Being Transformed

Abandoned Blog

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 06:02:00 +0000

I didn't intentionally abandon my blog... it just sorta happen. So here's my list of excuses:

1. Ended a relaitonship
2. Bought a new house
3. Moved into new house
4. Kinda-sorta switched churches (just to sister church!)
5. Started new relationship
6. Found myself going to TWO churches every Sunday
7. Small group duties every wednesday
8. Decorating house
9. Travel travel travel
10. Work?
11. The new man is in North Africa at the moment.
11. Etc. etc. etc.

Life happend, and I love it. I have LOVED having this blog to turn to when I was at home and needed to vent, but lately thats what I've had J and God for. I turn to them with everything because...well.. J is the new man in my life who I am daily "doing life" with as Andy Stanley would say, and God is the ONLY one who will always be there for the good and the bad. I learned a long time ago that you need to talk to him just as much during the good as you do during the bad.

Anyways... I'm BACK!.... I think. We'll see! Even though I haven't blogged in over a month I check on each of yalls blogs weekly. I slightly obsess over making sure things are going okay over at Profoundly Seth ( J and I pray for yall every time I iphone the page and share with him all good/sad updates!) and I still can't get enough of all those Charming Kids, they always put a smile on my face. Both Angie and Angie have such a way with words that I could never ever stop checkin in.. even tho I wish I would take the time to comment more... And MamaKat, I don't have to switch over to her blog as much now that we're facebook friends!! :)

JUST incase you don't see me blogging and u want to bust my chops a little I am tweeting now!! Find me! I'm kay_lan816 and I tweet daily from my cell!

Can't wait to get caught back up from my accidental hiatus... so much has happend, and so many pictures need to be shared!

Love Always n Forever

Dreamy Swing

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:32:00 +0000

A few weeks back this gorgeous tree still had an old fashion swing on it, perfect for a random photo op. I had no clue at the time I'd come back one day and the tree (which was dead) would be half chopped down :(

Out of all the photos taken that day I loved this blurry, slightly too light picture that just looked a bit dream..... So i played with it a bit and got this b&w....

THen I played with it a more, added contrast add a tad random color....

And Then... I just simply brightened up the photograph and got this little gem which I totally love!

To each their own!! Just thought I'd share them because I had fun playing around for a few hours!!

Have a wonderful day and get out there and take some dreamy photos of your own!!

--Kaylan--

P.S. I was the girl on the swing.. rare moment where I wasn't behind the camera! JL was the photographer.

What He Sees

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:02:00 +0000

I don't see it.

He sees this beautiful girl. This girl who's eyes smile with rosie cheeks and love that exudes through her every word.

He sees an eloquent speaker who has a way with words, words that one day will reach so many people beyond his ability to explain.

He sees a person with an unbelievable heart for others; who shows daily a want to help others.

He sees a believer; who wants to show the world the love that Jesus Christ has to share.

He sees a listener; a girl who spends more time listening to the needs and problems of others than she does worrying about her issues.

He sees a desire to reach out to one or millions who need to be sheltered and fed and clothed, and given the chance to hear God's Word.

He sees humbleness in her walk; a decision, whether it be conscious or subcounscious, to choose to live with others and not above others.

He sees through to the inside and not just what she allows the world to see; the shaky, uncertain part of her that while still happy, it is a little bruised and looking for hope in a world that seems hopeless at times.

He sees this girl... woman.. whatever she may be, who is all these wonderful, beuatiful things created by God's hands, fearfully and wonderfully made.

I just see Me.

Twitter Bug

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:18:00 +0000

I've caught the twitter bug!

See... The problem with having the iphone is that you can download WAY more applications than you could possibly ever need!!

For example.. out of bordom last week I downloaded BubbleWrap. What's the purpose of it?? Oh... just to sit there and see how many bubbles you can pop in the alotted time, of course! AWESOME use of my time, don't you think??

On the other hand, I was able to download the Holy Bible for free which is truly a fantastic app to have! I'm able to get on it and search "fear", and it brings up 1 John 4:18, Luke 12:5, 1 Peter 3:14 among many others... it's pretty great!

Tweetdeck though... I love it!! Still not sure if it's a responisble choice to have it as an app available at every minute of the day! Hehe

If anyone would like to follow me my name is kay_lan816 . Quite simple to find me! I don't tweet about anything crazy like "I just woke up" "Now I'm taking a shower" "Done with shower" "What should I wear?"---- I just tweet random things going on thru the day when I think about it, or about @NPonline or @buckheadchurch or verses I've come across.

Anyways, I'll be sure to follow yall if you find me!

Hope everyone's week has been going great! I've lost track of blogging lately for various reason, but know that I'm never too far away, AND if something is ever up in yalls lives please let me know if there is ever anything I can be prayin about for yall!

