I really, really...

Like this website!



And on another note, I really, really dislike shopping for jeans.
The end.

One month later...

Two little Nielsen children, instead of one.
Three months overdue, our Christmas tree still stands.
Four more weeks until The Office premiere.
Five minutes from my next nap. YES.
Six days and we'll wear green and eat corned beef and cabbage.

It would be cool if I could think of something to go with the number seven, but I really can't.
And yes, our Christmas tree is still up.

I know, I know. But where do I put it???

Hello again :)

I'm not really sure if anyone still checks this forlorn little blog, but I suppose I can't blame anyone for giving up. In any case, I think I'll start posting again. Sometimes. When I feel like it.

What's new? you may ask. Not an unfair question, really.
Several things.

1. I graduated from Hillsdale College in May, 2006!
2. I worked three jobs and took a class for a year while living back home in Livonia.
3. I GOT MARRIED ON MAY 26TH, 2007!!!

Of course the capitals indicate that this was definitely the most significant achievement of my life to this point. You may have guessed from the exclamation points, but I don't want to assume.

Hmmmm... what else? Well, now that I've left and... cleft? that sounds like I have a chin problem. Let's try that again. Now that I've done the whole "leave and cleave" thing, I'm living with Christopher (my husband! yay!) in a cute little one-bedroom apartment in Mishawaka, Indiana. The Lord brought us to a wonderful little church about fifteen minutes away in Osceola, and we're continually blessed by the fellowship there. God is also starting to bring some friendships into our lives, slowly but surely.

Christopher's about halfway through the graduate program at Notre Dame to get his Master's of Architecture, and spends his days designing, drafting and watercoloring. I've expanded my red and khaki wardrobe whilst winning bread at the Super Target down the street. Nothing truly exciting to report. Although we did just discover a pretty cool Thai restaurant nearby; does that count? Can it, please?

Alright, I suppose that's about all for now.
But just so you know, Super Target has EVERYTHING. Well, everything except rocking chairs, yarn and chia pets.

Thank you, Heather, for reminding me of my neglected blog.

1. I am a loser because I have not posted in months.

2. I am a happy loser because in two days Christopher will be coming to visit me!

3. I am a lonely loser because most of my friends are back at Hillsdale or starting back to school elsewhere.

4. I am a sad loser because Killer, the WalMart Fish, died on Thursday, August 17th. R.I.P, Killer.

5. And I am an excited loser because in six days I will be driving to Sioux City for Ben and Cate's wedding!

Sheesh... more is happening in life than this... and I will try to update a bit more soon :D So until then, if you'd like to hear about life, go ahead and call...

love!
Katie

First of all.

::YAY::
BECAUSE ON MARCH 24TH, 2006, CHRISTOPHER PROPOSED, I ACCEPTED (OF COURSE!), AND NOW I AM QUITE POSSIBLY (read: most definitely) THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD!!!!!

and now for the silly part of the post.

Today in our History of Non-Western Art class, we discussed an article by Jonathan M. Reynolds entitled "Ise Shrine and a Modernist Construction of Japanese Tradition." After wading through discussion on the shrine at Ise and its history, function, and design, our class eventually stumbled upon the most entertaining portion of the entire article. Well, it piqued our interests in Japanese architecture if nothing else. And since the article appears on JSTOR, I'll indulge you the snipets that simply infused our class with an endless supply of amused and perhaps somewhat embarrassed laughter:

They revel in the contrast between sensuous, silky, smooth surfaces of finely planed wood rafters and the vibrant texture of the precisely trimmed miscanthus thatch roofs.... these photographs threaten to strip the core structures of their mystery.... These architectural details are laid bare before the viewer with an intensity that verges on the pornographic.


I'm not sure what prompted Mr. Reynolds to use such colorful descriptions in his otherwise rather bland article, but whatever it was...

I want what he's having.

ohhh *delight*

it's been one year of loveliness, and *he* is coming tomorrow!

::sigh::

this happy girl is going to bed.
goodnight!

Time for some random post-age.

