QUIRKY KATY: January 2010

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

I surrender

Today I was reflecting on this beautiful morning. The light of the morning streaming through the trees, spreading its warmth on the cold earth. I feel so inspired by nature's beauty everyday, feeling blessed to see God's creation before me. A song really ministered to me this morning that I wanted to share, the lyrics playing over and over "I surrender, all to you, Lord all to you". It was so powerful to hear the words coming out of my mouth. After repeating the verses I began thinking yes, I truly surrender. I've been holding on to so many things, my future, my marriage, my job, friends...not realizing that my tight grasp kept me from praying over these things. It was so refreshing to think that I didn't have to hold onto them any longer, exchanging my burden for His- "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
That I could surrender these things to God. Its sort of been a theme of mine this year. Wanting to let go but never truly doing so. I share this in hopes that as a friend of mine you remind me of the truth. To surrender and be venerable before my Abba. To give him all.

My great Uncle Hoss (Bonanza!)

Whether this is true or not I like to think that I'm related to Dan Blocker, the character "Hoss" from the famous western show Bonanza. Hoss' character- the bigger than life, ten gallon cowboy hat wearing keeper of the justice was also incidentally my favorite as well. Every time we would watch the show my mother would chime in over our shoulders and say- there's your great Uncle Hoss! Of course any of you that know my mother know that she doesn't need a shred of real evidence to start a family story about our loving great Uncle. He was always the most jovial character, with all the funny lines. The story started when my mother found out that he came from Texas (O'Donnell to be precise, for more info here's Dan Blocker's memorial ) and bears the same last name as my great grandmother Carmen Blocker, her maiden name before marrying my great grandfather. I never knew my great grandmother but I hear amazing stories about her, enjoyed dressing up in her lavish robes and dresses, thinking that we would've got along like peaches & cream! (sorry, I'm feeling a bit Texan today). I like to picture that some days, me, my great granny, Uncle Dan, all riding around in an old pickup truck in the hill country of Texas, singing at the top of our lungs to Johnny Cash. I so wish I could've met my great grandmother and enjoyed her quirky personality.Its always good to know where you came from, what parts of your personality are really yours- or just handed down from generation to generation. And its always great to dream, enjoy your mind and let it wander.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

InSPAration a success!

Last night at our church we hosted a woman's event called InSPAration to treat the women of our church & their girlfriends to a free night of back massages, hand treatments, manicures, pedicures & hairstyling! We were told that there were 500 women come to the event, not including all the volunteers!! The event was meant to bless the women and also to recruit them to our small groups this Spring. A few of my friends and coworkers came as well so that made it extra special to me. I recruited a few women to our small group, got my nails done, got a back massage & free spa products. I'm so happy I have a church to be proud of you know? I feel so blessed to have a church that can bless our community! Amazing night!

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Beach running benefits

Ok so I apologize ahead of time for those of you who do not live near a beach but I found out the other day when my friend Emily and I went jogging on the beach together all of the great benefits! So I am not the best runner (I actually secretly loathe it) but in order to get in shape for a 5K run to benefit Muscular Sclerosis in March we are determined to get into shape. I've set is as a goal to be in "running shape" by March. I know its not a long run but again- I haaaate running. Something about it just never motivated me. I loved mountain biking, frisbee, basketball...maybe the key was that I was chasing something...or something was chasing me. Either way I read online the benefits of beach running! According to surfingcapital.com, the reason that running on sand is so hard is that every time you attempt to push off it, the sand gives way, requiring you to exert approximately 1.6 times the energy that would be required to maintain the same speed on solid ground. For walkers, make that 2.1 to 2.7 times for energy. This of course means to me that I'm breathing harder and my butt hurts like h#%$. Have to be careful because it can also be harder on my feet because of the lack of arch support. So my friend Emily (picture) and I committed to running each week on Wednesdays. If any of you runners have any advice for a novice runner such as food tips or additional exercises let me know! Oh- and any motivational tips would be great too! :)

Thursday, January 14, 2010

2 year wedding anniversary!!

January 11, 2008

Two years ago I devoted myself in marriage to David. In the snowy mountains of Crested Butte we committed our lives in to one another. It was so serene. Just us and the pastor. I felt almost as if I was reading the ceremony from a book, not living it in real life. We flew in to Crested Butte, met with our pastor and the next day were married. I can't explain how happy I was. Even though I missed family and friends, it was perfect for us. I thank God everyday for blessing me with David. I truly believe God had predestined us to meet. Now two years later I feel exactly the same. We've argued, slammed doors, laughed hysterically, loved, cried but its all beautiful to me. I pray each day my marriage will be like my parents, when my dad told me- "I'm more in love with your mother today (25 years of marriage) than I was when we were first married". If this is love I can't wait to experience it in 25 years!
January 11, 2009

January 11, 2010

I choose contentment

I think I've finally reached a point in my life where I am content. Or at least I've decided I will choose to be content. Now this doesn't necessarily mean my life is where I want it to be or is perfect. My job is endlessly frustrating some days. I know each of us searches for a degree of contentment, our "God shaped hole" in each of us. I picture contentment as the feeling you get after a big sigh. Your body breathing out the frustrations, worries, tragedy, personal failures and saying to yourself- I'm ok. There might always be a better job out there, a better opportunity but I choose to be content in my circumstances.
Now I am not confusing contentment with apathy I hope. I've been there before. A short period of feeling nothing after a hurtful breakup. I had never felt that before- simply not caring. It scared me more than my rebellious behavior. Apathy is a product of not following God's direction for you in life I think. Knowing he made you uniquely gifted and not choosing to use the gift, or using it for selfish gains.
Oh here's a big one- being content with my body. Ok, I'm going to put it out there, I am at least 20 pounds overweight. Since my two years of marriage I've managed to go up two pant sizes. Its discouraging. But inevitable I guess after knowing what I eat. And I can't blame it on my husband, despite the fact he sometimes refuses to eat the meals I've made from Cooking Light recipe book. I can only choose to go to the gym & eat healthier (easier said than done right). I choose to be content, despite not being necessarily happy.
I think Paul says it best in Phillipians 4

¹⁰I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. ¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

He's found the "secret of being content in any and every situation". Sounds like a New York bestseller self help book title! When I read that it amazes me- its attainable. He's found it, maybe I can. And I truly believe in my heart that it is a choice. Its not ignorance, its not idealism, its a growing relationship with Christ. He gives us strength- emotionally, mentally, physically. He is our source, didn't Christ say he was the water and bread? Life sustaining.

I don't know if you feel it too but this year I am excited. Excited about Christ like never before. I feel like I've awakened from a sleep, my vision clear, I desire the heart of God. Do I sound crazy? Maybe...but I want what Paul had, what David had, what Abraham had, what Elijah had. A life sustained by God. A life fully focused and committed. And what's truly crazy about this year is that I don't know what will happen, where we'll be, what I'll be doing. Its completely blank when I visualize how this year will be. But I do know that my eyes are seeking His face, and that's all I need to know.

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

A review of 2009 in pictures!

I'm so excited about 2010! Our church Bayside Community gave us such a great vision for the New Year. There are going to be so many changes in our lives I cannot wait to see what God has prepared for us. David and I have entered this year with open and willing hearts. My New Years Resolution is simply this- Psalm 37: 3 "Trust in the Lord and do good"
My friend Marietta posted this idea on her site and I copied the idea. A year in review in pictures:

January 11, 2009- Our 1 year wedding anniversary!

Celebrated at the Lobster Pot- YUM