April 1: Dorky times with friends :)
April 2: Beyond-beautiful day, and God heart-stirrings
April 3: Laying on my porch, listening to hallelujahs, and watching the storm roll in
April 4: The love amongst the Bandies
April 5: Witnessing the most beautiful evening sky I have ever seen that compelled me to worship
April 6: Beautiful day with lots of God-time :)
April 7: An evening for errands!
April 8: Dr. Clair's advice to "stand in the hammock"
April 9: Refreshing lunch talk with Kim and Melissa Hill
April 10: Getting elected to the MWRAMTAS board and setting my 10-song quiz-out!
April 11: Winning the MEMT scholarship, and reflections on love
April 12: Pounding heart while running
April 13: The beauty and heart of folk music, and gaining my Dad's ability to discern random, beautiful things
April 14: Music that brings people together, and kind, understanding professors
April 15: Friend-date with Alex, and movies that advocate for music therapy!
April 16: A day all alone and a morning with God
April 17: Good friends from church
April 18: Stimulating God-conversations
April 19: Long phone call with Tyler
April 20: Unexpected rambles with Bethany
April 21: Getting to talk with all my family members
April 22: Having the sun emerge just in time for a run
April 23: Blessed by so many wonderful people in my life!
April 24: The beauty and endurance of the Bible
April 25: Thunderstorm to end a grey day
April 26: Everyone who got sick today in Murphy is doing better
April 27: Beautiful piano music in theory
April 28: Professors, employees, and friends that make school "worth it"
April 29: The beauty of coming home!
April 30: Wonderful day spent with Tyler :)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
One Year of Gratitude: March
March 1: The thought of God talking to Abram at night under the stars, correlating with my mental image of the Lion King
March 2: The easy going friendship/roommate-ness shared with Nicole
March 3: Professors like Mr. Powell and Dr. Paul who actually make me want to be better
March 4: Tyler, Matt, Bethany, and Alex :)
March 5: A day with the guys :)
March 6: Twenty years of breathing and heart-beating with hope for my next years :)
March 7: Nicole is back home!
March 8: Being made so that my soul is dying of thirst
March 9: 7 months of roommate-ness and concert experiences!
March 10: Understanding and compassion :)
March 11: Silly times with the heart-sisters
March 12: Strong relationships with my family
March 13: Being covered in love by Purcell people
March 14: Contemplations over Genesis 46: 2-4
March 15: Chelsea Gallagher, and knowing I'm not alone in therapy
March 16: Refreshed about school!
March 17: A day of warmth, encouragement, and therapy :)
March 18: 6 mile run and sunshine!
March 19: New(ish) hair!
March 20: Safe and sane trip to Houston, and peace from a beautiful sunset
March 21: The beautiful things happening at Rise School
March 22: I performed my first-ever therapy session!
March 23: Watching a risky session come together beautifully!
March 24: Veronica Butler and her willingness to let us practice therapy and learn
March 25: Wes Powell and Jenny Hardesty
March 26: Reflecting on the wonderful people in my life the whole way home :)
March 27: Nicole and I are both home!
March 28: Having 2 wonderful college besties!
March 29: Planning college with Dr. Colwell
March 30: Strength not to stress
March 31: Evening to breathe
March 2: The easy going friendship/roommate-ness shared with Nicole
March 3: Professors like Mr. Powell and Dr. Paul who actually make me want to be better
March 4: Tyler, Matt, Bethany, and Alex :)
March 5: A day with the guys :)
March 6: Twenty years of breathing and heart-beating with hope for my next years :)
March 7: Nicole is back home!
March 8: Being made so that my soul is dying of thirst
March 9: 7 months of roommate-ness and concert experiences!
March 10: Understanding and compassion :)
March 11: Silly times with the heart-sisters
March 12: Strong relationships with my family
March 13: Being covered in love by Purcell people
March 14: Contemplations over Genesis 46: 2-4
March 15: Chelsea Gallagher, and knowing I'm not alone in therapy
March 16: Refreshed about school!
