June 30- Believing God

"Shout to God with a jubilant cry.

For the Lord Most High is awe-inspiring,

a great King over all the earth."

Psalm 47:1-2

God has so much for you, Dear One. And yes, seasons will come when He requires so much from you that you feel like you can't bear it.

You do have a choice. You don't have to do it His way. You can choose bitterness, resentment, carnality, or mediocrity. Or you can go for it --- with everything you've got. You can experience the unmatched exhilaration of partnering in divine triump.

The stakes are high, The cost is steep. But I'll promise you this: there is no high like the Most High. Don't you dare miss ir for the world.

--As written by Beth Moore in her daily devotional "Believing God-Day by Day: Growing your faith All year Long"

Sleepless Crossroads

I'm broken. My body feels like its shattered into a million pieces that won't ever be put back together. I feel like my heart and lungs have gone missing and in their place came a rain fall of pain and emptiness.

I'm at a crossroads in my life that i'm scared to death of starring straight at. I've side stepped it for so long, and chose to walk alone in the dirt out of fear for so long that I don't remember how to put one foot in front of the other on this solid ground.

Some time while I slept last night all the air inside rushed out of my body. I've woken to a haze that Ifeel is so heavy on my skin, almost like it's crushing my chest.

My faith in Him is at the forefront of my mind at all times, and all I want to do is lay my broken body at His feet and beg him to carry me through my loneliness.

I feel alone, but that part isn't new.. it's just no longer being covered up with rose-colored glasses.

I liked being niave, being childish-- feeling like the world is in MY control, and if I will things to change, change will happen.... but I'm no more in control than any of us are, and I understand what I'm feeling about as much as I understand microphysics...

God doesn't just place something on our hearts for no reason right? And he doesn't give us a challenge that he doesn't think we'll survive right? --- Those should be statements, not questions, but with my breathing ajar and my head spinning I'm in need of afirmation.

I turned to "Me,Myself & Lies" in the midst of my sleeplessness last night and read this:

Take this paragraph and insert your name, and pray it out loud-

Oh Lord, you have searched ______ and you know ______. You know when _____
sits and when _____ rises, you perceive ______'s thoughts from afar. You
discern ______'s going out and ______'s lying down; you are familiar with all
______'s ways. Before a word is on ______'s tongue you know it completely,
O Lord. (Psalms 139:1-4)

It spoke to my heart and ripped it open all at once. I stopped holding myself up and gave in to uncertainty and asked Him just to guard my thoughts while I felt too weak to do it myself.

I need a bucket of prays coming my way-- Prays that my heart and my head come out of the fog that slipped in over night like a frost does in the late fall. Pray that I make faith based decisions, and that I learn how to stop being so frightened by my own life. I feel like I'm so scared to lose people that I sometimes begin to talk myself out of being in their lives in the first place.

Just pray that I learn to separate the logical from the illogical, and that... well... that I survive myself despite my body currently turning against me.

Love Always,

KK

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

To start with... I did not spend the entire week bursting at the seams to move in to my new abode... only to have to delay it a few more days :(

I did NOT get so sidetracked shoppin for furniture and tryin to get every horrific new bill organized and accounted for that I still didn't get to sending out my change of address cards!!!

I didn't up everynight by tv light ripping out obscure ideas from Home magazines that were calling my name... and those ripped out pages, you ask where I put them all?? I definitely did not stack them all up and shove them inside an old People Mag. that I picked up in my office... I'm too organized to ever have done that!

And when for a 3rd month in a row Visa decided not to send me my bill because they have waaay too much on their plates to worry about me apparently I did not start wondering whether some chinese girl in Canada with a british accent and six kids to feed had maybe stole my identity and was receiving my bill instead..... If you're reading this little chinese girl going by Kaylan K... please atleast pay me back for the overdue charges!!!

Work was ofcourse stress free-- Absolutely no prob Bob.. (skippin over this topic)

I did not have the most busy week last week, it was A-Piece-of-cake,that colmonated in me making the decision to pack my weekend full of as many crazy things as I could...just to even it all out ofcourse!

I did NOT spend Saturday getting to make two new friends(Who I love by the way!)... while basking in the sun at a CORNDOG-O-RAMA...

It was most certainly not in East Atlanta... which did not worry me when I drove up and had no clue where I was! (Lol... I love atl...but why would i ever have gone to E.A. before!?)

I would never proceed to pay $4 for a corndog and $3 for watered down lemonade... and enjoy EVERY single bite of it!!!

