me and merle

Me and Merle at it again..

Me and Merle (and penny) had another world adventure to Israel, Jordan and Palistine (west bank)!!!

So now what?

Well I am a constant failure at this blogging thing. I suppose I was too busy.

I was sure with graduating that I would make a stand against business. But, as I filled out my planner yesterday I realized I was trying to make a stand on pudding and sinking quickly.

Well, now what? I am blogging at dashofcash.blogspot.com but that is only recipees. You should still follow if you wish.

Topics you can expect on this blog include: rediculous stories of our apartment compsed of:

Danielle “the DIVA” Cody

Samantha “the businesswoman” Frank

Corey “the constant adventure- works four jobs” Wallis

and me “the changes her plans every day girl”

You may also find stories from work:

Sprinkles Cupcakes.

Or perhaps you’ll hear/read storeis about the weddings I will be attending, friends I am making or, maybe you will get to humor me as I share my newest life plan. Currently, my friend Rik and I are looking for two more girls and two more guys to move to new york with and be FRIENDS. Any takers?

Oh… but I never told you about Israel…

It’s been a while.

 I know I said that I would continue to blog while at school, but that is easier said than done. Things are not stressful, but they are non-stop. What I don’t like about my year right now have to do with two things: not living on the same hall with my best friends all right there, and having very little time for spontaneity.

Last year I lived on P-2 (Perrin Hall Second Floor) and it was pretty much a non-stop party! This year most of my friends live on the other side of the rivine— which in all honesty much like saying on “the good side of the tracks”. Here in OC Bailey we live a simple, worn-in (old), and sometimes broken life. My kitchen drawers have been, and will most likely continue to be the main source of frustration. I wont get into the details, but much effort has gone into fixing them and yet I still fight everyday just to open those poorly fitted enemies.

However, despite it’s well lived in characteristics, I love it here. Living with Gabri and Felicia is a gift from God (and I say that with all sinserity). The community we share is a HUGE blessing. On top of the good company, I love having a kitchen! (I made fried rice tonight and thought about my days in France, I wish traveling wasn’t so money and time consuming— I would love to visit!) I have also really been enjoying my time with my RA’s. They are wonderful.

Things have been pretty “heavy” in my life lately but the Lord is faithful to remind me of his goodness. I am far from grasping why the Lord chose to bless me with this community. I realize more and more every day that what I have here and now is something special. In all actuallity it is a little piece of heaven (new earth). I have people here who love me and I love them too. We care for eachother, carry eachother’s burdens, present requests to the Father for eachother… the list goes on. I am so grateful for this time. I struggle with waiting sometimes. I don’t want to wait on a timing I know is perfect but I desire the will of God to be done. It is a paradoxal passion but there isn’t a place I would rather be while I wait.

Now… I have a story to tell you… it is going to take a mood change for you to follow me. In fact, I may just have to start it in a new nessage. even better. I will record myself telling the story some time this weekend and post it. Brace yourself. It is going to be another Katelyn Adventure of near death.

OC Bailey- the begining of many nights to remember…

Well, so far the dorm life has been exciting. I have had fun catching up with friends and family here. (I don’t have any blood related family here, but family is the best relational word to use for some of the people in Arkadelphia).

Some highlights have been exciting times with the other RD’s and HD’s of the dorms, seeing Terese and her baby belly, seeing the Motl’s, Jeff Green helping me with everything I need help with, watermelon iced tea, hanginging out with Tara, catching up with Brittany and picnicing in my close to empty apartment.

Knowing what I have just mentioned I hope the following story doesn’t take away from the fact that I love where I am and what I am doing here. I am so thankful for this place.

Now… Story Time:

OC Baily is a little old and a little run down. It has a lot of space, but unfortunately we, as people, are not the only life form that like to participate in OCB life. I am up for sharing- but not with insects. Mom and I (okay, mainly Mom) sealed up a couple places where my not-so-welcomed housemates were sneaking in; but tonight I discovered that, being new to the neighborhood, I have a lot to learn about the ways of OCB insect life. I thought I was doing pretty well killing a cocroach in my living room and a wasp that crawled out of my shower drain.