I have not posted on this blog in *such* a long time.
Goodness gracious.
I'm really tired; funny how I tend to post when it's late, I'm tired, I'm sleep-deprived, or all of the above.
They could have held the Olympic curling event in the Suites parking lot this morning.
Kristin and I almost died. Several times.
I just exagerrated a lot.
But we did have our respective observations and internship cancelled because of the weather.
And I think we both really appreciated the extra REM cycles.
There is a girl in my oil painting class who I wish I knew better.
Turpentine has a foul smell that makes my eyes water and doesn't wash off well.
But I kind of like it in this weird way.
I got blue paint on my sweatshirt today in Oil Painting.
Now I should do my laundry.
If I had quarters, I would.
We sang the favorite songs of two of my favorite people tonight at Crossroads.
We also sang one of my favorite songs.
Tomorrow night will be lovely because Erin and I are going to DJ's.
I'll get chili in a bread bowl.
I wish my room could be a little cleaner right now, even if my parents aren't coming for Parent's Weekend.
The sweaters Christopher accidentally left from his visit don't smell like him anymore.
I think I cuddled it out of them.
I'm pretty sure that Saga is getting better lately.
Whoever invented chai was probably a delightful person.
February seemed to fly by.
God is doing a lot of amazing things in the lives of my friends.
He's doing a lot of amazing things in my life, too.
I'd love to tell you about them sometime.
I wonder if the people at Burt's Bees know that peppermint oil is an irritant.
Because they put it in their lip balm.
My lips are kind of chapped right now.
Ever since Erin gave me that green apple flavored chapstick, they've been getting better.
My mango chapstick is pretty awesome, too.
I have to remind myself not to lick my lips and it's really hard because they smell so good.
I'm kind of in the mood to play euchre.
McDonalds has Reese's Cups McFlurries, so you can still have chocolate and not just peanut butter.
I think that's lovely.
I like the new stamps with love birdies on them.
Denise Austin is really good at making workout videos.
Someday I will visit Angkor Wat, Cambodia.
There are so many places that I want to visit that I shouldn't have a free day in my life.
If I could rearrange some things, I would make Pennsylvania and Michigan the same state.
But since they're not, I get to look forward to *his* visit in March!
I wish Spring Break would hurry up a little more.


Ok, it's sleepytime.

Goodnight!

Far Away But Not Forgotten

"Africa is amazing. Africa is a million and one things. It is a land of contradictions, and a land of great controversy. Africa is more diverse than any other place on the planet. It has experienced the greatest combination of foreign thievery and foreign goodwill. It is plagued with individuals who are hurting, dirty, and dying. It is plagued with rich leaders. It is strong, joyful and resilient. Africa is filled to the brim with song, dance and soccer. It fills you lungs with life with every burnt breath. It fills your eyes with tears with every sight. The sun blazes, the rain pours. It has more sky than your eyes could possibly take in. Africa is humbling. Africa rips the heart out of your chest and buries it in the rich red soil, knowing that you will someday return, to see the growth. And there is no doubt it will grow. Africa is dangerous, welcoming, and addictive. It is prosperous. It is poor. It is all too overwhelming. Africa knows the value of friendship. Time is not money in Africa. And money goes a long way. Africa holds a mirror up to your soul -- letting you see all your selfish desires, and not letting go, until you're completely broken." ~Invisible Children



Lord, may my life continue to be shaped by the time You gave me in Africa. Open eyes and hearts to the needs and suffering of its precious people. Restore the African land and its people and draw them to Yourself through the ministry of Your devoted servants. Bring comfort and a sense of peace to the people of Africa as they struggle and fight for the kinds of lives we take for granted. For Your glory, Amen.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas, too, I guess. Sorry, guys. I've been slacking.

oh, and before anything else, I'd like to say...
CONGRATULATIONS TO CATE LARSEN AND BEN BRYAN!
and
CONGRATULATIONS TO JOY HENDRICKS AND SETH BAKER!
I'm *so* excited for you all!

And I'd like to report that winter break is going well, mostly.
What have I been up to?

Well...
My grandma's funeral.
Time with my mom and grandpa.
Lots of reading and re-reading, mostly C.S. Lewis and some Elisabeth Elliot, by recommendation.
Working again as a sales associate at my favorite little red-doored store in the world!
Not finishing my Christmas shopping.
Talking and writing to my boy. Not enough.
Sleeping. Enough.
Playing euchre and solitaire. Too much.
Traveling across the state for a birthday surprise and Christmas/New Year's party with the extended fam.
Watching movies and making daquaries with a friend at her house for New Year's Eve.
Looking forward to a much-anticipated trip to Pennsylvania, to see Christopher and his family!