While soakin' up the rays, and listening to the worst rendition of "Indie Rock" music ever played I did not learn that my abilities to throw a frisbee must have peaked in Middle School!!! I did not get incredibly embarrassed every time I almost took out a random bystanders head.....

We did not watch people attempt to race on tricycles and do watermelon tosses in the street.. so would be such silly things to see in Atl!

I did not end up going to church TWICE on Sunday... only to end up seeing the same sermon twice! (Two diferent churches... they're sister churches so its a really awesome satalite feed to the second one!) And I definitley did not enjoy seeing the sermon about the Jesus Creed just as much the second go around!

And to top off the week I did not find myself at my very first FUSION group... and I didn't enjoy getting to meet more people from church and making plans to hangout with them soon!

As you can see, it was a pretty breezy week.. with NO fun involved...

Love u all... Hope everyone is makin' big 4th of July Plans!!

KK

Siesta Summer Bible Study!

What could be better than doing a summer bible study with Beth Moore???

Doing a summer bible study with Beth Moore and my family!!!


Yes, that's right! I'm about to start a bible study on Living Proof Ministries (Beth Moore's ministry) called "Me Myself & Lies" written by Jennifer Rothschild with my family!!!


This is a new plan that started coming together... about 24 hours ago :)


I'm so proud to say I started a beautiful ball rolling, that in just one day is bring a lot of joy.

Please be praying for us as we start this journey diving into His Word through Jennifer's study and Beth's guidance. It's never to late to join in btw! If you feel led to join the study all you have to do is buy the book "Me Myself & Lies" then find your way on over to http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com and sign up!! It's okay to go it solo!

-Lots of love-
Hostess Kaylan <3

National Geographic

I am utterly in love with National Geographic. If you ever wondered what type of photographer I dream of being all you have to do is flip through the pages of a National Geographic. One day in my life time I dream of shooting just one photograph good enough to grace the pages of such an awe inspiring magazine.

I get so much more joy out of photography than any other art because it's life in the flesh. It's not something that was dreamed up, it's tangible and honest, beautiful in every way possible.

You can capture every moment of life thru your lens.

Stop and find the beauty in each day this week.

Just take your thumb and pointer finger of both hands and make a rectangle with them. Bring it up close to your face, and mentally capture the photos in your life that you may be over looking.