However, much to my current state of freakout, I was cleaning up my bathroom and about to get ready for bed when I heard the clicking of insect wings. I whipped around to see a wasp climbing on my wall and then made a mad dash for the insect spray across the hall. I returned and- with out care of how my toiletries were being affected- drenched that sucker to death. I proudly set down my weapon of choice and walked in to examine the casualties; which included a bar of soap and some kleenex. Suddenly I heard the clicking again but it was accompanied by a low soft humm. I will spare you the details of the thought process that followed but after concluding that the wasps are living in my wall and crawling into my bathroom via vent and drain I grabbed my toothbrush and toothpaste and shut the door on those soldiers. Later I finished the job by stuffing a towel at the bottom of the door to ensure my safety for the night. (Good idea Cassie).

I need some sleep. It’s been a day- mostly a good day- but I am tired none the less.

To Be Continued…

Well, I have decided to continue blogging. France may have made it’s exit from the story line for a while but there is much to be continued.

It has been interesting since I have been home. There is a lot to proccess and not much time to do it. I have spent some of my time on wedding things for Devin. A good amount of my time has been with my mom and Casey and Kelly- all three of which are a party. Now I am up in Idaho at my cousin’s wedding. I will spare you the lengthy description and leave you with this: I LOVE MY FAMILY!

Of course Grandma has reminded me 5+ times that I need to get married next. (To this I say: Why doesn’t anyone pressure Charlie to get married because he is older??) But, I know it is all in good fun and with grandma- it is all with good intentions. She wants love for me. That’s sweet. I love my grandma.

I miss France and the people that came with my time there. I am definitely hitting some reverse culture shock but honestly there is no time to mess with it. Instead I am busy with family, apartment planning, reading (for refuge?/for life), and soaking up the love from the characters that are part of my home-story.

Bed time now… to be continued

Tears… me and my silly tears.

I am a cryer. I don’t expect that to be a surprise to most of you. It is true. I cry when I am happy and when I am sad… and when I am experiencing any extreme emotion, really. So, today I have started my sensitive I-am-about-to-leave stage. I am sad to leave, and I am sad knowing I only have a handful of days with my family and friends from home when I return. I am happy to go back to faces and places I am used to. And, I am happy to have lived here for the summer.

I am going to leave here being more confused than I have ever been about what I want to do with my life. The good news is: I know who I want to serve. So, I feel like I am leaving here less sure of myself and more so of God’s sovereignty.

Things I will never forget: Staring out my window as the Marseille wind rearranges my hair with the moonlight bright as ever, seeing Palais Longchamp at night for the first time, eating paninis and drinking Dada at the beach, Green Bear coffee, hitch hiking back from the calonques (cliff beaches), good talks with Katie, fun times with Courtney, good prayer time with Kate, the way it feels when you run into friends in a city you are still getting used to, the way it feels when God allows my heart to feel a small fraction of his compassion and it is almost too much to take in, and the color of the Mediterranean Sea.

Last night was my last house church/ Bible study. It was good. The Lord is moving here and that is easy to see.

I’ll be home soon. Love.

Sun

The sun here is out to get me. I am now burnt for my third time in this city… this time is definitely yhe worst because my shins got burnt. I have two words: VERY PAINFUL!

The last time I let the sunshine paint me red was at the tour de france… YEP! I was standing at the start line! It was really fun. Del, Kate and I left for the street at 8:30 in the morning. The race took off at 1pm. It was exciting to experience, even if our 4+ hour wait was for a whopping 12 seconds. I held up a sign for Dr. Duvall because I knew he would be watching.

On other news: I can’t wait to see my sister because she’s engaged!!!

Pictures will be up at some point… I have been lazy about uploading them.