If you can call any life at all is routine, mine is, at the moment, what I would describe as exactly that.
I have a 9 to 6 (who really has 9 to 5 jobs? 7 hours of work?!) job.
Roommates who are some of my favorite people on the planet (and did I mention they're having a BABY?!. People, I'm going to be an Auntie!!!).
A car that is 78% reliable - yes, I'm talking about you, pesky heater.
A new house that is waaaaaaay too fly to be inhabited by poor 20somethings. And yet, here we are. Only by the grace and love of one amazing God.
A year ago, I started an incredible journey. Heck, three years ago I started a journey so unbelievable I hardly knew what to do. The Lord has been faithful to me. He has provided every step of the way. His love was especially deep and wide in the moments when I chose to look the other way and ignore Him soundly. I am completely excited to see how this year turns out. 2016 is the year of love according to Mark Parker (one of our YWAM speakers on my DTS). I cannot wait to see how Papa reveals His love in new and incredible ways.
Until next time,
Katie Jean
Monday, January 25, 2016
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Hit The Road
(This is part 4 of my journey to the Mid-West. Read part 1, part 2, and part 3)
Tuesday morning came and I realized I had to re-evaluate what I was taking. Moving from an SUV to a sedan was a huge shift. I started going through boxes from Franny and everything I picked up, I would ask the Holy Spirit, "Yes or no?" He was faithful in replying, albeit it was no to almost everything. I went through my books and my crafting supplies and my mementos. Most things were easy to leave behind. The hardest thing may seem silly, but it was a ceramic, blue electric tea kettle. Having to re-organize my possessions and deep cleaning my new ride before I hit the road meant that my side kick was left at the airport by herself for a couple of hours. There's a reason she is my soul sister though, and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for traveling through this journey with me.
When I finally picked Sarah up and we hit the open road for New Mexico, I could hardly believe it. All the things I had been praying for months about had come together. Our first stop was Las Cruces - on a small little horse farm outside of town. It was perfect. I had planned a day off at the beginning of our road trip, because I figured I would need a buffer day emotionally and physically after leaving Phoenix. I was right. Sarah helped me organize all of my earthly possessions and we explored a little bit. Everywhere we went seemed to be guided by the Lord that day. Sarah and I had always talked and dreamed about road tripping across the U.S together in high school and college. We were so excited.
Thursday we headed for Waco, Texas to stay with my grandparents and an aunt visiting from Alaska. It was in the Walmart parking lot in Abilene, TX that I realized I hadn't even thought about my job search and the promise the Lord had made me. Seriously. Normal Katie would have been freaking out to the max. But trusting Jesus and traveling the globe a little has loosened some of my anxious tendencies. I checked my email and there it was. A job offer in Minnesota. I texted Hannah and told her the news and half an hour later I had a place to live with her big family outside of Blaine. My road trip now had an ending destination.
We made it to Waco and spent a wonderful evening with my family. It was refreshing and just what my soul needed. It had been way too many years since I had seen them all. I love how God works. We said goodbye Friday morning and drove to Garden Valley, Texas - home to YWAM Tyler. They were having a worship conference that weekend and I had signed us up. I knew that if I was this close to a YWAM gathering and didn't take it, I'd be a fool. And there was something deep inside of me that cried out to start this new journey worshipping Jesus. What else could I do?
The conference was amazing. The speakers, the worship, the people - everything. It felt like home. God showed up and did incredible things and lit a fire in me for something deeper. Being apart of that conference was a catalyst for my time in Minnesota.
After the conference, I put Sarah on a shuttle to Dallas. I completed the last leg of the journey alone. My original accommodation didn't pan out, so thanks to some quick AirBNB searches, I found a place to stay in Tulsa, OK. Folks, I hadn't ever spent real time in Oklahoma, but it was strange. The people that I stayed with though were precious. The husband helped me out with some car troubles - he went above and beyond. I got to share Jesus with them and then I was on my way, this time to Kansas City, MO.
When I was in middle school I did missions during the summer. One summer I spent 2 weeks in Kansas City. It's a place that I could see myself exploring more. I got to stay in this amazing downtown loft where lived a cat who was so ugly you wouldn't believe it. And he shared a name with my best friend from Phoenix. Oh, the irony.
Everywhere I turned though, there was Jesus. His provision and guidance through the whole journey was beyond belief. Monday morning I left for Minnesota. I decided to bypass the Twin Cities, so I took farm roads. It added hours to my time that day, but something about being back in a place with some trees scattered here and there and farm equipment made it feel like home. When I finally pulled up to what would be home for the next 6 months, I could hardly believe it. 6 days, 7 states, and 2,300 miles later I had arrived. None of it would have been possible without God. It was through Him that I was able to lay everything at His feet and let Him take the reigns. He was faithful in the teeny, tiny things as well as the large things. He stretched me and grew me and I am so honored and thankful that this gets to be my story.
