A New Year, A New Time, A New Start

Wow!  I can't believe a year has gone by!  Honestly this year has been a whirlwind to say the least.  This year has definitely been a roller coaster ride.  Sometimes, I didn't want to be on that roller coaster.  When I say that, I do not mean that I wanted my life to end or anything to that affect, I just wanted things to be better, to be normal.  This is not a shock to anyone so I am not bashing or badmouthing him, but this was a huge part of my year.  After over a year and a half, Tyler and I broke up.  It felt like the end of the world.  We broke up in March and until June we were on and off again.  I thought that I was never going to be able to move on and I felt like crap.  I had let this consume and control my life.  That was a huge downfall.  Normally I say I have no regrets however, if I were to regret one thing... it would be letting this situation control my life, my thoughts, my relationships with other people, and my decisions.  I wanted to be at peace with what was happening.  That peace did come.  After what seemed like hell and back, I went to Poland on a mission trip.  I didn't know anyone but God blessed me with this amazing opportunity.  This peace came one night in worship.  We had a prayer service where we were given pieces of paper with prompts and such about things to pray for.  We prayed for our past and we prayed for our future among other things.  During this service, many people were obviously moved and they displayed this by tears.   If you know me, you know I am the person that will cry at the drop of a hat.  I have never been good at controlling my emotions.  I didn't understand why I was not upset.  Several things went through my mind that night such as "Did God show up in their life and not mine?" I then realized... God did show up.  He was there just like he had always been but this time he was calming a storm.  My life had been a hurricane and finally I was at peace with whatever God had in store.  This peace I had been longing for finally was there.   I gave all of my problems and fears to Christ and he told me 'My child do not be afraid.'  That experience was like none other.  After we finished praying, we just sang praise and worship songs and I finally realized that God's plan is so much bigger for me than my own.  He just wants me to understand that it is in his timing and not my own.  Daily I have to remind myself of this and it's not easy.  But the sooner we let go, the sooner we can arrive at some sort of peace.  So this year, as you are making your New Years Resolution(s) let one be to give God control. When life seems helpless, remember that he really has never left your side and he is the only one who can give us true perfect peace.  

Year in Review:

Memorable Moments of 2008:

-Graduation.  It felt like it would never arrive, and when it did... it came too quickly

-Once Upon A Mattress!-  Through the stress it was a really fun show

-Relay for Life!- 

-Baltimore Mission Trip

-Warsaw Poland!-  See above.  And I made new friends on this trip and met an incredible guy!

-New York City-  It is my favorite place on earth!  And this time I got to see a lead's opening night in a show and witness the most amazing piece of musical theatre I've ever seen!  South Pacific with the amazing Kelli O'Hara!

-Starting college

-New friends

-Charleston girls weekend

-Show Choir performances

- Proms

-Senior Picnic

-Saying goodbye to old friends but realizing our friendships can still remain. 

-The list goes on on and on....

Hopefully 2009 will be even better!  Until next year!

xoxo

-K

Random thoughts from Katie's brain:

 

1. Exam week is terrible. Christmas break however is not

2. I think there were some Tony award winning performances at our musical Sunday Night

3. While we are on the subject of musicals at church, Sara Ashley and I have a splendid idea for next year. It is going to be Disney themed. You just wait.

4. I really want to watch the movie Elf. It was on when I had to study last week so I could not enjoy it. It puts me in the Christmas spirit

5. I learned this week that hair is hair. It's grows back and sometimes you just have to close your eyes and poof!

6. I'm ready to go see Rent in Jan. I realized yesterday while listening to it riding down the road how much I miss that show.

7. I think it's sad that everything is closing on Broadway. Seriously people, go buy a ticket and keep the shows alive.

8. I'm ready to buy Mamma Mia....Even though some of the singing was TERRIBLE.

9. When one is handed a pamphlet, make sure to look at it and read it. It just might have directions home.

10. Sometimes things don't always go according to plan, but that's ok. It makes for funny stories and great times.

11. I've also learned that even if things do not go according to our plan, God is in control and he has a plan.

12. People will be people. End of story. 

13.  People have a lot of growing up to do. 

14.  Children are precious.  Especially when they sing Hallelujah! 

15.  I don't deserve everything I've been given, but I'm very thankful. 

16.  Music really does make me feel better.  

17.  I'm babbling...I might write something productive later.  

xoxo

Katie

Ugh. It's exam week.  That time dreaded by all college students who have procrastinated all semester who have papers due, projects to turn in, and tests to take.  I really don't have time to blog since I have a history project due tomorrow, but as soon as I finish this blog, I'm going to do it.  Mark my word. In the meantime, I figured I'd write a random blog about life. 

