 of us on this trip, and we drove straight yesterday after classes to Mobile. This morning, we went to help out the Volunteers of America. We put together care packages, in which evacuees will come on Saturday to pick up. Even though the behind-the-scenes work needs to be done, I was really ready to get out there and do some hard work. Later today, during the hottest hours, some of us did some roofing...well, we tore off the roof anyway. It was difficult, but I really loved doing it. I think I've found my new calling....lol.

Anyway, I am asking you all to pray for me during the course of this weekend. It's a strenuous trip. It's hard seeing all of these things, and know that I can only help a little. It's hard knowing how much people have suffered from this, and I want to help as much as possible. This takes energy, in which I have absolutely none. Pray that I can have the energy to help with the physical labor, as well as seeking out opportunities when coming in contact with evacuees to tell them about Christ. Thanks...I might not get the chance to update again until I get back, so I will make a big post about it.

Compliments of my sister's roommate.

This is my new hair..I haven't had bangs since I was 6!! I called my sis's roommate Jill last Sunday, very spontaneously, and asked her to cut them. It's definately different but I really like them.

Yes! I'm a form of Britney!

Which Britney Spears are you? Sweet Britney You like to be with your family as much as you can. You give money to help kids go to dance camp. No one cares about this part of your personality.

Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

The honest truth..

Today we salute you, Fellow Cubs Fan.
You thought you could cheer for the Cubs, but little did you know they would lose once again. Hoping and praying every season that they would "make it" is obviously not enough. As if 1908 was just yesterday, you believe in them. We see your hats and shirts that sport CUBS..you faith is evident. So go ahead, crack open an ice cold root beer, True-Blue-Not-a-Fairweather-Cubs-Fan. It's too bad that your team can't make it to the World Series, but we salute your faithfulness.

Do you ever just have one of those songs..?

A Paraphrase From Psalm 23, arranged by Mack Wilberg

"My Shepherd will supply my need; Jehovah is his name.
In pastures fresh he makes me feed, beide the living stream.
He brings my wandering sprirt back, when I forsake his ways,
and leads me for his mercy's sake in paths of truth and grace.

When I walk through the shades of death, thy presence is my stay;
One word of thy supporting breath drives all my fears away.
Thy hand in sight of all my foes, doth still my table spread;
My cup with blessings overflows, thine oil annoints my head.

The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days;
O may thy house be mine abode and all my work be prasie!
There would I find a settled rest while others go and come,
No more a stranger, nor a guest; but like a child at home".

This song has meant the world to me this year. We actually sang it my freshman year, and my director (Dr. Joiner...he's the greatest!) sometimes brings old songs back, and this is one of them. I did not fully understand this song my freshman year, but after everything I went through this year, I really get it. Everytime we rehearse this, I can barely get through it. Tears well up in my eyes and stream down my face, and Dr. Joiner always looks up at me for a few moments, and smiles. He knows what went on in my life this year. He called, many times, just to see how I was. He knows that this song is my prayer, my echo for what I have learned in my heart, and how true it really is. We are to sing it in chapel tomorrow morning, and I really hope it touches others how it's touched me.

While we rehearse it Dr. Joiner stops us, not because there were wrong notes or anything technical like that, but because we aren't feeling the song. He says, "With the exception of a few, you haven't suffered enough to sing this". He is so good about bringing a message or testimony when we are rehearsing, helping us keep the focus on what we're really singing about, and not just the technicalities of it.

"I'm gonna be a supermodel"

Tuesday night, at the Jackson, Tennessee Carl Perkins Civic Center, there is a Cancer Benefit Show going on. My written comp professor is actually in charge of the whole thing. She was aware of my beating cancer, and wants me to help out with the show!! Not only am I helping, but I get to be a model for it! They have a modeling section of the show, and they prefer cancer survivors to be the actual models. I am very excited!! This will be the only time in my life where I will qualify as a model...not because I look like one, but because I had cancer..lol. Looks like I will have to practice my run-way skills...haha.