All the Love I have to Share,

Kaylan

One Week to NorthPointONLINE

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 14:08:00 +0000

Just a friendly reminder that one week from tonight I would love for you all to head on over to http://www.northpointonline.tv/ at 6pm and check out Buckhead Church broadcoasting their worship services Live!!

It's going to be an ongoing thing, August 16th is the first Sunday of forever broadcasting to the world and reaching to people all over! There are groups that will be gathering in South Africa and Dubai, in small churches, and college dorm rooms to watch Buckhead services and join in worshiping.

I won't know either way whether you choose to log on next week at 6pm Eastern time and watch the service, so if you want to just do it. I won't know, your neighbor won't know, neither will your mom,dad, boyfriend or girlfriend. You're on your own to watch, no strings attached-- and I'm serious about that-- nothing to sign up for or a list to put your name on. I use to get SO embarrased when I'd go to a new church and they'd give you a visitors card to fill out... then when you least expect it you'd hear the pastor say, "And we'd like to thank our first time guests for coming today. Raise your hands please if they is your first time...(no hands go up) I see we had Kaylan Keeter visting us today?".... I always turned beet red and my voice would go scratchy! You don't have to worry about that at North Point and Buckhead, especially online!

We'll be lovin' yall all the way from Buckhead, GA! Hope some of yall tune in! If anyone does, feel free to drop me a line and lemme know what ya thought!

With all the Love I have to Give,

On this Beautiful Day..

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 20:57:00 +0000

I felt a little broken… like moving forward seemed harder.

Like fighting for others to understand was just weighing heavy on me.

I hate judgement, even though I know it’s just a part of life, I still hate it.

It hurts, it’s trying, it’s tiring, and it’s pointless to fight.

What do you do when people won’t stop fighting against you?

You keep standing up, and getting beaten and bruised a little, but you press forward.

It isn’t always easy, following what you know, and what you have faith in, but you do it.

You meaning Me.

Then at 4:44pm I got this text,

“When my life seems turned upside down & no one loves me but You, My Lord it
would be so easy to quit right there, but I know, O Lord You don’t want me
to.”

Thank you to the sender of that text. You barely no me and yet you text me encouragement ever day, just because you want to reach out to those who have walked into your life even if it be for 5 minutes like myself. Thank you.

I needed that.

PUSH

A little nudge to remind me it’s all okay, even when I’m frustrated and feel like I’m taking on a
multitude of things all at once without all the answers.

Just say a little prayer for me I’ll have patience that I don’t come by naturally to deal with the people I love in the right way, and to deal with those who set out to hurt me in the right way too.

Love y’all with all I have to give
-Kaylan-

Secondly....

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:20:00 +0000

Thought it was time I rounded out questions 26-50 I didn't do on tuesday :)

Can y'all believe it's already Thursday!? Where did my week go??

Are yall tired of my filler posts yet? I'm actually really tired of them too, so I'm promising myself that I'll never do one ever again (I can't actually promise never.. I'm not a "planner aheader".. but atleast none for.... awhile?!)

Okays, part deux......

26. What did you want to be when you were little? a teacher and an olympic gymnast.. always dreamed big!!

27. What is your best childhood memory? one night sitting in my grandma and granddaddy's living with all the lights turned off and a jar jammed full of lightening bugs.. i was in awe of everything, the bugs, the moment, and just how happy i was being right there.

28. Are you a cat or dog person? dogs forever and allllwways

29. Are you married? can't say I am, but God's got that covered I'm certain :)

30. Always wear your seat belt? once the ding ding ding starts, yes

31. Been in a car accident? a few-- last one i was 16.. been accident free for 7 years

32. Any pet peeves?chosen ignorance, snideness, people who look down on others, unacceptance, lack of humility, oh and scratching your fork on a plate! ahh! gives me goosebumps thinkin of the nosie!!

33. Favorite pizza topping? mushrooms

34. Favorite Flower? Penonies, orchids, poppies, dahlias, and zinnias

35. Favorite ice cream? turtle, chocolate or oreo

36. Favorite fast food restaurant? chick-fil-a

37. How many times did you fail your driver's test? none

38. From whom did you get your last email? itunes.

39. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card at? william & sonoma

40. Do anything spontaneous lately? got out of the car in the rain on the side of the highway

41. Like your job? sure do!

42. Broccoli? My favorite veggie!!! With or without cheese!

43. What was your favorite vacation? Anyone that takes me some place new!

44. Last person you went out to dinner with? Jake

45. What are you listening to right now? Bring the Rain by Mercy Me

46. What is your favorite color? Green, Pink and Orange

47. How many tattoos do you have? None

48. How many are you tagging for this quiz? nooone

49. What time did you finish this quiz? uh.. i dunno

50. Coffee Drinker? YES... as long as it has cream and sugar... or is in the version of a Iced Carmel Macchiato

Finished!!