Until next time,
Katie Jean
Tuesday morning came and I realized I had to re-evaluate what I was taking. Moving from an SUV to a sedan was a huge shift. I started going through boxes from Franny and everything I picked up, I would ask the Holy Spirit, "Yes or no?" He was faithful in replying, albeit it was no to almost everything. I went through my books and my crafting supplies and my mementos. Most things were easy to leave behind. The hardest thing may seem silly, but it was a ceramic, blue electric tea kettle. Having to re-organize my possessions and deep cleaning my new ride before I hit the road meant that my side kick was left at the airport by herself for a couple of hours. There's a reason she is my soul sister though, and I thank her from the bottom of my heart for traveling through this journey with me.
When I finally picked Sarah up and we hit the open road for New Mexico, I could hardly believe it. All the things I had been praying for months about had come together. Our first stop was Las Cruces - on a small little horse farm outside of town. It was perfect. I had planned a day off at the beginning of our road trip, because I figured I would need a buffer day emotionally and physically after leaving Phoenix. I was right. Sarah helped me organize all of my earthly possessions and we explored a little bit. Everywhere we went seemed to be guided by the Lord that day. Sarah and I had always talked and dreamed about road tripping across the U.S together in high school and college. We were so excited.
Thursday we headed for Waco, Texas to stay with my grandparents and an aunt visiting from Alaska. It was in the Walmart parking lot in Abilene, TX that I realized I hadn't even thought about my job search and the promise the Lord had made me. Seriously. Normal Katie would have been freaking out to the max. But trusting Jesus and traveling the globe a little has loosened some of my anxious tendencies. I checked my email and there it was. A job offer in Minnesota. I texted Hannah and told her the news and half an hour later I had a place to live with her big family outside of Blaine. My road trip now had an ending destination.
We made it to Waco and spent a wonderful evening with my family. It was refreshing and just what my soul needed. It had been way too many years since I had seen them all. I love how God works. We said goodbye Friday morning and drove to Garden Valley, Texas - home to YWAM Tyler. They were having a worship conference that weekend and I had signed us up. I knew that if I was this close to a YWAM gathering and didn't take it, I'd be a fool. And there was something deep inside of me that cried out to start this new journey worshipping Jesus. What else could I do?
The conference was amazing. The speakers, the worship, the people - everything. It felt like home. God showed up and did incredible things and lit a fire in me for something deeper. Being apart of that conference was a catalyst for my time in Minnesota.
After the conference, I put Sarah on a shuttle to Dallas. I completed the last leg of the journey alone. My original accommodation didn't pan out, so thanks to some quick AirBNB searches, I found a place to stay in Tulsa, OK. Folks, I hadn't ever spent real time in Oklahoma, but it was strange. The people that I stayed with though were precious. The husband helped me out with some car troubles - he went above and beyond. I got to share Jesus with them and then I was on my way, this time to Kansas City, MO.
When I was in middle school I did missions during the summer. One summer I spent 2 weeks in Kansas City. It's a place that I could see myself exploring more. I got to stay in this amazing downtown loft where lived a cat who was so ugly you wouldn't believe it. And he shared a name with my best friend from Phoenix. Oh, the irony.
Everywhere I turned though, there was Jesus. His provision and guidance through the whole journey was beyond belief. Monday morning I left for Minnesota. I decided to bypass the Twin Cities, so I took farm roads. It added hours to my time that day, but something about being back in a place with some trees scattered here and there and farm equipment made it feel like home. When I finally pulled up to what would be home for the next 6 months, I could hardly believe it. 6 days, 7 states, and 2,300 miles later I had arrived. None of it would have been possible without God. It was through Him that I was able to lay everything at His feet and let Him take the reigns. He was faithful in the teeny, tiny things as well as the large things. He stretched me and grew me and I am so honored and thankful that this gets to be my story.
Until next time,
Katie Jean
Monday, August 10, 2015
Change in the Wind
I've realized in the last couple of weeks, that without goodbyes there would be no new hellos. For being an INFJ and an introvert at heart, it surprises me still to figure out that I cherish the new. New friendships, new places, new. It really doesn't make sense, because I hate change. How can one hate change and yet love new? I can't answer that. All I know is that it is what it is. There is a part of me that loves "home" and stability and routine and tradition. Yet, there is also a large part of me that loves adventure and discovery. I'm a conundrum.
On July 21st I made the decision to move back to Oregon. Just 6 days later I got in the car and started the 2,000 mile journey to little Gold Beach to surprise my dad for his birthday. Prior to my final decision to move, I wrestled with many things. I went on long drives and listened to podcasts and prayed and prayed. With the decision to move to Oregon also came the decision to not return to YWAM in September. Many variables and points went into this decision. In short, my heart has been longing for beloved Oregon. After traveling for the last 2.5 years, and coming back for a week here or a weekend there, I've discovered something that Oregonians have known all along. There's no place like home, especially if that home is Oregon. Oregon is so unique and the Pacific Northwest has more to offer than most of the world put together in my opinion. Okay, maybe not. But it's pretty close!