March 17: A day of warmth, encouragement, and therapy :)
March 18: 6 mile run and sunshine!
March 19: New(ish) hair!
March 20: Safe and sane trip to Houston, and peace from a beautiful sunset
March 21: The beautiful things happening at Rise School
March 22: I performed my first-ever therapy session!
March 23: Watching a risky session come together beautifully!
March 24: Veronica Butler and her willingness to let us practice therapy and learn
March 25: Wes Powell and Jenny Hardesty
March 26: Reflecting on the wonderful people in my life the whole way home :)
March 27: Nicole and I are both home!
March 28: Having 2 wonderful college besties!
March 29: Planning college with Dr. Colwell
March 30: Strength not to stress
March 31: Evening to breathe
Friday, March 18, 2011
A Month's Worth of God-Thoughts
It's been awhile since I have written anything on here. Life has been busy! But in the busyness, there have been some really cool God-moments that have touched my heart. At the end of February, I finished reading through the Bible again and started back at Genesis. As I started re-reading, I tried to keep a clear mind and read as though I was a child reading the stories for the first time. It's been an interesting tactic. I've been seeing the Bible with new wonder and appreciation for the simple things contained within the pages. Two Genesis stories in particular jumped out at me and stayed with me, allowing my mind to just ruminate on them, for the entire month. The first story is found in Genesis 15. The Katie-summary of the story is as follows: God visits Abram late at night and claims that He is Abram's reward, and nothing else is needed. Abram replies with questions as to his lack of a successor of his inheritance, as his wife is barren. God replies by taking Abram out to look at the stars covering the sky, and promises Abram that his descendants will be as numerous as the night-lights. I think of how deeply special this story would be to the Israelite nation who originally read this story, since they were the inheritance mentioned. I think of how deeply touched they would be by this historical account of God's faithfulness that led to their very existence. The thing that stuck with me the most, though, was thinking about this story from Abram's perspective. I just imagine the feelings within Abram as he went out to the edge of his camp to look up at the stars and talk with his Father. The excitement of a conversation with his Creator, paired with the frustration he felt that life wasn't turning out as he had planned. I imagine him just sitting out in a pasture, looking up into the vastness of God's creation. I imagine him and God just simply talking, a father to a son. For a more accurate description of what I imagine, think of that one scene in the Lion King where Simba is looking up into the sky and talking to Sky-Mufasa. I know, stupid. But the thought of this intimacy, this all-powerful, ever-loving God....it touches my heart and makes my heart thirsty for more of this God. On a totally unrelated story, my second "deep thought" came from Genesis 46: 2-4. I had always known that the Israelite nation ended up in Egypt because of Joseph's placement there, and after staying there for several generations of captivity, they were freed and returned to their promised land. I had always assumed that since this story included such a horrible story of oppression that the Israelites had disobeyed God in their movement to Egypt and were punished accordingly. But in the above mentioned passage, it says: "Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, "Jacob, Jacob!" And he said, "Here I am." So He said, "I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down to Egypt, for I will make a great nation of you there. I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will also surely bring you up again."" Reading this made me struggle with my thoughts for a day or two. How could a God who loved His people so much allow them to be put in a situation that would lead to pain, heartache, captivity, oppression? Why was He so slow to rush in and save the day? I think the answer goes back to the overall answer: Because God is God, and everything that happens is for His glory and praise. Yes, the people were oppressed and broken, but God used that brokenness to draw them closer to Him, and to perform miracles never imagined to show them how deep His love truly was. The way that God rushed in to save the day left people talking everywhere, for centuries and beyond, and His ways of miracles provided a foundation of faith and trust in His faithfulness towards those who love Him. The fact that God willingly allowed bad things to provide things so much better is another thing that is too beautiful for me to wrap my mind around. My explanations behind these two stories might not even make sense. Let's just leave it at the fact that my God is an awesome, all-powerful, ever-loving, "Hero-with-a-sense-of-chivalry" kind of God, and I stand in amazement. May Your wonders never cease!
