Pray Fervently

        Hey guys, please pray for some friends of mine who just lost their 13 year old son/brother. He was found dead in their barn a little while ago. We don't know anything else. Please pray for the aching hearts who knew this boy. He was... he was so happy, and loving, and on fire for God. He now rests with his Savior...

                         Love, Katie

Eye of the Hurricane

     Merry Christmas Eve everyone!
 As I'm sitting here writing, I'm listening to Christmas music, and chatting with my friends. It's really rather nice not to worry. I'm not making a mental list as to everything I need to do today, I'm not worrying about wrapping presents, or baking cookies right now. I'm just sitting here, and enjoying the day. Later there will be time for all that craziness, but not here, not now. What is this feeling? It is fellowship, and peace, and love. I love to listen to music, and to write. I am having fellowship with my friends, and I am at peace. I know that last thing I posted was on taking a step back and relaxing, but I really do think it's important, especially in this season. Relaxing doesn't mean you don't do any work that day, or you ignore your family asking for you help on something. It just means that even when you are doing something, you aren't freaking out. You're not going through a mental list of, "I have to do this, this, this, this, and this, and I only have an hour!" You are aware of what needs done, and you get it done without panicking! I've found that what helps most with this is to turn on music. Music soothes the soul, music speaks to your heart. I would know, music is my natural God-given language. So I encourage you to relax while doing your work today, and when you can, take a step back and let someone else step in and take over. You don't have to be in control of everything. And at the end of the day, calm down, listen to music, and talk to God. He will fill your soul with peace.

Hope in the Flurries

          So, now it's the day before Christmas Eve, only two days before Christmas. You are running around, trying to finish all those final tasks. A present for mom, more brown sugar for sweet potatoes. Oh no, you forgot to wrap Uncle Joe's present! We're right in the thick of things now, and we've pretty much forgotten about that little baby Jesus, the only reason Christmas exists. We are stressed, and worried, it's snowing heavily and you keep having to shovel, or it's rainy and you're trying to keep the dogs muddy paws from tracking all over the house. Where did the peace go that this holiday is supposed to bring? Where is the hope? Take a minute and look back. Stop rushing, if only for a moment. Quiet your brain, listen to gentle Christmas music, and sit back remembering Jesus and his gift to us. Bask in his love, and feel yourself filled once more with hope, and peace. Are you hurting because of the painful memories of past Christmas? Stop. There is a tie for tears, and rushing trying to get everything done has it's place. But right now, I think we all need to sit back and take a  minute to soak in God's glory, remember his love, and his gift. Remember the Christ child, remember peace. Remember hope most of all. "Hope is the heartbeat of both the forgiver, and the forgiven"-Bryan Davis. Sometimes, silence really is golden. A blessed Christmas to all of you, and may you be filled with the hope of Christ this season.
~Katie Stone~