P-A-N-I-C

I’m thankful tomorrow is Thursday. It’s been a long week, so I’m already looking forward to the weekend. Today was a slow and uneventful day. I had more abdominal pain, so I spent the majority of the day in bed on pain medicine. I haven’t eaten much, which might be a good thing. I could stand to lose a pound or two.

Tonight, I’ve been talking to friends and perusing different websites. I discovered that the Scripps National Spelling Bee is taking place this week. The Bee wraps up tomorrow with the final round being televised live on ABC. I actually found a really neat Bee Blog by Sean Mussenden, a reporter for Media General News Service. This blog is quite entertaining, with “live” reports, videos, background information, and stories about the contestants.

Speaking about language and spelling, did you know that the English language derived the word “panic” from the Greek god Pan? Supposedly, Pan was the “god” of the mountainside and goats. In addition, he was irritable and cranky. Eventually, Pan became known as the “god of anxiety and fright”. I got this information from a Christian book I’m reading titled He Shall Be Called: 150 Names of Jesus and What They Mean To You, authored by Robert J. Morgan. Perhaps tomorrow I’ll write a book review on my Literati page. For now, though, I’ll close with two meaningful paragraphs on this subject:

“Our Lord took the disciples to a place of panic to teach them the wonders of His own person and work. He often teaches us our greatest lessons in places of fear and disease. He is greater than Pan, greater than anxiety, greater than superstition, and greater than any false gods.

We find our peace in Him and in His finished work on Calvary. We must choose every day whether we’re going to give in to panic or follow Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Morgan, Page 78).

Comments:

1. Martha Harrison Says:
   May 31st, 2007 at 7:21 am

   Good morning, Katy! I hope you’re feeling better and that everyone in your family feels almost back to normal. That stomach flu bug is no fun. The best part is that it usually leaves as fast as it comes! Katy, you and your Mom have blessed my day more than I can put into words. He really knew what He was doing when they adopted you and you decided to adopt them. I wouldn’t venture to guess how many lives you have touched just by the way you live your life for Him. You make my heart sing!! I have lots of housework to do today…which is not my favorite thing to do…but I feel I can tackle anything right now because you have given me that revitalizing shot of energy just by reading your blog. Thank you and God bless your day, too!!
   Love, Martha

2. Jess Says:
   May 31st, 2007 at 8:18 am

   Hey Katy Lady!
   Good morning! I hope the sun is shining for you in VA and that the pain has subsided a little. (We are in Knoxville for the week - then on to Holden Beach, NC for some much needed R&R.) Thank you so much for your post this about panic - as this new baby gets closer and closer - I do find myself having to choose God’s peace daily. Your post was a great reminder that even when we feel powerless and spinning out of control - He is right there and his grace is always available!

   We love you guys and we hope that everyone starts feeling better soon!
   Jess

3. Anne Poler Says:
   May 31st, 2007 at 10:26 am

   Hi, Katy.
   I haven’t commented in a while, so I have thoughts that date from a while back:

   –Glad the Remicade is seeming to help
   –Love the way your office looks. It’s giving me some inspiration!
   –Thanks for the info on the Spelling Bee. I’ve always enjoyed that, and the National Geographic Bee (that was completed on May 23), but I hadn’t been following either this year.
   –Still praying for you–esp. today since the past few days have been rough.
   –Hope everyone in the family is feeling better.
   Love, Anne

Closet Office

Comments:

1. Andrea Says:
   May 23rd, 2007 at 9:47 pm

   Katy,

   no one would ever know how sick you were looking at these pictures. You look just wonderful!

   I am so happy for you, and what a pretty office

   By the way….Dawn could update her musings too

   Love Andrea

2. Heather Kirkwood Says:
   May 24th, 2007 at 10:55 am

   Hey Katy! What a great looking office! I’m really hoping to redo my home office soon. It’s such a mess and yours looks so organized. I have two projects I have to finish before I can start on that though - BTW - got back from San Francisco late last night. I came home to 214 e-mails and 27 messages on my answering machine! And I haven’t even started on the work e-mail yet! Yikes! It might take a little while to dig out. But, the trip was very exciting. We had some great developments for HPS.

