His Ways are Higher than Our Ways

   Hey y'all! So, it has been a while since the last time I posted anything, but like I said last time, college makes you busy. There seems to never be a dull moment or time for rest. Here I am now, though, taking the time to lay out what is on my mind/heart.

   As I am planning for my mission trip to Mexico, I have been faced with many different people and situations that have really got me thinking "Why am I here?", "Why did God place me where I am?", and "What is my purpose here on earth?" As I contemplated these questions, I was encouraged to dig and to ask questions and to figure out the answers to these questions that at first glance seem so simple. As I continued to seek what God has for me, I was deeply encouraged in so many different things. I want to share some of those with y'all, and hope that they encourage you just as they have encouraged me.



- God has a plan for all of us.
         First and foremost, it is important to understand that God truly does have a purpose for each and everyone of use. We were all created by God, for God. He knows the amount of hairs on your head (Luke 12:6-7). He knows your deepest secrets, worries, aspirations, and dreams. He knew all of this before you were even thought of by your parents (Jeremiah 1:5). How amazing is that?! Our God, the Ruler of the Universe, the Ultimate King, the Loving Father loves us so much that He takes to time to intimately care for and know us. Wow! Now, take this in. The King who knows your inmost being, has a plan for you. Not just a plan that is like everyone else's plan. No! He has a specific and unique plan just for you. Made and mapped out with you as an individual in mind.


- God's plan is the ultimate plan
         So many times, we like to think that our plan is higher that God's. As humans, we, by nature, are lead to believe that we know what is right for ourselves. We are lead to believe that we can handle anything that comes our way, and that we know just what the future will hold for us. This could not be anymore wrong! In Isaiah 55:8-9, God says ""My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." God lays it out for us. He does not leave it to question. His ways are higher than our ways. We can only see one single pixel of the picture, and God can see the entire view. Why would we trust our own selves when we are so blind to what He has for us? We are to seek out and follow His plan for us.


- God's plan is for your best interest
         God knows just what we need. He knows what we desire and want as well. God will not bring us something, or He does not have something in His plan that is not with our best interest in mind. In Jeremiah 29:11 He tells us just this: "For I know the plans I have for you,...Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." He knows what he has for you, and He assures us that it will be good for us and not bring us harm.

- God's plan is not always easy
         So many times, we are told that being a Christian is not easy. Nothing could be any more true. We are not promised a straight path that is clean and fresh. Rather, our path my look a little rough. If you have seen Kid President's Pep Talk he says, "Two roads diverge in the wood, and I took the road less traveled, and it HURT, MAN!! Really bad! Rocks! Thorns! Glass!" He gets it! Just like our walk with faith, we will encounter some struggles, some hurts. We will encounter tough times, and broken hearts. Is this supposed to lead us away from God? NO! NO! NO! It is actually just the opposite. We are to RUN closer to Him. An important thing to remember is that God will not bring us to something that He will not bring us through. He will not leave us either when times get hard. As the boat starts to rock, He will hold our hands as we fear. He will hug us as we cry. He will carry us when we are tired. Trust Him to do just that. Trust your life with Him, and that He will NEVER leave you (Deuteronomy 31:6).


   So, now what? Take this. Take it and RUN! Take encouragement in the fact that you have a purpose. Our ultimate purpose for life is to Glorify God and to Make Him Known. How will you do this? How are you currently doing this? Will you take heart when times get hard, and cling to Him? Will you seek out what He has in store for you? What keeps you from seeking out and living His plan for your life? Are you afraid? Are you anxious? Let all that hinders go away. Run the race that He has marked out for you as it says in Hebrews 12:1. Take courage and sprint to Him.




Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, Let us throw of everything that hinders, and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

                                      -Hebrews 12:1-2

A Day of Renewal.

Blogging has seemed to become a very low priority lately, even though I wanted to blog a lot more once I moved to Tech. So, while I have a short break in studying, I thought that I could update on what the Lord has been doing in my life.