"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
-Hebrews 10:22-23

We serve an amazing God. One who not only allows us to come to Him, but takes us back after we mess everything up once again. May I remember that in my daily life, and not swerve in my faith, but rather, hold tight to the one who is faithful to me.

Could you put the reference back please??

A Quick Vent:

For my Intro to Bible Study class, a lot of our time is spent in the library looking in different concordances for greek-english words and a lot of other references for related things. Our professor specifically said, "make a copy of the pages you need, and then put it back".


This is for the sake of the other 29 people in the class, so that they may get the book needed and do the assignment themselves. Pretty sure everytime I tried to get the book this weekend, someone had it. FINALLY, today, the day the assignment is due, I found someone who made the copies and I just made copies of their copies, because I STILL couldn't get the book. Oh well, I guess I'm off to do that now!

My Roomies!!

My roommates are the greatest. We all get along so well, and the dynamics in the room are just right. We have two Type-A and two Type B people, so we compliment each other well, and it is definately sad that it is our last year all together.


From left to right: Erin, Jenny, Rachel, and me, incase you didn't know that was me.
Erin and Jenny are the Type-A's and Rachel and I are the Type B's. If Rachel or I leave late at night, chances are we won't be back for a while, because we will run into people and lose track of time, whereas, Jenny and Erin hang out with people often, but know when it's time to turn in for the night (one of the many examples of Type-A vs. Type-B).


We are crazy. Our residence is Jones 5--WHERE THE PARTY AT! At least, that's the sign in our window (no joke). We love to hang out with one another, have fun, play loud music, have dance parties...it's always good times in Jones 5.

Even though we're a crazy room, we know that there is time for academia, and we all challenge each other to think in new ways and help each other to keep on task.

Of course, we can't be serious for long. Someone always ends up breaking the ice.
I really didn't mean for this to be a story, but we were taking all of these pics for our new group on FACEBOOK, so I felt that I should use these since they are good pics. Anyway, those are my roommates. I love you Jones 5!!!

Watergate Speaker

Chuck Colson, who was formerly involved in the Watergate Scandle with Richard Nixon will be speaking at our campus tomorrow night. Chuck has since turned from his watergate days, and is involved in Breakpoint and prison ministries. He has a lot to offer on modern thinking of Christianity, and it will be a priviledge to hear him. I actually have to sing there with one of the choirs I'm in, plus, I get extra credit in my philosophy class for going, but I would go even if those things weren't present. I'll blog on what I learn later this week.

I have been keeping pretty busy. My class load is a heavy one, and I have found the library for solitude and study. I cannot read in my bedroom. There are too many other distractions. I used to think that I needed noise present to be able to concentrate, but I have found that I really need complete silence to fully understand what I'm reading (hence, the self-diagnosed A.D.D.). I absolutely love my classes, particularily my philosophy and bible study classes, because I am learning so much useful information in them.

I have the opportunity to go see Switchfoot this weekend, except for the fact that they scheduled me at work!! I am frantically trying to find my way out of work, because Switchfoot is one of my favorite bands. I have seen them in concert once, and would love to see them this weekend!! Hopefuly I can get this figured out.

Bloomberg...OUT!

Precious

This is a very recent picture of my niece and nephew (from left to right), Gabriella Noelle, and Johnathon Richard. I have been away at school for less than a month, and already they look so different! I miss them so much!!

My school finally has The Facebook. It is out of control. I went outside to talk on the phone tonight, and no one was outside. Everyone was on their computers, sending out friend requests, and receiving them. Hopefully this will die down in the next few days.

I have some surprising news that will unfold in the next week or so. Stay tuned for that.

That's all I have to say.

completely pardoned

"My sin, o the bliss of this glouious thought;
my sin, not in part but the whole;
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul!"
-From,It Is Well, H.G. Spafford

We sang this hymn in chapel today and as I was playing the piano, I felt so overwhelmed, I almost stopped playing! Just to think about all of my wrong-doings being payed for, the burden off of me, way before I even committed them! It is amazing to me to think how Christ knew me while He was on that cross; and to think that each of us crossed his mind during that time is incredible. I know this is something I have been taught since I was a little girl, but the complexity is still there. Not just some of the sins that I committed are taken care of, but even the sins I have yet to committ! There's motivation to try to stop sinning right there, although proved impossible in its efforts except by one..the one.