3. Tiffany Allen Says:
   May 24th, 2007 at 12:20 pm

   Katy,

   Your office looks great! It is so wonderfully organized. You look so healthy and happy in your pictures and I hope it continues for you. Praise God for the wonderful blessings He has bestowed upon you!!!!

   Love and Prayers,

   Tiffany

4. Sandy Says:
   May 24th, 2007 at 1:07 pm

   Wow! You’d never know that was all in a closet from the first picture! That’s really neat. Now, your Dad can come to my apartment and figure out where in the world to fit an office (which I need so much) in my space!

   You look great Katy. I’m glad things are going better for you! Take good care. Prayers continue from here.

A Personal Visit

Today is already another blessed day and it’s not even noon yet! I woke up feeling rested and refreshed. The Remicade is keeping my health stable. This is the first time I’ve been able to bounce back from a flare-up without having my body go into shock mode. I’m so grateful. I know it’s the prayers from faithful friends and God’s merciful hand.

Last week I told Mom, “Queen Elizabeth is coming to Virginia to commemorate Jamestown’s 400th anniversary. I wish I could go see her. After all, I’m a political science (and history) student!” I then went on to explain how the local news had a story about the etiquette of meeting the Queen. It is no longer necessary to bow or curtsy, but only to shake the Queen’s hand if she extends her hand first. I could tell the wheels in Mom’s brain were turning. After a moment she replied, “While it is neat that Queen Elizabeth is visiting, you’ve had the King of Kings meet you, give you individual directions, and you didn’t have to drive 4 hours to meet him or wait for an invitation.” Mom made a wonderful point that put everything in its proper perspective.

Comments:

1. andrea Says:
   May 10th, 2007 at 5:00 pm

   Katy,

   I am so glad to read that you a bit better
   And isnt your Mom right about the Queen and the King of Kings.
   He met You, he came to YOU, He showed YOU His Kingdom (well part of it), he did more than just extend His hand to YOU! He loves you soooo much.

   I too was a bit dissapointed when I saw that she came to VA but still to far away to go to see her, and than you drive all that way and still cant see her, you know. When I was living in Germany and brought up there, we are a bit fanatic about royalty not only with the House of Windsor also about the little country of Monaco and Prince Reinier and Grace Kelly and their Kids as well as the Queen and King of Sweden and their Kids. Especially since the Queen of Sweden is a German Lady from Heidelberg which is about 25 minutes away from Mannheim the city I am from.
   So, I have to say I am a bit fanatic about royalties.
   Oh my when Princess Diana died, I was on the TV for days on end watching CNN, there excisted no other channel or any other tv show for me. Just the Princess

   But now since I have found the King of Kings, I am not that whatchamacallit??? Infatuated???? With all those people!

   I just try to live as good as I can for Him, Him who loves us unconditionally, where we dont have to wait if HE extends His hand. We just go after Him and grab it.

   I love you Katy and your beautiful Family

   Love always
   Andrea

2. Aleah Yunger Says:
   May 10th, 2007 at 5:45 pm

   I thought for a moment you were going to say the Queen came and visited you!! Your mom is so wise… and her words are true. And let me tell you, as an outsider, hearing about a visit from our Lord is much more inspiring than the Queen could ever be! Glad to hear today started out well! ~Aleah

3. Jennifer S. :) Says:
   May 10th, 2007 at 9:19 pm

   Katy,
   Mom’s are really good at that kind of thing. I’m hoping that when/if I become a mom, I will have inherited that gene!! Along with the “eyes in the back of her head” gene.
   Glad your day was good!
   Love and prayers,
   Jen

4. Emily Williams Says:
   May 11th, 2007 at 11:02 am

   I also thought you were going to say that you meet the Queen!

   I am glad to hear that you are doing better, it is an answer to prayer.
   We need to get together and do some scrapbooking! I am getting so excited about starting! I can’t wait!!!

5. kendall Pelish Says:
   May 11th, 2007 at 2:35 pm

   Howdy, I’m glad to hear your able to eat subway, eventhough it is just vegetables. How can I be praying for you? Physical healing, a large measure of faith and spiritual strength? Hope to see you this summer.
   Kendall