Learning to Rest

I am a worrier.

I worry about things that are going on today, tomorrow, and things that could possibly happen months, or even years from now.

It is this not-so-desirable trait that has been causing my biggest current struggle: not knowing how to rest. I know in my head that God is in control of all things. That he is good, and will make all things work out for my good. I know his plan will triumph over all things. I KNOW this. But do I know it so deeply that I live in the freedom that truly understanding and encompassing that would bring? No.

My three things are things that are true of my God:

1. He our strength: "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26

2. He is our shelter: "This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him." Psalm 91:2

3. He is our comforter: "He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young." Isaiah 40:11

May I trust and believe that you truly are my strength, my warrior, and my fortress. May I believe that my heart is safe to be weak in you. And may I be humble enough to admit my weakness and accept you to be strong on my behalf.

with all my love,

Kylie

{Three Things: Friday, October 14}

Hey everyone! Right now I'm sitting at home on our big, comfy couch watching the Cards game. Sometimes there isn't anything better than being home. And btw, GO CARDINALS!

I had a really fun day! Here are my three things...

1. Kara and I ran to Hobby Lobby and made crafts this afternoon! I saw this really cute idea on Pinterst, and decided to try it...

I just made a collage on a canvas, made a stencil, and then painted over it! Awesome!

2. While my family was driving around the River Campus parking lot (we went to listen to ghost stories), my dad ran the truck straight into one of those concrete barriers they put in front of each parking spot. SO funny!! The best part was the family that just stood and watched it all happen. They were so serious lol.

3. I got to help my mom let in the neighbor's golden retriever, Sam tonight. What a sweetie! I just love big dogs so much; I loved getting to pet and love on him!

Hope you guys are having a good fall break! (If you're a college student like me!) I can't wait for it to get cooler so I can wear scarves and drink hot cider. What are you looking forward to??

Love you all,

Kylie

Recappin'

Wow! I can't believe it's been 2 months since my last post! Time sure does speed by... here's a quick recap of what I've been up to!

I saw a great, world-travelin friend...

I moved into a new dorm...

I started my first day as a sophmore...

I worshiped in a tent...

I went to a wedding... (with handsome date)

I hung out by the river...

I played with scarves...

AND I went on a fabulous St. Louis adventure day with a lovely friend...

All in all, it's been a great couple months! Can't wait to see what the next have in store...

Love you all,

-Kylie

{Three Things: Tuesday, August 16}

I can't believe I move back to SEMO in two days!! There are so many things I am excited about, and a couple I'm pretty anxious about. I am really ready to get things rolling.

The past two days I have been at the Ignite leadership retreat. It has got me SO excited to start school and get Ignite going! My three things today are going to be the three things I am really pumped about with Ignite and am excited to see God work through!

1. My Ignite community. I love each and every person on leadership so much and they hold such a special place in my heart. I can't wait to grow closer to them and also grow WITH them as we lead ignite together!

2. Worship. I am really curious to see how God matures me as a leader, and what he is going to teach me this semester. I have a feeling it's going to be huge. Not always easy, but very good.

3. All the new changes. Ignite this semster is going to look a lot different than it has before, but I think that makes it so exciting. I hope and pray that God uses those changes as a catalyst for growth.

WOOHOO! I am ready to go!! Watch out SEMO!

love you all so much,

Kylie

{Three Things: Tuesday, August 9}

Today was a pretty nice, lazy day! I got to rest, but also got a lot done, which was nice! I also thought a lot about my Poppy today. I found a video I took a couple years ago of my family laughing at breakfast while he was eating his crazy "cereal". He was such a sweetheart.

My three things today:

1. I planned the music (officially!) for the first Ignite! Very excited and anxious about everything!

2. I ran the full 3 miles loop around my house and made it up all the hills today without dying!! Win!!

3. I didn't have to hear my alarm this morning. It was beautiful...

Hope everyone is doing good! I can't believe summer is coming to an end...

love,

Kylie

{Three Things: Sunday, July 31}

Wow! I can't believe tomorrow is the first day of August! I don't know about you guys, but this summer has gone by so fast.

I had a really fun day today! Lots of good things to choose from. My three are:

1. I was on worship team this church with some of the best people ever! Seriously, I just really enjoy my community at church. Some of those dudes just crack me up!!

2. I got to hang out at the Watt's house with Pierre and his family! Those kids are a blast and are so sweet. And there's really nothing much cuter than young kids speaking French.

3. My mom made guacamole tonight for dinner. I love guacamole....

I hope you are enjoying your summer friends!

Kylie

Catching Up

Hey friends! It's been WAY too long since I've posted. So much has happened! Here's my update...