In the past few years I have called home 3 different countries, 3 states, and an overwhelming dozen addresses. I own what can only fit in my beat up '99 Toyota Avalon. It has been fantastic. I truly wouldn't change the places I've been, the people I've met, or the experiences I've shared with those people for anything. My life is so rich! Growing up in tiny towns didn't afford me the chance to experience community like I've been able to, simply due to the variety of people and backgrounds and experiences. This journey has taught me more about Jesus, more about living like Him, then I ever imagined. It's like there's an entire new dimension or color to life now. The time I've spent traveling has given me the chance to decide who I want to be and what exactly I believe. It's been full of ups and downs, but it's been authentic living.
I have missed my family and missed moments with them, that I wish I hadn't. They are a large reason I've moved back. Without my family, I would not be me. They are the basis, the foundation of who Katie is. They spent 21 years pouring into me, and now I'd like the opportunity to give back.
So, to recap - I'm back in Oregon and once I get back to the east side, my hair will finally behave for the first time in 3 years (happy happy dance!). Seriously though, thank you to everyone who has walked with me in this last season. I love you all. Here's to settling down for a while and discovering the beauty of God's country again!
-Katie Jean
On July 21st I made the decision to move back to Oregon. Just 6 days later I got in the car and started the 2,000 mile journey to little Gold Beach to surprise my dad for his birthday. Prior to my final decision to move, I wrestled with many things. I went on long drives and listened to podcasts and prayed and prayed. With the decision to move to Oregon also came the decision to not return to YWAM in September. Many variables and points went into this decision. In short, my heart has been longing for beloved Oregon. After traveling for the last 2.5 years, and coming back for a week here or a weekend there, I've discovered something that Oregonians have known all along. There's no place like home, especially if that home is Oregon. Oregon is so unique and the Pacific Northwest has more to offer than most of the world put together in my opinion. Okay, maybe not. But it's pretty close!
In the past few years I have called home 3 different countries, 3 states, and an overwhelming dozen addresses. I own what can only fit in my beat up '99 Toyota Avalon. It has been fantastic. I truly wouldn't change the places I've been, the people I've met, or the experiences I've shared with those people for anything. My life is so rich! Growing up in tiny towns didn't afford me the chance to experience community like I've been able to, simply due to the variety of people and backgrounds and experiences. This journey has taught me more about Jesus, more about living like Him, then I ever imagined. It's like there's an entire new dimension or color to life now. The time I've spent traveling has given me the chance to decide who I want to be and what exactly I believe. It's been full of ups and downs, but it's been authentic living.
I have missed my family and missed moments with them, that I wish I hadn't. They are a large reason I've moved back. Without my family, I would not be me. They are the basis, the foundation of who Katie is. They spent 21 years pouring into me, and now I'd like the opportunity to give back.
So, to recap - I'm back in Oregon and once I get back to the east side, my hair will finally behave for the first time in 3 years (happy happy dance!). Seriously though, thank you to everyone who has walked with me in this last season. I love you all. Here's to settling down for a while and discovering the beauty of God's country again!
-Katie Jean
Sunday, June 7, 2015
It Just Take Faith, Surrender, and Courage
(This is part 3 of my journey to the Mid-West. Read part 1 and part 2 here)
Hey everyone. I've been in the Mid-West now for 2 1/2 months. It has been such a fantastic adventure. I look back on the journey it was to get here and I cannot help but praise the Lord. Only He could have fashioned a story like this.
When I last left off, I had been living with the Cs for about a month and a half. During this time I had been praying about the whole journey north and for the most part I was able to lay things down before God. There were days though that the worry would start and my chest would get tight and all I could do was cry out to God. He is so faithful. He is ever faithful. The big things that I had been praying about were 1) my car 2) a job and 3) a place to live. I kept praying and laying things down, but there were no answers. About 2 weeks before I left I was praying about a job and I felt the Lord whisper to my heart that I wouldn't hear back about a job until I was on the road.
Wait, what?!
I just sat there and prayed again and felt the same response. I knew I could only have two reactions - I could freak out and give up or I could have faith and a little courage. Now that I'm on the other side, I cannot tell you just HOW thankful I am that I chose the latter.
God was handling my job. That left my car and a place to live. I had applied for jobs in Wisconsin and Minnesota, so housing was going to depend on where my job was, which just left my car. Franny (my 1998 Ford Explorer) had gotten me around since the summer after I graduated from High School. She made it back and forth to college and even to the heat of Phoenix, but I knew it would take some work to get her road worthy for the journey I needed her for. As the date for leaving kept getting closer and closer, I kept praying and again wasn't getting any answers. One of the guys had a friend who was a mechanic and was willing to take a look at it, but the timing never panned out. Julie (the woman I was living with) made a call and got my car into the shop she goes to. This was Thursday, March 5th. I was leaving Tuesday, March 10th.
