Hebrews 13:5

Well, I thought I was going to start it. Turns out, it's really hard for me to read a chapter and do a lesson in an hour while the baby I watch is sleeping. I'm going to try and make it a habit to do my lessons and reading a chapter a nighttime ritual. I encourage you to do the same.

Yesterday, I found out that my cousin was involved in a IED (Roadside bombing) over in Afghanistan. No one was injured. Just cuts and bruises. Praise the Lord!! Hearing about things like this, makes it real to me. My cousin is the one fighting and putting himself in danger. Keep praying for him, please.

Father God, I pray for your protection on Blake as he is fighting for our earthly freedom. Keep his whole troop safe and let them return soon. Thank you for letting Blake get this opportunity. I pray that you be with his wife, Tara, and son, Dawson. I pray that you will make sure that they know that you are with them all the time and that you love them more than anything. And, Lord, I pray for your wisdom and comfort in my current situation with my mom. I'm just so frustrated all the time. I want her to be happy, but at the same time, I want her to do the right thing and not make any mistakes. Bless her, Lord. I also pray for your guidance through my search for a college and a major. I want something that I want to do and like to do. Thank you for everything you've given me. Thank you for everything you've taken away from me. I wouldn't be the person I am today if you didn't love me like you do. Thank you.

Amen.

Have a wonderful weekend! GO HOGS!

-katie

Breaking Free

I'm starting this book/Bible study called, "Breaking Free" by Beth Moore. I'm so looking forward to getting into this book and literally breaking free from all that has burdened me and everything that is holding me back. I want to discover the victory of total surrender that is Christ Jesus. That is the under title: "Breaking Free: Discover the Victory of Total Surrender". I'll hopefully be reading a chapter or two a day and blogging about it and maybe even quoting an excerpt or two.

Father, Bless me through this book and through your servant, Beth Moore. I pray that I will break free from Satan's bondage. Thank you for your faithfulness and your Sovereignty.

Amen.

-katie

Do I see what you see?

Precious Lord,

Thank you for my great Uncle Bill. He was such a blessing in my life and I loved him. Now he is with you and what a pleasure to know that fact. Thank you for the knowledge and comfort of knowing that he is with You in Heaven. I thank you for his life and the legacy that he left behind. I praise you for his life even though I will miss him here on this Earth. I pray that your hand be on his family especially his children (even though they are grown) and his grandchildren. I pray your comfort be with them.

I cannot express how grateful I am for life. I'm so thankful for this baby boy Pierce. I'm so blessed to get paid to do what I love, nanny. He is such a joy with his little gummy smile and absolutely irresistible laugh. I am thankful for his parents, Jennifer and Dave. They are hilarious and insightful and full of opportunities. Thank you.

Last night, Mike was talking about seeing things as you see them. Father, I pray that I would see as you see. I pray that I wouldn't just glance over the crowd but actually see people and see what they are feeling, etc. I pray that you would bless me through 501. I pray that I would develop life-long friendships and that they would be a blessing to me and vice versa.

Thank you for this incredibly beautiful day!

Amen

Ok, Lord, do your thing.

Thank You, Father, for an absolutely beautiful day. Thank You for the butterfly sighting I had today. It was that beautiful dusk colored blue and black. God, I am putting my trust in you because I can't make this happen. I have an opportunity that would be incredible. God, Your will be done. I know my prayer is not ignored. Your Word says,

"'What is the price of five sparrows--two copper coins?

Yet, God does not forget a single one.

And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.

So do not be afraid;

you are more valuable to God

than a whole flock of sparrows.'"

Luke 12:6-7

So, Father, hear me. I pray that Your will be done. Period. Thank You.

Amen

-katie

Thank You, Lord!!

Thank You, Lord for keeping baby Truett and sweet Stephanie safe!! How precious are these next moments, hours, days, weeks, and years!

And now I have another prayer request. My cousin, Blake Grimmett is on his way to Afghanistan just as I type this post. Last I heard, he landed in Romania. Pray that God keeps him safe and protected so he can return to his family, most importantly his wife and son, in April.