July 17th I left for Xtreme Camp to be a counselor for my third year! Camp is my absolute favorite week of the year. I had such a great group of campers this year and made so many friendships and memories! The stinky thing was, on Wednesday afternoon I got the news that my Poppy had died. That meant that I had to leave camp early to go to Salt Lake City. I was so thankful to be there when I got the news. Everyone was so considerate and it was nice to be in such a relaxing and beautiful place.

Friday morning we got to Salt Lake. My family from all over the country came in to support my Nana and celebrate my Poppy's life. It was so fun for me to see my family!! I wish we would all get together more often.

It was a really hard week. Seeing my Nana in grief was so heart wrenching. One of the hardest parts was seeing my grandpa's shirts hanging in the laundry room.

I'm going to write more about my Poppy soon. Right now I just want to say thank you to all my friends and family who have been so kind and understanding to my family and I. We appreciate it so so much. I am so blessed with all the people God has put in my life!

Love you all,

Kylie

{Three Things: Sunday, July 10}

Hi friends! I hope you've all had a great day. Three blessings in my day....

1. After church I went shopping with my sweet friend Rachel Beise for Xtreme Camp stuff! I can't wait for camp! It's my favorite time of the year by far.

2. I'm about to go run 2 miles for my half marathon training! I'm kind of nervous about running 13 miles eventually, but I'm excited to see what I can do when I set my mind on something. I think it's going to be a blast!

3. I transposed songs today! haha that sounds lame I know, but I needed to put a lot of songs for Ignite band next year in girl keys, and it was nice to get that done. I love getting things done early!

Love you all!

Kylie's Top 3: Post-Op

Yesterday I got my wisdom teeth out! I was pretty nervous, but it ended up not being too bad. Lesson learned, however: don't take pain pills on an empty stomach! The best/weirdest part was experiencing anesthesia for the first time. My 3 things today are going to be my favorite things I apparently did while drugged.

1. When I was walking out of the office and in the car my mom said I just giggled. A lot. I told my mom, "When Dr. Begley put me out, he didn't say goodnight or bye or anything... I can't believe he didn't say goodnight..."

2. When I got in the car I asked mom for my chapstick (which I knew would happen beforehand, so I gave it to my mom haha. I sure love my chapstick!). Apparently I kept rubbing it all over my face and saying, "Where are my lips?!?"

3. When we were driving home, I kept telling Kara, "Later, if I don't remember anything, tell me that I'm remembering. I'm remembering right now. I remember Pennie... and Dr. Begley... and that nurse that walked me to the car... I'm remembering right now..."

Hahaha all in all, pretty funny experience. Shout out to Dr. Begley for doing a good job! Have a great night friends!

Who gets sick in the summer?!?

Well friends, apparently I do. So to sum up the past couple days:

1. I got the new Hillsong United CD, Aftermath! I love getting new music, especially new music that rocks my socks off.

2. Yesterday I went to see Pirates of the Caribbean 4 with Kara and my mom. It was a pretty good movie, but I just really loved the fact that a bunch of girls went out to see a pirate movie. Nothin like a swash-bucklin good time! (Or something like that.)

3. I got to play keys at church again this weekend! I'm not the best at it, but I know the more I put myself out there and play, the more I will grow as a musician! I like learning new things. :)

Have you guys seen any good movies this summer??

Happy Monday!

I have TWO Dads!

This morning at church, Pastor Ron talked about the book of Ephesians. He said to REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE. My three good things about today are that:

1. I am ADOPTED by God.

2. I am BOUGHT by Jesus.

3. And I am SEALED by the Holy Spirit.

Actually, those three things are so good that they get 3 leg kicks, 2 fist pounds, and 1 big happy dance of joy!! May I live everyday with this identity sealed on my heart.

Along with my Abba, I have the other best dad in the whole world! I love him so much. So here's three things I love about my daddy.

1. His sense of humor! My dad cracks me up all the time!

2. His heart. My dad is so compassionate and genuinely cares for people. I've been blessed to get to see him bless others with his gifts and services.

3. His hugs. My dad gives the best hugs in the whole world. I always feel safe with him, no matter what.

I love you dad!

{Three Things: Wednesday, June 15}

Today I had a really great day with my SISTA! I love spending time with my womb-mate!

1. Kara and I went to see Bridesmaids at 1 pm! I've been wanting to see it, and it was really fun bonding while trying to sneak enormous amounts of food into the theater. Our stash included 2 Qdoba burritos, gummy life savers, snickers, pink lemonade, and mr. pibb! hahaha

2. After the movie, Kara and I went to the pool. Swimming is definitely one of my top 3 favorite things about summer.

3. Tonight, Anthony and I broke out my old scooters!! I rode my green one, and Anthony rode Kara's red one. It brought back SO many memories! I'm not as good as I used to be though... haha

Did you guys ever ride scooters growing up??