Monday, February 28, 2011
One Year of Gratitude--February
February 1, 2011
Staying safe and warm from the storm
February 2
A day of reading and rest and fresh, albeit cold, air
February 3
Friendship with Xiao and her insistence to "not let me walk in the cold and dark alone" :)
February 4
Unashamed music of the heart
February 5
Being a member of the Sigma Alpha Iota sisterhood
February 6
"Christ is Risen" by Matt Maher :)
February 7
Getting to talk with Dad on the phone after a long time of only e-mails!
February 8
God's protection while driving in the sudden snow
February 9
Long convos with Nicole after an awful day
February 10
Having a normal, neutral day with no February blues
February 11
Beautiful music that makes you happy to be alive :)
February 12
Breakfast with Dad! :)
February 13
Long phone calls that make warm, perfect days even better :)
February 14
Single Ladies' Party actually worked!!!!!!!
February 15
The books of Jonah and Philippians
February 16
Waking to a foggy pink morning and the song "Praise Adonai"
February 17
Talking with someone who is passionate for God
February 18
God's protection over my extended family
February 19
A day of conscious worship :)
February 20
Warmth, running, and awareness of my beating heart while watching storm clouds roll in
February 21
Bethany survived her allergic reaction!
February 22
Being reminded of why I chose my major
February 23
Worship time on my porch after classes
February 24
God pushed my truck out of the icy road and into safety!
February 25
Spreading the love of music to beginning musicians
February 26
Kim Davidson's friendship and Joshua Radin's voice!
February 27
Walking through a thunderstorm :)
February 28
A rare, awesome-at-horn day, and Dr. Paul's kindness
Staying safe and warm from the storm
February 2
A day of reading and rest and fresh, albeit cold, air
February 3
Friendship with Xiao and her insistence to "not let me walk in the cold and dark alone" :)
February 4
Unashamed music of the heart
February 5
Being a member of the Sigma Alpha Iota sisterhood
February 6
"Christ is Risen" by Matt Maher :)
February 7
Getting to talk with Dad on the phone after a long time of only e-mails!
February 8
God's protection while driving in the sudden snow
February 9
Long convos with Nicole after an awful day
February 10
Having a normal, neutral day with no February blues
February 11
Beautiful music that makes you happy to be alive :)
February 12
Breakfast with Dad! :)
February 13
Long phone calls that make warm, perfect days even better :)
February 14
Single Ladies' Party actually worked!!!!!!!
February 15
The books of Jonah and Philippians
February 16
Waking to a foggy pink morning and the song "Praise Adonai"
February 17
Talking with someone who is passionate for God
February 18
God's protection over my extended family
February 19
A day of conscious worship :)
February 20
Warmth, running, and awareness of my beating heart while watching storm clouds roll in
February 21
Bethany survived her allergic reaction!
February 22
Being reminded of why I chose my major
February 23
Worship time on my porch after classes
February 24
God pushed my truck out of the icy road and into safety!
February 25
Spreading the love of music to beginning musicians
February 26
Kim Davidson's friendship and Joshua Radin's voice!
February 27
Walking through a thunderstorm :)
February 28
A rare, awesome-at-horn day, and Dr. Paul's kindness
Friday, February 4, 2011
Throw Down Your Heart
I'm not usually one to write reviews over movies that I have seen, but tonight I saw Bela Fleck's documentary "Throw Down Your Heart", and my mind is about to explode from how perfect the film was. The basis of the film was the journey of Bela Fleck, acclaimed banjo-player. He travelled to four African countries to trace the origins of the banjo and immerse himself in the culture of music that Africa is famous for.
