Holiday Update

Happy Holidays everyone!

First of all, I want to say thanks Mom for making this Christmas superbly awesome.  I can't believe how great of mom you are!  Thank you Dad, Amanda, Abuela, Jacob, Anne, Phyllis, and everyone who was very generous to me this season.  You, my family and friends (and boyfriend <3), give meaning to my Christmas (and Hanukkah).  Jesus was born in April, trees are pagan-influenced, and fruitcake sucks.  But Christmas is a special, important, and beautiful Holy Day (holiday) because we gather together and use this time to celebrate the birth of Christ - also Hanukkah is super important because we celebrate God's awesome power and again, gather together in one accord.

God is so good!  Wow!  I can't get over how loving and kind he is, the amazing King of the Universe lowers himself as our Servant, washing the gunk off our toes and as the sacrificial lamb, dying a painful, lowly death all so we can be with him.  He knew that the Old Covenant was unable to suffice.  It was just a shadow of who he is.  And now we have a New Covenant, free from sin and bondage, free to be righteous in Christ.  Wow!

Since my last post, God has given me all sorts of visions and concrete goals for the next year - just in time for New Years!  He showed me in a vivid picture, that I will dedicate my time to teaching piano lessons to orphans in DC.  I will go to a foster home, pour into a few interested kids, teaching them music.  Then afterwards, I will have an optional Bible study.  This idea rests divinely on my heart, coming from the Holy Spirit - I didn't think of this myself.  It came to me so fast and vivid a couple months ago and began to gnaw at my heart.  Finally I surrendered and said "I will do it!".  I have been calling various Foster Organizations around DC, but I have had no luck.  I believe that God will open the doors that need to be opened for me to fulfill this dream.  Please partner me in prayer as I search for a foster home that will allow me to teach piano lessons to orphans.

Besides that, my other goal for this next semester is to get a job.  This is all in God's hands.  I applied to some really neat places.  However, I haven't heard back yet (I know, it's the holidays).  Please keep this in prayer as well as I go on a Job hunt!

Jacob also has something so cool he is doing this semester, a door that opened up completely supernaturally.  He got a call from a Rabbi in Tally asking him if he would help him start a Messianic Synagogue/club on campus.  If you don't know, starting a student org is very challenging!  Please keep him in prayer as he partners with the Rabbi and Yeshua (Jesus) on this journey to start a Messianic Jewish synagogue on campus that his joy may be complete.

This summer, I have an opportunity to go to Ecuador with a girl from school.  The details are not completely worked out, but I would be staying with her family and help her hand out books to the various libraries she has started in Central America.  What a fun and exciting opportunity!  Especially since I've always wanted to go to Ecuador.  It's on my top three list of countries to go to!  I'm really hoping it works out - pray for this as well :)

My other goal for the summer is to record all of my music, Jacob's music, and our joint written songs.  This is something I've needed to do for far to long.  The time is now.

Finally, I had an awesome picture of my future life.  I have no idea if this will be true or not or whatever, but it kind of felt like an epiphany... I love teaching, I love culture and history, I want to influence others, I want to be an activist and change the world.... SO... Wouldn't it be awesome if at some point in my professional life I switch over to become a professor/missionary?  I could so do that for the rest of my life.  Imagine... I'm a professor of International Affairs, writing awesome books & thesis, and a missionary during the summers.  I get giddy thinking about it.  ;D  God, let it be.  Amen.

Happy New Year!
Katrina Doyle



 

Balance

Just had afternon tea and cookies with my friend Alisia.  About to go see some jazz, go to The Well (Intervarsity's large group worship), and see my friend Emily's play!  (As soon as I finish studying econ - SNORE).  As I said in an earlier post, everything has been getting very hectic and busy as the work load piles on now that finals are here.  However, I've still been able to balance it all and chill with friends.  I even got a job today, working with Fojol Brothers, a food truck here in DC.  At the forefront of my mind are finals & my final paper.  Please pray that I do good on all of my tests!  I REALLY NEED PRAYER.

Thank you & God Bless!
Katrina Doyle

Voice Gospel Choir!