I don't really know what I am getting at in this, but I am still overwhelmed by that song today.

God and Philosophy

Last night I was finishing up my reading for my philosophy class, I stumbled upon a section that captivated me.
"The world is not composed of religious and nonreligious people. It is composed rather of religious people who have differing ultimate concerns and different gods and who respond to the living God in different ways,"
-From "Life's Ultimate Questions", Nash.

I have always known that we are not to put things above God (other gods) such as money, success, or power, but I have never really thought about those who do not believe in a higher power, possessing their own religion. Everyone believes in something, and all people have something that concerns them ultimately. Whatever that object of ultimate concern is, that is their god, and that will have an enormous effect on whatever that person does or believes. I just hope that whatever my words or actions are, that I am reflecting on who my God is.

The Atheist lives their life according to their belief that there is no god, and his actions are based on that. BUT, THOSE OF US WHO ARE CHRISTIANS LIVE IN HOPE!! As a result of this why can't we be who we say we are? Why are we often called hypocrites?

One great philosopher (Dave) said, "Don't just do it. BE IT"!!
He was saying that actions alone will get us nowhere, if they are not accompanied with actually being who we say we are. People can see right through this, and if people can see this, don't you think God can?? I know that actually BEING a Christian is a high and difficult calling, but the atheist lives their life according to their belief, and it seems like we should be able to as well, because we have God to help us along the way.

We should be in constant prayer for our words and actions, that through them, God will be seen.

Ok, I'm off that sermon.

Captivated by soap boxes and poker

As I did my Intro to Bible Study homework, I couldn't help but laugh at myself. I had to purchase colored pencils for this assignment and others to come, because we are using colors and codes to tear the scripture apart (we aren't literally tearing the scripture apart, but rather, finding out what it really says). I finished my assignment, and I was thinking about the tone of our class.

I feel a little intimidated in there, because it is mostly guys in our class. It's almost annoying, because when someone makes an interesting comment, or sounds knowledgeable, there are others in the class that are almost mad, because either they do not see it that way, or they wished they would have thought of it first. IT'S A BIBLE STUDY CLASS FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!! We are there to find new ways to interpret scripture, which will not only help us in our own individual studies, but also if we lead Bible studies, we can go from a different perspective. People in my class need not get jealous or mad of the ones that know just as much as they, or more, because that's how we learn from each other. It's the type of class where interaction is important. If we do not have people offering their thoughts, the class will not succeed. Everyone needs to share, and although they may not be right, it's just one of the many differences of opinion in the Bible. There are the grounded facts that can not be argued or altered, but there are things that really do not matter, and will not further us in the Kingdom of God whether we are right or wrong.

**Steps off soap-box**

I just bought the book Captivating last night, for 50% off!!! I have been wanting to read this book for some time, and I really should have started it in the summer when I had more time. I am excited for what I am about to learn from this, because I have heard nothing but wonderful things about this book. I think Jacquie is also reading it, so I hope to be able to compare thoughts with her, or anyone else that is reading it.

I am having serious poker withdrawal. I was supposed to play the other night with some frat boys, but they ended up not being able to play; most likely because it's rush week. My game is Texas Hold'Em, and I need to find people that will play. I think most likely I will find guys, because these southern bells do not play. That's ok, my friend Fox told me I'm "one of the guys" anyway. Great. Just what I always wanted to be called by a guy.

That's it for now.

Another Scandal..

What Famous Leader Are You?
personality tests by similarminds.com

constantly learning

I absolutely adore my sister. I am very glad that she is here, and I think it will be even better throughout the semester to have one of my best friends here. She is fitting in quite nicely. My roommates like her, her roommates like her, and she is enjoying it very much.

I almost envy her start here. Not that I'm someone great or anything, but she at least knows me, and already knew some of my friends before she started here, so she eased in quite nicely. I started here not knowing a soul, except from phone conversations to and from my enrollment counselor. I had the opportunity to start anew, but I had a lot of things to learn in this time. I had to find my own church, find a way of working where I could at least walk there if no one was there to drive me, and become someone who can meet new people and find a sense of belonging.