During this whole process I could only rely on the Lord's strength. There was absolutely no way I could do it on my own. Thursday afternoon I got a call from the mechanic, he told me things were not good. He was straight up and said that even if he fixed everything he could, he wouldn't put his daughter in it to drive across the country. I said thank you and that I would call back. My heart racing, I picked up the phone to call my Daddy. But the Lord tugged on my heart and I could hear Him asking, "What about me? Have I not been your father these last 6 weeks, this last year and a half? Will you trust me with this too?" I sat there stunned. When rubber had hit the road, I still didn't turn to the God who never leaves me nor forsakes me. I started praying and pretty soon brought Hannah in on the loop to pray as well. Julie called to see if I had heard anything and I told her everything. Ten minutes later she called back to say that she might have a car for me. Part of me was stunned, but the other part just smiled and nodded. This is the God who created the world in 7 days, is it not?
That night, I went and talked to the boys and we worked everything out. Friday I left to go to Prescott with a co-worker to help teach a class at the Wildfire Academy. I got back Sunday and tried to track down the boys to get the title to the car. No luck. I prayed and cried and prayed and cried and asked God again and again what He was doing. I told him that if I hadn't heard back by 9:00pm about the car, that He would have to provide something else. At 8:50 the boys called and said they would have the title the next day. God had worked everything out.
Monday was a rush of cleaning out my storage unit, packing, moving furniture, and taking the car to the shop to get some much needed work done. There was stillness in the midst of the crazy. Precious moments with new friends in the fray of moving across the country. The entire day was clouded with peace. Really, I had no choice BUT to trust God since I was leaving the next day. I had the title to the car in my hand at 5:59pm. The notary closed at 6:00. Praise the Lord.
Looking back on the weeks leading up to my departure from Phoenix makes me shake my head in wonder. I am so incredibly thankful for the people who played big and small roles in getting me on the road. We truly cannot walk through this life without community and people. Most importantly, we cannot live this life to the fullness it was intended without God. I wish I had time to tell the you about the tiny in-between moments that truly showed me the character of our Lord - that He loves us, always provides, and cares about the little things. For now, you'll just have to trust me with the evidence in the big things. :)
-Katie Jean
Hey everyone. I've been in the Mid-West now for 2 1/2 months. It has been such a fantastic adventure. I look back on the journey it was to get here and I cannot help but praise the Lord. Only He could have fashioned a story like this.
When I last left off, I had been living with the Cs for about a month and a half. During this time I had been praying about the whole journey north and for the most part I was able to lay things down before God. There were days though that the worry would start and my chest would get tight and all I could do was cry out to God. He is so faithful. He is ever faithful. The big things that I had been praying about were 1) my car 2) a job and 3) a place to live. I kept praying and laying things down, but there were no answers. About 2 weeks before I left I was praying about a job and I felt the Lord whisper to my heart that I wouldn't hear back about a job until I was on the road.
Wait, what?!
I just sat there and prayed again and felt the same response. I knew I could only have two reactions - I could freak out and give up or I could have faith and a little courage. Now that I'm on the other side, I cannot tell you just HOW thankful I am that I chose the latter.
God was handling my job. That left my car and a place to live. I had applied for jobs in Wisconsin and Minnesota, so housing was going to depend on where my job was, which just left my car. Franny (my 1998 Ford Explorer) had gotten me around since the summer after I graduated from High School. She made it back and forth to college and even to the heat of Phoenix, but I knew it would take some work to get her road worthy for the journey I needed her for. As the date for leaving kept getting closer and closer, I kept praying and again wasn't getting any answers. One of the guys had a friend who was a mechanic and was willing to take a look at it, but the timing never panned out. Julie (the woman I was living with) made a call and got my car into the shop she goes to. This was Thursday, March 5th. I was leaving Tuesday, March 10th.
During this whole process I could only rely on the Lord's strength. There was absolutely no way I could do it on my own. Thursday afternoon I got a call from the mechanic, he told me things were not good. He was straight up and said that even if he fixed everything he could, he wouldn't put his daughter in it to drive across the country. I said thank you and that I would call back. My heart racing, I picked up the phone to call my Daddy. But the Lord tugged on my heart and I could hear Him asking, "What about me? Have I not been your father these last 6 weeks, this last year and a half? Will you trust me with this too?" I sat there stunned. When rubber had hit the road, I still didn't turn to the God who never leaves me nor forsakes me. I started praying and pretty soon brought Hannah in on the loop to pray as well. Julie called to see if I had heard anything and I told her everything. Ten minutes later she called back to say that she might have a car for me. Part of me was stunned, but the other part just smiled and nodded. This is the God who created the world in 7 days, is it not?
