January 2011

Man oh man today is such a super slushy day! What a difference from yesterday. Yesterday it dumped snow on us…I think we got about 5 inches. Today it decided to warm up to 41 degrees and melt all that snow we got.

Last night at youth group, Roots, I was so touched by the girls in my small group. They have such tender hearts (espically for teenagers) and are so open to examining them and giving them to God. I’m so thankful for them. I so appreciate their honesty and devotion to God, it’s inspiring. I had to thank God today and He said, “Kayla, this is why you do it”.
A lot has gone on since I’ve written last, I do apologize it’s been such a long time. I got a new tattoo! I’m sure you’re asking, “cute, but what does it mean?” Well, one year ago I had a pretty significant change in my life, and it’s a way of celebrating that. Recognizing how far God had brought me and what he’s done. Realizing I have wings and I can spread them and fly. I need not be scared, worried or fearful of the things of this earth, even the little ones. The Lord has provided for me and has taken care of me this far and my trust is in Him. Also I completed the Beth Moore bible study this summer, and I wanted to celebrate by doing something like this, a reminder I AM HIS!

Humm, what else, Christmas was fun as usual. Mom, Dad, Sam and Rachel came over from Wenatchee. We had a great time eating Pho and opening gifts Christmas morning at my house!
Now it’s just back to work and nose to the grindstone. I am looking forward, however, to a conference I’m going to with my fellow Roots leaders. We’re carpooling over to Forge together. http://forge2011.eventbrite.com/3
Well, I’m hoping it’ll be very soon I write again. Until then friends!

Prayer Power

Thank you Lord for Your perfect timing. I was reminded you really are in control. Waiting really can be hard, but I’m encouraged you have what’s best for ME in mind. I thank you for that.
After realizing you do everything in your timing and for your Glory, I’m actually finding it harder to pray. I always pray for the outcome I want…not what you have planned. One of my key phrases in prayer is usually, “Love them Lord”, but I learned last week that you already love us as much as you possibly can. I want to change my ways of praying, but I’m not exactly sure how. I want to be a better prayer warrior and I pray you’d teach me how. Show me Lord, I’m asking.
I ask you’d comfort B as she’s in the hospital. Please comfort her family and let them know your arms are wrapped around them tightly with love. Give them a miracle Lord. Prepare their hearts for what is to come. I also lift up D. Heal him Lord. Show him you are love. We cannot experience love without you, because YOU ARE LOVE! Thank you for providing the friends and family you have put in my life; I am so blessed to be going through this life with them.
Amen.

Come And Fill Me Up!

I’m inviting God to fill every void in me with the living water that is Christ Jesus.
God fill my compulsiveness with you.
God fill my hunger with you.
God fill my “I’m missing out” feeling with you.
God fill my worry and doubt with you.
God fill my desire for anything but you, with you.
God fill my rejected spirit with you.
God fill my “I’m not good enough” mental state with you.
God take my un-motivated heart and trade it for one full of you.
God inspire my soul.
God encourage me so I can encourage others.
Amen

Brant Thieren

The gentleman I was praying for did end up passing away last week. I'm glad he was a part of my Stoneway experience and I am still praying for the comfort of his family (4 children) and friends. I've posted the link to his obituary incase you would care to check it out.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/spokesman/obituary.aspx?n=brant-thieren&pid=144612066

Breaking Free Week 7

I’m going through the Beth Moore bible study of Breaking Free. This week I’m learning about liberty, doing our father’s will and obedience. One thing that really stuck out to me yesterday was that “we are free when, and only when, He is in control”. Gosh, sure makes sense I guess, but what a commitment! The other thing she said was, “Our liberation is expressed as a reality only in the places of our lives where the free spirit of God is released.” In this week 7 she talks about when we receive Christ and how he actually “takes up residence inside us”. Isn’t that CRAZY to think about?!?!?. And I wonder how in the world I can still manage to disobey! It’s neat to know that He lives in me and it also is a constant reminder for me to try my best to make the right decision. “But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail” Isaiah 51:6

Stoneway 30 Year Open House

Today at work we had our 30 year open house. It was pretty crazy from 8am until 3pm. Reps from every company attended as well as tons of customers. We had Red Lion cater chicken, ribs, potatoes au gratin, homemade pasta and coleslaw…ooh so good! I had fun teasing all the reps and fellow Stoneway employees from other stores. I haven’t laughed that hard in a long time! All in all a great day!
Lord I pray for jr. high tonight. Give me energy and motivation and let me be understanding yet stern. Let me love all the jr. highers and let me make at least one good connection tonight. Thank you for how you’ve healed Brant thus far and I pray you’d continue to comfort their family and heal Brant. Thank you Lord. Also, can you freeze time so I have time to finish my bible study homework? Thanks, amen.
-K

Shopping with Charlene.

