Happy Birthday :)

Happy Birthday, Mom!!  Hope you had a great day!  Miss you and love you!

I Climbed a Mountain

There are 3 mountains here and I climbed one recently!  I can’t wait to do some more hiking.  Though, I definitely feel out of shape.  I’ll blame it on the altitude for now.  Here are some pictures:

Yay for timers on cameras that capture sweet photos

p.s. Forgive me for the lack of posts.  Apparently, rain=no internet. The sun is out now so hopefully I’ll have more to share!  Miss you all!  Feel free to send e-mails too– (kigkat@gmail.com)–I seem to be better at responding fast there

Photographs

Meet Sven. –This is for Amy (she thought I needed some protection)

Horses outside my window

Mountains!

Another mountain

See–I’m here! More pictures and actual words to come tonight or this weekend!  B’Ahava (with love).

Quick

Well, I’m here! I have lots to write and tell you all about, but I don’t really have much time…I used it up on catching up on e-mail, facebook, and other things. But, hopefully I’ll write more soon!

Today :)

I fly out today! Not sure when I’ll have internet for sure next….but I’ll check back in then!

One, Two, Three: Pack

Unpacking. Packing. Unpacking. Packing. This has been my life for the last few days.   I feel like I have accumulated so much stuff.  Though, I have enjoyed being able to organize and reorganized everything.  I put up pictures in my room and added my happy yellow mirror.  I created an extra bookcase until I can have the white one.  I made a happy place in my closet and turned my bed into a “I want to get in right now and never leave” place.  Here are some photos of the finished product.  Well, at least for now.  I still have more packing and unpacking and organizing to do, but you can get the general gist of things

Closet/makeshift bookshelf and happy area. Note: I still have to add clothes to the left side, but have to wait since I have to decide what I’m bringing still….

11 pillows. 2 down comforters. 1 feather bed. 1 comforter. 1 blanket (for now).

My bed was too tall so I stacked the night stands

Bookshelf, speakers and night stands, and flowers

Okay, I’m ready for bed now!

Counting the Days

Wow, everything goes so fast.  I am officially done with work.  I had a crazy last day, but I still got a picture with some (aka the “best” hehe) coworker and boss:

I also was able to snatch some photos with my roomies.  Look at facebook for the complete album courtesy of Amy G.  Otherwise, here are a few of my favorites (edit: this turned into a lot of my favorites, so enjoy):

You can’t tell, but I’m holding a very large knife in this picture.  For some reason, I love opening plastic packages (like cake mixes) with a big knife.  

We went outside on the deck!

Posing in the bathroom

Angle shot in the mirror.  Gotta love it!

I can’t believe I’m all moved out and am leaving so soon (3 days 5 hours 24 minutes 4 seconds).  I am really going to miss those girls above and those not pictured.  But, we’re not going to think about that right now….As Scarlett O’Hara would say, “I can’t think about that right now. If I do I’ll go crazy. I’ll think about that tomorrow.” 

 

“Lasts”

Well…the “lasts” are starting to happen.  Yesterday was my last Sunday in the States.  Weird. Last Sunday at church. Sad day.  Last night at Community Group.  Last time sleeping in my bed. Tuesday will be my last day at work.  Though, I must admit that I am still in denial and playing the “It’s not happening yet…” card.  Good-byes don’t feel real.  Hugs don’t seem like hugs that won’t happen for a long time.  But, I’m already feeling the pull on my heart.  I’m so thankful for the people around me.  From “church” to friends to coworkers to family.  For who they are, for the community, the fellowship, and for just sharing life.  I am not loving on the change or the good-byes.  Forgive me in advance if I seem unemotional.  I am. I just am late in showing the emotions. This translates into crying hours later.  And for a little sentimental song lyric to end this otherwise unending post:

 ”keep in mind we’re under the same sky”

name that song!

 

Productivity at its Finest

I had a VERY productive morning:

• Wake up 5:30 a.m. 
• Realize that it is WAY too early.  Fall back asleep. 
• 6:55 alarm goes off.  
• Finally get up, unmake my bed by putting all the blankets and pillows on the floor.
• Move the bed to the back door by myself. 
• Shower, blow dry my hair.  
• 7:34 Drive to my brother’s place to pick up my mom.
• Drive to Home Depot.
• 8:20 Drive a monster of a van to my house.
• Load the bed in the van.
• Thank Mandy for being up early and helping with the fluffy mattress part.
• Drive back to my brother’s place
• Attempt to unload the mattress and keep my mom alive…
• Finally get the bed into the apartment building with only a few slip ups and a bit of snow on the bed…
• Rush back down.
• Drive the gigantic van back to Home Depot
• Jump in my car and drive home.
• Change clothes and grab the nursery stuff and put it in the back seat
• 9:29 Drive to church
• Breathe when I make it to church at 9:41. 
• Loved the worship set list
• Got my public speaking done for the day. 

Soul Cravings, Part 3

“I am not who I want to be, but I am on the journey there, and thankfully I am not whom I used to be.”

“Let him change you at your core, then let your passions fuel your life.”

I am so thankful for the changes that God has worked in my life already and wait in expectation for Him to continue to work in my life.  I have a LONG way to go.  But, more than anything, I want to become the best that I can.  I want to give everything.  Give it all to Him.  I pray that as I prepare to leave, leave, and arrive in South Africa that I would continue to let Him change me, mold me, and form me into a better person for all of the things to come.

“The reason your heart leaps when you see greatness is that your spirit is drawn to it.  The reason we can experience the vicarious exhilaration of a great victory or an amazing accomplishment is that the human spirit resonates with greatness.”

This resonates so deeply in my soul.  I am reminded of Ayn Rand’s books and her gift in masterfully portraying the need, the desire for greatness.  For as with above, God wants greatness.  He wants us spur us on toward living and excelling within our gifts, abilities and strengths.  ”Only God can take you where you were born to go.”