Long Overdue: Appalachia in June

I guess when you get caught in the midst of a great thing, the idea of keeping up-to-date with your blog is the last thing that crosses your mind. One thing that I cannot wrap my mind around is the fact that I have been in Appalachia for over a month! Today was the first work day for our Week 4 volunteers...which means I have gotten to know and then have to say goodbye to 3 weeks worth of amazing people.

Week 1: No words. I've thought and thought about how I could describe the experiences I shared with this amazing bunch of youth and adults alike...and to be honest, all my praise goes to God for bringing them all into my life. I could not have ask for any other people who could nurture me and stretch me any more than they did. I came out of this old mold I have been comfortably in, and for a lack of better terms, allowed me to be me. The me God created...and every single person (I feel) saw me in that light. After our Wednesday night prayer walk, I told my staff share. A staff share is kind of like a testimony, but more so about how the Lord has changed my life through ASP. I was continuing to pray that the Lord would be heard through my words by the volunteers, and that one person fell in love with this place as much, if not more, than I do. I ended my share with the song I posted last time. I feel like my share brought me a lot closer to many of the volunteers for many different reasons. Saturday morning came and that's when reality hit. I had to say not goodbye, but "See you later" to all of my new family members. ASP has a way of bringing people together for one week and turning relationships into lifelong ones. The reality that this was going to happen 7 more times was not something I was not looking forward to. BUT...what a perfect way to start out this amazing summer!

Week 2: Although I went into this week with still the longing for my Week 1 churches to come back, the Lord ceased to amaze me in what He had in store for Mingo County. I feel as if I grew more in my relationships with the families than with the volunteers, which I think is important to have a balance between the two. I quickly learned that I could only cherish the memories with previous groups and not automatically begin drawing comparisons to later groups. By the end of the week, I saw the beauty in the growth of the volunteers which I found to be extremely encouraging. As with Week 1, these people loved and uplifted me right when I needed it most.

Week 3: Again, the Lord provided new things for me to experience, grow, and struggle with this week. Last week, I was beginning to grow weary, but I refused to believe it was because of the lack of sleep. Although, I'm sure that plays a role, I was growing weak because I wasn't putting as much discipline in my efforts to spend time with the Lord everyday. How can I, whom God chose to be alive every day up to now, surrounded by mountains, people and love, forget to make my Creator my number one priority?! Silly, Katie. Isaiah 40:31 reminded me that God provides all that I will ever need. Even though I often find myself doubting whether or not I can do this job...I know I can because of the Lord's Will and strength that He so graciously provides. To end this rollercoaster of a week, my mom and brother came down to get  a taste of what I love so much. Praise God because my mom finally understands what ASP means to me! What an answer to prayer!!

So that is all...for now!
PS---I'm a brunette now (:

Also, check out this link to get a better feel as to what I'm doing this summer...and to look at some pretty sweet pics!

http://asphome.org/group/mingo-county-wv

Song of the Moment: Slumber by Needtobreathe
Verse of the Moment: John 16:33

Appalachia Service Project 2011 **Follow the Word...Transform the World**

Training on the Porch

      A little less than a week ago...my life completely changed. The beginning of a new chapter is always something to look forward to....especially if you have been waiting four years for it. After a refreshing evening with the roommate/ Three Amigos, I "headed down south to the land of the pines." The weather was perfect for my very first arrival on The Porch, where all of ASP's training takes place. My first thought? I am home. Even as I currently sit here, I still can't believe that I am about to embark on the best summer of my life. After volunteering for four years, I am now on the other side. Coming into training, my heart and mind were open with little expectations. I figured, why not just let the Lord work and enjoy every ounce of it. Every single person here is absolutely wonderful. Two people, just to name a few, have really been spectacular this week. My big,  sib is so similar to me that it's crazy. She has one of the sweetest hearts of any person I have ever met...not to mention her contagious laugh. Another returning staffer who is in my living quarters has been absolutely fantastic as well. She is someone, although I have only known for ten days, I feel comfortable enough to confide in her...and the similarities between our pasts are unreal.
 