That night, I went and talked to the boys and we worked everything out. Friday I left to go to Prescott with a co-worker to help teach a class at the Wildfire Academy. I got back Sunday and tried to track down the boys to get the title to the car. No luck. I prayed and cried and prayed and cried and asked God again and again what He was doing. I told him that if I hadn't heard back by 9:00pm about the car, that He would have to provide something else. At 8:50 the boys called and said they would have the title the next day. God had worked everything out.
Monday was a rush of cleaning out my storage unit, packing, moving furniture, and taking the car to the shop to get some much needed work done. There was stillness in the midst of the crazy. Precious moments with new friends in the fray of moving across the country. The entire day was clouded with peace. Really, I had no choice BUT to trust God since I was leaving the next day. I had the title to the car in my hand at 5:59pm. The notary closed at 6:00. Praise the Lord.
Looking back on the weeks leading up to my departure from Phoenix makes me shake my head in wonder. I am so incredibly thankful for the people who played big and small roles in getting me on the road. We truly cannot walk through this life without community and people. Most importantly, we cannot live this life to the fullness it was intended without God. I wish I had time to tell the you about the tiny in-between moments that truly showed me the character of our Lord - that He loves us, always provides, and cares about the little things. For now, you'll just have to trust me with the evidence in the big things. :)
-Katie Jean
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Ask And It Will Be Given To You
(This is part 2 in my journey to the Mid-West. Read part 1 here.)
Last Wednesday I had to turn in the keys to my apartment. On Monday I still didn't know where I was going to go. But I took the step of faith and started packing. For those of you who struggle with anxiety and depression, I know you'll understand the complete mess I was. There were moments all I could do was sit on the floor and stare at the wall, not moving for 10 minutes or half an hour. Then a wave of energy would blow over me and I would move and pack. I could not have done it without the help of my co-workers. We've walked through just about everything together and I don't think they really know how much I appreciate them.
I moved. Into a hotel. By the grace of God, there was a special going on across the street for storage units. Any size for $20. I called or texted almost everyone I knew in the area about a place to stay, and nothing. Even though I didn't know where I was going to live for 6 weeks, there was just an unspeakable peace over me. I trusted the Lord. On Saturday I started to worry. The Super Bowl was coming to Phoenix the following weekend and prices were going to sky rocket. So I kept praying for a place to live within my budget. And I prayed for a family. More like demanded. I'm pretty sure that God just laughs at me more often than not. I think I know exactly what I need. Most of the time, I have absolutely no clue!
As I share with you this incredible journey the Lord has me on, I also have to share the part where I surrender time to spend in His word. Reading the Bible isn't something that has ever come natural to me. It also isn't something I've always practiced. I know some people that have. They've been having consistent quiet time since they were 10. Praise the Lord if you are in that group! If you're not, allow me to impart what I've learned. It takes practice. To practice, you have to set aside time. Sometimes I just listen to whatever I'm reading that day in the car on the way to work. And I'll listen to it 4 or 5 times throughout the day. Sometimes I read it on my iPad. Sometimes I actually open my Bible and read the Words of God on a page. I don't think that any of those three are less than the other. It's all about being involved with God.
Having steady quiet time is one of the things I committed to when I stepped out in faith on this journey to Wisconsin. It's not easy. Some days I totally screw it up. But it's okay. His mercies are NEW every morning. Not just Sundays and Tuesdays, all the days! So pick up your Bible and read. Spend time in prayer, really. A set aside time. It doesn't have to be long. It can literally be 3 minutes. Amazing things will happen as you spend time in communion with God.
... Back to the timeline:
Sunday I didn't go to church because I was on call and spent most of the day dealing with work stuff. At 6:57pm on Sunday night I got a text that Julie wanted to meet me. At 7:06pm Sunday night, one of the guys (my incredible brother James!) called to say that Jana and Julie wanted to have coffee with me the next day. I said yes!
I went to coffee and sat down with them (rewind to the part where I went to the WRONG Starbucks... I even had the address....) and we just talked for half an hour. I shared, they shared, and it was perfect. At the end Jana told me about how they have family dinner on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and that I am welcome anytime. I about started crying. Jesus cares about the details. You know what's even crazier about this whole thing? I met Gilly (the girl who was the connection to the family) the weekend before I went to Wisconsin and the Lord planted the seed. I almost didn't go into the event that night. I sat in the car and Hannah prayed with me over WhatsApp and then we met because I opened my mouth and YWAM came out and everyone knows someone in YWAM it seems like now-a-days. Isn't God incredible? He orchestrated ALL of this before I even met the girl that would introduce us!
I cannot paint a picture beautiful enough to really tell the story of the last 6 weeks with the Cs. It has been family. It has been kindred spirits. It has been slowing down and living life with other people. It has been God-ordained. It has been amazing.