Shopping with Charlene is one of my all-time most favorite experiences ever. Charlene went to school with my parents at NW Christian and has been my mom’s good friend all my growing up years. With seven boys and no daughters, she adopted me as her only daughter! What makes her such a good shopping buddy, anyway?
*She always says, “well, try it on, you never know!” even if it’s close to the ugliest thing in the store.
*She says, “Oh, I love how you can put that outfit together in your mind”.
*She always tells me if it’s a major NO!
*She helps me if I can’t get the attire on all the way. (Like last night trying on slimmers…oh sheish! Not sure if anyone else would have done that.)
*There is NEVER enough time for all the shopping we want to do. The stores close way too early! Go-go-go is a great characteristic!
*In and out and on with life. If there’s nothing there…don’t bother.
Just a few wonderful qualities about Charlene! Thanks for the amazing shopping experience last night Charlene! Here’s a picture of my $4 top from Ross. Love-it!

Monday August 2nd, 2010

I haven’t had much time to think to myself today. Mondays are usually just “trying to making it through the day” kind of days. I forgot my bible study at home so I couldn’t do that on my lunch break. Monday-Thursday I usually take my bible study to a nearby Starbucks for some quiet time with God. I feel like I’m already behind…hopefully tomorrow! And tonight…oh I’m so excited…I get to go out with my good friend for a belated birthday celebration! Dinner at Azteca and shopping ‘til the stores close! One hour and twenty minutes away! Whoo-hoo!
Lord, thank you for the bonding moments of life as well as the shoe-shopping ones! Sometimes shopping can be an idol –with the adrenaline rush and all- and I pray now that if it is one for me you’d convict me and bring it to my attention. You are all I need Lord, and I acknowledge that now. I continue to lift up Brant to you Lord. Please heal his body. The workplace isn’t the same and we all miss his smiling face. I pray you comfort those who love him and continue to love on them. Send your Holy Spirit to be with them and be near during this time of need. Amen
-K

Hurts

I was asked this week to think and pray about my hurts. More so hurts I’ve experienced in my life that are still with me. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far.
1. Being left out as a child. It seemed everyone in my life were always buddied up and I was mostly without a bff. I remember being in 6th grade and being so angry with my parents after Sunday school that they didn’t immediately come find me after they were let out of service. I HATED being alone. I hated the label “loner” even though I was never called one; the fear alone was enough to make me never be caught dead standing alone!
2. I know most school kids can be pretty mean, and I definitely have my own memories of mean girls. I remember 2nd and 3rd grade were particularly hard years for left out and treated poorly by classmates.
3. “Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all” –Moulin Rouge. Although I really love the movie Moulin Rouge, I’m not convinced their quote is true…for me. In my Beth Moore bible study we’ve been talking about broken hearts. Oh I’ve struggled with my heart being shattered. It’s sad to me to realize years later it still affects me. Through this bible study I’m going to deal with it once and for all!
4. Losing my Grandma my senior year of high school was definitely hard, but losing both my Grandpas last year within 3 months was even harder. With all of my grandparent’s deaths I’ve been by their side as much as I could handle. Any loss in the family is hard. Though I learned much from the process of these losses, I still mourn and my heart is still sensitive when I look back.

Lord, I know you know where and how and when I hurt. I love that you know me so intimately. Thank you for loving ME! Jesus, please show me what hurts and wounds I have so I may bring them to your feet. I am ready to be free. I am ready to give them up, no matter how much sympathy I get from holding onto them and having them in my past. Bring my wounds and hurts to the surface of this life I’ve given to you so you can heal it. I am ready and willing. I also say an extra prayer for a customer, Brant, who comes in daily and is in critical condition today. You know what is going on and I ask for healing upon him and wisdom for the doctors.

Underwear

I was a Fred Meyer getting some groceries during my lunch break and the thought crossed my mind, “there sure are a lot of people who think that not wearing underwear is unnoticeable”. Let me tell you, IT’S NOTICEABLE! I’m sorry! I’m about to be vulgar, but holy cow…when your shorts get stuck in your butt crack and you are simply walking…it’s noticeable. And when anyone with some extra cellulite in the rear is walking down the isle and there is no extra support of the underwear…oh my is it ever noticeable. I’m not even going to go into the whole bending over subject because you KNOW what I would have to say about that. So please people, this is an urgent plea…PLEASE WEAR UNDERWEAR! I know it’s summer and it’s hot and an extra added layer of clothing just sucks, but really, you are helping us all out in the long run. And no, thongs (or as I like to call them – dental floss) do not count as underwear. We are trying to eliminate jiggle, not encourage it.
P.S. I went to the Spokane Valley DMV today and got my new temporary license! Here’s a pic!