A Narcissistic Return To Blogging

1. I started playing the violin when I was 4 years old and quit when I was 12 in order to have more time to play sports
2. I had bacterial meningitis when I was 16 months old, they life flighted me on a leer jet from Wyoming to Denver's Children's Hospital. The doctors said if I survived I would be deaf or have severe brain damage
3. I have 2 tattoos: 1 on the arch of my foot (Isaiah 6:8 "Here am I, send me") and one on the inside of my wrist that says Faithful (a reminder of who He is, and what I am called to be in the big & small)
4. This time, next year, I will be living in Sydney, Australia
5. I will be getting my masters degree at the University of New South Wales in the social development of refugees and forced migration
6. The program is a 1 year program yet I don't feel like I will be living in the western hemisphere again anytime soon
7. Groups of people overwhelm me if there will be more than 3 or 4 people I am likely to find a reason not to go
8. I have learned more Spanish in Houston the past 2 years than I did the year that I lived in Mexico
9. I lived in 7 states before I was 21
10. If I had my way, I would wear flip flops everyday of the year
11. I have 7 holes pierced in my ears and wear earrings maybe once a month in 2 of them
12. I live in an apartment with a 42 year old from Honduras, her 14 year old daughter, and a 11, 5 & 3 year old from Guatemala who lost their Mom to cancer a little over a year ago, they are family to me
13. The people I live with have blessed me far beyond anything I have done for them
14. I am named after my Mom's Mom. She is Marie Kathryn, I am Kathryn Marie
15. I worry more about not being able to afford an international adoption more than I worry about not being able to have children naturally someday
16. We discovered that my thyroid does not work when I was 10
17. I don't wear black
18. I ALWAYS have perfume on, I put it on after I take a shower, even if I am going to sleep
19. I have worn the same perfume for about 8 years, Ralph Lauren Blue, it was discontinued last year but we found out right away and between my parents and I we stocked up on enough to last me a few more years
20. I aspire to be as low maintenance as my Mom
21. Sometime over the past couple of years I became obsessed with scarves. I hang them on a rack in my room and I almost have enough to wear a different one everyday for a month.
22. Teaching is the hardest, yet most rewarding thing I have ever done
23. I was born in Thermopolis, Wyoming
22. I started reading chapter books at the age of 4
23. I can golf
24. I prefer spending time with people 1 on 1 over any other setting
25. I have had 3 different parasites, from 3 different countries

Time Well Spent

This is what my evenings look like. People are always quick to ask, how is the living situation going? These little guys bring an incredible amount of joy to my life. They are so fun, and FUNNY! I am so grateful God has allowed me to be with them the past year and a half. They truly are an extension of our family. I do miss blogging, but my nights are full of homework, projects, baths, cooking, and novelas (mexican soaps). Oops, didn't mean to type that. But yes, there is one that I try to catch nightly. We don't have internet and I can't blog from my phone so theres my excuse to why I haven't been able to write for over a month. We did have soccer games 2 times a week as well, until Edgardo had a run in with a nasty old water faucet and sliced his leg open BAD. Poor thing, soccer is his life, well that, and fighting off all of the little admirers that call the apartment for him, hopefully we can get back out there in time for playoffs...

I have found myself filling out applications and writing essays (please pray for continued direction and provision), many of which want to know who am I? What have I been doing? Where am I going? Where do I see myself in the future? Its been a love/hate relationship. I hate that I don't feel like I am a strong enough writer to portray my passion through words, I would prefer interviews. On the other hand, I love being forced to sit and think about the series of events that have brought me HERE of all places. It is amazing to look back and testify to Christ's provision, protection, provision and plan for my life. It is SO exciting to allow myself to dream BIG knowing that His plans are bigger than anything I could dream up for myself.

New Beginnings

Moving into a new season, which is exciting for many reasons. The last season was unique, new for me, and painful in many ways. And I can honestly say I wouldn't change it if I could. There are attributes of our Father that I can speak of now because He proved Himself in new and very real ways in my own life, even in the midst of some dark days. I am full of hope and expectation. He has already begun to fulfill his promise of restoration and healing, and has planted new dreams in my heart.

And He who was seated on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." Also He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." Revelation 21:5

Trustworthy He is. And worthy of ALL of our love, and affection...