Oh man did God's spirit fill that place!  There were people doing jives in the aisles, a choir member getting slain in the spirit, five choir members crying, and half the audience raising their hands in surrender to God.  Demarcus, our Choir Chaplain, even started preaching toward the end!  Here are a few videos of the award-winning Voice Gospel Choir, #1 a'capella group in GWU, and ministry group of worship warriors at our Winter Concert.  (I'm the one white girl in the gold skirt at the front)

The Blood Still Works: http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=1640750698621&set=o.83242555390&type=2&permPage=1
I will Bless the Lord: http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=1640779819349&set=o.83242555390&type=2&permPage=1

Since I Laid my Burdens Down: http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=1640804899976&set=o.83242555390&type=2&permPage=1

I Shall Wear a Crown Part 1: http://www.facebook.com/#!/video/video.php?v=1640847341037&notif_t=video_tag

I Shall Wear a Crown Part 2: http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=1640858181308&set=o.83242555390&type=2&permPage=1

Holy Spirit: http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v=1640836540767&set=o.83242555390&type=2&permPage=1

;)

You wish you went here

I'm getting back into the swing of things since I returned to DC after Thanksgiving Break. Getting back into the daily grind was scary for me because finals are coming up, and I knew that as soon as I came back there would be tons of presentations to make, homework to do, and tests to take. However, God took this fear away, without me even asking specifically. I asked him to help me in this time of stress and he responded. I thought every day this week would be a nightmare. But it's turning out to be quite the opposite. I have found more than enought time to get the things done that I needed to get done. I have been blessed and found favor with my teachers. I even got to skip 2 classes this morning, as they were cancelled. And because these 2 classes were cancelled, I was able to stay up all night worshipping on the piano in the piano lounge in my dorm, singing and praying for the lost. God really pinned it on my heart to pray for those who do not know him yet. And so I did. And I even wrote FOUR songs. All last night! It was great. Despite the massive amounts of homework, exams, and presentations this week, many great things have been happening!

For one, I got to see a band that I had been following for years - Jukebox the Ghost. They performed at the 9:30 club, and were completely incredible. I have a rekindled love for them, as I had always loved their music but never knew that they were incredible live musicians as well. They really engage the audience in their music and it's no wonder that they are finally gaining a huge following. I really really enjoyed seeing them, as they are a band I have loved for a long time, but I mostly enjoyed spending time with Liz. Liz was supposed to be my roommate, but her assignment somehow got switched. We met completely by accident (or by God), that same night I met everyone from Campus Outreach in that first week. We've been hanging out ever since. And last night was an amazing night with her! I was so glad she came. We had a blast, we talked forever, and I trully got to hear her heart.

Another great thing hapening is the Voice Gospel Choir concert coming up on SUNDAY. I am so excited to sing all of the songs we have been working so hard at. There were 4 scheduled practices this week, but it was awesome! My friend even texted me today saying that she heard about it from a poster, and that she was totally going to be there! Im so stoked to sing,

Today, I baked cookies and brownies with my rooommates. DELISH. That was my lunch/supper. For dinner, I went out to Dupont Circle with Isaac, my friend from high school who lives here as a Marine. Afterwards, we met up with two of my friends, walked to the top of the Kennedy Center building and saw all of DC from one terrace! BOOYAH.

More cool stuff: Obama, Clinton, Bush, Bono, and Alicia Keys all came to my school yesterday to sign for funding for the fight against HIV/Aids, supported by ONE - Bono's nonprofit that I am a member of.  I did not get to see or meet them because the event wasn't open to the public (or students I guess).  In fact, rumor has it that only 10 students were allowed in.  Either way, it's pretty freaking cool.  I mean seriously, YOU WISH you went here.  I swear, yesterday was celebrity day. Not only these superstars, but also Cornel West. If you don't know him, no worries. But he is a pretty important speaker. ALSO: I got to see Jukebox the Ghost.  AND my roommate went to an afterparty for Nick Muhler.  I swear it was famous people day.

It's getting colder for sure! But I have a newfound love for winter. I thought I would HATE it . But instead I am enjoying the coats, hats, scarves, crispy cold, and hot beverage kind of weather.

More news: Instead of eating out for every meal as I had been doing since I lack any sort of kitchen in my entire dorm, I have been cooking dinner almost every night. Whether I did it with Franny, my fellow frugal freshman who lives in a dorm with one communal kitchen, or I did it with Donna, who of course has a lovely kitchen + pots + pans + spices + everythig, I ended up making a cheap delicious meal that saves me lots of money. So with this new lifestyle, as I've given in and asked to use other peoples' kitchens, I could definitely use some pots, pans, spices, tools, etc. (Hint Hint, Mom and Dad).

I can't wait for CHRISTMAS.

Love,

Katrina

Uno dos tres quatro cinco

God is great!  I got a scholarship to go on a retreat this weekend.  I only have to pay $50.  I am going to Camp Hashawa Westminster, MD and this is on a complete whim.  I had no plans of this yesterday.  But I'm doing it tomorrow!