Life a Tech has been a whirl wind, but the Lord has blessed me beyond belief. He not only has given me good times, but has also shown me some areas in my life that I need to work on. I would like to say that once I came to Tech, I kept the desire to stay on a mountain top in my relationship with Christ. However, I now know and believe that He teaches us things when we are in the deepest valleys of life.

Going through life here, I have been solely going through the motions. I no longer think about "What can I do right this moment to glorify God?" or "What am I not doing enough of to bring glory to His name?" These questions have been hitting me in the face lately, and I have began to realize that I am not going any extra length to glorify the most amazing God of the universe. What am I thinking? I have began to be self reliant, and since everything was going well, I didn't really seek Him.

However, with procrastination comes stress, and in a sense, that is what I was doing with my faith. Procrastinating. I was putting God off until tomorrow, and the tomorrow, the next day. This has really began to weigh down on me hard. Why am I beginning to even think that I can take care of myself or rely on myself  when I only fail myself every single day? So, what comes next?

When I read God's word, He truly answers my prayers of what I could be doing better in my life. He shows me what areas I need to work on, but He also shows me what areas I am doing well in at this time. As sin continues to lurk in the background just waiting for an opportune time to pounce, God is preparing me to face these temptations. He is equipping me with the armor I need to fight war against these sins.

He is not only teaching me in solitude. He is teaching me through so many other people in my life. Whether that be good influences or bad, He is revealing to me His plans little by little. Christ has been growing immensely within Kyle, for one example, and He is becoming the spiritual leader that I always wanted him to be, and the leader that Christ desires for him to be. The Lord is amazing me day in and day out through what work He is doing in Kyle. He teaches me new things daily.

So, what does all of this mean?
Even though I haven't given God the time and glory that he deserves and desires, He still stands right by my side waiting for me to grab His hand and ask for His help. He doesn't give up on me just because I am trying to do it on my own. He continually jumps out in front of me in hopes that I will see Him, and learn the lesson that He is going to teach me. He is renewing me everyday, so that I can glorify Him.

Thank God for His patience and unending grace.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. -Romans 12:1-2


This is a day of renewal.

Long Days and Fun Nights

    College is now in full swing. Is it weird that I still call it "college" and not just school? Classes and studying are filling up my schedule. Howdy TECHsans was such a fun experience. I met so many new people, who I now have in some of my classes. The dorm life has turned out to be great! I love my roommate, and we have become great friends with the girls across the hall from us. When classes started, so did the MANY organizations here at Tech. The only intimidating factor was looking through the over 400, and then choosing what you wanted to be a part of. I am currently pledging Sigma Phi Lambda, a Christian sorority, and I absolutely love it. The group of amazing girls after God's own heart is a great blessing to me here at Tech. I cannot even begin to imagine what the Lord is going to teach me and do through me and other people this year in Phi Lamb.
    There is so much that has been going on since I last updated. I could never tell you all every single moment from the past month. From studying and classes to chapter meetings, engineering kick off, and barn dances, my schedule is jam packed.
    Thank you all for the prayers and support that you are lifting up and have for me as I have embarked on this new journey. They are needed, and very much appreciated.

Another day to study, and another night to have fun.

-Alex Kate

Awaiting the day...

3 Weeks, 6 Days, 10 Hours.
The countdown is in full swing. I am off to Tech in under four weeks. I am beyond excited, and I cannot wait to start this new chapter in my life. I move in on the 18th of August to begin preparations for the official move in day. I was selected to be a "Howdy TECHsan," which means that I move in early, decorate the halls for move in day, and help people move in and find their way on move in day. I am excited because I know that this will be a great experience and exercise for me. I know that it will help me break out of my shell, and be more outgoing.
Like always, I am way prepared ahead of time. I have bought almost all that I could possibly need for next year in the dorm!

Thats all for now! I will keep you all updated as I move in, and get settled in to Raiderland.

Awaiting move in day.