Honestly, I couldn't stop smiling through the entire thing. The universiality of music, and the way that Fleck could so easily communicate with people via the language of music blew my mind, making me once again grateful that I am dedicating my life to a career that uses this universal language. The second thing that touched my heart while watching was seeing the beautiful people of these nations come together to interact through music in their daily lives. So often, we are afraid to even hum in front of people, but these people were unashamed to belt out their songs and join together with their villages in celebration of life on a daily basis. They have never had any formal training beyond the traditions of family members who hand down their instruments, yet their voices and musical abilities blow my mind in their simplistic beauty. Which also made me think about why I love African music in the first place. In Revelation 7:9, it says "I looked and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne...crying and singing "blessing and glory"!" When I hear this beautiful music, these songs that come as a result of cries from broken souls, I am positively heartbroken, yet thrilled at the same time, thinking of how they find reason to rejoice, even in their hardships, and how beautiful the sound will be when this continent known for oppression will be freed from their bondage and will take up the sound of rejoicing....even now, just thinking about it I am getting chills!
So, yes. I'm not sure where this ramble went. Go watch the documentary and allow your heart to be touched in a million ways as mine was touched tonight.
Honestly, I couldn't stop smiling through the entire thing. The universiality of music, and the way that Fleck could so easily communicate with people via the language of music blew my mind, making me once again grateful that I am dedicating my life to a career that uses this universal language. The second thing that touched my heart while watching was seeing the beautiful people of these nations come together to interact through music in their daily lives. So often, we are afraid to even hum in front of people, but these people were unashamed to belt out their songs and join together with their villages in celebration of life on a daily basis. They have never had any formal training beyond the traditions of family members who hand down their instruments, yet their voices and musical abilities blow my mind in their simplistic beauty. Which also made me think about why I love African music in the first place. In Revelation 7:9, it says "I looked and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne...crying and singing "blessing and glory"!" When I hear this beautiful music, these songs that come as a result of cries from broken souls, I am positively heartbroken, yet thrilled at the same time, thinking of how they find reason to rejoice, even in their hardships, and how beautiful the sound will be when this continent known for oppression will be freed from their bondage and will take up the sound of rejoicing....even now, just thinking about it I am getting chills!
So, yes. I'm not sure where this ramble went. Go watch the documentary and allow your heart to be touched in a million ways as mine was touched tonight.
Monday, January 31, 2011
One Year of Gratitude--January
January 1, 2011:
I am forgiven and loved by my Father, and that's enough
January 2:
Getting a nice nap that dissolved my grumpiness
January 3:
Laughter and healing from an evening with Alyssa and Shannon
January 4:
Getting to visit with my Meemaw this afternoon
January 5:
Songs that make you dance for Jesus all day long!
January 6:
Getting the chance to help Conklin's students
January 7:
C.S. Lewis's Narnian depiction of heaven
January 8:
Being like my Dad
January 9:
Getting to visit with Donna Bell and Tyler
January 10:
Waking up in perfect comfort with a grey sky and a warm bed :)
January 11:
That God never gave up on my punk junior-high self, and that He is still helping me to "grow in grace" in the present
January 12:
God extended His grace and salvation to the Gentiles :)
January 13:
Spending a wonderful afternoon with Meemaw and the freeing power of words
January 14:
The chance to advocate for my future career
January 15:
Long runs with Conklin and having her as an active member in my life
January 16:
Thanks to Jesus, I am not enslaved by legality!
January 17:
Spending the afternoon with Tyler :)
January 18:
Coming home to my wonderful roomie!
January 19:
Actually appreciating the blizzard
January 20:
Perfect "end-of-break-snow-day" with the roomie
January 21:
The invention of sledding!
January 22:
Kindness of the 5 strangers who pushed me out of the ice
January 23:
Reuniting with my FSBC family
January 24:
Reuniting with the Bandies
January 25:
Eating with some therapy girls, running with Carisa, and Bethany-time :)
January 26:
2-hours of alone-ness and personal worship!
January 27:
Bonding with both of my bosses at work
January 28:
Selected as Mello Drill Instructor for the 2011 Marching Jayhawks!!!
January 29:
Ridiculous conversations :)
January 30:
Worship service with Bethany
January 31:
Library free-time with Alex!
I am forgiven and loved by my Father, and that's enough
January 2:
Getting a nice nap that dissolved my grumpiness
January 3:
Laughter and healing from an evening with Alyssa and Shannon
January 4:
Getting to visit with my Meemaw this afternoon
January 5:
Songs that make you dance for Jesus all day long!