{Three Things: Thursday, June 9}

1. I went to see Ramona and Beezus this morning with Maggie and Abigail! It was such a cute, fun movie!!

2. I helped Dustin pack up and move his stuff in his house. It was fun to hang out with friends, and fun to help out a friend!

3. I went swimming with Samohya, Rachel, Ashley, and Dave! I had a really fun time. One of my favorite things about summer is how random events just pop up.

Goodnight friends!

p.s. Confused with what I'm doing? Check my first post here.

{Three Things: Sunday, June 5}

Today was a really fun day! It was super hot, but I like that. Summer is my favorite season! My three good things about today:

1. Today officially felt like a summer day to me. I love being outside and feeling the hot sun.

2. I got to sing at the Fitzpatrick's Benefit Concert! What a sweet family! It was great to help them out in the little way I could. I also love church gatherings and hanging with so many fun people!!

3. Today I stopped at a gas station and got a 32 ounce Sprite. I never do that haha! So it was soooo good!

Goodnight everyone!

{Three Things: Friday, June 3}

1. Today Ibuprofen is so good it makes the top of the list. Go Ibuprofen! Way to get er done. Happy dance for you!

2. I completed my third official day of P90X! It was Ab Ripper day. Killer but awesome!

3. Tonight I opened the freezer and SURPRISE! Pizza Rolls! For those of you who know my family, you're probably looking for flying pigs right now. They were crispy and cheesy and gooey and so, so delicious.

Happy Friday friends!

Little Different

I've been struggling a lot this week. All the little things are good, but there is a big season that I'm going through right now that has just been wrecking me. One thing I've realized is that during some times in my life the only three things I'm going to be able to come up with are:

1. God has been good.

2. God is good.

3. God will be good.

Forever and always

Amen

Alright, Summer can begin... Now! :)

Today was such a great day! First full day I've been home, it was hot and sunny, and I did a bunch of spontaneous summer things. It finally feels like summer!

Three good things about today:

1. I went out shopping with my mom and Kara! I found a new swimsuit and we got Andy's afterwards! Woohoo!

2. I got to hang with my roomie Katie Stephens!! I've missed her so much! It's weird living with a person, and then never seeing them. So excited for our semester this fall. Towers South 614 here we come!

3. My family ate outside for Memorial Day and made smores! It was so nice to enjoy the beautiful summer day.

p.s.

Dear Veterans, active military, and families,

I am so in awe of the sacrifices you have made to protect our country and what we stand for. Thank you for inspiring us all with your courage, bravery, strength, and selflessness. May you all feel special and honored on this day.

Love you friends!

Home Sweet Home!

Man, what a week! My family and I headed out to Salt Lake City, Utah last Saturday and didn't actually leave St. Louis until Monday because our flights got canceled 2 days in a row! Although it was kind of inconvenient, I thought it was pretty fun to explore St. Louis. We went biking on the Katy trail and went to a Renaissance Faire that Kara's roommate was in. We also drove through a huge hail storm, twice! haha all in all, it was a pretty adventurous vacation! I loved getting to see my sweet grandparents, and I loved getting to explore southern Utah in the middle of the week. It's so beautiful out there! I had a bunch of fun, but it sure is nice to be home.

Right after Kara and I were born, my Nana and Poppy sold their house and moved to Jackson. For 14 years they lived two miles away from our house; and it was one of the biggest blessings of my life. A few years ago they moved to Salt Lake. I've sure missed them since they've been gone. In honor of my favorite people, I'm doing my list today on the 3 great things about my grandparents!

1. My Nana and Poppy have ALWAYS been there for me. When I was little, it was driving endlessly around Cape to find the "Blue Park" and going faithfully to my recitals. As I've gotten older, it is keeping in touch with me and always supporting my life and my future. I've been so blessed to have such big fans in my life!

2. My grandparents are so FUNNY! They crack me up! I love their sense of humor. They are so fun to be around!

3. Last but not least, my Nana and Poppy genuinely care deeply for everyone. I know they love me with all their hearts, and they love and treat everyone with kindness. They are such great examples to me.

Dear Nana and Poppy, although you live hundreds of miles away now, you will always have such a special place in my heart. I love you to the moon and back.

XOXOXO,

Munchkin

{Three Things}

1. Today I got the Coconut Mocha Frappuccino at Starbucks. Man o man, is that thing tasty!!

2. I dropped some clothes off at the Salvation Army and my mom let me drive her car! It's a big, white Lexis, and makes me feel like a beast when I drive it.