Off to have some quiet time doing some much needed scripture reading!

I feel like I've some how been slipping this week, and well... that's not good!

All the LOVE I have to share!

K-A-K

For the Love of Random Questions...

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 21:10:00 +0000

...How can I be so tired when I slept so AMAZINGLY last night?! It wasn't even an early morning! My gracious... I guess these things happen!

Anyways... I'm ready for the POOL and a NAP so it the spirit of randomness I'm going to fill out only 25 of the 50 random questions I acquired this afternoon.... last 25 will follow... eventually :)

1. What time did you get up this morning?6:30 AM. had a painter coming to the house and work followed that.
2. How do you like your steak? medium.. but i always say med-well so restaurants won't leave it mooing, hehe
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? transformers:return of the ______?
4. What is your favorite TV show? royal pains, at the moment
5. If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be? umm... i prefer being a steward of the world... i'd love to be a vagaban and just travel, travel, travel with someone i love
6. What did you have for breakfast? sausage, egg and cheese biscuit, and shared some sausage grits :)
7. What is your favorite cuisine? home-grown veggies ..so orignial.. i know!
8. What foods do you dislike? sardines, and liver n onions
9. Favorite Place to Eat? ippolito's-- loved it since i was FIVE yrs old
10. Favorite dressing? balsalmic vinigerette or ranch
11. What kind of vehicle do you drive? explorer
12. What are your favorite clothes? i love all my sundresses equally
13. Where would you visit if you had the chance? egypt, russia, slovakia, banff, greece, prague
14. Cup 1/2 empty or 1/2 full? definitely full
15. Where would you want to retire? where my husband, and kids and grandkids are
16. Favorite time of day? 3 am
17. Where were you born? georgia
18. What is your favorite sport to watch? college football and gymnastics
19. Who do you think will not tag you back? i'm not taggin ppl
20. Person you expect to tag you back first? refer to # 19
21. Who are you most curious about their responses to this?refer to #19 and 20
22. Bird watcher? uhh.. i i see a really cool bird then sure
23. Are you a morning person or a night person? both, both, both! i go to be around 2am and get up around 6am.... i have no clue how i do it!
24. Pets? in dire need of a puppy! shadow and abby fill that gap in my life...for now
25. Any new and exciting news that you'd like to share? i'm finished with these questions for now and i'm headed to the alpharetta pool if someone wants to be really random and stalk me... p.s. if you stalk me, u better atleast come say hi!

That's all folks!

Hope everyone is enjoying this sunny Tuesday!

Kay-Kay

Buckhead Church goes LIVE!

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 18:29:00 +0000

I'm so excited that NorthPoint and Buckhead Church love me sooooo very much that they chose to start broadcasting LIVE ONLINE on MY BIRTHDAY, August 16th!!!!! Isn't that so cool??

I love talking about my churches, NorthPoint Community Church & Buckhead Church, to people every day.. all day.. absolutely any moment of the day! Now instead of just being able to invite people to come @ 11am on Sundays to NPCC or @ 6pm on SUndays to BC I can just say, "Hey! Ya know Buckhead will be broadcasting LIVE tonight on http://www.northpointlive.tv/ at 6pm, so if ya have a chance why don't ya follow along with the worship service if ya have a chance? Maybe we could even chat about it later if ya want?"

It's going to be AWESOME!! I wanted so much to share this great news with y'all because even though I know that many of yall have your home churches that you attend in your neck of the woods it's always fun to check out what's going on in other churches too. The Online Broadcasts will be of the entire 6pm service from start to finish(6pm to 7pm). Get some friends together or watch it alone from your kitchen table, on your couch, with your cat/dog/snake/gerble, snuggled in your bed alone/with a friend or whereever you feel most comfortable!!

The reason I consider both NorthPoint and Buckhead my home church is because the Pastor is the same for both. I know this sounds unusual and out of the ordinary, but that's what makes them amazing churches. They were started not just as a church, but as A Church for the UnChurched. For people who don't like going to church, or who just aren't sure about the whole "Jesus Thing." People feel like they are at home from the moment they walk in the doors.. I take that back.. they feel at home from the moment they pull into the parking lot.

I started attended North Point and joined a small group back in the spring which led me to meeting wonderful friends at Buckhead Church who I attend services with @ the 6pm service. Every week is something new and relatable. There is never a sermon where you have a chance to think, "Ugh... I'm starving, when is this getting over with?" That is, unless you haven't eatten in a few days, and in that case call me before you go and I'll bring you starbucks and a snack :) I promise!

