Kisses

4 Random Thoughts

The flowers in my garden are blooming like there’s no tomorrow. Its sort of symbolic to me. Life is so colorful and beautiful for me right now. 

God is more than any adjective could mean. His orchestration of my life sometimes makes me lose my breath. He cares about the details. I have the blessed anticipation and present experience of being privileged to work for Him. He’s accepted even my lousy resume’. I have nothing to offer, except for the fact that I want Him to be my everything.

I’ve got this very modern-day habit of writing blog posts in my mind while I’m doing something else that doesn’t take much thought. You’d be astonished (probably) if you saw how many of those never made it past the brain. I wonder why I can’t write (or talk) and sound as good as it does in my head?

If something is proven to us, then how can we choose to believe? Its something that boggles my mind. To me, God is visibly working in our world today. Yet so many people reject Him and say “I don’t believe” even though they’ve seen Him. Reminds me of the quote by C.S. Lewis speaking of peoples objections to the reality of hell.  “I believe that if a million chances were likely to do good, they would be given.” I wonder if its my fault that they choose not to believe? Is it because I claim to love Christ, but am easily silenced when sharing the fact? No doubt its each person’s decision/responsibilty. But am I hindering?

Vagueness in All of its Glory

There are many, many options for me to choose from as to where I go or what I do for the next several months. How do I decide between here and there? I could stay here and go there 2 nights a week for this course for a semester. If I did that, then when I finished I could move somewhere and live there for six months and get some training so I could move somewhere else and never come back to here. Or I could forget about taking that class and maybe just travel somewhere for a couple week long classes. Maybe I’d make a lot of money plus learn the skill to do something I’ve been interested in a long time. Or I could stick to the original plan and stay here and take that course and when its finished go on to the next level instead of moving there for 6 months. Another option is to stay here and take a course to learn how to do something else and then work at that place for a while plus teach a class on my days off. Either way, I wouldn’t be making much money. Who cares though, huh? Better yet I could move to a (very far off) somewhere and just do whatever the Lord puts in front of me to do. Whats exciting is that I could end up doing something that I haven’t even thought of yet and going somewhere I’ve never even considered.

All I can say is > insert song lyrics > “Follow, follow, I will follow Jesus…. Anywhere He leads me, I will follow on.”

Here or there. Just somewhere. If you think you’re confused just reading it… imagine me… living it. But I must say, life is a joy… and I’m just along for the ride.

Signed, The wondering,wandering highschool grad

Not Bad For Starters

So I’m the “new” aide at work, right? And probably no matter how long I’ve worked there, I’ll never get away from people passing rumors about me behind my back. No one gets out of it. I’ve discovered this to be consistantly true of human sin nature.

Then there’s those people who feel the need to tell you what others are saying about you behind your back. Generous, I know. But I have mixed emotions about hearing the rumors, especially since half of them aren’t true.

Well, there’s a new one going around. Its refreshingly accurate. Someone told me… that someone told them… that I am a Christian.

I love it. I’ve never come right out and said that I am. Its motivating to know that they identify me as one. I now represent Christ to them. They’re watching me. What an honor and responsibility! I hope it gets around. I want to boast in nothing else but the cross of Jesus Christ. Where, when I’m bowed there, in front of the cross, I become nothing and Christ is everything.

 So, its getting around who I really am. I want the chance and strength to help them see who they can become in Christ. But being labeled as a Christian myself, can’t be bad for starters.

Camp 2008

Upon request- for friends and family- pictures of Camp Good News. Wish I had time to tell some stories. I was so encouraged to see God’s work being accomplished.

See more here

and here.

Psalm 111

1 Praise the LORD!

I will praise the LORD with my whole heart,
In the assembly of the upright and in the congregation.

2 The works of the LORD are great,
Studied by all who have pleasure in them.

3 His work is honorable and glorious,
And His righteousness endures forever.

4 He has made His wonderful works to be remembered;
The LORD is gracious and full of compassion.

5 He has given food to those who fear Him;
He will ever be mindful of His covenant.

6 He has declared to His people the power of His works,
In giving them the heritage of the nations.

7 The works of His hands are verity and justice;
All His precepts are sure.

8 They stand fast forever and ever,
And are done in truth and uprightness.

9 He has sent redemption to His people;
He has commanded His covenant forever:
Holy and awesome is His name.

10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;
A good understanding have all those who do His commandments.
His praise endures forever

Being Sick, Smiles, and Links

Well, I thought I should post. I’ve literally done nothing worthwhile all day. (is posting supposed to help me feel more accomplished, you ask? ah psssht… never mind…I just feel like posting)

I was actually supposed to go to work today, but I didn’t.

