Lazy Day

Today I didn't wake up til 10:50! It felt so nice to sleep in, but I am still so tired. When I woke up, my grandparents were here. But in a little bit, then left, and then my Auntie, Em, and I watched "Enchanted."

I am so glad that I don't have school tomorrow! I have some homework I need to do, and just it will be nice to catch up on some more sleep.

Last night, my older brother, my Auntie, my mom, Mrs. M., B., Em, and I played Spoons. It was so much fun! My Auntie claims that she plays with different rules. It was so funny! It ended in a three way tie- Em, James, and I.

We always have late or should I say early morning bed times here. It is fun though!

Well, I had fun with all of my family here. It was nice.

Well, until next time....

(oh and i love you big sis!)

What a Weekend!!

So I haven't blogged since Tuesday morning. Life has been a bit busy. Tuesday we didn't do too much, Wednesday, same thing, and then Thursday was Thanksgiving, so we went and saw a bunch of our family. Friday, yesterday, we had the viewing. There were so many people!! Thank you to all of you who came out. My dad was so well loved. So I hugged so many people, met so many people, shook so many hands....and so on! My mom was a real trooper! She was so good! Her feet hurt, though when she got home last night.

Today was the funeral, and it was so nice. Maybe my dad was looking down from heaven smiling! My high school choir sang. We sang "In Christ Alone"

In Christ alone my hope is found;
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace,W
hen fears are stilled, when strivings cease!
My comforter, my all in all—
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
Till on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied;
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid—
Here in the death of Christ I live.

There in the ground His body lay,L
ight of the world by darkness slain;
Then bursting forth in glorious day,
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory,
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine—
Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

No guilt in life, no fear in death—
This is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath,
Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home—
Here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand.

It was a really nice funeral. I have never been to a funeral/ viewing before. So I was a bit nervous, but it was really nice! And I got to visit with my friends from Michigan, who he spoke at the service. He is an awesome guy! His family was part of a church plant we started. They are awesome. He was one of my dad's best friends.

So, now I am sitting here, relaxing.
Thanks for all of your prayers...

I will remember this forever...

In the wee hours of the morning this morning, my dad went to be with the Lord. It is so weird to think that right now he is in heaven with Jesus Christ.

Today was a snow day anyway, so we are just hanging out, so it's nice to be "home"

I loved my daddy. I still do. It is going to be so weird without him, but I know that my Heavenly Father is looking out for me!

The Visitation is going to be on Friday night, and the Funeral is going to be on Saturday.

Romans 5:1 was a verse that my dad had, and so this morning as I was reading my Bible, I turned over there. And I read a little farther than verse one, but read this:

"We have been made right with God because of our faith. Now we have peace with him because of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through faith in Jesus we have received God's grace. In that grace we stand. We are full of joy because we expect to share in God's glory. And that's not all. We are full of joy even when we suffer. We know that our suffering gives us the strength to go on. The strength to go on produces character. Character produces hope. And hope will never let us down. God poured his love into our hearts. He did it through the Holy Spirit, whom he has given to us." Romans 5:1-5

"We are full of joy when we suffer..." That describes my dad! He had joy in the journey.

I will always love and miss my dad, but with Jesus Christ, family, and friends- I know that I can go on, especially because of Christ.

Oops!

Oops! My science teacher from grade school saw my blog about me not being crazy about science! OOPS!! She was an awesome teacher!! (Not trying to be a suck-up!!) I really do love her!! I love it, since I am a teachers kid, I know some of the teachers a bit better, and ya know, I have some really good, good friends in those teachers. My English teacher, my Computer Teacher, my History Teacher/b-ball coach, my old 5Th grade teacher, a teacher who teaches 2ND grade, and more! I have become such good friends with them!

My dad is still non-responsive. Hospice was here today. My uncle and aunt, and two baby cousins were here today. Oh, and my grandparents. I didn't see them, I was at school. So maybe tomorrow I will see them.

Well, I had best be going- I might have a snow day tomorrow and that is EXCITING! Sorta, I love school, but if God is going to let it snow- I don't really have that much to say, so might as well have a good attitude about it.

Last night I was talking to my friend, and I said to her, what do people expect me to do? turn from God? then where would I be? Where would I be if I turned from him?

Well, it's nearly dinner time, and I need to go help, and then study for ya- you guessed it- science. Lucky me huh?