Second grreeeaaatt thing:  Pam & Gil are coming from Tampa!  I get to see them TOMORROW.  Pam & Gil led a house church in Tampa that I went to as many Fridays as I could.  It was a great environment where I grew the most.

Thirdly.... I am a vegan for the rest of the month pretty much.  I started a strict diet plan to cut out anything and everything that could cause my stomach to be crazy stupid (which it has been for the past 2 years).  This means no meat, dairy, wheat, citrus fruits, onions, spices, or peppers.  So basically I am only allowed to eat SOME fruits, vegetables, potatoes, rice, and beans. And I have to start drinking 4 bottles of water a day.  Fun stuff guys.  Good thing this only lasts a week because I would die.  Each successive day I'm allowed to add ONE food item so I can see exactly what has been the cause of my crazy adominal pains/vomiting/indigestion/constant state of nausea.   If it isn't food, then we can explore other causes.  We'll see what will become of this.

4thly: FINISHED DR.ZHIVAGO after an entire month of reading it.  Just for fun.  It's the first almost 600 page novel I've ever completed.  I read it so I could watch the BBC miniseries reenactment of it.  I probably would've enjoyed the show had I not read the book.  HOWEVER, I found it to suck.  Immensely.

numero cinco: I think I'm joining Intervarsity's worship team - WOOHOO


En conclusion... (that's spanish for in conclusion!).......
Be praying that God heals my stomach!  I believe he can!  Pray for my morale, as I am slightly hungry and slightly irritated.  Pray for my faith to INCREASE, my joy to AUGMENT, and my blessings to MULTIPLY.

Oh and pray for Jacob.  A guy kneeded him in the chest and he bruised it REALLY bad and had to go to the doctor. 

MUCH LOVE,
Katrina Doyle

FEAR OF THE LORD

SO.  Tonight at JHOP, I was stricken with the fear of the Lord.  Worship was incredible as always, and then all of a sudden a terrifying conviction overwhelms me.  I am evil.  I say that I want to proclaim God's name and I want him to bring revival, but I am too scared to fully witness to anyone.  I am full of pride.  And full of the fear of man.  I am evil.  Evil.  Evil.  I fell to the ground panting and crying.  Then I smooshed my face to turn away from the worship leaders and hid in a corner between the bathroom and the couch.  I crouched on the floor crying and repenting to God of my sins.  Everything I ever tried to do in my own power was evil.  It was all phony, hypocritical, and full of pride and flesh.  I was full of sin, and I knew it.  And suddenly the message of forgiveness and grace became brand new.  Condemnation and Repentance was a chapter I had skipped in my life, because I grew up in the church knowing that Jesus forgave me of my sins.  But now I trully knew what that meant. 

And then I opened my Bible to Isaiah 62-63. "..... (2) The nations will see your righteousness.  Kings will be blinded by your glory.  And the LORD will give you a new name.  The LORD will hold you in his hands for all to see - a splendid crown in the hands of God.  Never again will you be caleld the Godforsaken City or the Desolate Land.  Your new name will be the City of God's Delight and the Bride of God, for the LORD delights in you and will claim you as his own.  Your children will care for you with joy, O Jerusalem, just as a young man cares for his bride.  Then God will rejoice over you as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride.  ..... (11)"The LORD has sent this message to every land: "Tell the people of Israel, 'Look, your Savior is coming.  See, he brings his reward with him as he comes.'"  They will be called the Holy People and the People Redeemed by the LORD.  And Jerusalem will be known as the Desirable Place and the City No Longer Forsaken........ [63] .... (7) I will tell of the LORD's unfailing love.  I will praise the LORD for all he has done.  I will rejoice in his great goodness to Israel, which he has granted according to his mercy and love.  He said, "They are my very own people.  Surely they will not be false again."  And he became their Savior.  In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them.  In his love and mercy he redeemed them.  He lifted them up and carried them through all the years."

Every single word spoke to me.  So much so, that I can't even explain.  But if you get anything out of reading it then you know what I mean.  Oh how I love God's ministry. 

I was at rebellion against him, and didn't deserve salvation or even his love.  But He gave it to me freely, while I was STILL A SINNER.  And now I am called his Daughter, his bride, his family.  All for the sake of FREEDOM he set me free.  There is suddenly new life to every scripture I know and have read.  All because I was faced with the fear of the LORD.  And now the fear of the LORD overpowers my fear of man.

XOXO,
Katrina Doyle

Wonderful Things - and People.