I can tell that if I’m not careful this post will end up pointless. Not to mention random.

Where was I? Right. I didn’t go to work today. I called in sick. I actually hated calling in more then I hate being sick. I’m not that sick, so this isn’t a “please-pass-the-sympathy” post. But when I called in I had a 103 fever and was achey all over so I don’t think I would have been of much assistance to anybody. Which is what an Aide is you know. They assist people.

Last week was actually a pretty good week at work. I worked the floor by myself for the first time (a couple weeks ago the director of nursing informed me we always have 2 aides per shift… uhuuum) but even with the extra work things went well. Theres always those humbling moments like dropping a night gown in the hospital administrator’s path or forgetting to go back and finish something because another patient requests something–causing me to get totally sidetracked. But give me a few embarrassments and I’ll trade them in for a really good talk about Jesus with a terminally ill man.

Do you want to know something I’m quickly learning from this new job? Its this: Nobody appreciates a cheery smile more than when they’re laying in a  hospital bed. If this is what it comes down to, how easy is my job?! gotta love it.

Well since this post didn’t have the greatest beginning, it might as well not end real smooth either. (did you know that when I was younger I couldn’t figure out how to spell ‘might as well’ because I always said it ‘mize-well’).

 Since I’m falling down on the job of blogging and since I’ve been thinking of referring ya’ll to these blogs anyway– you should check out

www.twentytwowords.com

www.hoperoadblog.com

www.mommyinc.blogspot.com

I enjoy all of these blogs. I’ve never met any of these writers in person but have enjoyed their literary skills. The third link I’ve recently been visiting to ooh and ahh over her new baby. I love her attitude about being a mom!

signing off… Kaylene

Around the Blog

::time out for a public service announcement::

Here lately I’ve really enjoyed keeping track of some of the places I visit across the web. I wanted to make sure that ya’ll knew that you have access to some of my ‘bookmarkings’ via my sidebar.

Recommended Reads is all the articles I bookmark- with the most recent at the top. You can click on Recommended Reads and see my collections plus any thoughts I might have had concerning the article. This will help you understand whether I was in agreement or disagreement with the author, because a lot of times I bookmark ones that I simply find “interesting”.

Recommended Videos is my most recent addition to my sidebar. I love it because I don’t always feel comfortable referring people to youtube because of some of the related videos to the ones I like. This way you can see all my favorites in one place without some of the slum on youtube. The one that shows in my sidebar is the most recent one bookmarked, but you can find all of my faves by clicking Recommended Videos.

::we now return you to your regular programming::

The Answer

I know now Lord, why you utter no answer. You are Yourself the answer. Before Your face questions die away. What other answer would suffice? Only words, words; to be led out to battle against other words.”–C.S.Lewis

What joy. What peace. What HOPE.

Voice of the Martyrs

Last weekend, my brother and I along with some friends, drove to Bartlesville Oklahoma for the Voice of the Martyrs conference. The details for us to go, fell together, quite literally, at the last minute. We were so thankful that the Lord worked it out for us to go.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I guess I knew I’d be hearing a lot about the sufferings of Christians in other countries and what we could do about it. I was also curious to hear Gracia Burnham speak in person, having read her book. Other than that I had no idea how I would be personally challenged, just to seek God and allow Him to refine my own character so that I can be of the greatest use for Him. At the same time, it was amazing to see how God has used “ordinary” people in awesome ways.

I was refreshed to hear people speak of Christ and His Word as living and powerful–with amazing testimonies to strongly back it. Their message was more than just motivating us to share the “get saved quick” message with people. Rather they, by their example and words, preached of utmost dependancy on God and dedication to raise up others to be strong Christians–ones willing to suffer and spiritually and/or physically die for Christ. Something it seems, that as Americans we have little to no, concept of.

Our group with a sweet Christian couple whom we met (VOM represenatives from New York)

My favorite speakers were Gracia Burnham, Bob Fu, a man from Saudi Arabia (who either they couldn’t say his real name or I don’t remember), and a pastor from Jerusalem. Also the man from Iraq had very interesting political and spiritual wisdom. I wish I could adequately share some of the thoughts I reaped from the conference, I’m just not sure how or rather what to limit it to! If you have specific questions, I could attempt to answer them. Or if you were wondering if the Voice of the Martyrs is a worthy cause, I’m pretty excited to report of their incredible accomplishments (by God’s strength!) around the world.

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