~Wishes of Joy~

KK

My A-B-C's

A
• Are you available? I'm Not Married, but I am in a relationship
• What is your age? 22
• What annoys you? Chosen Ignorance
B
• Do you know anyone named Billy? Not since 5th grade
• When is your birthday? Aug. 16th
• Who is your best friend? Ginny
C
• What's your favorite candy? Twix or Sour Patch Kids
• Crush? Nice try, but I'm not sharing that! Celebrity or reality! lol
• When was the last time you cried? Last week
D
• Do you daydream? Ohhh yes!
• What's your favorite kind of dog? Chocolate labs :)
• What day of the week is it? Monday
E
• How do you like your eggs? Poached over toast and canadian ham w/ hollandaise sauce-- Mmm!
• Have you ever been in the emergency room? Yep- Once as a kid, I fractured my collar bone after falling down a flight of stairs, and once as an adult, I had some crazy virus they still couldnt diagnose after 24 hrs...it was awful!
• Ever pet an elephant? No, but that would be awesome
F
• Do you use fly swatters? Nope... I'm more of a catch and release type of girl :)
• Have you ever used a foghorn? haha, yep
• Is there a fan in your room? Nope, only in the guest room and on the porch
G
• Do you chew gum? Sometimes, I love strawberry bubble gum
• Do you like gummy candies? yes yes yes
• Do you like gory movies? Take it or leave it-- I like them just as long as I have someone going hoem with me!!! In that case, Yes
H
• How are you? Fantastic, had a lot of fun at the Fusion movie last night
• What's your height? 5'8 1/2"
• What color is your hair? Uhh... Brown to Dark Blonde
I
• What's your favorite ice cream? Chocolate-- I'm a purist, hehe The new Ben and Jerry's Cake Batter w/ Chocolate Frosting is dynomite too!
• Have you ever ice skated? Yes sir.
• Ever been in an igloo? No, but I'd love to
J
• What's your favorite Jelly Bean? Toasted Marshmello and Chocolate Pudding
• Have you ever heard a really hilarious joke? I dunno... I really wish I could say yes
• Do you wear jewelry? My cross necklace I got for college graduation & my KAK initial ring Julie gave me for my 21st bday
K
• Who do you want to kill? No one!
• Have you ever flown a kite? When I was little
• Do you think kangaroos are cute? Kuolas are cuter
L
• Are you laid back? If I had to say yes or no.... I'd say yes
• Lions or Tigers? Lions..and Tigers! I pick both!! Hah
• Do you like black licorice? Ick, just dont care for it
M
• Favorite movie as a kid? Aladin
• Ever shopped at Moosejaw? is that really a store???
• Favorite store at the mall? William- Sonoma... I never buy any thing, but a girl can dream!
N
• Do you have a nickname? Kay, Kaleb
• What's your favorite number? 8
• Do you prefer night or day? Night.
O
• What's your one wish? To meet the man God created solely for me, and to know when I've met him w/o any doubts
• Are you an only child? Sort of, I have 3 hald brothers
• Do you like the color orange? YES, pink and orange (and green) are my fav colors
P
• What are you most paranoid about? Following my own path when I'm trying to follow His, but have no clue I'm following mine instead (daily paranoa)
• Piercings? 3
• Do you know anyone named Penelope? I did in high school, she went by Penny tho
Q
• Are you quick to judge people? Not at all, I like to take my time figuring out what people are really all about
• Do you like Quaker Oats? no.. that's weird isn't it?
• Know anyone that makes quilts? Yes
R
• Do you think you're always right? lol, Depends
• Do you watch reality TV? I plead the 5th!
• Reason to cry? When things start to fall apart and I become impatient about looking for answers in the right place
S
• Do you prefer sun or rain? I love em both, love the feel and smell of rain
• Do you like snow? Yes! But its hard to find here in the south
• What's your favorite season? Summer- even working, there is a type of freedom that comes with summer that I just dont feel the rest of the year
T
• What time is it? 11:48am
• What time did you wake up? About 6:10am
U
• Can you ride a unicycle? probably not, but I'd sure try!
• Do you know anyone with a uni brow? No, but thats b/c they pluck!
• Uncles do you have? 4
V
• What’s the worst vegetable? There isn't even ONE vegetable that I don't like, not even kidding
• Did you ever watch Veggie Tales? Ofcourse, Saturday mornings when I kept Clara
• Ever considered being vegan? I could do it.. I like steak, but I don't live on it. I eat chicken or pork probably 25 out of 30 days a month.
W
• What's your worst habit? Cracking my knuckles-- my ex's in highschool use to crack them for me to anyone me, and it unfortunately became an awful habit!
• Do you like water rides? Oh Yes!
• Ever been inside a windmill? No.
X
• Have you ever had an x-ray? On my collarbone, my right foot, and my teeth
• Ever used a Xerox machine? nearly every day
Y
• Do you like the color yellow? It's such a happy color, even in a mustard shade
• What year were you born in? 1986
• Do you yell when you're angry? The cycle goes - yell, shut down and don't say anything, cry.
Z
• Do you believe in the zodiac? It's something fun to read and laugh about
• What's your zodiac sign? Leo
• When was the last time you went to the zoo? 4th grade! I still think that would be such a fun date! hehe

You're turn!

Speaking to My Heart: Lyrics that Stick #1

'Do you wanna run away together?'
I would say it was your best line ever
Too bad I fell for it
And I walked along
Waiting for you to come along
Take my tortured heart by the hand
And write me off

Do you know I cry?
Do you know I die?
Do you know I cry?
And it's not the good kind

Oh you forced to become strong
And I just cried, being weak
And you think you know
And I would like to think so
But do you know that when you go
I fall apart

Do you know I cry?
Do you know I die?
Do you know I cry?
And it's not the good kind
No, you not the good kind

I'm tired of hiding behind these lying eyes
I'm tired of this smile that even I don't recognize

Do you know I cry? (Do you know I cry)
Do you know I die? (Do you know I die)
Do you know I cry? (Do you know I cry)
And it's not the good kind

Do you know I cry? (Do you know I cry)
Do you know I die? (Do you know I die)
Do you know I cry? (Do you know I cry)
And it's not the good kind

Do you know I cry? (Do you know I cry)
Do you know I die? (Do you know I die)
Do you know I cry? (Do you know I cry)
And it's not the good kind

No, you're not the good kind
Do you know I cry?

By The Wreckers

Be Still Sunday

Puzzle Time: Secret Revealed

I HAD a SECRET!!!

****Drum roll please****

I BOUGHT A HOUSE!!!

I'm the offical homeowner of a beautiful new home here in the sultry, sticky, oh so grogeous south and I'm in love with it!!!!

I haven't quite got moved in yet, its coming along wonderfully, but it's takin' some time to move and get everything I need in order to move in!! It shouldn't be too many more days before I move in and take a few pictures to show!

It's out in the COUNTRY (hence the pic on the puzzle :) ) and it's just.... Amazing!!!!!