January 3rd-8th, HERE I COME!!!

I hope you all are enjoying a lovely holiday and are blessed with all good things this New Year!
Love!

Ladies and gentlemen, tomorrow starts Thanksgiving Break!

::phew::

Is anyone else as happy about this as I am??

It is snowing.

The world outside my window is lightly dusted in white, and delicate little flakes are swirling and dancing around in the air on their way down to the ground. Just like a snowglobe.

And. I. am. a. happy. girl.

Yes, it's true, I have an exam tomorrow.
It's also true that I've been studying for most of this day and my mind feels literally as though it may explode at any moment. And that would be both messy and most inconvenient.

So as a short reprieve, I'd like to spend a few minutes recalling why this weekend has been a good one. Because indeed, it has been.

* Friday morning I slept in until 9:00am
* In History of Modern Art, Professor Bushey began our lecture by saying, "Normally I would feel terrible keeping you inside on a day like today, but I feel ok about it today because we're talking about sex." I'm not even joking.
* After classes, I visited the nursing home and got chided by a little old lady named Huldah for breaking her television (there were technical difficulties with the station) while we tried to watch Judge Joe Brown
* I had a phone date on Friday night with a certain special *boy*
* Good friends know how to make big problems seem smaller; and when they don't, they call Ben & Jerry
* SAI Province Day went smoothly, without a hitch -- praise the Lord!
* There was a great turnout at our concert, all the songs seemed to be hits, and I got to wear a sparkly black top, heels, dangly earrings and black eyeshadow... and not look like I belonged on a corner! It was awesome.
* Post-concert SAI pep rally. NEW FAVORITE SAI MEMORY. period.
* Dinner and drinks at the Hunt Club. Or should I say drinks and dinner? Bother... it was a good time, and apparently I become a little hyper when I drink (um, anything) on an empty stomach.
* Encouragement from *him*... what a blessing.
* A good talk on the phone with *both* of my parents!
* Studying over at the Outpost with Cate, Ben, Joe, Kevin, and Rebecca... that was REALLY funny. ("Johnny, get back here and pay for that milk!")

Alright, I think it's time to break the monotony.
Put on your helmet.
It's time for a little REM cycling.

Goodnight, friends.

Yes, I am a nerd because I am posting just to say

YAY BECAUSE MY BOY IS COMING IN 16 HOURS AND 39 MINUTES (approximately)!!!



But really, who's counting?


:: happy girl ::

Goodnight!

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest
Matthew 11:28

For the first weekend in what feels like a *very* long time, I've taken time to rest. Granted, I've still spent time doing homework and not-necessarily-pleasure reading, but I'm moving toward something. I can feel the Lord calling me to a Sabbath, and it's something that's going to take a little getting used to. I've become so accustomed to simply moving onto the next in the endless string of assignments dangling in front of me, the piles of books to wade through, and all the other committments of college life. But it hit me the other day.

In the midst of fulfilling all of my obligations, I've been missing out on my life.

While I make lists of what, when, and where and check them off as if I'm accomplishing something, the things I'm missing are the infinitely important questions of why, and for Whom? I'm forced to ask myself whether all of the *things* I'm doing are being done for me, or for Him. For His glory. For His honor. For His kingdom.

So today I finally stopped to smell the roses. Well, actually, it was a carnation. But it worked.
It beckoned me back to beauty, back to joy... back to Him.

And I don't want to go back.




He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty
Psalm 91:1

Senior Slump?
Well, I've *almost posted* about three times now... I guess maybe the third time's the charm.
Or something like that.

Sorry for the hiatus, folks. If you're still checking this thing, bless your heart, you're about as resilient as my fish. Speaking of GGC III (Jorge) and Killer, if you haven't yet heard my "freeway fish" story, you really are missing out. It's full of hilarity and great for re-enactments. With a story like this one, I'm sure to be the hit (or the excruciating miss) of cocktail parties everywhere. I suppose I'll have to cross my fingers and hope for the best.

At this point, I really don't have that much to say.
I apologize for depriving my ever-growing fan club of their greatly anticipated updates. But you know, sometimes life gets in the way. Sometimes life gets in the way and stays there for a while. Sometimes... lots of things.