4 Days til Thanksgiving!!

Only 4 more days till Thanksgiving!! It's hard to believe. Soon all of our family from out of town will be arriving!! It's so exciting this time of year. Less than forty days till Christmas!!

Today is day 14 since my dad last ate. Yesterday he took 5 sips of water and today none. He no longer talks, winks, or raises his eyebrows. He still interlocks my mom's fingers when they hold hands. His breathing is very labored. Please continue to pray for him that he won't be in pain.

I went to church today with the McL.! There were 8 of us going to church, because my older brother and mom stay home to help with my dad. It's a lot of people to handle!! It was a good time, though. In Sunday School the classes are preparing for their Christmas Program. It was fun to listen to the class that I am in sing. I just watch them, and smile at my friend up there!

A bunch of my friends were away this past weekend. They were involved in a singing choir for school. So I missed them. They got home between yesterday and today. So hi fattys!! I'm glad your home!! It's just something weird we do!

My baby brother went to go see Madagascar 2, and he said it was "good." (= So, I'm glad that he enjoyed it.

Well, I'm going to post some pictures on another post, and then I need to go take a look at my science notebook, I usually leave science for last, and well, such is true right now...although my dad was an amazing science teacher, and my mom also taught it- I don't really like it that much!

P.S.
And if you haven't looked at my dad's blog, since my mom left a post, go check it out!! www.thehokeypokeyplace.blogspot.com

read my dad's blog tonight:

www.thehokeypokeyplace.blogspot.com

A Day to Relax

                                                                 It's Saturday!!

I got to sleep in, and just be lazy today. It was so nice just to be able to hang out today. We went to town to do some errands, and stuff like that. My friend, saw this singing card that was like a Jamaican  guy singing, "Don't worry, be happy now." and she won't stop singing it in her "Jamaican" voice. 

It's really cold here. Probably around freezing. I am excited because I only have one and a half days of school left before Thanksgiving Break!! And did you know, less that 40 days till Christmas! It's really hard to believe!! 

Oh, the other day, my friend, whom I am living with, KICKED ME IN THE FACE!! She has steps in her room, that lead up to my room, and I was sitting on them, and she was attempting to dance, and I leaned down, and WHAM! She kicked me. It was an accident- but still! Good times! 

Last night on the way home from basketball practice, the stars were SO amazingly beautiful. I love stars! So, we got out of the car and looked at them. It was fun, but freezing!!

Well, I had better get going. 

I'm thankful for...

I'm thankful for...
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, 8 days away! So today for chapel, we had our annual Thanksgiving chapel. We sing, and then start with the Seniors and Juniors, they share what they are thankful for, and then sing, and the Freshmen and Sophomores, and so on... To hear all that people are thankful for is fun to listen to. I listened to my friend say she is thankful for the Bible, I said I was thankful for prayer, a teacher said she was thankful for all of the students, and many more! So on went my day, and then I went to health class. It was about being thankful. We wrote on a piece of paper all we were thankful for, now obviously, we didn't write everything down, but I had a long list. Here are a few things I wrote down:
*rain
*stars
*My dad
*trials- trials make us who we are. they make us stronger than we were, that is, if we are facing them with Christ on our side.
*Christ
*Bible
* Prayer
...and I listed A LOT MORE!

I have more than one Bible, and I take for granted that I have that. Most people don't have even one, and here I am with much more. I always have what I NEED. Need is a very strong word if you really think about it, we don't need much, do we? God is ALL we need.

It was cold again today. But it is November! (= Thanksgiving is coming so soon! It's crazy. Most of my family is coming in for the holiday, and it's crazy that one week from today, they will be here!! Or pretty close! I am so excited!

Well, I must get going. My best friend, whom I am living with, and my other best friend, and my older brother and I are going to watch a movie, or something tonight...! She will probably be here in a little bit, and I have things to do....

Today was freezing!!

Today was a cold, windy day! It was cold tonight after practice! Like freezing! The wind was blowing really hard, and it was cold!

Okay, so I just wrote like a whole post, and then it just disappeared! ARGH! So here is sorta is...

My grandparents were here today, but my dad slept most of the time after that.

Today I had basketball practice, and it went well. We got to pick out our uniforms, and I got my numbers! So that was exciting! And we broke up into prayer groups, well we at least divided up the names, but next practice we will pray in our groups.

I need to get going...things to do, and yet again, my head is hurting me. I had another headache today. My mom thinks maybe I am dehydrated, but I don't know...