January 6:
Getting the chance to help Conklin's students
January 7:
C.S. Lewis's Narnian depiction of heaven
January 8:
Being like my Dad
January 9:
Getting to visit with Donna Bell and Tyler
January 10:
Waking up in perfect comfort with a grey sky and a warm bed :)
January 11:
That God never gave up on my punk junior-high self, and that He is still helping me to "grow in grace" in the present
January 12:
God extended His grace and salvation to the Gentiles :)
January 13:
Spending a wonderful afternoon with Meemaw and the freeing power of words
January 14:
The chance to advocate for my future career
January 15:
Long runs with Conklin and having her as an active member in my life
January 16:
Thanks to Jesus, I am not enslaved by legality!
January 17:
Spending the afternoon with Tyler :)
January 18:
Coming home to my wonderful roomie!
January 19:
Actually appreciating the blizzard
January 20:
Perfect "end-of-break-snow-day" with the roomie
January 21:
The invention of sledding!
January 22:
Kindness of the 5 strangers who pushed me out of the ice
January 23:
Reuniting with my FSBC family
January 24:
Reuniting with the Bandies
January 25:
Eating with some therapy girls, running with Carisa, and Bethany-time :)
January 26:
2-hours of alone-ness and personal worship!
January 27:
Bonding with both of my bosses at work
January 28:
Selected as Mello Drill Instructor for the 2011 Marching Jayhawks!!!
January 29:
Ridiculous conversations :)
January 30:
Worship service with Bethany
January 31:
Library free-time with Alex!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
One Year of Gratitude--December
December 1:
1.)Finishing all the papers I need to turn in for therapy!
2.) Nicole's support
3.) Natural Ties: Annette, nice frat boys, and Ross's compliments when I'm not feeling pretty
December 2:
1.) Bethany's support and calm spirit in my stress
2.) finished with projects!
3.) Life-talk with Drew
December 3:
1.) The surprise of great acoustic music with friends
2.) Getting to observe Elizabeth's therapy sessions
3.) Coffee, Beatles, and awkward moments with Bethany
December 4:
1) Getting the chance to love Bethany and pray for her in the bad times
2) Easy-going day
3) Mini-run to start the day
December 5:
1) Reflections on time, and how this past year has taughe me what love is, who I am, and how much I am loved by God
2) Sharing a silent Wal-Mart trip with Nicole
3) The beautiful simplicity of old-fashioned Christmas carols
December 6:
1)Painful longing for heaven and falling in love with Jesus
2) M&Ms and life plans with Bethany
3) Seeing how music therapy actually works
December 7:
1) Getting to share my semester-testimony of love with friends
2) Seeing my peers grow as music therapists
3) Generosity of our SAI Alumni chapter
December 8:
1) Discovering my appoinmtent as site leader for the KU Alternative Break to the Music Therapy Center in Houston!
2) Good section leader interview
3) Getting to chat with Molly during instrument check-in
December 9:
1) Four months with Nicole, celebrated with Cheesecake Factory!
2) Having Alyssa and her level-head as my best friend
3) Finishing classes for the semester!
December 10:
1) Day-long contemplations on the disciples and their faithfulnes and love for Christ
2) SAI sisterhood time
3) God taking away my thoughts of loneliness
December 11:
1) The gift of music and the ability to sing for my Savior
2) The Bells and their hospitality and love towards us
3) First snow!
December 12:
1) Getting to reflect on the gift of Jesus's humanity during the music service at church
2) Nicole's love--and inspiring Christmas card :)
3) Warm blankets :)
December 13:
1) Extra-long phone call with my parents
2) Sharing music with the Girl Scouts
3) Bethany caring enough to ask about my heart hurts, even while writing a paper
December 14: Bethany helping me get to class today, and the friendship I have with her and Alex
December 15: Videos with Nicole and laughing till I cry
December 16: Getting to spend an entire, awesome day with Nicole cleaning, studying, signing, and ejoying our completion of the semester!
