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Friday, 21 March 2008

Spring is here! I couldn't be happier. It seems like this winter was long...not really cold, just dreary(that is why I'm not too fond of February by the way, just the weather :), and then we had that crazy snow in March. Ugh. But it's all gone now. I was thinking today just how amazing it is when flowers just pop up over night.

I have really gotten much more relaxed about school this semester...senoritus I suppose, but at least my grades haven't suffered...yet. Being married and being in school at the same time is strange; almost like being in two places at once. God has definitely used it to stretch me and make me much more confident that He has things under control---not me. One lesson in particular that I am trying to learn is that I can't fix my friends problems for them, nor can I lead them to the Lord for the right answers. All I can do is point. As much as it breaks my heart to not really be able to help people, I must let go. I know this seems so simple, but for me, seeing people in emotional pain is so hard.

Stephen bought us two kayaks about three weeks ago, and I can't wait to take them out! It's so relaxing to just be out on the water with no noise, no people, no nothing but gorgeous creation. There are several things in my life that have a profound effect on me. I like to call them "still moments." They are those things that speak to me in such a way that I can't help but wonder at the creativity and love of our God. One of them is definitely being near a clear river in the springtime.

We are leaving tomorrow to get away for about 4 days. It's going to be so awesome spending time with my best friend.

Thanks for reading my un-organized ramblings. Pray that my heart will long to constantly abide in the arms of Him. I feel so unworthy, yet He died. "Praise Him for his indescribable gift!"

Saturday, 01 March 2008

Hmm...I guess I just skipped February all together.
I was asked to update about 2 weeks ago and totally forgot (sorry Zack!!), but I guess it is high time to let y'all know what's going on in our life.
    Whew! I really don't know where to start, so I'll try to summarize. Basically, I don't like February, and this year wasn't much different. I know that each day is a blessing and all that jazz, but February just isn't my favorite month, and I've felt like that for as long as I can remember. lol
    Other than that, life is good. There are rough days, but I know in the end it will be good. Sometimes I close my eyes and dream about spending all day outside with Stephen and it's warm and sunny...I know it will happen. Just in a couple more months. I've been more busy than I've ever been in my life. I know some of it is self-imposed, and I've fixed that a little. I know it's not good to let stress take its toll on my mind or body. I have learned so much about trusting God. It seems that's a lesson that I am tought over and over, but each new time, the truths just get deeper. Other than that...hmm.... I am running a 5K on March 15th and then hopefully running the Toadsuck 10K. I just love being outside and running. It is truly like therapy for me and I think I can talk Stephen into doing it with me too :)
    Stephen is amazing. I've been so proud of him! He works full time and is doing so well in his classes. Not to mention putting up with me during my February blues! Lately we've been discussing if he should re-sign with the Guard. Pray for us on that one, because it's a really tough decision. Especially considering who could be our next president. Yike.
    I'm really looking forward to Spring Break, and I'm not really sure what we are doing yet, but there are some cool possibilities. I think next weekend we may go and rent a cabin just to spend some time together. I know that will be good. Isn't it a weird feeling when you live with someone but barely see them? I know a lot of you can relate. It does make the times when I do get to see him so special though!! Sometimes I think back to how much we got to just hang out last year and the couple of years before then. Makes us feel a little old. But life is just different now.

I hope and pray that if you are down, you will trust the Lord to lift your spirits as He has done for me. He's faithful, and He will do it! Love you guys,
                                                                  Kinsey

Wednesday, 16 January 2008

Hmm.... I guess it's fairly obvious that "real life" has started back in full force. Between the trip to Colorado, Stephen's work, school, and a military event we had last weekend, our lives have been a little crazy. Sorry it's been over 2 weeks since I last updated!

Things are great though. I love my classes this semester. For the first time, everything I am taking are upper division courses within my major. In graphics we are learning the ins and outs of photoshop, and that is totally right up my ally! Tomorrow night we kick our Bible study that we have here out our house. I'm so looking forward to that! It started out really small but now we have about 12 people show up, and more keep coming. We are praying about expanding it to even more of a ministry. So, we will see how that goes....

Stephen is taking 2 online classes this semester. He was worried about it at first, but he is already way ahead in both classes. He will do great because he has amazing work ethic...a little of it has rubbed off on me I think. That's the nice thing about being married to some one who is better at things than I am :)
Well, I am off to Spanish class! So until next time, much love,
Kinsey

Tuesday, 01 January 2008

Happy New Year!

Another year has flown by.... Today I have been pondering all that has taken place in my life throughout this past year. Wow, so much has changed! But for me, they were all good changes. The best "change" was entering into a new life with Stephen Baker. He has blown me away with many of his qualities, but one thing I admire about him in particular is his selfless attitude. He is so constant and consistant; making me feel very secure about his love for me, and God's will for us. But anyway, I could go on about my hubby for forever :) I'm just very grateful to have him, and even more so lately because of a great book I have been reading. "Love and Respect" is amazing, and I totally recomend it!

We are leaving very veeerrry early tomorrow morning to go skiing in Colorado! I'm extremely excited because I've never been but always wanted to go. I love snow and mountains so much...almost to the point of obsession. I know it will be a fun trip---maybe painful at first, but fun :)

Anyway, I need to go finish packing. Sorry this is just a random post, and may God give you joy, peace and discernment as we start off on another year or our lives with a new clean slate. "Redeem the time," because each day is so important.

Friday, 28 December 2007

Here's a post that I wrote on my other Xanga site about 2 years ago.... I randomly found it today, and it was funny to see how God speaks to my heart now and how He did then. Hope you enjoy and may you rest in the simplicity that is in Christ.

I wanna be like the lilies.
I know that might sound a little strange, but that's been my prayer this whole week. Oswald Chambers writes, "Consider the lilies of the field....Mat. 6:28. They grow where they are planted. Many of us refuse to grow where God plants us." This past week I could feel God testing me, and Satan using that testing as means to get me weak. Isn't it cool how God causing us to get so close to being completely discouraged, then at the last moment, He brings everything to light. While meditating on Mat. 6:25-28, and Psalm 57:7, I feel like the message is being drilled into me over and over, harder and harder until I finally being to get it. The gist of the message is, life is incredibly simple. it honestly is.

Just consider the lilies. "They grow where they are planted." They except the circumstances God has given them, and do not pass up the opportunity to give Him glory by remaining content and humble. "They neither toil, nor spin." They don't have to; what would the use be anyway? It is all in His hands, but somehow I sometimes think that if I would just add my two hands in, four's gotta be better than two.... Knowing His plans is like trying to grasp the air. I can't even fathom it. "Even Solomon wasn't arrayed as one of these." Sounds like there are rewards for living simply. Living a simple life means living a trusting life, and to trust, I must remain in close contact with Him. That's the only thing I should ever be worried about.

Life's just plain cool. Especially when it's as gorgeous outside as it was today. We played frisbee in the mud, and I have the bruises and dirt in my hair to prove it. Ahh yes, life is good.

Maybe as I become more lily-like, I can say with David, " My heart is steadfast oh God, my heart is steadfast." I'm working on the steadfast part, but I can definitely say that my heart is very full, and that is because of the life He has given me, and gosh I don't deserve it!

Much love,

Kinz