~*~

Today after the hospices nurses and my grandparents came, my dad smiled a lot, and even kissed my mom, and held her hand, and gave her a hug. I told him that I loved him and he said it back, and he said to my older brother, 'I love you buddy-o" My older brother played guitar for my dad, and my dad gave him a pound!

Today was one of the girls' birthdays! We had cake tonight- and was it ever good! Usually, it's the icing that I really like- but this time, it was the cake. It was really good! And it was also my uncle's birthday, so we sang to him, and my dad said a few words to him on the phone. I also got to talk to my aunt tonight. It has been a few weeks since I saw her. It was so much fun when she stayed with us for the three weeks, but then she had to go back home. But I am excited because soon she will be traveling up here for Thanksgiving!

Well, I just wanted to say a bit of how my dad is doing. But I need to get going, I have basketball practice tomorrow- and some things still to accomplish tonight- and boy! Does 6 a.m. come early!

Some about my dad

After my grandparents visited yesterday, my dad slept, and we could not get him to respond. Later that night, he told my mom and older brother he loved them when they were caring for his needs. This morning, before I left for church he told me that he loved me, and he told each member of the family that also. This morning, he was thirsty and asked for some Ginger Ale. He didn't wake up when my grandparents were here, but has opened his eyes and has responded to us some this afternoon. He told me and my older brother that he loved us this afternoon. He snuggles with two of my younger brother's animals- Winston, and Bunny.

This morning I went to church, and then came home. It was really, really windy out today. It is getting cold! Can y'all believe that we are almost half way through November?! It is unbelievable how time flies! Just like it says in the Bible, Our lives are like a vapor.

Well, I suppose I should get going. I want to go and watch a movie with my "sister"

Rainy Saturday

Today was a rainy day.

My friend who we are living with, and my older brother- they had a mud fight. It was fun to watch! It was really nasty. She got dropped in a mud puddle, and was just gross by the end of it. He was also, but not as bad. They both had to come inside and take showers, but we got some good pictures of it! So that made it all worth-while.

Today, my older brother and I talked and worked out somethings. God is showing me that I need to be emptied of certain things, and I know that I need to be filled with Him, and His love. I was reading Psalm 119 this morning, and it talked about how the writer delighted in following the Lord's laws. We really do receive joy when we follow God.

Also, I was reading this book, Sister Freaks. Sort of like Jesus Freaks, but about women. I was a really good book. I need to do whatever God directs for my life, even if I think that I have better plans for my life. He always knows best. ALWAYS!

Today, I had a message from a friend that said, "...I will be praying for you guys." I want to thank all of you out there for all of your prayers. Without you all going to God, and praying for us, this would be a very hard time. Knowing that so many people are praying for us, is simply amazing. Our family will never be able to express how truly thankful we are. When people say that they are praying for us, I say thank you, but it doesn't sound like enough. How do I tell people how truly grateful I am? So thank you.

It's Friday!

It's Friday today, and it's the weekend. That means I am supposed to be excited, but yet I am not that excited.I had basketball practice today, it was good! I can't wait for our first game. I mean I know we aren't ready to play yet, we still have some work to do, but I can't wait!! It's going to be a good season. 

My dad got put on oxygen today. The hospice nurse and aide came.  Also, my dad's parents, and his sister were here to see him today, and my dad's brother, who was in Sweden, called today. So that was nice. When Pastor Matt visited on Wednesday, he read 2 Timothy 4:6-8 to my dad, and now my mom reads it to him everyday. 

2 Timothy 4:6-8 says,

" For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." 

I have a bad headache- actually it is getting better, maybe the medicine I took is kicking in. 

Well, I am going to watch a movie with my sister... well sorta sister. It's one of the seven other kids in this house... 

My mom was getting ready to give my dad a shot.
Dad said, "Pick A or B" to me.
I said, "B"
Daddy said, "Okay it's not for me."
I said, "Who's it for?"
Daddy said, "It's for you!"

These are the moments that make life worth living.

Technology is so AMAZING!

I love technology!! One of my very good friends is in another country for the school year. She wants to be a missionary-doctor when she is out of school and so she is there for a year. I got to talk to her tonight!! It was awesome. I talked to her for about and hour and a half. There is so much to cover, I can't even cover it all, but to at least talk to her for that long was awesome.