I'm so happy to have found a place and be offically out on my own. Apartment life in college was such a learning experience and I loved my roomies, they are my best friends, but it's such a different feeling to have a place of my OWN that I literally own, and hope to grow into in the years to come. It's way too big for me, but I hope that God has a big plan to fill it with lots of little feet down the road. I still believe I'll end up taking all paths to a family that God leads me to be it having my own kids, adoption and/or fostering. I have a big heart and it's open to all things possible in this wonderful world!!!

Even if I travel for missions as planned, I'll always have this home to come back to!!!!!

--LOVE LOVE LOVE--

KK

Puzzle Time:I have a Secret!!

So LAST MONDAY I told everyone that I had been keeping a secret.... I thought this would be a fun way to see if any can figure out the secret! If anyone can figure it out with these clues leave me a comment!! Give it your best shot even if you aren't quite sure!

Fill in the Blanks using the pictures Below: __ _____ __ the ______ __

Start Guessing! I'll Post Answer in the morning!

Photography, Smotography!

"Where are all the pictures????"

I haven't put up any of my own photos in a good while because well... I just haven't taken very many!

It's certainly time to start back tho, don't ya think??

Or...I could just decide photography isn't my thing.

Just Kidding!!!

I love photography far too much to go that route, so I promise to get to uploading this week!!!

I promise some tasty, silly, and swoon-over shots coming up soon!

Can't wait to share them!

Hope everyone is having a sultry, sweet summer! Don't sizzle too long in the sun!!!

Kay-Kay

P.S. To all my NEW followers thanks so much for coming by!!! I am always grateful to new people who for some reason take an interest in my stories about me, my family, friends, and all the random things that are on my mind! A HUGE THANK YOU!!!

Doggie Oh Doggie, Where are you??

People I have the THE BUG! Not the flu bug, no no, nothing that icky. And not the Baby bug.. my lordie that idea won't be in my head for a few years! This bug is a good bug, but a bug that has been bugging me and started to drive me crazy (in a good way!) for some time now....

I have... the Doggie Bug!! I want, I want, I want, I NEEEEED a doggie!!! OH people, you have no clue how very much I want a doggie of my own!!

I have names in my head like Moose, and Leo, and Brownie, and Cocoa, and Twisler (even tho I dont like twislers! lol). And I NEEEEED a doggie to give one of my silly, yummy, well-thought-out, loving names to!

I NEEEEEEEEED a doggie to love and to love me too (I hope!) who will follow me around the house, eat all the ice that I accidentally drop on the floor, sit on my feet just to make sure I don't move, cuddle on the bed while watching a good romantic comedy that we'll both love, go on long runs with, and who may genuinely need me as much as I NEEEEEEEEEEEEED them!!! (Do you love how it went from "a" to "them" in just a few paragraphs! Hah!)

Mama Kat is fostering an adorable grey hound named Aries, and I just have to believe that seeing her post about Jesus wanting her to foster him is a SIGN, a flashing NEON sign saying, "HEY KAYLAN!... *pause for dramatic affect* YES..YOU!!!! YOU MY DEAR... NEED A DOGGIE!!!!!!"

*Light Bulb flicks ON*

I need a dog.

People, it's coming--- I have nothing holding me back!...................................

*To be continued......(soon?:) )

KayKay

Scatter-Brained: In need of Advice!

My brain is going in TWO completely opposite directions right now and I'd LOVE some ideas and advice from y'all!!!!

Help #1:
My small group and I are in the market for a new Bible Study to start and I need some ideas!!!

Has anyone done a study recently that they really loved or a study in the past that you feel would be relevant to a group of 10 twenty-yr old girls???

Please let me know!

I would love some hep from you lovely ladies!

Help #2:
One of my best friends is getting married in September, and I'm one of her bridesmaids! The dilema I'm facing right now is that as one of the bridesmaids I want to plan a bridal shower for her (most likely with a kitchen/home theme) with her other bridesmaids.

I'm always the party planner, so it just fits for me to take this on-- The problem is although I have attended way too many showers to count, I can't decide what sort of place to have the shower! HELP ME!!! My thoughts are either at a tea room in Buckhead or possibly at my home, but I'm not sure what's more appropriate and normal.

Where have you all gone to or thrown showers at before???? If I can get over the hump of picking a location I'll be set-- the decor, food, and entertainment is easy for me once I know where I'm planning it for! I just need a little help deciding, please.

My brain is not working with it being pulled in too many directions!

