Mary Katherine, Mary Kate, a.k.a my kk :)

GIRL!!!
Just wanted to give you a little shout out on how amazing you are! I really love to see the way you have grown and how you have let Jesus into your life. There is no greater reward in life than to know that your God is always with you. So many people grow up and mature and start making the right choices but it doesnt last. You are not only maturing you are doing it with the knowledge and relationship with Jesus. My desire would be that you let Jesus work in you so that you will be a light to your family and your friends because when they see the relationship you have with Jesus that gives you wisdom, and peace in times of difficulty, they will draw close to him. I know you are rockin a party dress and I just want you to know girls who love Jesus can wear cute shoes too :) I am so glad that you let me be in your life! Well I cant wait to FINALLY START BIBLE STUDY WITH YOU!! and I cant wait to hang out by the pool and grab starbucks talk about boys and girls that are well... CRAZY :)
I LOVE YA GIRL!! you are super PRESH And hopefully i wont ever have to have you be my lawyer :)

prayer

I have been such a slacker on my praying, usually I spend the day lifting up prayers to Jesus on behalf of people and even if i miss reading my bible in the morning, I set before him my prayer list but i think it has been 2 weeks that I have not been giving much time to prayer.
I think most people don't pray. Even though we all say we will with good intention. The only reason I can think for not praying is an unbelief that your prayer will be answered. Even though Jesus led an example of a prayerful life and 1 John tells us we will receive whatever we ask. If we really believed that God listened to our prayers and really believed he would heal people in the hospital, he would save our families, he would give to us financially... we would pray much more earnestly.
I admit I get confused on when God says no to things I really desire for Him to say yes to. But who am I to judge the Lord's decisions??
Another thing I have been thinking is that..When loooking at my life there is such an abundance of blessing, things arent even good in all areas but they are blessed. To see my niece be baptized, to hear of my sister praying, to watch my papa's faith, Kingston's smile just everything, life isnt always good but it has definitely been blesssed. Im so thankful but why has God desired for me and my family to be taken so far? when others who love Jesus more that wouldnt allow 2 weeks to go by without laying things in front of them that are not as blessed. Like those in the bible mentioned in hebrews 11 who didnt shut the mouth of lions who loved God and were flogged, saints the world was not worthy of, Why is it that we have been so blessed even in downfalls? I dont know but im thankful and I guess i should be responding to my Jesus with some prayer...

get on it

Live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Awhile back i was told if you are between the ages of 18-25 and you love Jesus you are not in the norm, God is up to something, Our entire lives the devil tries to discredit the words our God has spoken over us. Then when we begin to believe our faithful God we still live lives like we are in the norm. As if our life is the same as someone who has not yet been adopted as sons and daughters. I was thinking of the story of the talents, and it made me look at my talents I was given,
I have been given a business that has many facets, I have an effect on employees customers and vendors,
I have been given seasons with younglife and it is a great joy honor and most importantly a privilege to just be able to try and convey the love of Christ to the kids. then being given nieces and nephews. Just looking at these I have been in entrusted with much and to which much is given much is expected. So not to the point of being overwhelmed but If I could only live the life that God would not look at what I was entrusted to and call me wicked but that He would say good and faithful servant. So I got to get on it.

somethings i am comfortable with... but i shouldnt be.

Goodness I haven't had my camera since I lost a couple hundred pics of someone else's event. So when I needed to get my camera fixed after that happened I just threw in the towel on taking pics. I'm so sad I did that, now I have a broken camera and a lot of missed pics, I lovep pics because they help me remember stories, and I used to always admire Jesus creation and try to capture it through my camera. But now I just pretend I don't miss it that I don't care if I don't have the original of a pic... but I do... so the simple
thing would be to get the camera fixed and move on. But I have this intense fear I will loose precious pics again which is stupid cuz now I just miss everything... gosh I'm ridiculous so.. I have been thinking about this new relationship and I just don't know how to handle him being nice. Its like he is good to me and I would rather be in the brokeness of past screw ups, I can deal better with a broken camera then one that works and I can deal better with Mr. Wrong then someone closer to Mr. Right.... I think this all comes from sin. Its crazy how deeply sinful desires are in us. Put that with what the world has put my heart through. Then add what I did to my heart. And its just tough not to put up a brick wall. Brick walls around a city feel safe and a beautiful open field of flowers feels to vulnerable. I guess Jesus I'm still on the mend, guess I need to hang with u and Jude tomorrow. I'm so tired of boring and keeping your heart safe is boring, I know my heart belongs to u Jesus so u fix it u give it away you keep it close whatever you want. I chose to I give it to you for the millionth time because you are faithful and true and you say the greatest gift is love.
Well I will need a camera for Sunday justice is getting baptized I love that she has chosen you to have her heart. I thank you for her Jesus keep her in your perfect will.

Kingston

its your Birthday!!! well tomorrow..... I'm so excited you are on this earth, you are a stubborn little boy who knows how to yell!! but you bring so much joy to our families lives. I can not believe you are one year old!! you are starting to look more like a little boy than a baby so quickly!! I have such a mix of emotion I want you to grow up and at the same time stay little forever. I love that you smile every time I walk in, it make me so happy. Your sister adores you even though you pull her hair and you will one day be having her drive you around... we will see if you dad lets that happen. Well little boy you are almost one!!! I love being a part of your life, never forget how much you are loved little one.

Goodness its been a year!!

AHHH im old, Im 24. the past yr 23...
Feb karaoke birthday party... got Jude
March Kingston gets out of hospital!!
April decided to get a new casa, for the dog
May Blake graduated!! and went to annapolis to see tim and o ya...NAVY BOYs!
June Worked alot to get ready for new restaurant!
July New restaurant finally opens, bummed i didnt go to Colorado
August i dont like to think about how much i worked this month
September realized the closer i get to Jesus the more screwed up i am and how much in need of Him im in started studying Acts and the holy spirit
October Saw kristeen and was a peeled bananna for halloween
November Thanksgiving Love my crazy family, started studying song of songs
December weirdest month ever! jessica graduated!!!
January no more YL for me :( joined a gym WEIRD

there is too much work and not enough vacation well goodbye 23 :( the best thing about this last year was starting the new year knowing i'm in God's will and getting kingston

again