If you are just curious please go check out North Point Community Church or Buckhead Church at their websites online. That's how I started going, 8 months ago... an interest and a desire to fellowship with other people who knew Jesus Christ and who were willing and ready to step out in faith without being overbearing or in your face about the Word of God.

So.. like I said August 16th @ 6pm!!! My Birthday!! If you don't have plans on August 16th @ 6pm eastern time why not surf on over to www.NorthPointOnline.tv and check out what I'm up to for my birthday? :)

With All the Love I Have To Share,

Kaylan

Praying for Stellan

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:02:00 +0000

Please just pray. And pray and pray and pray and pray and pray and pray some more. And when you feel too tired to keep praying... pray that He gives you strength to continue praying. Baby Stellan is back in the hospital with uncontrollable SVT.He's been there since Friday, and has had 3 days of straight SVT (with one 6hr break). His sweet little heart, the size of his 8 month old little fist, can't handle all of the pumping its forcing itself to do. His kidneys are having difficulty working, he's turning ghost white, and his body has began to refuse to hold on any sort of food. Sweet and wonderful God, Please lay your hands on Your Child, Stellan. Please heal him in ways that we all know that only You can do...I pray the same prayer I've prayed so so many times for this beautiful little one that you reach down and hold him in your arms and make in stronger.Whether it be your will to heal Him or simply ease his pain, please just wrap him in Your Love and take care of him.Please take care of the entire MckFamily. You know them by name, you know each of their thoughts, and the desires and needs of their hearts.Please just give them peace that you are in control in what feels like such a helpless situation.Bring your blessings on this family, that Stellan be healed and grow up to tell so many people about the healing of God that he will know first hand.Our Hope is in You- And always will be.Amen.
Please be praying for them and let Jennifer know that you love her and her family and are praying for their family over at www.mycharmingkids.net Love AlwaysKK

Lately

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 19:11:00 +0000

Inspired by this blog.

This is me.
I am not blue.
I'm happy
Quite happy.
I promise!!

Wanted to share what's new.

What's old.
And what's going on.

Lately, I have been....

... smiling all the time.

... making lots of friends.

... studying His word.

... living in sundresses.

... soaking up the beautiful weather.

... wanting to take a mini va-ca to the beach.

... decorating.

... playing with green silly putty

... seeing Transformers 1&2

... praying for a sign.

... waking up.. happy.

... small grouping it.

... buying Jonny Diaz's cd... and falling in love with track 3.

... discovering more of my city.

... easing into life in a new house.

... convincing people there cookin is not bad at all.

... cookin home grown veggies.

... being spoiled.

... lovin' it.

...getting little sleeeeeep.

... stopped worrying.

... wearing no makeup.

... hoping a new camera is in my near future.

... sittin outside enjoying all the new sounds of my big big backyard.

... Working hard at GPS.

... gratitude.

... persistence.

... SURRENDER!

... waiting for the weekend to finally start!

What have you all been up to Lately?

love...LOVE...Love

50 Random Things

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 21:42:00 +0000

Jenn Gundy, who has ran away to Michigan and abandoned all her loving friends here in GA, posted this "50 Random Things" last night and since some of them gave me a little laugh I decided to fill it out myself. It's a post of no importance except to say "hey! look what silly things I've been up to :)"

Please keep on reading if you feel so inclined!