December 17: Music and car talk with my Daddy
December 18: Heart-talks and driving around with the Woof Pack
December 19: Realizing that crazy people aren't fully crazy, and that love remains, even when communication is rocky :)
December 20: Witnessing God's creativity in the lunar eclipse!
December 21: The special bond of inside jokes
December 22: Orval's compliment at church that turned my whole day around
December 23: Growing up with 2 Godly guys as my best friends :)
December 24: Christmas movie traditions with my Mom
December 25: Immanuel!
December 26: Friendship with Alyssa Laura King, and God's guidance through awkward conversations
December 27: The gifts of imagining, hoping, and dreaming
December 28: Getting the chance to be in the lives of Caitlin and Shawn
December 29: Good convos at church with the Uth
December 30: Catching up with some of my adopted grandmas :)
December 31: Coming safely through another year and decade
1.)Finishing all the papers I need to turn in for therapy!
2.) Nicole's support
3.) Natural Ties: Annette, nice frat boys, and Ross's compliments when I'm not feeling pretty
December 2:
1.) Bethany's support and calm spirit in my stress
2.) finished with projects!
3.) Life-talk with Drew
December 3:
1.) The surprise of great acoustic music with friends
2.) Getting to observe Elizabeth's therapy sessions
3.) Coffee, Beatles, and awkward moments with Bethany
December 4:
1) Getting the chance to love Bethany and pray for her in the bad times
2) Easy-going day
3) Mini-run to start the day
December 5:
1) Reflections on time, and how this past year has taughe me what love is, who I am, and how much I am loved by God
2) Sharing a silent Wal-Mart trip with Nicole
3) The beautiful simplicity of old-fashioned Christmas carols
December 6:
1)Painful longing for heaven and falling in love with Jesus
2) M&Ms and life plans with Bethany
3) Seeing how music therapy actually works
December 7:
1) Getting to share my semester-testimony of love with friends
2) Seeing my peers grow as music therapists
3) Generosity of our SAI Alumni chapter
December 8:
1) Discovering my appoinmtent as site leader for the KU Alternative Break to the Music Therapy Center in Houston!
2) Good section leader interview
3) Getting to chat with Molly during instrument check-in
December 9:
1) Four months with Nicole, celebrated with Cheesecake Factory!
2) Having Alyssa and her level-head as my best friend
3) Finishing classes for the semester!
December 10:
1) Day-long contemplations on the disciples and their faithfulnes and love for Christ
2) SAI sisterhood time
3) God taking away my thoughts of loneliness
December 11:
1) The gift of music and the ability to sing for my Savior
2) The Bells and their hospitality and love towards us
3) First snow!
December 12:
1) Getting to reflect on the gift of Jesus's humanity during the music service at church
2) Nicole's love--and inspiring Christmas card :)
3) Warm blankets :)
December 13:
1) Extra-long phone call with my parents
2) Sharing music with the Girl Scouts
3) Bethany caring enough to ask about my heart hurts, even while writing a paper
December 14: Bethany helping me get to class today, and the friendship I have with her and Alex
December 15: Videos with Nicole and laughing till I cry
December 16: Getting to spend an entire, awesome day with Nicole cleaning, studying, signing, and ejoying our completion of the semester!
December 17: Music and car talk with my Daddy
December 18: Heart-talks and driving around with the Woof Pack
December 19: Realizing that crazy people aren't fully crazy, and that love remains, even when communication is rocky :)
December 20: Witnessing God's creativity in the lunar eclipse!
December 21: The special bond of inside jokes
December 22: Orval's compliment at church that turned my whole day around
December 23: Growing up with 2 Godly guys as my best friends :)
December 24: Christmas movie traditions with my Mom
December 25: Immanuel!
December 26: Friendship with Alyssa Laura King, and God's guidance through awkward conversations
December 27: The gifts of imagining, hoping, and dreaming
December 28: Getting the chance to be in the lives of Caitlin and Shawn
December 29: Good convos at church with the Uth
December 30: Catching up with some of my adopted grandmas :)
December 31: Coming safely through another year and decade
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