Right now, I am in my parents room with my dad.

He told my mom a story today, well at least started to here it is, "Once upon a time, in a far away land, there lived a woman after God's own heart..." and that's about as far as it went. He was obviously referring to my mommy. My dad quizzed me on my Bible verse today. It was nice. He told me he loved me a few times today, and that was lovely. I love my dad so much. He is so amazing, just to stand here and talk to him is nice. I am quite a talker anyway, so just holding his hand, and talking to him is fun.

I just read this book, and there was a chapter on modesty, and I thought it was very good. Usually, I hear about modesty from older women, who are wise, but hearing it from them is like "easy for them to say" but it really is an issue! So, I know I said this before, but being the captain of the b-ball team, I decided one of the things I want to talk to them about is modesty. I am excited about our games, because I get to do some devotionals. I love devotionals. So I am pretty excited.

Well, it is like 9:30, and I need to study for somethings.
But, the good news is TOMORROW IS FRIDAY!!
That means the weekend has finally arrived! YEA!!

Today was a pretty good day. I love Wednesdays!! On Wednesdays we have chapel, and then at lunch time some of the students get together for prayer-meeting. Then I got to talk with my friend a bit. At school it is really hard to find time (in my schedule) to talk to my friends. I am a very social person- so this is crucial to me!!
I am right next to my dad right now, working on his computer. On Saturday, my dad health declined. He hasn't eaten since Saturday night. Yesterday, he smiled and had a little conversation. But today, since noon, he has been sleeping most of the time. He woke up briefly when Pastor Matt visited, and when his parents came. My mom had to kiss him three times to wake him up. She is very happy because he kissed her back. He appears to be resting comfortably. My mom continues to read his e-mails to him, so please keep on sending them. God continues to sustain my mother, and the other eleven of us. God is so good. God is indescribable. He is so amazing!
God is teaching me, that I need to go to HIM before I go to my friends, and I have to most amazing friends, who are always there, so it is tempting. I continue to struggle with that. But I am thankful for all of my wonderful friends, as many people don't even have one good friend. Well I have many!

Well, it is getting late, and I need to do somethings. So until next time.

Today

Today, was a pretty good day, but then again it isn't over yet.
I went to school, but the only bummer is, I didn't get to do my devotions this morning. So that was pretty sad. I need to do them tonight.
Tomorrow BASKETBALL starts. I am so excited!!!!
So I am going to do my devotions tonight and spend a little time going through this book I just read. I want to get the major points out. So I remember more about it. I know it's a really good book, but I got to write down the main points to remember it.
I got to talk to my good friend tonight, that was nice.
Well, I got to get going...science homework, devotions...
Oh and notice...blue is my favorite color!!

Dedicated to my big sis.

Last night I had a really good talk with my big sis.
Let me explain.
One of my best friends (we have known each since kindergarten) we had a talk last night..but let me start at the beginning.
In kindergarten we would be best friends one day, and the next minute, we would hate each other. Since we were so alike, it was hard sometimes. And as we have grown up it has been just her and I would fight, and then be fine. But now, we are much better, sure we get upset- but a lot less that we used to. I love her so much! People say we look alike. On the basketball court, it's sometimes hard for my mom to tell us apart. Last night, I was talking to her about something, as she said something about just trust God, and He will work it out. I was like, when did you get so smart?! She said to me, when she started trusting God more. WOW! I need to trust Him more. It is soo easy to say, but obviously, my big sis has learned how to do it. I trust God, but definitely not to the point where I should be trusting Him. She calls me her little sis, even though, I am really older than her. But oh well. She is taller. So.. yeah. We are close friends. Even if we don't hang out for a month. We are still close. And that is so awesome, I know that she always has my back. And I'm here for her. I love her!!!
I'm sitting on the floor next to my dad's bed. He is resting right now. I love my dad so much! It is nice to just be in here with him, even when he is resting, just to be with him is nice. Because soon- it will all be gone.
I guess we all have to remember that we don't know when we are going to die. So we must be ready. Ready to meet Jesus face to face. I know my dad is looking forward to meeting Jesus. And one day I will get to meet Him face to face also.
I should probably get going.
If you want to know more about my AMAZING big sis, her blog is alightforhim.blogspot.com