I have always struggled with belonging. I am easily intimidated, and usually feel like everyone else in the vacinity of me is a lot more intelligent than me. The many times that happens, I usually get really quiet, which may seem to others that I am an introvert. I am an introvert in uncomfortable situations, or when I don't feel intelligent enough to contribute to conversation. I am an extrovert when I can be myself fully, and not caring about what others think. In essence, I am what they call an "ambivert" which is a combination of the two. When I'm with others, I try to find conversation that is equal, in which we can both contribute, instead of ranting about how rhythm defines and is the key to Beethoven's 5th. Anyway, this is a huge rabbit's trail to what I was originally going to say, so I'm going to get back on track (that was my self-diagnosed ADD talking).

My sister (Sarah) is someone who can be herself in almost any situation. She is not afraid to speak her mind, and what others think do not effect who she is. Sometimes I think she should be older than me, because she really takes care of me. When I have a battle to fight, and I'd rather not contribute, Sarah is right there to help me. Sometimes, I wonder if she should have been at this school before me. She is so good at being who she is, and she could've helped me with my insecurities as I entered college life. It took me a while to find a place of belonging here, not because I wasn't welcome, but because I was reluctant to put myself out there, in fear of being shot down. Sarah could have been there to encourage me like she does, and she unverbally always lets me know that I am ok just the way I am (we usually stay away from the mushy stuff).

But...even though it seems like Sarah should be the older sister...I am. God has been putting these very uncomfortable situations in my path to show me that I can lean on him, and he will bring me through it...maybe even make a leader out of me one day. He is teaching me to be assertive in a proper way, and I am hopefully becoming the person I was set out to be. I have been out of my comfort zone a great deal this year, and I just want God to "bring it on", because I'd rather be in an uncomfotable place with God's presence than to be in a place "where everybody knows my name" and not have God.

What are you doing Katrina?

Well, I am all moved in to my dorm room, and I await classes to start on Wednesday. All of the returning students (which is me, but since Sarah is a freshman here, I got to move in early) are moving in tomorrow, and I feel terrible for them. Hurricane Katrina is on its way over here, which will make it absolutely dreadful for move-in day. Not to mention that our campus floods at the slightest bit of rain, so tomorrow makes for an interesting day. Tornadoes are spinning off from from the hurricane I have been through 3 tornadoes since living here, so it's getting to be normal.

I have Weather Bug on my computer, and it keeps going off all day. We keep receiving flood warnings, and this was posted on Weather Bug:
"Do not drive through flooded areas. Turn around, don't drown".

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Tomorrow I have "Proclamation Retreat". Proclamation (proc) is the 25-member scholarship choir on campus, and we go out and sing at many churches and events throughout the year. We're trying to get a head start on our repitoire this year, because we have many early concerts ahead. It will be cool seeing everyone from proc. I have missed everyone and just being in the choir. I hope my voice is in shape for all of the singing ahead. I think I will have to take it easy for a while.

To Dave..yeah, the Cubs suck this year. Tell me something I don't know.

Union, dearest Union, honored be thy name.

First of all, I tried to download these pics from my files, and then I went to imageshack.us to download them, and I can't get rid of the white around them!! This is so frustrating, because I have tried for a long time. Links and pics aren't my forte, so can somebody help me?? I did my best!

The title of this post is just a taste of my school's almamater. I DISLIKE singing that song!!

I thought I would show you a few pics of some friends and other fun stuff, just to give you a few visuals of people I talk about often.


This is my friend Brian Spillman. He is a part of my favorite fraternity on campus, Lambda Chi Alpha. He used to have really long hair, but he decided to cut it, and where it as a mullet for a week. Sadly, the mullet is gone now.


These are my girls from Jones 7 from left to right: Rachel and Jo. I think we were taking a break from our dance** party to pose for a ghetto-like picture.