Things I have come to realize/make me mad/make me happy/etc. etc. etc.

1.  If you are going to put Christmas lights on your bushes, please make sure that you cover the ENTIRE bush.  You know what I'm talking about.  When you use the net lights that don't cover the whole piece of nature.  Suck it up, buy another net of lights, and make your house and yard look beautiful!

2.  While we are on the Christmas subject, I love Christmas trees.  I hate to decorate Christmas trees, but I think they are glam.  I especially love my tree this year.  It has hot pink ornaments  :)

3.  When one is driving through a parking lot, especially a large one such as Wal-Mart, Target, Mall etc, please do not stop in the middle of the lane and turn your turn signal on to park in someone's place that is just beginning to load their car.  Now, if nobody is behind you, wait all day long and waste your time.  However, I do feel that if you would just park just a few more spaces away, you 1. get exercise, 2. do not cause frustration for the individuals in the cars behind you, 3. do not annoy the person loading their car.  They then feel as if they must hurry just so you can park 4. do not become obese.  Now I see why Americans are so large.  They can't walk 10 more feet because we are a lazy society.  If this person had just parked their car and gone on inside the store, they could have finished their shopping by the time they would have waited to park. 

*disclaimer*  This post does not apply to those truly handicapped.  

4.  I'm a pretty lucky gal.  My true friends are rocking, I have an amazing family, I have an awesome boyfriend, and I am saved by the grace of God.  What more is their to want?  (Except for exam week to be over)

5. I have learned "We do not always win, no matter how right we are.  The world just doesn't see it sometimes.  But, if you are getting hurt or stepped on, don't go back."

This piece of information is FACT.

6. I have realized that this quote... it's true... "Pick the day.  Enjoy it- to the hilt.  The day as it comes.  People as they come... The past, I think, has helped me appreciate the present- and I don't want to spoil any of it by fretting about the future." -Miss Audrey Hepburn

7. I also have realized that no matter how fantastic of a team Carolina has every year, for some odd reason we never can beat Clemson. 

8. I am shocked at the fact "Te Deum" was sung, and actually ended together, with everyone singing a note in the chord.  Kudos to Margaret for learning that piece and playing it. 

9.  I hate exam week. 

10. I love Brittany Anne Steen.  She is awesome and I thank God for the work you are doing in her life.  

11.  I miss being on stage.  I am so ready to be in another show.  The Laramie Project?  Gypsy? Something else?  Who knows.  I miss performing.

12.  I hope this paper I have to write on The Wizard of Oz will not make me loathe the movie.  

13.  I love birthdays.  They allow me to celebrate life. 

14.  I am not going to make a New Years Resolution this year.  I think they are dumb because nobody follows through with them. 

15.  I must head back to New York City soon.  Now is a terrible time to go though with many productions closing on Broadway.  I'm ready for a fresh batch to come in. 

16.  While we are on the subject of theatre... South Pacific better tour or I will be depressed.  That was the most amazing piece of theatre I have ever witnessed in my entire life. 

17.  I love my puppy Lily even though she is not well behaved at times.  She is adorable. 

18.  Thursday cannot come soon enough. 

  

19.  People change and you can't do anything about it. 

20.  I've learned I am stronger than the world gives me credit for, or I give my credit for.  However, I still have my weak spots, I just allow Christ to use them for his glory. 

21.  I don't blog enough. 

22.  I had a "Wicked" awesome birthday cake this year... (no pun intended)

23.  I'm pumped about going to Jamaica this summer!  I miss summer missions!

24.  Baltimore is going to be amazing too... contrary to popular belief. 

25.  VBS can't come soon enough!

26.  I must stop procrastinating right now.  History project, here I come!

xoxo

Katie