-Alex Kate

This is the day...

     I haven't updated in about a year, so I wanted to let you all know about what went on in my senior year and what I am up to now that all that is over!

     My senior year actually started back in July of 2010 with summer band. I cannot believe how much I will miss those hot, sweaty, exhausting days of marching. I was honored to be the color guard captain this past year, and I am so thankful for how smoothly that all went. The mix of girls I had this year meshed so well, and got along extremely well. I was blessed with a sweet group of loving girls. I am going to miss each one so much, and thank them for making this year so memorable. Not only was I guard captain, but I also had the honor of being band queen. This was so fun! I loved getting to dress up for a football game, and be recognized. Then came all of the traveling. Many games in Lubbock, and trips for marching contest. The trips are always the best part, and this year was no exception. This marching season was definitely one to remember, and a great one to end on.
     There is always an awkward lull after marching season ends. I was involved in PALs this year to pass some of the time. PALs was a great experience and blessing to be a part of. I went to four different elementary schools through the week, and had kindergarteners everyday. One of my kindergarteners was actually supposed to be in the first grade, but his parents had never put him in any type of schooling before. I was so blessed, and stood in amazement as I watched God work in his life. He progressed from basically a one year old intelligence level to where he is supposed to be as a kindergartener. He grew up so much in one year, and it was a blessing to be a part of this. I loved being a part of PALs, and will keep this memory forever.

     As spring rolled around the corner, my level of business rose tremendously. Although the school work dwindled down, the events and school activities sky rocketed. From baseball games to banquets, and from prom to graduation, there was never a dull moment in my agenda. Watching Kyle (my boyfriend) hit two home runs and prove himself to a coach with solely offense on his mind, was a great memory for senior year. Then band banquet was a bitter sweet moment. It was great and definitely went out with a bang, but realizations that it was the last one settled in. Prom was a blast. Every worry leading up to it, God took care of, and it was a great time for all of us. Then finally, to end the year was graduation. It was so wonderful to have family in town and to share this with them. It was a great feeling to know that I had finished.

     After all of the crazy events, June was no different at all. Right after the all night party, Kyle and I left for church camp. This week was amazing and a great needed break from all of the chaos. However, it didn't last long. Three days after we got back, we left for Tech orientation. Talk about overwhelming!! After many prayers, I finally relaxed a little. Orientation definitely put me in the mood to move into the dorm in August. I cannot wait for August 18th to roll around. Then it was off to the races! We got a chance to escape to Ruidoso, NM for a weekend away with family, and we had a blast!
     Well, that update seems like enough for now. Thank you everyone for your support and prayers as I am about to enter a new time in life, and for everything that y'all have taught me so I can be successful.
     This is the day that the Lord has made, and I will rejoice and be glad in it!!

today is the day...

Today is the day DNOW 2010 began. I am SO excited, "that I just cant hide it." Not much has been going on in my life lately. New job: Once Upon A Child. Recent birthday: 17. I had a picnic on a baseball field with Kyle, it was so much fun. Wow, I am so creative. Went to the dentist: getting my implant soon. Superintendent's Scholar assembly tomorrow, and a NASA essay and math problem due. High stress day tomorrow, but it will pass. Not really interesting. So ta ta for now.

Today is the day.

-Alex Kate

One day...

Today is Tuesday. Today is a semester test day. Today i am stressed! Entering in to semester test week, i didn't think that the stress was really going to be a problem. However, to my surprise, it is! From physics to dual credit pre-calculus, and from English III to dual credit American history, the stress is piling on. I have three more days of school this week, and i have 6 more tests to go...will Christmas break ever come? I have been asking myself this question for the past few weeks, and it is all the more prevalent this week! Hopefully Friday will come sooner than i know, and i will be able to relax, eat some fondue, wrap the last few presents, and reflect on a job well done. One day tests will be over. One day there will be light at the end of this agonizing tunnel. One day Christmas will come!

One day there will be no more stress!

-Alex Kate