Last, but not least, The "Suede's Trio". All three of us are music majors, in the same choirs, and have many of the same classes. We already got to see each other everyday, so we figured, why not work together?? Leslie (left) started working at "Suede's" first, which is a restaurant that Carl Perkins opened (for those of you who don't know him, he wrote, Blue Suede Shoes which was made popular by Elvis). Fox (middle) and I went in for an interview together and got the job. Sadly, the owners of the restaurant decided to close "Suede's", but we will always have our memories there. "....I will ride the morning winds....."

There are some people that I left out, because I didn't have good pictures of them. I apologize for that. Maybe we'll get some good pics this semester!!

**I do believe that it is ok to dance, if it is done in a tasteful manner.**

"Don't you see, don't you see that the charade is over? And all the best deceptions and clever cover story awards go to you."
-Dashboard Confessional

Not in the mood to elaborate on that, just felt like quoting.

Here I am, packing again, and it seems so different. It's almost weird that I'm leaving for school. I haven't been there for so long that it seems so foreign to me, but I'm sure that when I get back, it will be like I never left. I get to move in on Saturday, which is really nice for a change. I usually do not get to move in until the day before classes (next Tuesday), but since my sister is a freshman and moving in for orientation, they figure it makes sense for us to both move in the same day.

It will be nice to get settled in and spend time with people before classes start. This school thinks I'm a freshman anyway...or at least a transfer student. Because I took a semester off, I had to fill out ANOTHER application to attend there. I did not take the application seriously, but miraculously, I GOT IN!! Yeah, I have an I.D. number at the school and a mailbox, but somehow, I wasn't a "student". My scholarships/grants were messed up as well. This has not been a fun couple of weeks trying to get everything settled.

One thing that I am really scared about is getting back into the routine of singing ALL THE TIME. I have truly been blessed to be able to sing after what seemed inevitable, but sometimes it gets so tired that I have to give it a rest. I know it will take some finess, and I hope I am up to it. I am going to have to start getting up really early, especially if I have to sing in the morning. I have found that ever since my surgeries, it takes my voice much longer to warm up than it did before. I can't just get up and sing like I used to. If I try, I will be singing bass!!

That's it for now.

The non-existant "C"

There I was, laying down on a bed you just sink into, a pillow under my knees and under my head, the lights were low, the temperature was warm but very comfortable, and there was a low humming of machines (from my relative pitch, sounding a low A(since I'm a dork, I try to figure that out when I'm bored)) that made the room very serene, in result, I fell asleep. I was having an ultrasound done on my neck, which was one of the tests I had this week at the Mayo Clinic. This test was done to see if there were anymore swollen lymph nodes, and if there were, there would be cancer left.

Well, tests concluded that the cancer is gone, and I will be declared "cured" in 5 years. I have to go back for tests every year, but that is definately the answer I was wanting.

I really want to thank all of the people who prayed for me, who have prayed with me, who have been there for me, who got me out of the house after surgery, who have called me from miles away, who have visited me both at home and in the hospital, who brought me a frappacino when the news struck me, who sent me care packages, and who have cared so much to try to keep up with everything that was happening. This has meant more to me than you could have known. I feel like I'm making an awards speech, but I feel the need to thank you, because I appreciate all of you.

Rafael Palmeiro--is he telling the truth??

Today, Palmeiro was tested positive for steroids. Just a few months prior to this, he testified to a congressional pannel saying that he could never have used steroids. Now he claims that he unintentionally took them. I guess some steroids can be found in protein supplements, so how many other times has he unintentionally taken them?? Why wouldn't you read the label very carefully before taking something like that? Maybe he is telling the truth. Why would he start/continue taking them now that they are really cracking down on them? And, if he isn't telling the truth, how come he is only suspended for 10 games? After all of this talk of steroids, shouldn't the punishment be harsher if he is indeed lying about it? I guess his punishment will be harsher, because if it comes out that he lied under oath, he has tougher times ahead of him. It would definately be a tragedy if he did end up intentionally taking them, because he just joined Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and Eddie Murray as the only players with 3,000 hits and 500 homers. I guess only time will tell.