    I feel like I've been reunited with the most loving friends (even though this is the first time I have met most of them). There are a lot of familiar faces I met at my application weekend, but everyone feels like family. Each day is filled to the brim with either sessions, meals, or fellowship. The construction sessions have been pretty easy to grasp, although I know that I do not know it all. The realization that I am human...and flawed for that matter...has become much clearer during training. It's okay to not have a clue about construction, I just have to surrender to the fact that I am here to GROW and LEARN and to be open to WHATEVER the Lord has in store for my life.

     There have been times that I have felt anxious, but I just have to remember that the Lord says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, give your requests to God." --Philippians 4:6-7. I just have to remember that God has fully equipped me to be here in Appalachia, and I just have to turn to Him for the source of my strength and perseverence. The Lord has answered every prayer in ways that I could never even have imagined. When I was afraid, He provided comfort and reassurance. When I felt alone, He provided community that lifted me up. My heart could not be more overjoyed than it is right now.

     I feel comfortable here...like this is where I have been called (which I have). God has equipped me with everything I need...and at the time when I will need it. I'm doing things that I never thought could ever happen to someone like me. At the talent show...the night before every staff left for their counties, I played my guitar and sang the song "Love Me" by JJ Heller. While reading over the lyrics, I realized that I had finally found the song that captures what Appalachia Service Project means to me. It was at ASP where I finally felt that people loved me for me and showed me the most genuine love I've ever experienced...and I didn't even know them!! After looking at the verses, I found how each one (in one way or another) was a part of my testimony...or at least thoughts I had perceived about myself over the years. Here is how it went:
     -She cries in the corner where nobody sees
      she's the girl with the story no one would believe.
      She prays every night, "Dear God won't you please,
      could you send someone here who would love me.

     -Who will love me for me?
      Not for what I have done or what I will become.
      Who will love me for me?
      'Cause nobody has shown me what love, what love really means.

     -Her life seems to sink just a little each day
      She's the girl who thinks her life is one big mistake.
      She'll go to the gym after school everyday,
      maybe if she was thinner then it would be okay
      And she says

     -Who will love me for me?
       Not for what I have done or what I will become.
       Who will love me for me?
       'Cause nobody has shown me what love, what love really means.

      -She's waiting to die as she sits all alone
       She's a girl in her room who regrets what she's done.
       She utters a cry from the depths of her soul
      "Oh Lord, forgive me, I want to go Home."

      -Then she heard a voice somewhere deep inside
      And it said, "I know you're broken and I know you're scarred."
      For I've watched you suffer for all of your life
      And now that you'll listen, I'll tell you that I

      - I will love you for you
      Not for what you have done or what you will become
      I will love you for you
      I will give you the love the love that you never knew.


I am usually not one to spill most of my life story in front of 120 college-age adults, but I feel like someone out there needed to hear it. After the night was almost over, I went out and joined a small group of close friends (mostly first-years) behind the sleeping quarters for a praise and worship session under the stars. We were singing with all we had...no guards were up...all of our hearts were opened. We read scripture, laughed, cried, and sat to enjoy the peace and silence being in the presence of the Lord. There was so much joy overflowing in our hearts and a sense of peace we all needed before this summer really took place.

I know this is a little overdue. I will try to update every Saturday or Sunday before the volunteers arrive. Welcome Home to Mingo County, West Virginia....welcome Home.

Song of the Moment: Our God by Chris Tomlin
Scripture of the Moment: Numbers 6:24

Little Life Lessons (Part 1)

A few words that I have learned through experience along the way:

Be humble and be confident (in yourself)...the kind of confidence that can only come from the Lord and the humility that resembles how Christ was like as described in Philippians 2. You are here on this earth for a purpose. If you are alive enough to read this blog...that means God is not finished with you yet! The same God who created all that is around you--all that takes your breath away--is the same Creator that made you! Accept the fact that you are beautiful, hand-chosen by God to fulfill His plan made specifically for you. He doesn't need any of us, yet He chooses us. To think that we are the lowest of sinners and He longs for us?! Never feel as if you are alone because even in your steepest vallyes, God will always be right beside you.