Please leave any helpful advice on bible studies and/or bridal showers in the comments section :)

Love Love Love

-Kaylan-

In the words of a Sherriff

As I mentioned on Monday, I had the joy a week ago of meeting a few of the local sherrifs in my area, and they were some of the funniest nicest people I've met around here.

Despite the reason we were meeting at the time, I've come to think that HE was the reason we were meeting. It sounds a little out there to think that He had a hand in bringing sherrifs out to my house, but not to me.

These two sherrifs that I met together were both kind, and polite men... with some great since of humors. Ankoo and I both enjoyed talking with them and at one point we got on the conversation of the types of people that they had to deal with on a daily/nightly basis. After joking around about some of the incidents and crazies in the area (apparently one couple claimed they HAVE to drive in the middle of the road going 50 in a 30 because a month ago..when they use to drive the "right way" a deer hit them... so now its "safer" to drive in the middle so they can see the deer...) one of the sherrifs made a very profounf statement.

He said, "We all should drive with the knowledge that all of the other people on the road ARE more important than us." He laughed a little, but then said that he really did meant it because if we were to go out in to the word with a little less selfish attitude we would be more prone to be more responsible in the ways that we act and treat others-- with a little more kindness, and a lot less hostility.

This little comment has stuck with me. Like Super glue.

This little tip for the road is a fact that SHOULD transfer over into our daily lives. It should be a way of living life. Remembering that all of the people in the world are more important that us.

That doesn't mean you need to go out and get walked on... but maybe you should find away to be okay with getting your feet stepped on a little. What I mean is, you shouldn't be so afraid to get close to strangers just because it may not turn out the way you intended. Going out and sharing your life and Christian beliefs is frightening, but despite it being frightening it's what I know I'm here to do.

I was reading this post from Angie called "Her, Here" this morning and it just fits with what's going on in my head so perfectly. She mentions doing the little things, like leaving out a few cold drink for the garbage man every week during the summer, and praying for each of her neighbors. The little things that you can do locally are just as important as going out and serving around the world. Angie is such an amazing encouragement. She says, "The point is, we are supposed to look different than the rest of the world."

There should be no fear in being who we were created to be. We were created in God's likeness, and therefore are meant to go out into the world with with humble hearts and a kind touch.

I want to work on being that type of woman here in my home town even though I'm still feeling lead to figure out where else God is leading me to. I know that God led those sherrifs to me to instill those words in my mind, just as he led me to Angie's words this morning. He is the Almighty and the one I live my life in awe of. Bless Each of You today.

All my Love,

KK

Kate's New Blog!

Well, You all know how much I love Jon and Kate Gosselin, so it should be no surprise that I'm so happy to find out that Kate has started blogging on TLC's website pretty frequently!




To see for yourself what sweet things are going on in the lives of the Gosselins click on over to HERE and take a looksy!




This week Kate wrote about their trip they took for Memorial Day to N.C. looks like it was beautiful and the kids had a great time! I'll let you go read the stories of the week for yourselves tho!


Continuing to pray that the "P people" as she calls them will BACK OFF and try to remember that they are normal people, not actors pretending that this is their lives. *sigh* We live in a crazy world, I hope it gets a little less crazy for them though!

Happy reading!

Not Me! Monday

Welcome to Not Me! Monday! This blog carnival was created by MckMama. You can head over to her blog to read what she and everyone else have not been doing this week.

I did not spend the weekend shuffling furniture all around trying to find new places for old things.

I did not completely break down and go against my new "No Fast Food!" plan and eat not only at Wendy's, but ALSO at Mc'D's on consecutive days... all out of an inability to find to to sit down for lunch. Nope, Not Me! I always stick to my goals :)

I did not not brush my teeth before bed one night, only to wake up so disgusted by myself that I got OUT of bed to brush them at 2am.. no no no... I would never forget, and if I did it would never bother me to that point of insanity!

I did not just about die when last night my father did NOT say, "Kaylan, I can't believe your husband has never had {insert some food I think was called.. Poke?} You're going to have to cook it for him!".... He would never be so absent minded to forget sweetie is just a Boyfriend, not even a fiance.... and I would never become weirded out over such a crazy accidental slip of the tongue!! Not Us!

I did not keep a secret for TWO WEEKS from my family, which is by the way why I've been missing from here, that I still have not announced all because well.. I just haven't!

And I would never have made friends, truly no joke, friends with 3 local Sheriffs in a matter of a week without ever doing a single thing wrong to have caused it! (Very cool, i think!) Ha! I feel so much safer having them on MY side!

So life is going really great over here in my neck of the Woods!! What sort of Not Me! Mondays do you have to share?!

Love Always

~Kaylan~