Sharing Today at 5:42pm
1. What color is your toothbrush?Aqua Blue and Royal Blue
2. Name one person who made you smile today. Sara, even though it was thru the phone!
3. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? RUnning Late
4. What were you doing 45 minutes ago? Driving Home
5. What is your favorite candy? Twix and Sour Patch kids!!
6. Have you ever been to a strip club? i plead the 5th
7. What is the last thing you said aloud."Hi!" to visitors in the hallway
8. What is your favorite ice cream? Oreo or Turtle
9. What was the last thing you had to drink? Coke from Zaxby's
10. Do you like your wallet? yeah.. I guess. Its' pink n brown
11. What was the last thing you ate? Zaxby's Club w/ hot honey mustard
12. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? Not yet.. but I'm makin a trip to V.S. tonite to see Kelly!
13. The last sporting event you watched? no idea
14. What is your favorite flavor of popcorn? Kettle Corn. mmm, luv the sweetness
15. Who is the last person you sent a text message to? Mi amigo
16. Ever go camping? Love it
17. Do you take vitamins daily? definitely not
18. Do you go to church every Sunday? Try very hard to!
19. Do you have a tan? I have freckles........no tan :P
20. Do you prefer Chinese food over pizza?YES!!!!
21. Do you drink your soda with a straw? Except if its in a can!
22. What did your last text message say? " ;) "
23. What are you doing tomorrow? Tuesday??? No plans yet! Sure somethin will come up! Oh! Prayin for Ginnybean that the GRE goes great!
**WHY is there no 24?!** Substitute question: What's your least favorite Skittles flavor? The purple-- Ick!
25. Look to your left, what do you see?Printed out quotes, Telephone and tape dispenser
26. What color is your watch? Hot pink! Thx to Corndogorama!
27. What do you think of when you hear Australia? Koalas
**Where's 28??** I'll make one up.. What color Highlighter do you use? Neon Orange
29. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? Go In
30. What is your favorite number? 8
31. Who's the last person you talked to on the phone? Mom
32. Any plans today? Done with Work, now off to the mall to see Kels, then dinner & The bachelorette w/ Mom n dad tonight :) Gotta squeeze in some parent time since I've been busy lately
33. How many states have you lived in? 3
34. Biggest annoyance right now? patience
35. Dream job? I'm not sure what the job title would be, but traveling the world doing childrens ministries
36. Can you say the alphabet backwards?Yes, but veeeerrry slowly
37. Do you have a maid service clean your house? Yeah, her name is Kaylan :)
38. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? brown "worn in" flip flops
39. Are you jealous of anyone? Dont think so
40. Is anyone jealous of you?I dunno! If u are, tell me and I'll fix that, cause there isnt a thing to be jealous of!
41. Do you love anyone? Of course! I try to love everyone-- I just love some people more <3
42. Do any of your friends have children? Oh yes, and I love em!
43. What do you usually do during the day? Mon-Friday: Work, then hang out w/ friend unless its Wednesday and I have small gorup
44. Do you hate anyone that you know right now?No! Even people that have hurt me, I coud never hate
45. Do you use the word 'hello' daily? DO u have a different way of answering the phoen that I should use?? lol
46. What color is your car? Black
**Really? No 47 either??** Fill in question: What's the last song you got stuck in your head? A song by Ginny Owens called "If You Want Me To" that she played live @ buckhead church last night. It was beautiful-- a breath taking moment-- literally no one was moving. Amazing.
48. Are you thinking about someone right now? Yes I am
49. Have you ever been to Six Flags? yes I have! Just last weekend!
50. How did you get your worst scar?Fell on brick stairs

There ya go, 50 random things that you didn't need to know or even want to know. If you read them all... I have to say I'm laughing to myself that you took an interest in my lil time filler. Hehe. Copy it, use it, lemme know if you do so i can see your answers too!!

Hope everyone has had a beuatiful Monday Monday Monday!!

-K A Y L A N-

When You Smile

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 22:08:00 +0000

I love getting on facebook and seeing something that just brightens up my day even more!!

Casey Darnell is an unbelievably amazing Christian guy who has a beautiful heart for God. He is a singer and worship leader to put it simply-- if you listen to his CD I promise you'll love him too!

Anyways, he's down in Panama City right now (I'm thinkin for a camp or sumthin...) and he wrote a song for his wife THIS MORNING and decided to post it on facebook because he misses her and their little girl! (So sweet!) ALSO... They just found out that they are expecting their 2nd child, and his wife is 5 weeks along!!! Please listen to the song, it's called "When You Smile", and let me know what y'all think:

**Go to the bottom of the page to turn off the music before you start the video!!**

His website is http://www.caseydarnell.com/blog if you'd like to check out his CD and learn more about him.

Okay, just wanted to share! I'm gunna go get ready for sushi tonite (I can't wait! Yum Yum Yum! It's been too many weeks since I had it last! lol) Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!

LIVE-LAUGH-LOVE-

Kaylan

One month to Go...

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 21:02:00 +0000

In exactly one month from 4:59am this morning I will be twenty-three

Twenty-three? Really? That's it?!

I don't feel twenty-three... when I say it outloud it seems really young. I realize in the grand scheme of things I've only lived out about a quarter of my life so far... but looking at the more immediate microscopic view of my life I wonder, "When am I going to kick things up a notch and get things movin along??" Sounds silly, but that's where I stand with it. :)

I love other people having birthdays!! I love baking cakes, planning parties and dinners, and searching out the perfect present that fits each person uniquely! And seeing someones face when they walk in and realize that whole day/dinner/moment was created for them... PRICELESS!!!

....Me on the other hand? Not crazy about my own birthday. Not because I'm not happy about being a year old and having lived another 365 days, but I just never feel any change. I love celebrations, but for me I just don't get celebrating something that I don't feel much emotion about! It's absurb I keep thinking about it that way!! (I will not turn down presents or the offer to do something really awesome to celebrate tho! FYI :) )

ON THE OTHER HAND.. I'll be 23!!! Where did year 1-22 go?!?! ..hehe. Apparently I have contradicting thoughts in my head! I think on my bday I'll take some time to reflect on what has happend and come to be from August 16th, 2008 til August 16th, 2009...