Song of the Moment: Love Me by JJ Heller

"Christ is best served by people who have a passion for Him. Nothing short of passion will do...Can He now ignite a fire in youand me so that we, in turn, will share it with others, and....win the world? -->George Foster

Unspeakable Joy Part 1

God is something else! Today, the Lord has just been moving on my heart in so many ways. Many of which, I do not understand yet, but I trust that the Lord will reveal it to me later. Last night I went and learned more about fellowship at one of the two women's Bible studies that I am in. I had had a pretty rough day, so the condition of my heart was not that of going to Bible study...but gosh am I glad that I did. I find it so assuring to me that God knows my heart deeper and more intricately than any person in the entire universe! He knew I needed that fellowship and He was abundant in blessing me with intense and encouraging conversations.

I love being able to laugh, cry, learn and grow together with all of my sisters in Christ that God has brought into my life this year. It is so amazing that I trusted in the Lord to lead me to Georgetown College, and that He quickly placed all of these wonderful people who are just as hungry, if not more, to grow in their love and knowledge of the Lord. Yes, there have been those days where I don't see my joy in the day, and yes, I fall into the old slump I used to live in. BUT, God has been faithful (as always) in making sure someone is there to hold me accountable and to guard my heart and fill it with the hope and trust that He isn't finished with me yet. Once I saw myself slipping, I realized that "Katie...you need to see the joys God has brought to you today." Now that I am focusing on that, it seems that the Lord has opened my spiritual eyes to see the world more like He sees it. I also find that there are all these little things that give me this unspeakable joy that sets my heart on fire. All I can do is praise the Lord for the words I can't find for His gorgeous creation and simple treasures that I used to overlook!

Peace. Love. Faith

Song of the Moment--Every Moment by Joy Williams

Such a Proud Sister

Yesterday, I got a sweet phone call from my baby (17-year-old) brother telling me that he made it into Star Voices, and elite choral group that I was in during high school! AJ has dreamed of being in this choir forever, and has been rejected a few times...but HE MADE IT! I tell you what, God is certainly blessing him this year. In November, he was crowned Mr. WeBo (like Mr. Congeniality) which was a wonderful honor because people are starting to realize his great potential. And just last weekend, AJ killed the role of Mayor of Whoville in our high school production of "SEUSSICAL." Tears start flowing when I see how much genuine confidence he has obtained in this last year...not the arrogance that he used to cling to because he was insecure. I can only pray as a proud sister that he can surrender his life to the Lord and realize all of these things are happening because of Him. Such a proud sister nonetheless!

Peace.Love.Faith

Song of the Moment: By Our Love - Christy Nockels
*Colossians 3:1-4*

Well, here it goes!

So...here's the deal. I have never thought of being a blogger, but big things are happening in my life and I feel like this "grown-up" transition is very appropriate. God is soo good. Actually, He is too good for me to even wrap my little human brain around. I constantly find myself overwhelmed by His abundant blessings, grace and love. How encouraging it is to know I am loved and chosen by the Most High (ps--so are YOU!) Being in my freshmen year of college, I can say that I have grown in ways I have never thought possible (probably because I wasn't fully living for the Lord). My Father has blessed me with a beautiful sisterhood of Godly women who uphold the standards for my life and never let a moment slip that I am not being held accountable. I have also been given the gift of a sisterhood in Sigma Kappa, one that has already proven to be life changing. Yes, there have been times where my old self has tried to creep back in, but God stepped up and saved the day...again :). I'm not some drastic alteration of the old Katie...at least not yet. God is using His timing, and I am learning to be patient with that. PTL (Praise the LORD)

Also, those big life changes? Yes, well this summer I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve as a staffer with Appalachia Service Project. After loads of prayer and surrendering myself, God made it clear to me that this is where He wanted me for this stage of my life. All I can say is that I know big things are going to happen!

Peace. Love. Faith
Philippians 4:6-7

Song of the Moment: Beautiful for Me by Nichole Nordeman