Technology... Inspiring or exhausting? :)

Good morning! (It's 2:12 am est)
Yes, I should be fast asleep, but I've been working hard to get this new 3 column look so that we could see comments as they come in right on the front page (at least a teaser of the comment). There's one error yet (which I won't point out in case you haven't noticed it already!)--- but I'm satisfied that I accomplished the goal. Also, check out the RSS feed- to the left- if you like to keep up with posts, you can receive them via the feed. You can also get comments the same way with the second button. Ok, my thirty-something mommy brain is ready to turn in (6:30am will come SO quickly). Thank you for keeping up with the inspirations I find in life- and a SPECIAL thanks to those of you who interact with me here!!! :) :) :) You know who you are! And remember- you can comment without registering now- so- it's so much easier than it was in the beginning! :)
Sweet dreams...

Living Inspired by Using Your Gifts!

Hey out there! I just wanted to give a shout about using your gifts- don't you feel INSPIRED when you're using the gifts God has given you?!?! Be it serving, or hospitality, or encouraging- I feel inspired (and spiritually recharged even if I'm physically exhausted) after serving out of a gifting. We had a rehearsal this afternoon in preparing for leading worship at the Thursday healing service. (Trinity is having 7 days of nightly healing services this week!) Though I was totally drained (and my headache came rushing back as soon as we were done) I just felt so alive! So, this is just a reminder that if you get in a rut- get out and serve- use what He's given you. It not only blesses those who receive your gift, it will bless you as well. I hope none of you is thinking "I don't really have any gifts"". 1 Corinthians 7:7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. YOU are part of each one- so don't give me any of that "I don't have any" blah blah blah! If you are truly unsure of your giftings, I'd encourage you to do some research- try out the gifts and see if any of them fits! v. 27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. Play your part to the Glory of God- and you (and we) will be blessed!
Good night-

Immaculee was INSPIRING

Since this blog is all about living the "inspired" life... I must quickly write about hearing Immaculee speak tonight. What a powerful, powerful testimony. So honest and real, and so focused on God. Her book is "Left to Tell". I would highly recommend reading it. It was a NY Times bestseller, so I'm sure it's in the libraries. (And if you want to buy it proceeds go to her foundation which helps orphanges and others in Rwanda). The church that sponsored the event had a bathroom built to the same dimensions as the one she hid in- and to stand there and look at it- was so real. Any personal pity party around here has been chased away for awhile. God really can do ANYTHING! Check out her testimony! Blessings! Be inspired! Life is worth living- and it's worth living inspired,
Good night.

Summer Menu So Far... (it's rough)

Why am I doing a menu for the summer? I find my whole life gets slowed down b/c of being unprepared at dinnertime. I procrastinate, look in the fridge, freezer, and pantry, hoping a fully cooked meal with jump out into my arms (ha!)--- so, invariably, dinner is late, clean up is dismal, bedtime is rushed, I'm feeling behind and yuck about it all and unmotivated to get it all cleaned up, I don't have as much "free time" in the evening, stay up late to compensate, consequently don't get up and get started the next morning the way I'd like and SOOOOO... I'm making a menu to help me to have dinner on time and not suffer the aforementioned consequences.

Here's what I'm working with so far...

SUMMER MENU 2008 (these start on Sunday and go through Saturday)
Breakfasts: Gogurt and Breakfast bar, Pancakes, Cereal, Waffles, Oatmeal, Yogurt and Granola, Donuts, muffins, cereal
snacks: Muffins? bagels?, Pineapple-Orange Popsicles, Veggies and Sour Cream Pesto Dip, Fruit and Pina Colada Dip, Ants on a log, Four Cheese Snack Mix, Nuts/Trail Mix
lunches: Salads: Egg, tuna, chicken, Soup/Sandwich (grilled ch?), Mac n Cheese and Hotdogs, Froz. Pizza/Salad, Burritos/Taquitos, Leftovers
dinners: Breakfast for dinner, Mexican! (Quesadillas, nachos, tacos), Salads, Wraps/sandwiches/pitas, Grill Night, Homemade Pizza Night, leftovers?

I have a few specific meals for these dinners, but they pasted as a big, jumbled mess!!! I'm finding all my inspiration online if you need a recipe. This really doesn't take that long- use an excel spreadsheet to keep it easy to read.

Exercising my technology cells...

Hi all! Long-time no post, huh? I've been working hard the last couple days to get that stinkin' slideshow working. Appears that after too much time, I've finally succeeded. Well, summer is upon us! I'm loving it! Crazy, hazy, lazy days of summer... We are rather agenda-free this week. How about you? I've been working on a no-brainer summer menu. I have a breakfast, snack, and lunch that's the same every Sunday, Monday, etc. Then dinner is based on salad, grill, wraps/pitas, Mexican, etc. and changes each week. What are you cookin' up to keep it cool and simple this summer? :) Help me finish my menu!!! (And don't give me pasta- I have the 2 guys that don't eat wheat :)) Bon Appetit!

How Do You Recharge? and school blog-

The previous post was really from last night- but I didn't get it posted. SO- some thoughts from today...

I went to the Walden Diner tonight to do some preparation for summer. From time to time I do this- take my bag full of books, notebooks, whatever- and go to the ice cream stand, Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, etc. and spend a little time reviewing my goals and setting some new ones. I need to get things out of my head and concrete on a page.

What do YOU do to refocus or recharge and keep yourself inspired??? Or do you have "me" time in another way?

Have a blessed, renewed, inspired evening!
Katherine

PS- read a great blog on education called "A One-Room Schoolhouse for the 21st Century"

Back From Texas

Hi friends!

We are back from 8 days in Texas. We had a FABULOUS time catching up with my family there. We went to Dinosaur Valley State Park and the Creation Evidence Museum nearby. We spent a day at my uncle and aunt's new lakehouse and another day with the other side of the family over for brisket(BBQ), 4-part a capella hymns around the piano, and frisbee. Needless to say, a good-time was had by all! We also had the pleasure of going out to a Brazilian Steakhouse with our dear friends- it was QUITE the dining experience. Seriously not for the faint of stomach (or Vegetarian/Vegan- though the salad bar was unparalleled in my life experience thus far).

Now that we're back... Living Beyond Yourself (the next women's Bible study at church) has begun and I have a MILE-LONG list of projects for summer- 3 of which involve writing or organizing curriculum for next year.

Updates- Mary Elizabeth is doing well and is continuing to see some swelling reduction- praise God! So, I'll try to bug them for a photo. Kristen looks good- had a good FL vacation. Didn't specifically "feel" anything at the Revival- but as it isn't about feeling anything, just about what God wants to do, so continue to pray for God's veiled work there. I have another friend who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer- name is Allison- she is also our age and mom of 3 athletic boys. The wife of another friend of Ryan's, Mandy, is doing chemo for leukemia, also our age- so, I don't know what's up- but we need to get ANGRY at cancer and cast this stuff OUT!!!

May I just say that I am feeling INSPIRED?!?! I hope you are too. I had a productive day today and that helps. As you shift gears into summer, what is inspiring you? What are you looking forward to? How are you making your dreams reality?

Off to do some Bible study (which makes some of my dreams reality!),

Katherine

p.s.- in a previous post I told you about Mvelopes- an online budgeting program. It's still very cool, and my first choice, however, they are having a hard time getting through my very small town bank's security. So, if you're looking for something simpler- as I will be doing if they don't fix it SOON- check out http://www.pearbudget.com/.