Last Wednesday I had to turn in the keys to my apartment. On Monday I still didn't know where I was going to go. But I took the step of faith and started packing. For those of you who struggle with anxiety and depression, I know you'll understand the complete mess I was. There were moments all I could do was sit on the floor and stare at the wall, not moving for 10 minutes or half an hour. Then a wave of energy would blow over me and I would move and pack. I could not have done it without the help of my co-workers. We've walked through just about everything together and I don't think they really know how much I appreciate them.
I moved. Into a hotel. By the grace of God, there was a special going on across the street for storage units. Any size for $20. I called or texted almost everyone I knew in the area about a place to stay, and nothing. Even though I didn't know where I was going to live for 6 weeks, there was just an unspeakable peace over me. I trusted the Lord. On Saturday I started to worry. The Super Bowl was coming to Phoenix the following weekend and prices were going to sky rocket. So I kept praying for a place to live within my budget. And I prayed for a family. More like demanded. I'm pretty sure that God just laughs at me more often than not. I think I know exactly what I need. Most of the time, I have absolutely no clue!
As I share with you this incredible journey the Lord has me on, I also have to share the part where I surrender time to spend in His word. Reading the Bible isn't something that has ever come natural to me. It also isn't something I've always practiced. I know some people that have. They've been having consistent quiet time since they were 10. Praise the Lord if you are in that group! If you're not, allow me to impart what I've learned. It takes practice. To practice, you have to set aside time. Sometimes I just listen to whatever I'm reading that day in the car on the way to work. And I'll listen to it 4 or 5 times throughout the day. Sometimes I read it on my iPad. Sometimes I actually open my Bible and read the Words of God on a page. I don't think that any of those three are less than the other. It's all about being involved with God.
Having steady quiet time is one of the things I committed to when I stepped out in faith on this journey to Wisconsin. It's not easy. Some days I totally screw it up. But it's okay. His mercies are NEW every morning. Not just Sundays and Tuesdays, all the days! So pick up your Bible and read. Spend time in prayer, really. A set aside time. It doesn't have to be long. It can literally be 3 minutes. Amazing things will happen as you spend time in communion with God.
... Back to the timeline:
Sunday I didn't go to church because I was on call and spent most of the day dealing with work stuff. At 6:57pm on Sunday night I got a text that Julie wanted to meet me. At 7:06pm Sunday night, one of the guys (my incredible brother James!) called to say that Jana and Julie wanted to have coffee with me the next day. I said yes!
I went to coffee and sat down with them (rewind to the part where I went to the WRONG Starbucks... I even had the address....) and we just talked for half an hour. I shared, they shared, and it was perfect. At the end Jana told me about how they have family dinner on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday and that I am welcome anytime. I about started crying. Jesus cares about the details. You know what's even crazier about this whole thing? I met Gilly (the girl who was the connection to the family) the weekend before I went to Wisconsin and the Lord planted the seed. I almost didn't go into the event that night. I sat in the car and Hannah prayed with me over WhatsApp and then we met because I opened my mouth and YWAM came out and everyone knows someone in YWAM it seems like now-a-days. Isn't God incredible? He orchestrated ALL of this before I even met the girl that would introduce us!
I cannot paint a picture beautiful enough to really tell the story of the last 6 weeks with the Cs. It has been family. It has been kindred spirits. It has been slowing down and living life with other people. It has been God-ordained. It has been amazing.
Miracles are Just the Small Things.
(This is part 1 of a series on my journey to the Mid-West)
I have so much to share with you guys. First and foremost I must give all of the glory, honor, and praise to the King of the universe! His love for me has completely blown me away. The beginning of this story starts shortly after Christmas. I had applied for dozens of jobs and was not getting any response from anyone. All attempts to find a place to live simply didn't pan out. One of my very best girls came to see me and we got to just sit and talk in Panera for hours. Hours, people! It was fantastic! I walked away encouraged beyond belief and with a new clean gust of air in my lungs.
It came the time to give my two weeks notice at work. I cannot tell you how terrified I was. I had prayed and prayed and worried and worried some more. Every conceivable outcome of this monumental decision had played through my mind again and again. I also kept remembering the signs the Lord had shown me. I decided to let faith win the battle of my mind. I chose to step out in faith and say yes. Going into the office that day I had no future job, no future place to live, and a death sentence for a car. I serve a God who loves to give abundantly and take care of His children, so I took the first step of faith. Before I went in I prayed and journaled and asked God to soften the heart of my boss. I couldn't handle the thought of no support. I walked into my boss' office and laid it all out on the table. I explained my plans, the lack of concrete answers at the immediate moment, and why I was leaving.