I guess before I end this post, though, I'd like to thank anyone and everyone who has prayed for my grandfather over the past week. Acknowledgment and acceptance of his surgeries, rapid decline, and death are still hitting me gradually... the reality hasn't quite set in yet. I'm sure a certain realization will come with time, but for now, I'm still waiting for the shock to settle.

I ate lunch with him last weekend and told him I'd see him in October.
I saw him the morning of October 1st.
But he didn't see me.

I know that the Lord has a plan, and that His will is perfect. Who am I to ask the God of the Universe "why?" ? His ways are above my capacity to perceive or comprehend, and he is soveriegn over every detail of every life. In His infinite compassion, the Lord allowed me to share my grandpa's last real weekend with him, and He enabled me to be with my family at the time of my grandpa's death. These are mercies I will not soon forget.

And as painful as it is to lose someone so dear, there is peace in the knowledge that my Father in Heaven knows my pain, he feels my pain, and it pains him as well. Because he loves me more than I can ever know... and he will not abandon me. He will remove my sack cloth and clothe me with joy, that I may sing to him.

And I will not be silent.


Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?" Selah
Then I thought, "To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High."
I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.
Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?

Psalm 77:9-13

Nothing to say but

I AM SO ALMOST IN HILLSDALE FOR MY SENIOR YEAR!!!
::reality hits::
whoa. ok.


Let's take this one step at a time.
Hope you all had lovely vacations.
Do travel safely back to the 'dale.
See you soon, Lord-willing.

Love!

I just got off the phone with a certain boy, and I would just like to say that talking with *him* made my night.
We'll have to see how tomorrow goes, I suppose, but it may have made my week.
Astriks don't quite express it... but they'll have to do.
*He* is wonderful.

Let's see... my cousin and his wife from Atlanta just had their first baby -- a little girl, Avia Nola. Is that a 21st century name or what?

Our upstairs bathroom is being re-done, and the painter came today to sand the walls and put on the first layers of primer and base coat. Now the entire house reeks, and there is the distinct possibility that I am high.

I would like to recommend the film March of the Penguins.
I would not like to recommend the film War of the Worlds, unless your life objective is to lose your hearing.

Since I got back from Africa, the longest shower I've taken was I think 6 minutes, and it felt like an eternity. It was also in lukewarm water, which made it feel longer. I consider this my contribution to my family's financial situation.

I also sleep in my unventilated, 75-degree room with my comforter and electric blanket (not on though). I consider this just plain weird.

My mom and I went to the Stratford, Ontario theatre festival a couple of weeks ago and saw The Brothers Karamazov and The Tempest onstage. Amazing.

Cate and the lovely family she is boarding with for the summer graciously allowed me to stay with them over a few days for a long weekend in Hillsdale. It was *so* good to see everyone again... especially *him.* And it was also a special blessing to see my fellow Uganda team member, Laura, at church. We both had been missing the team, and seeing her smiling face renewed my confidence in this team's ability to stay unified in its purpose through Christ. I can't wait to see us come together back on campus!

Peach yogurt is good. But strawberry is better.
And Christopher Teague is the best.
The end.

It is so stupid that I am posting right now because I am ridiculously tired and have nothing to say except

1. YAY because I am going to Hillsdale on Friday to see *my* Christopher for the first time in two months!
2. Jamie, my darling little wave-length, I miss you, too! Nkwagala nyo, mukwano gwange!
3. and that spider in my room better be dead. Sorry, that was random.

the end.
Good night!

I am a very tired girl.
But I am a very tired girl who is home.


Praise the Lord, for He is good.
To Him be the glory forever and ever!
AMINA.

Finally, brothers pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverance.
II Thessalonians 3:1-5


My bags are packed.
Emails have been sent, contact lists made.
All I need is cash, stamps, and a lock.
And in case you ever wonder, I can shower in a minute and 58 seconds.
I'm leaving for Lansing in less than two and a half hours.
Our flight to London leaves Detroit Metro at 6:30pm on Wednesday.
I'll be in Uganda by 5:40am on Friday.

*so* exciting!

Our team is blessed to be lifted up by so many faithful prayer warriors; to all of you who are praying for us and for our time over in Africa,

Mwebale Nyo! Mukama Akuwe omekisa!
(Thank you very much! God bless you!)


In His grace,
Katie

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea
Habakkuk 2:14