My Weekend So Far

I have had an awesome weekend so far! It started on Friday at school, getting my report card, and then going to the movies to see Madagascar 2, and then spending the night with a lot of girls at my friends house.
Madagascar 2 was really good! I sat next to one of my best friends, (who is an amazing person!!), she didn't want me to sit by her, because during movies I sit there and ask tons of questions! But, for this movie I only asked ONE question, at the very end. So that was good. Usually I ask questions when I am watching a confusing movie. I need some clues!!
So we left the movies and went to my friends house. Five girls plus her- six girls spending the night together! It was a bit crazy! We were up to early morning!! Playing a game, talking, eating. We played truth-or-dare, and well- let's just say, some things we will never forget- and some things- most things that happened will never leave that room- I HOPE!!! It was a lot of fun being together with Christian girls- and the thing that I love is that we are all different ages, but that doesn't stop us from being friends. Like most people won't talk to someone even two years of an age difference from them. But that's not how it is for us. And I love it!! I guess it has to do with Jesus Christ, we all have Him in common and from that, we can all agree on some things. I love all my friends so much! I thank God for them, and I know that my dad is so thankful that I have such a good group of friends, for when he is not here anymore, he knows that my friends will keep me from doing stupid stuff- But I know that they will still let me embarrass myself! But hey! That's my awesome group of friends for you.
When I got home, we watched the movie The Perfect Man. It was pretty good. I liked it.
In my devotions, I am reading through Psalms. It is such a great book. When my dad was getting ready to have his surgery back in March, my friend showed me Psalm 71, and I love that Psalm. You should go and look at it. God is never going to leave me- never! He is always here for me, and that is something that is amazing! He choose me, ME! And then Paul, who was talking about the further along we go in our Christian lives, the more we long for being with Jesus, the world doesn't hold the same longing that it did before we were saved. My dad was quizzing me on that- and you know, that is so true for him. He is sad to be leaving us, but so excited, to be with Jesus. But anyday, we could meet Jesus face to face. One song says, "In the twinkling of an eye, that is when, I will be closer to Him ( Jesus) then I have ever been" How true that is! I know the world still holds a certain, I don't know. I want to be able to grow up, get married, and start my "life". I know in my head that Christ is so much more than that. I just still have to learn that in my heart.
I should probably get going. I want, well need to do some homework. And spend some time with my dad, and other "family" Since we are living with our best friends, and there are twelve of us, under one roof, we are like Cheaper by the Dozen, except 7 kids, and 4 parents. It's fun!

Basketball shoes and everything else.

I have a great brother, he is a cadet at the United States Military Academy. He has come home to spend the last days with our family. Today, we went to go get basketball shoes, as basketball season is approaching!! I love basketball!! This year, I have been chosen to be captain of our team.Hopefully, I will honor God to my fullest with this. In a few days, practice starts, and I am so excited!
Right now, we are living with our friends. They have seven people in their family, plus five in mine. There are 12 of us under one roof!! It's a lot!! But we have an awesome time. We had devotions together last night, and it was so much fun. Singing praise to the Lord.
Today, we had class meetings- I think that they went really well. We talked about the strength's and weakness' of our class. Everyone struggles with cliques, not being accepted. So when we do our class chapel, we are going to do it on cliques- cliques can really hurt some. And for me, I shouldn't be hurting them, I should be encouraging them for Christ.
I just finished studying with my dad for my science test, and Bible test. Now my dad is studying with my baby brother. My baby brother, is learning Psalm 100. It is fun to listen to my dad and brother. It was about entering the Lord's gates. It was nice to listen to.
Well, I have other things I need to get done.

My friend calls me Kat

My friend calls me Kat.
I am a born-again believer, which means that Jesus Christ died on the cross for me, and rose again. He loves me, and chose to love me, even though I am a sinner. I will always serve Him- no matter what He throws my way.
Speaking of throwing things my way . . . God, who is in charge of everything, (and I know and believe that He is in charge of everything,) has allowed my dad to have cancer. He was diagnosed with cancer December 2007, and has only a limited time left. But I love him so much. My dad loves me and doesn't throw a pity party at all. If you talked to him, you wouldn't know he was sick. He is an amazing guy. I always wanted to be like him, and look like him, but I'm told I look like my mother. But that's all good!!
Today at school, I had an interesting day. I have to remember that God is in control of everything, and that nothing matters but giving God my best. I am seeking to please men, more than Him most of the time. I need to seek to give God my best, and know that my best is all that matters to God- even when others seem to be doing better.
So I had a lesson in that today.