His answer blew me away. He understood. We made a deal. He offered to help me find a car and sell my furniture if I would stay until the beginning of March to train some new employees. Everything inside of me was screaming to say, "NO!". I sat there and thought about it and realized that this was an answer to my prayer. So I said, "Yes." It was a questions, a softly spoken word, with only some heart behind it. Immediately I felt immeasurable peace. Even though January was always my plan, I agreed to wait.
It's been three weeks since that conversation. It's been a wild ride, my friends. It's been full of tiny moments of doubt and wondering if I really am walking in the right direction, but then I remember that all the Lord has asked of me is discipleship. Discipleship is simply walking one step at a time in His plan. So that's what I've been doing: walking one. step. at. a time. Of course, I am constantly reigning in my errant brain waves from their tumultuous race to the future and all the possible things that can go wrong. It's been an emotional, physical, and spiritual battle! But at the end of the day? God is GOOD. He gives good gifts and He loves us. Remember that.
I have so much to share with you guys. First and foremost I must give all of the glory, honor, and praise to the King of the universe! His love for me has completely blown me away. The beginning of this story starts shortly after Christmas. I had applied for dozens of jobs and was not getting any response from anyone. All attempts to find a place to live simply didn't pan out. One of my very best girls came to see me and we got to just sit and talk in Panera for hours. Hours, people! It was fantastic! I walked away encouraged beyond belief and with a new clean gust of air in my lungs.
It came the time to give my two weeks notice at work. I cannot tell you how terrified I was. I had prayed and prayed and worried and worried some more. Every conceivable outcome of this monumental decision had played through my mind again and again. I also kept remembering the signs the Lord had shown me. I decided to let faith win the battle of my mind. I chose to step out in faith and say yes. Going into the office that day I had no future job, no future place to live, and a death sentence for a car. I serve a God who loves to give abundantly and take care of His children, so I took the first step of faith. Before I went in I prayed and journaled and asked God to soften the heart of my boss. I couldn't handle the thought of no support. I walked into my boss' office and laid it all out on the table. I explained my plans, the lack of concrete answers at the immediate moment, and why I was leaving.
His answer blew me away. He understood. We made a deal. He offered to help me find a car and sell my furniture if I would stay until the beginning of March to train some new employees. Everything inside of me was screaming to say, "NO!". I sat there and thought about it and realized that this was an answer to my prayer. So I said, "Yes." It was a questions, a softly spoken word, with only some heart behind it. Immediately I felt immeasurable peace. Even though January was always my plan, I agreed to wait.
It's been three weeks since that conversation. It's been a wild ride, my friends. It's been full of tiny moments of doubt and wondering if I really am walking in the right direction, but then I remember that all the Lord has asked of me is discipleship. Discipleship is simply walking one step at a time in His plan. So that's what I've been doing: walking one. step. at. a time. Of course, I am constantly reigning in my errant brain waves from their tumultuous race to the future and all the possible things that can go wrong. It's been an emotional, physical, and spiritual battle! But at the end of the day? God is GOOD. He gives good gifts and He loves us. Remember that.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
One Step at a Time
There is so much to share with you all. The most important thing you need to know though is that God is incredible. He is indescribable. For that reason, it has been hard to write this post. So many things have happened in the last month. The biggest change that has taken place though is the state of my heart. I think for the first time I am truly surrendered to God. What does that mean you say? I think this sums it up nicely:
You may or may not know that most of my life I've dealt with anxiety. My personality and temperament are just tuned that way. It wasn't until I went to see a Christian counselor after walking through the deaths of 19 of my co-workers in 2013, that I understood I didn't have to live like that. Of course I had read the verses above and other references in the Bible of "Do not be afraid" and "Worrying will not add a single day to your life", but it wasn't until someone explained what that really meant for me did I realize it was a problem. You see, I would get lost in my own brain sometimes. My mind would race down a rabbit trail of 'what ifs' and 'if only I'd' scenarios, and sometimes I couldn't do anything else. It lead to depression and withdrawal and putting on a happy face to the world because it was just too hard to let people in. Folks, I'm here to say that that right there is NO place to live in. There is freedom and it's found in Christ Jesus. I cannot tell you how absolutely freeing it is to lay everything at the foot of the cross and surrender it to Jesus.
I didn't know what that looked like for a long time. I must have missed the sermons about discipleship, or maybe they just weren't there. Do you know what discipleship is? Has anyone explained it?
That's all folks.
There's no formula. No special rituals. There are no special prayers to say. It's a relationship with the Creator God who put you where you're at today. He's standing right in front you, hand stretched out to take yours and lead you on the narrow path. People get so scared and loose sight of the big picture. The truth is, the big picture is Jesus. It's when you try to look under His arm or around His side while you think He's not looking and see a looming mountain that you panic. Just keep your eyes on Jesus. He'll show you the mountain if He wants, but you still have to follow in His steps to get there. The thing I love about discipleship is that it's not just me, Katie Jean, walking some wandering, narrow path. It's Jesus leading me. He says He will never leave me and He will never forsake me. He is omnipresent, which means He is literally everywhere at once.