Blake & Me when he came home from training

at our cousin, Jarrod's wedding

at Blake's rehearsal dinner

at his wedding

Blake with his bride, Tara

and their son, Dawson!

Father, Blake is fighting for my country. He's fighting so we can keep our freedom. I have so much respect and love for him. Please keep him safe and protected. God be faithful to us. Thank You.

-katie

PRAYER REQUEST!

So tonight I found out that my best friend's brother and his wife are currently at the hospital, in labor with their first child, a boy to be named Truett! I am so happy for this family. They are precious, funny people who are going to be the most amazing parents. I look up to these people so much and they don't even know it! I love their love for each other. Here's some pictures:

Truett is so lucky to have these people in his life! I cannot wait to meet him!! But, I wanted to see if y'all would pray for a safe delivery and great health report for mom and baby Truett!

Love,

katie

Philippians 4:6-7

Father, your Word says,

"Don't worry about anything;

instead, pray about everything.

Tell God what you need,

and thank him for all he has done.

Then you will experience God's peace,

which exceeds anything we can understand.

His peace will guard our hearts and minds

as you live in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:6-7

So, I am praying to You now, Father. Lord, You know what's going on in my life right now. I pray that You will comfort me while it is going on and let me know that You are taking care of everything. God, I need strength through this storm. I'm trying to hang on to You, Father, but, it's hard. I'm slipping. If you can calm the wind a bit, I could readjust my grip on you. And just as Your Word says, I thank You for all you have given and taken away from me. I'd never be where I am today if You didn't let me experience all this. Thank You. Thank You for the breaths I am breathing now.

I love you,

me.

Troubled...

God, I need your guidance with my mom and friend. I can't do this without you, Father. Help me and let me know what I should do. I need you.

Amen.

Matthew 11:28 [NLT]

I'm reading this book called, "Traveling Light" by Max Lucado. It's subtitle says, "Releasing the burdens you were never intended to bear". The entire book is on the twenty-third Psalm.

"The Lord is my Shepherd;

I shall not want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures;

He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul;

He leads me in the paths of righteousness

For his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare me a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil.

My cup runs over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord

Forever." [NKJV]

This is such a beautiful passage. I always think of this passage when I'm near a creek. I just always love the imagery that David uses here. It's breath-taking.

Well, God has already answered part of my prayer from yesterday. I prayed for a new attitude and God granted my request and I am so grateful. I pray this new attitude sticks with me.

My prayer will be short today.

Father, I ask for your protection over my family. I ask for you to keep this new attitude into affect and to strengthen it with everyday. I pray that it will seep into every aspect of my day and life. Thank you for your blessings. Amen.

Soon, I will tell my story. Until then, good night, and have a wonderful week!

-katie

Psalm 92:4 [NLT]

Father, my prayer for tonight is for me and my mom. Without revealing too much information, I ask that you be over her newest relationship. God, it is a huge bother to me. I need your guidance on what I can do. I need you. I'm trusting You, God. Trusting you to help me, to guide me, and to comfort me in this time. I love my mom more than anything on this Earth; she's my best friend and I don't want to see anything bad happen to her.

God, next I want to beg for your protection over my cousin. I pray for safety while he's over in Afghanistan. I pray that he returns home to his wife and their son. I pray that he will keep you in his heart. He needs you more than ever now. I pray that he comes home in one piece in April, if not before. I love him so much, Father. I thank you for him.

And God, I ask for your blessing on the start of school for all. I pray that this year will be a great one! I pray for all the seniors and for their college search. I pray for the ones starting Kindergarten that they won't be scared or nervous, but enthusiastic about a new phase of life.

And God, finally, I ask for a new attitude. I ask that you will give me the most abundant joy. I've been in such a bad place lately and, God, I need your help to get out of it. I pray that you will give me, understanding, love, a little bit of patience, and overall, peace. I love you and I praise you for who you are and what you've done.

Thank you Lord.

Amen.

Hope you all have a great rest of the weekend!

-katie