3. As I've been packing for our trip to Salt Lake City, I've been watching a lot of Parks and Recreation. It is such a funny show! You guys should definitely check it out.

Speaking of packing, my family and I are going to be out in the ol' Utah visiting the grandparents and going to Bryce Canyon for a week! Hopefully I can find some internet, but if not, have a great week homies!

Bye, Bye, Burritos

Tonight was my last night working at Qdoba! I first got my job there a year and a half ago, and I have learned and grown so much since I started there. It was definitely challenging for me at times, and I knew it was time for me to leave. But God really used that job for his glory and for my good, and I know it was his plan and will that I was there for that time. In honor of my year and a half folding burritos, I'm going to do my list on three things about Qdoba that God turned out for good.

1. One my favorite things to look back on is how God opened my eyes to people who are different then me. Working at Qdoba I was constantly surrounded with coworkers who were very different than my friends I usually hang out with . Most of these people I probably would never had talked to or got to know in any other situation. But man, I've loved getting to know these people... It has been such a blessing for me to share a bit of life with them.

2. Working at Qdoba taught me how to multi task and work well under pressure. This may seem silly, but all those days working with customers and doing a million tasks at once really improved the way I act in stressful situations. I think this will be really helpful when I'm a nurse someday.

3. Most of all, working at Qdoba was taught me that following what I know God wants me to do doesn't always mean it will be easy. I know he had a purpose for me there... I may never truly know what it was. So many days I came home defeated and upset and struggling with someone at work or some circumstance. Sticking with it was so tough... but I knew I needed to do it. Looking back now, I'm glad I stayed with it. I know there was a reason. But it was so valuable for me to learn that God's will isn't always what is easiest. I just have to have faith that it is for my good and for his glory... because he is so worth it. It made me stronger.

Happy Thursday friends!

Adventure Day!

I'm blogging a little late tonight because I just got home from the Fox Theater!! For my birthday, Anthony took me to see Jersey boys!! :)

1. Today, the Garmin lied to us. We were just driving along in St. Louis, and suddenly realized that we were headed over to Illinois across the river! Oh no!! Luckily, Anthony has such a great sense of direction, and we only lost our cool a little bit. :) We got there just in time to buy the tickets!

2. We didn't have any specific dinner plans, so we got to explore the city! It was so fun. And we ended up eating at this really cool Italian place (of course) haha.

3. Most of all, today was a great day because I got to spend the day with my best friend! He is the best company in the world!!

Goodnight all! :)

In Memory

Today marks the day three years ago that my Papa Bond died. Although I didn't get to see him as much as I would've liked growing up, there are so many things he taught me and inspired in me. In memory of my sweet grandpa, I'm going to list the 3 things about him that I love.

1. His feisty-ness. There was never a dull moment with my Papa Bond around. He spoke things like they were and wasn't afraid to give someone a good kick in the butt if they needed one. (Or even if they didn't haha!) I loved that about him.

2. His faith. Papa Bond knew what he believed and he stuck to it. He was stubborn... but because of this he never compromised in what he believed. I got a bit of that from him...

3. His heart. Never once in my life did I doubt that my Papa Bond loved me to pieces. He had a special place in his heart for each one of his children and grandchildren. I always knew he wanted what was best for me, and thought I was valuable. I will cherish that forever.

I love you Papa Bond. I'm so glad you're happy now. I can't wait to run and dance with you everyday for the rest of forever.

love,

Kylie

3 Things: Take 1

Hey guys! Today was a great day! Whenever the weather is this beautiful, it's easy to find lots of good things to talk about.

Three great things about today:

1. This morning I got to sleep in! It's my fourth official day of summer, but the first day I've got to sleep in past 6:45. It was marvelous.

2. I met with Brett and Nate at Starbucks today to talk about Ignite Band stuff for next semester! I am so honored that I get to lead the band this fall, and I am so excited for what God is going to do!! It is so fun for me to watch him step up and work things out, especially when I don't feel like I'm good enough on my own.

3. It was my last Monday night ever at Qdoba!! I actually had a lot of fun working tonight. Things always seem better when there aren't many of them left. I think I'll actually be sad when I leave.

Have a happy Monday home skillets!

3, 2, 1, Beginning!

Hi friends! I've decided to start a new blog. Here's the story:

During my sophomore year of high school, my friend Chrissy and I had a tradition every day at lunchtime. As we ate, we would tell each other 3 good things that happened to us that day. Some days it was easy, and other days it was almost nearly impossible. Looking back, this tradition was so vital in helping me keep up with my friends life and also maturing me into a woman who tries to see life through different perspectives. So, my goal is to post 3 things every day that were good, even in some not always good days! Here we go!