So the last month has been a time of me completely surrendering for the sake of surrender. To sincerely give everything to God with no expectations. And you know what? He has answered me and provided for me in ways I could never have truly imagined. In 29 days, I am leaving Phoenix and headed to YWAM Tyler, where I'll be attending a 2 day worship conference. From there, I will continue my cross-country drive to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, which will be my home until September when I'll head back to YWAM Tyler for a School of Worship. I cannot begin to share with you the joy and excitement I have to be starting this next chapter with my YWAM family in worship and intercession for the nations. I can think of no better way.
The School of Worship (SOW) I'll be attending is a 6 month program, and set up like the DTS I did last year in Australia. It will have a 3 month lecture/training phase where we'll study the Biblical principals of a worship leader as well as be trained in practical application of our chosen instrument. I've chosen the keyboard as my instrument of choice for this training. After that is complete, we'll have a 3 month outreach phase. At this point, I don't know where we'll be going. It could be anywhere. We may stay here in the U.S or travel to Asia. I just don't know. We'll be sharing the gospel through music and the heart of worship. I will need to raise about $8,000 dollars for this ministry. If you'd like to partner with me through finances or prayer, reach out to me via email or Facebook. I'd love to chat with you about it some more.
I have so many specific stories I want to share with you about how God is working in my life, but for now I'll just leave you with what's above. I pray that your tomorrow is better than today and that your heart is beating closer to God's.
Much love,
Katie Jean
Matthew 6:25-34
"For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. but if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. but seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."
You may or may not know that most of my life I've dealt with anxiety. My personality and temperament are just tuned that way. It wasn't until I went to see a Christian counselor after walking through the deaths of 19 of my co-workers in 2013, that I understood I didn't have to live like that. Of course I had read the verses above and other references in the Bible of "Do not be afraid" and "Worrying will not add a single day to your life", but it wasn't until someone explained what that really meant for me did I realize it was a problem. You see, I would get lost in my own brain sometimes. My mind would race down a rabbit trail of 'what ifs' and 'if only I'd' scenarios, and sometimes I couldn't do anything else. It lead to depression and withdrawal and putting on a happy face to the world because it was just too hard to let people in. Folks, I'm here to say that that right there is NO place to live in. There is freedom and it's found in Christ Jesus. I cannot tell you how absolutely freeing it is to lay everything at the foot of the cross and surrender it to Jesus.
I didn't know what that looked like for a long time. I must have missed the sermons about discipleship, or maybe they just weren't there. Do you know what discipleship is? Has anyone explained it?
Discipleship is putting God back on His rightful throne, denying your life in service to Him, and just walking one. step. at. a. time.
That's all folks.
There's no formula. No special rituals. There are no special prayers to say. It's a relationship with the Creator God who put you where you're at today. He's standing right in front you, hand stretched out to take yours and lead you on the narrow path. People get so scared and loose sight of the big picture. The truth is, the big picture is Jesus. It's when you try to look under His arm or around His side while you think He's not looking and see a looming mountain that you panic. Just keep your eyes on Jesus. He'll show you the mountain if He wants, but you still have to follow in His steps to get there. The thing I love about discipleship is that it's not just me, Katie Jean, walking some wandering, narrow path. It's Jesus leading me. He says He will never leave me and He will never forsake me. He is omnipresent, which means He is literally everywhere at once.
So the last month has been a time of me completely surrendering for the sake of surrender. To sincerely give everything to God with no expectations. And you know what? He has answered me and provided for me in ways I could never have truly imagined. In 29 days, I am leaving Phoenix and headed to YWAM Tyler, where I'll be attending a 2 day worship conference. From there, I will continue my cross-country drive to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, which will be my home until September when I'll head back to YWAM Tyler for a School of Worship. I cannot begin to share with you the joy and excitement I have to be starting this next chapter with my YWAM family in worship and intercession for the nations. I can think of no better way.
The School of Worship (SOW) I'll be attending is a 6 month program, and set up like the DTS I did last year in Australia. It will have a 3 month lecture/training phase where we'll study the Biblical principals of a worship leader as well as be trained in practical application of our chosen instrument. I've chosen the keyboard as my instrument of choice for this training. After that is complete, we'll have a 3 month outreach phase. At this point, I don't know where we'll be going. It could be anywhere. We may stay here in the U.S or travel to Asia. I just don't know. We'll be sharing the gospel through music and the heart of worship. I will need to raise about $8,000 dollars for this ministry. If you'd like to partner with me through finances or prayer, reach out to me via email or Facebook. I'd love to chat with you about it some more.
I have so many specific stories I want to share with you about how God is working in my life, but for now I'll just leave you with what's above. I pray that your tomorrow is better than today and that your heart is beating closer to God's.
Much love,
Katie Jean
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