I got so giddy at lunch today (quick story!!)! I walked in to one of my favorite eateries here in GA and right in front of me are a group of four 30-something year old girls with 7 beautiful, silly, crazy little ones running around!

I very slyly snapped this photo (then felt like a stalker!) as a reminder of the awesomeness of Friends + Kiddos

I'm kid crazy.. that's pretty obvious.. but seeing those precious kids with their mommies just made me so happy! Like I've said many times, I'm at the point right now where I'm watching friends, one after another, get engaged and start talking about how it's killing them to think of waiting a year to start a family. I love that they are sooooo happy! My cup runneth over with joy knowing they are all finding that one person who their life will be inner-twined with until the day they die.

But my golly I wanna be on that boat too!! I swear I'm willin to swim out to the boat if they'll hold up a second! Lol--- Life is all about timing though. I'm happy in the "Waiting Room" of life reading my REAL SIMPLE magazine and just being excited that one day maybe some girl who's 22 about to be 23 will be lookin over at my 30-something self with my brood of sweet angels, and my best girl friends with their little ones, wondering and wishing, " When will that be me? They look so happy! I can't wait to have that too!"

So, Life is great even with the birthday looming in the near future! I'm trying to plan somethings to do for other people during my birthday month instead of making it about ME. After all.. if God hadn't created me I wouldn't be here to begin with!! I really want to cross something big off My List of things to Do... I'm trying to find a way to complete the "Cook for 100 people"... do we think Soup Kitchen would make that count????? If so.. volunteering here I come!

All My Love

Hope this week has been great and the weekend gets even better!

Kay-Kay

Pushing Forward

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 20:30:00 +0000

Things have been going really well around these parts. It's been a busy Season in my life and I've been turning to Him with a sack full of decisions and answers that I've been seeking. I'm relearning for about the 1000th time what it means to lean on Him for understanding and not on myself. That control is something I've always seeked to hold on to when life starts spinning, but my heart and my mind both have been on the right track for sometime now. I feel like ME again.

I went a few weeks ago from being in a long relationship and having someone around 24/7 to being... Single. It sounds like such a weird word. One that I've very rarely used to describe myself in the last.. 10 years I'd say. I've always been very content with who I am, so I never hoped into a relationship just to be in one, but I never took the time to think things through to the point of "Am I ready to be in this relationship?" "Is this the type of man I should be dating?" "Have I prepared myself to be the person I should be in a relationship?". Things are different this time though. I'm not in need of someone to feel a hole in my life, that's what I have God for. I'm happy with who I am and where I stand in life with my friends, family and with My Creator.... But of course my heart wants to my connected with the ONE person out there crazy enough to put up with my rambling, my moments of insanity, my sense of humor, and all the family baggage that comes along with the "Kaylan Package." He's out there... My Father is Awesome. It's just that easy to have faith that He's the one leading me to a life I can't even wrap my thoughts around.

North Point Community Church has been such an answer to prayers. It's almost unthinkable that just a year ago I would drive by NPCC and wonder what it would be like to go to that church just one time.. ya know.. just to see what it was like compared to my church. I prayed my heart out about why was I not feeling like I was growing in His Word. I was living my life the right way, and studying Him, but it just wasn't happening, I felt a disconnect, a little confused and uncertain where I should be heading-- like when I was down a little and needed encouragement I didn't have a solid place to go to the get the right words I was needing to hear.... Then I went to North Point. It has changed so much about even my daily life that I just can't believe I couldn't see where I needed to be sooner!

But His Timing is always right on time, and man was it Ever!!! I have the world's greatest small group. Those girls are amazing. They are crazy and silly, and sometimes of their rocker just like me, but we all have a common love for the Lord, and a desire to grow with one another studying what He has for us to learn and hear, and share with one another.

Because of those girls, I've met some of my favorite people :) (You know who you are!) who otherwise who knows whether we would have met!! Life holds so many unknowns, it leaves me begging to take a glimps at what's coming next, but as someone reminds me daily I have to take things "one day at a time."

Friends with their hearts on fire for Jesus Christ are a blessing that goes beyond words. They give me a happiness and a contentness that I haven't found before. If you don't know what I'm talking about, then I pray one day that you will. If you're readin this, I'm so glad to know I'm friends/family with you! You don't have to be blood related to be considered part of my family, trust me about that!

All my Love, Always!
KK

To ALL MY FAMILY IN FLORIDA: I can't believe not even ONE of you plotted to kidnap me and take me with you!!!!!! :( Lol, Hope y'all are having a great time and taking LOTS of pictures to bring back and rub in my face! By the way... who keeps letting the kids prank call me on my cell phone?! I know it's yall.. Emma..Mia!!! Love you all-- Be safe, and bring me home a sand dollar if u can find one! *Kisses*

Fourth of July Pix

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 17:54:00 +0000

It's taken me a while to get back to an internet connection to put these photos up, but I knew I had to share a few from my trip to Lake Burton for 4th of July!

