Anticipation

Last night, we began our new semester of small group. It was a blessing to meet again. Dad did a wonderful and meaningful job with the Bible study, based on Acts 9 with Ananias’ obedience and Saul’s conversion. The title of the study was, “What is required to follow Christ?” I always love Dad’s teaching; God has certainly given him a gift. The meal, prepared by Mom and some of the other members, was delicious as well.

Do you ever wait and anticipate for something so long that when it actually happens, you almost don’t know what to think or say? That is what it happening with my parents’ traveling to get Qavah this week. I’ve dreamed of this week for months. I’ve prayed about the details ever since we began this adoption. Now, the time is here and I don’t know what to write! Everything feels almost surreal…like I’m in a movie that’s playing in slow motion. I’m just thankful we don’t have to wait any longer. I know the transition won’t be easy, especially for Qavah, but I also know this is God’s plan. I have confidence He is going to work everything out, continue to grow our faith, and amaze us all with the process!

Requirements to Following Christ (Bible Study Outline):

1. Totally depend on the Lord

2. Wait on the Lord’s timing

3. Communication

God calls us for a very specific purpose and work. We need to be in constant communication with Him. In addition, we should see if the Lord has has reconfirmed the commandment. Finally, the commandments or plans the Lord gives us to do will always be consistent with His character and Biblical teachings.

4. Recognize God’s authority over your life

5. Obey (In the end, Ananias obeyed whole-heartily.)

Comments:

1. Sandy Says:
   August 28th, 2007 at 8:49 am

   I have definitely waited in anticipation for big events and then hardly know what to say when when they happen! This is such an awesome week for your family! God’s peace to all of you.

2. Julie Says:
   August 31st, 2007 at 5:52 am

   Katy, you all will be making adjustments and that is totally normal. But Qavah, just wait and see how she will adjust. Kids are so resilient and adaptable. And, she is at a very good age to make an excellent adjustment. I wish all the best for you and your family and look forward to hearing the many many stories you will share with us.

3. Aunt Lil Says:
   September 1st, 2007 at 2:02 pm

   I missed this until today, Katy! Great Bible Study for me… wait for God’s timing! Yes, that’s what I’m doing. Love you much, Aunt Lil

4. Carrie Thompson Says:
   September 1st, 2007 at 7:54 pm

   Hi Katy,
   I missed this until today, too! Great outline of the Bible Study. Thanks for sharing. I’m looking forward to seeing ya’ll in Church tomorrow, Lord willing.
   Love,
   ~Carrie

Tuesday Night

It’s been a busy, but wonderful day! Mom babysat Annelise at Colin’s house until 3:00pm, so I was home alone for a good part of the day.
Aunt Julie stopped by for a short visit on her way home from Bible study. It was so good to see her! I enjoyed having her as a “bed buddy” in the hospital, but I think it’s safe to say we both prefer seeing each other outside of Roanoke Memorial! I also had a half hour piano lesson. That was really fun, because I’m beginning to read notes. My lessons are always very relaxed, but at the same time, I am learning. More importantly, I’m enjoying the process.

The later part of this afternoon and tonight was spent working on my Jamaica album. I actually finished all of the scrapbooking! Now, I need to go back and journal the pages. I can’t believe it took me a year to complete just one album, but I’ve had so much fun doing it. The colors are bright and cheerful. I think I was really able to capture the essence of my two mission trips. The entire time I scrapbooked, I felt the joy of the Lord. Someday, I look forward to seeing the Christian Jamaicans in Heaven.

Speaking of “someday,” Mom and I finished another week of Bible study tonight. I shouldn’t be amazed at what I’m learning in Daniel, because God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. However, what is stated in chapters 7 (especially) and 8, as Beth Moore said, “were prophecy to Daniel but history to us”. The four world empires I studied in Western Civilization at Virginia Western several years ago were prophesied in Daniel 7 and the empires existed just as the Lord said they would. What gets me really excited is how precise God is…it makes me look forward to, with renewed fervor, the time when Christ will reappear. I alluded to Ephesians 6 and the Armor of God on the Medical Updates’ section and I included verse 17 there. However, I want to include the entire section below.

The Armor of God

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” -Ephesians 6:10-17.

