the funniest thing.

Yesterday Jessie and I were walking through the Edgewood shopping center. Walking, walking, minding our own business. Suddenly we stepped over an airvent... and it blew my dress straight over my head. Just like in the movies.

It was probably my favorite moment in the history of my life.

shame.

I don't know why I choose to be so open on this thing... but bear with me. My life is truly splendid, and I thank the Lord for that. But all of that can be so boring to write about.
In conjunction with that, I've been meeting boatloads of people in the past few weeks. Maybe I'm naïve, but I really feel like I've been able to glimpse into some of their souls, and they're such beautiful creatures.

In conjunction with that, I'll tell you a story:
This past Sunday was "Health Day"* for Lazarus Ministry. It was one of the most touching things I've ever seen.
I was standing with Jason Campbell, talking about nothing in particular, when I was approached by an older man who had just eaten a hardy meal and sang a song for everyone on the karaoke machine. He was very spirited, and checked my name-tag to make sure that I was indeed Katie. He had been tipped-off by a fellow named Rob that I am a monster Tom Waits fan. Then, he launched into this uncanny impression, reciting a monologue from one of Tom's songs. I can't speak for Jason, but I was floored. A few statements were exchanged, and then for some reason we broke away.

Driving to school this morning I was listening to Mule Variations. Track 3, my favorite, "Hold On" started up. I couldn't help thinking of this dude. My heart was weighed down wishing that I had heard this guy's full story.
And so I committed in my mind that if I ever saw this man again, I would stop to talk to him.

And then, naturally, there was a fire drill during my exam. I was standing outside talking to this boy from high school that I hadn't seen in years.
And then that man walked by. By the time I realized that I was still talking to this kid, he had disappeared into the crowd. And I didn't bother looking for him. In a moment I chose to keep this typical jock kid comfortable instead of following through on a promise I had made just hours before. Maybe this guy needed to know that he's remembered. Maybe I needed to talk to someone who is truly interesting. But I didn't.

And I'm really ashamed of it.





*To make another long story short, a few blocks of Ellis Street in downtown Atlanta were blocked off so that we could have a mini-festival with the homeless. They were able to get free health screening, followed by free BBQ, tables to sit and eat while watching their friends sing karaoke, free hair cuts, free nail care, free clothing, and some live performances. It was really a site to behold.

Driving down North Avenue last night after work, I was sitting at the intersection with Peachtree St. looking at the large church to my left. There is this sort of stone mural with Jesus and a short passage being illuminated by 2 lights shining upward onto them. Just as I started to read the passage, the lights went out.

My heart burned, and I found an analogy.

"Come unto..." I'm sorry, I didn't hear the last part. Come unto what. And how?



I couldn't be more glad that tonight is my last night of work. My new life will be disciplned.

talented.

So, last night I consulted one of the top chef's at the incredible restaurant I work (soon to be "worked") at to find an easy way to make sweet potatoe casserole from scratch.
I had the sweet potatoes. I pealed them and cut them into halves. I put them on a baking sheet and stuck those bad boys in the oven. I did the fork test. They appeared ready.
I tried to mash them in a bowl with some butter. They weren't ready. I stuck them into a microwave to continue cooking...
I melted the bowl.

So, I will be cooking from cans for a while. No big deal.

School. Is. Stressing. Me. Out.

in a crunch.

So, because of undesirable situations/ relationships I decided to quit Rathbun's before I found another job. I can take it. No big deal. I'm happy to have to time to study.

Also, apparently they don't respect us enough to give us proper employee meals... because everyone who ate the macaroni and cheese (myself included) yesterday got a nasty case of food poisoning.

ANCHE,

Courtney shall be moving out in October, and the original plan was to be moving out as well... however... I'm having a bit of trouble rounding up some room mates. Also, the one girl who was planning on moving in for sure is now having to wait a bit longer before she can move out of her house. Which is totally understandable.
However, I'm in a bit of a spot. I either need to find somewhere else to live, or someone to take Courtney's place by October...

So, now I need to pray and trust the Lord that everything is going to work out. I'm really not stressed. But maybe I should be.




Your turn: put the pressure on Octane to hire me.
and find a place for me to abide!

best week ever. and a long one.

So, Monday school starts again. So I spent my last week-and-a-half getting out all of my leftover energy.

What have I been doing, you ask?

Well, as I mentioned before, Jessie and I went to Nashville. We celebrated the birth of our friend Mark, and celebrated living in community with our friends Casey and Phillip, and our other new friends.
And I'll say this: the way in which Casey and Phillip live turned out to be the most inspiring part of the trip. These boys willingly sacrifice their quality of life to be able to give comfort to those around them. One of those boys has a single drawer with about 4 t-shirts, and one pair of shorts to his name.
The house is tiny, with one bedroom that is occupied by a girl with a real job, real responsibilities, and a pretty voice.There is a bunk bed and 3 queen sized mattresses pushed against the walls of the living room. At night, the mattresses are spread through the living room and kitchen, so that those who are in need, or simply enjoying the presence of others, can rest comfortably.
I came home feeling trapped by my possessions. I want to make more room for people.
Since then, I have been letting go of the things that I don't need. It's a sobering process that is taking longer and much more will power than I had hoped.

While in Nashville I saw Daniel Johnston live with Richard Candler, a high school friend who I haven't seen in years. Which.was.sweaty.and.awesome.


Then on Sunday Jessie, Grace, Sarah and I sat around a table talking and sharing a bottle of wine. Then, on a whim, drove out to Canton at 2am to watch the meteor shower from lying on our backs in a giant sandbox. We spoke in Australian accents. We really enjoyed each other that night. It was perfect.


Wednesday morning I woke up early to fly out to Chicago. David Kowalski met me at the train station, and we spent the day walking around downtown. We hung out with Mike, watched some movies at the theater, went to the big silver bean, and ate at McDonalds. By the end of the night I was as tired as I've ever been in my entire life. The following afternoon I rode the train down to the airport, only to find that I couldn't fly directly into Atlanta. I got onto a flight to Cincinatti, then to take a different flight to Atlanta. However, while in my seat, the gate agent informed be that I had to give my seat up for someone (which, in my 21 years of standing-by, has never happened to me). So... I sat there... crying alone in the airport. It was so lame. I didn't have any money, rail tickets, or energy left.
Then my aunt picked me up. And I ended up hanging out with my dad's family that night, and then they drove me back to the airport in the morning. It was my first time being around them without any of my sisters. And it was really fun. They're probably the most emotionally healthy people I've ever met.


Unfortunately, I've been having nightmares about murdering people, being attacked, getting pregnant, etc...
But the days are just so nice.

you guys.

I'm going to Nashville tomorrow with my new friend Jesse. She has the same tattoo inside her lip as I do. We got them about 6 months apart a few years ago, and found out about it through our mutual friend Mark.
So about a month ago when we were introduced, we both pulled down our bottom lips to display the "PS 63:3"s inside.
"Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips will praise You."

And, in Nashville I will be seeing Daniel Johnston live.

How excited am I? So excited.

Also... someone convince Tony to hire me at Octane.
I need a healthier job.

Thursday:
Happy Birthday Sarah!
Happy Birthday Mark!

Friday:
Happy Birthday Ian!
Happy 21ST Birthday Jordan McBride!!!!!