Ginny & I are both waterskiers, but I decided to have her lil sis Grace teach me to wake board!! She's an AMAZIN wakeboarder as I'm sure you can tell from this pic-- Pretty Great teacher to coem to fing out!

Catchin' some rays out on the back of the boat!

We ofcourse had watermelon out on the dock on the 4th! It just wouldn't be the same w/o a slice of watermelon in one hand and a salt shaker in the other! Love the south!

Ran around the lake a bit w/ a few people from wwwaaaayyy back in the old WA highschool days. World's most Perfect Best Friend!! She's made my life crazy, but she's made it soooo much for perfect as well! We argue like sisters and laugh like sisters. "We're like mac n cheese-- you can't have one w/o the other!!!"

Another pic of the two of us out on the boat ridin' to see the fireworks!

One of the really cool fireworks pics i was able to capture! Would have loved to have my nice camera with me to slow things down and get an even better shot! (Next Time!!)

We spent the weekend eatting everything Ginny's Gigi cooked and laying out on the boat. I loved learning how to wakeboard! I got up on the 2nd try-- kinda surprised myself even!! That was about all there was to the 4th... Great friends, Great family, and lots of blessings from above!

love-love-love

My List: Updated

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 11:00:00 +0000

I've posted my list before and I'm slowly working on crossing MORE things off my list!! So... I thought I needed to update that I have now bought my own house and slept there for teh very first time last night! It's such a wonderful feeling to coem home to MY HOME. *sigh of relief* So.. Check!

Things to do While I’m Alive
See the Northern Lights
Skydive
Learn to play Acoustic Guitar
Marry the man that God created solely for me
Have 3 children
Adopt a Child
Travel to all 7 Continents: Asia, Africa, ~~North America~~, ~~South America~~, Antartica, ~~Europe~~, Australia
Run a ½ Marathon
Visit all 50 states:Ones that I have left to see--Alaska, Conneticutt, Delaware, Idaho, Indianna, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michagan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Washington(Been to: 28 out of 50)~~AL,AZ,AR,CA,CO,FL,GA,HI,IL,IA,KY,MO,MT,NV,NJ,NM,NY,NC,OR,SC,SD,TN,TX,UT,VA,WA,WI,WY~~
Own my own home: X (July 8th, 2009)
Own a chocolate lab (sooooon!!!!!)
Road trip across the country for a week or two
Lead someone to Christ
Honestly read the Bible from cover to cover (for content, not just to do it!)
Go Fly Fishing!
Learn to Crochet
Visit Israel
Bungie Jump
Swim with Dolphins: X
See the Passion Play in Oberammergau: X (2000), hopefully going again in 2010
Be Published
Cook a dinner for 100 strangers
Step foot in every ocean: Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Southern, Artic
Volunteer at a Hospital
Volunteer at an Orphanage: X
Go on a Mission Trip: X(2008-Costa Rica)
Get the Courage to Scuba Dive in the Great Barrier Reef
Sell One Photograph
See the Grand Canyon: X (2008)
Sleep on a Train over Night
Go to Walden Pond
Learn to Ballroom dance
Write someone elses life story w/o mentioning yourself: Wrote my Gram's story last spring! Amazing experience and something that couldn't have happend at the best possible time
Be an extra in a film
See a lunar eslipse
Sleep under the stars (no tent)
Grow a garden w/o killing it
Play with a big game cat (ie. leopard, chettah, tiger, lion)
Send a message in a bottle
Photograph an endangered species
Write a letter to myself, put it in a library book & look for it in 10yrs
Ride an Elephant
Catch fireflys w/ my grandparents like I did when I was little
Stand at the North Pole
Stand at the South Pole
Meet as many United States Presidents as Possible: Pres. H.B. Bush, Pres. G.W. Bush
Take a submarine ride to see the Titantic
Be someones mentor

Some of these things I'm realizing I've just dragging my feet on... time to get to work on my list again!!

Love y'all

Go out and live your lives in this GORGEOUS world that Our Maker created for us!!!

KayKay

Why Do bad things happen to Amazing People?

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:52:00 +0000

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around that question today. Although I know God has a plan for our lives, what happens when we stick to that plan, but our partner chooses to follow his own plan??

Ellyn is in the hardest fight of her life right now, that I can't even imagine how she's able to even get out of bed in the mornings. She and her husband have four children. Beautiful Ava, Silly Jace, Wonderful Eli and Profound Seth. She and John dealt two years ago with the death of their son Eli, followed by the blessed birth of Seth who was diagnosed as profoundly deaf shortly after birth.