Comments:

1. Aunt Lil Says:
   August 23rd, 2007 at 11:38 pm

   Wow, Katy, I missed this one! and a great one, too. I try remember to “pray on” the armor every morning. I believe it gives me both protection from the enemy and power to make effective the “Sword of the Spirit” whenever I find an opportunity to use it. Keep up the Walk! Love, Aunt Lil

2. Laura Griffith Says:
   August 26th, 2007 at 2:22 pm

   Would love to see your scrapbooks I’m seeing all kinds of bright colors. At least you have one finished, I’ve been working on Lorien’s “baby book” and have only gotten to her first few months of life. I’m so slow at it. Maybe I can get some inspiration from yours. Qavah will be blessed to have you as a sister

Misc. and Website Housekeeping

It has been two weeks and two days since I began Imuran. The difference in my body is amazing! The transformation from before Imuran to how I feel now is even surprising me. I’m so thankful. I began the drug August 1, almost to-the-day I entered the hospital the second time last year (after the appendectomy). I remember on one of my first posts on this website, I asked if I would ever be able to really “live life,” again instead of merely observing it. These past two weeks are evidence that I am able to enjoy life again. Life will be forever changed and different (my daily medications’ box is testimony of that), but it is still pleasant and filled with surprises, joys, and God’s goodness.

Here are several random “newsworthy” musings:

1. Yesterday, I finished Constitutional Law I! As I told a friend last night, to most people this would just seem like finishing another course. But to me, completely C.L. is significant, because I began this course last summer, several months before the initial hospital stay and HPS diagnosis. As my friend said, “What an end to a book-filled [meaning eventful] year.” I want to thank my instructor- who is a reader of this website- for her patience and support over this past year. She was pleased with my final assignment and I received an A for the course. To God be the glory!

2. Sandy asked me to post my academic plans for Fall. Knowing that they can change at any time, I am planning to finish my final two Mary Baldwin College courses, so I can graduate in December. These course are Media Law & Ethics and Senior Thesis. I have to write a 30+ page senior thesis with the topic yet to be determined. I’ll keep you posted.

3. I realized that several previous posts where pictures had been posted no longer existed. One example is the post from August 21, 2006 titled “CELEBRATE” under Medical Updates. On this post, I described Granddaddy’s Birthday party. Well, I have now posted pictures here, on the Photos-menu of Katy’s Musings.

4. I have updated the Literati page of Katy’s Musings with a website recommendation and book review.

Comments:

1. Sandy Says:
   August 18th, 2007 at 10:05 pm

   Praise God for these good days and quite a turn around from when I first started to know you last year! You’ve come a long way. I look forward to hearing about your classes! Writing a thesis can be a crazy journey all by itself, so just enjoy the ride.

2. Mike Theesfield Says:
   August 19th, 2007 at 9:51 am

   Hi, Katy!
   I well remember the comments in which you wondered if you would really live life again; they’re what inspired me to start posting here.

   An A for a conservative in Constitutional Law? Your college must be a conservaticve one! It seems to me that the all-too-typical liberal colleges teach that the Constitution means just about everything except for what it says!

   Liberal College: The 2nd Amendment actually provides for the existance of the National Guard, rather than individual rights.

   Me (with tongue lodged firmly in cheek): Well, of course! I should have realized that the word “people” in the 2nd Amendment is synonymous with “National Guard”! How wise our Founding Fathers were to ensure our individual rights by giving the government the right to arm a National Guard…

   Liberal College: The 1st Amendment stipulates the separation of Church and State.

   Me (T-in-C): Yes! The words “separation of Church and State” are right there in the 1st Amendment, right where it says- uh- well, anyway, I always knew that those evil Ten Commandment plaques in the courthouses and those nasty school prayers happened because of laws made by Congress!…

   Liberal College: Federal social programs are Constitutional and necessary.

   Me (T-in-C): Well, OBVIOUSLY the 10th Amendment stipulation that “those powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people” was intended by the Founding Fathers to apply only when there was public consensus on a Tuesday night with everyone hopping up and down on one leg while whistling the theme to “Green Acres” with the windshield wipers running, unless vetoed by Nancy Pelosi…

   I could go on, but I’m sure many people (National Guardsmen, of course!) would tell me that this is quite enough!

   Hugs and donuts, hon!

   Cousin Mike

3. Aunt Lil Says:
   August 19th, 2007 at 10:45 pm

   Katy, Congratulations “mille fois” - a thousand times! for the course completion and the A. That is a most remarkable achievement - an honor not only for you, but for the Lord, not to mention your proud family!

   You know, I just went back and listened to that wonderful children’s choir at the end of the April 8th entry here - it is SO inspiring, I would like to try to find that video and buy it. Anyway, I tried to enlarge the screen with the children singing, and I ended up with a second screen and the same choir singing on top of the first one, and it was glorious! Like a round! Hearing one part sung in background and another in foreground. You should try it! Do you have any idea how to get a copy of that?

   Love, Aunt Lil

4. Aleah Yunger Says:
   August 20th, 2007 at 7:57 am

   Congratulations!! I know that amazing feeling of finishing up a semester, but for a class that has taken you so long to make it through — I’m sure the blessing is tenfold what it would normally have been!