In the last nine months Seth under went surgery to receive 2 cochlear implants, and can now HEAR!!! Their lives have been so blessed, and with each step they have endured Ellyn has put her faith in the Lord to take care of their family and see them through every trial and tribulation that they have endured....

The news came on Wednesday... Ellyn's husband is leaving her and the kids. He's leaving it all behind because it's too much for him to handle anymore. He doesn't want to try working things out, or to continue counseling in order to heal their marriage... he's already met someone else and he's out the door, slamming it in their faces.

From www.ProfoundlySeth.com

Their children are amazingly beautiful and brilliant, they're so wise beyond their little years and have already endured so much with their siblings. My heart hit the floor when I read her post. Shock. How can God leave this wonderful woman and her children all alone? And then I answered my own question... they will never be alone. All the years that they live He's with them. No I do NOT believe this is the path He had intended for El to walk, but He knew it would happen and He knows that something unbelievable, that she nor I can even think (yet), will come her way.

She can't control John's thoughts and action, but what she does ask is that we pray for her family that they will heal. I pray that God causes John to surrender to Him and realize what a mistake he is making before it's too late to take back. I pray his heart be broken, if it's His will, and that he RUNS not walks, back to his family and begs for forgiveness. He needs to look to God and ask Him for forgiveness because He is the only one that can truly grant us that.

As if the situation could not be more trying.. Ellyn is twelve weeks pregnant with their fifth child. She hadn't mentioned the news before this week, for whatever her reasons might be. It is undoubtedly a gift from God that they are being blessed with another child, no matter the situation, but the difficulty is in feeling happy about known that this sweet child may be born to a broken family. I just pray that the stress of John's choices take as little of a toll on her mentally and physically so that this baby is born happy and healthy in I'm guessing...early January.

I can't fathom the devastation this family is enduring on top of the troubles that they already have daily from raising 3 kids and Seth's weekly therapies and check ups. If any of you have been through something like what Ellyn is going through, or if you just want to give her some words of encouragement please go over to her blog http://www.profoundlyseth.com/ or email her at ellyn@profoundlyseth.com .

I wear Seth's blue bracelet proudly every day as a reminder that if this sweet little boy can make it through all the struggles he has at such a young age, I have no room to complain about the little bumps in my road, but instead should keep moving forward with Him in my sights.

Be in prayer through the weekend and weeks to come for Ellyn, John, Ava, Jace, Seth, and the new sweet baby.

Love Always & Forever

Kaylan

Can't Get her Out of My Head

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 06:30:00 +0000

Oh God, Wonderful and Amazing God, Please be with this family as they go through all that has come and all that is coming their way.

I quickly checked Angie's blog just by fluke (as usual, i should have known it was no fluke) and found out about Kate's story.

Oh how my heart is breaking for this beautiful spunky little five year old. I just couldn't fall asleep without spreading her word. Please Click Here to hear about Kate and the whole McRae family. Please fill them with love and prayers, oh how they need them.

I warn you there is no possible way you can see beautiful little Kate and not have her little face imprinted in your mind. Pray Pray Pray that the Amazing Physician will heal her tiny body and hold her tightly so that her pain will be relieved.

You all are wonderful and amazing people to take time to pray for a little girl who's miles away-- He hears all prayers, so please never ever think that one more prayer doesn't matter that much.. it does I assure you!

Please visit them at www.caringbridge.com/visit/mcraekate as well to see updated posts on her condition and more.

With all the Love I Have,

A Reason, A Season or A Lifetime

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 04:27:00 +0000

This was a wonderful 4th of July weekend spent with friends laughing and catching up and just enjoying each others company. I'm so thankful to have such great friends that know what's going on in my head without me ever even saying a word out loud.

Those type of friends are the ones who keep you sane even when you feel like you're loosing it!

Tonight at church I was talkin with a friend and was tryin to remember a quote I'd heard a long time ago, but I couldn't quite remember it.... so when I got home I looked it up and wanted to share it:

"People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. When you figure out which it is, you will know exactly what to do."

When I found it I also found the email that I was sent a long long time ago that flows along with it:
"When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed outwardly or inwardly. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrong doing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up or out, and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn! They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons; those things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person or people involved; and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships, and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant."

I pray this prayer for each and everyone one of y'all that are in my life,

May today there be peace within you.

May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be.

May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith.

May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you.

May you be content knowing that you are a child of God.

Let His presence settle into your bones,and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, and to bask in the sun.

It is there for each and every one of you.

God bless each of y'all! Sweet dreams!

Love always n always

-KK-

June 30- Believing God

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:42:00 +0000

"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

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:57:00 +0000

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,

Not Me! Monday

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:41:00 +0000

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!!

Siesta Summer Bible Study!

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:16:00 +0000

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

keeteka@gmail.com (Kaylan) — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 17:15:00 +0000

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~