Wow I've been busy!  But in the best way.  I'm not stressed, nor am I lacking in excitement.  Let me explain.  I've been carving time for just me and God, for me to just rest in his presence.  I'm making prayer a priority, slowly but surely (I'm getting there).  And at the same time I have so many things going on all the time.  Opportunities galore.  School has most of my attention, as I am taking 17 credits and studying hard.  But I am also going to Campus Outreach events, Voice Gospel choir practice (we have a performance next Friday!), Phi Alpha Delta rush (pre-law frat), multiple hang-outs with friends, bible studies, and extra credit events through my Comparative Politics class.  A little side note, Comparative Politics has been a great opportunity in itself.  My teacher gives us extra credit for attending lectures from prominent interest group leaders and policy makers.  Examples include speech and Q&A seminars with the Israeli Major General, the leader of the DC vote movement (DC residents lack voting rights), and more recently today I went to the Israeli and Jordanian embassies (a WONDERFUL experience and I asked lots of questions).  All in all, my schedule is always full of wonderful things but I am trying to make intimacy a priority.  It's hard, but if a college student can do it then ANYONE can.

The weather has been super bi-polar.  One day I am freaking out having to run to the mall to buy my first winter coat because I'm frightened that I will freeze to death.  The next, I am donning shorts and a tee and sun-bathing outside the World Bank.  My favorite is the in-between, when I fell asleep on a quiet hill on the Vern, listening to the birds sing and feeling the nice crisp breeze.

Best part of these past couple weeks is by far the surprise visit from my Uncle Robin and Aunt Giselle, my wonderful neighbors who are family to me.  They chose DC as their family vacation and visited with me the whole time.  What a blessing!!!  We went out to dinner at various metro stops that I had never been to.  My favorites were the Archives, where a trumpet player crooned a gentle ballad as I gaze upon a huge fountain and trees, and Dupont Circle, a wonderland of hip restaurants and beautiful neighborhoods.  The first night they came, they treated me to oysters and I treated them to the Lincoln at night.  The second day, I went with them to the National Museum of Natural History.  The last night we ate in China town.  It definitely wasn't enough.  But it makes me crave them even more for when I come back in thanksgiving.

Downfall: my permanent retainer broke today and I have to get it fixed tomorrow at a random orthodontics office.  It is super uncomfortable but at least I live in a country where I can go down the street and get decent care.  Because it would suck if I was in the Peace Corps right now.  Seriously.   This sucksssssssssss.....

But God makes all things new and He is awesommeeeeeeeee alksdhflaskdjhfalksdjhfalskdjhf !!!!!!*&^(*!&^!^!!!!

I'm crazy.  Pray for me.
Katrina.

THIS IS COLLEGE

I am sorry that I haven't posted in forever.  A lot of new things have been happening!  Let's start with my new church.  It is called NewSong.  I found out about it through the President of Intervarsity GWU, Billy, who told me his experiences with IHOP (International House of Prayer), discipling with Lou Engle, and working at JHOP (Justice House of Prayer).  I decided to go with him to his church because I had a good feeling that wherever he was happy, I would probably be happy as well.  And when he told me that Lou Engle and Mike Bickle sometimes spoke there, that was the icing on the cake.  So I go and it is freaking AMAZING!  Five minutes in, and I start to cry because I feel like I've found my home.  The congregation is relatively small, similar to MorningStar.  And the worship is incredible.  I could sing forever in that place.  The worship leaders were all so humble and prophetic and moved with the flow of the Holy Spitit.  The whole freakin church is prophetic.  Everyone is so encouraging and has words of knowledge and visions.  Miracles happen at this church.  People get healed.  One guy shared a testimony of praying for a guy who had been in a cane for 17 years and he suddenly was able to walk normal again.  No more pain.   The congregation is teeming with young adults and college age kids.  It's awesome!  What was more, the message was so good that I think I took more notes then I have ever taken notes on a sermon.  He talked about getting past the miracle and encountering the nature of God, that you can be so trained in what you think God is going to do that you miss it when he shows up.  He reminded me that faith is something we can't see.  Anyway, it was a great sermon and spot on for everyone in the room.  Afterward, they allowed people to come up to be prayed for.  These people prayed with such power and conviction, that prophetic messages were coming down and the Holy Spirit filled the room.  AFTER church, I met the most amazing people - so fun, so honest, so encouraging.  Everyone that was on the "church bus" - that is the bus that shuttles us from GW - ate lunch at my FAVORITE restaurant in DC, Founding Farmers.  I LOVED NEWSONG!  I am going back this Sunday.

On the WAY to church, on the "church bus" that leaves from GW, I met a fellow freshman named Esther.  We had a lot in common and we both love IHOP!  We've hung out and studied and I hope to continue our friendship.

On Tuesday, the really exciting event I had been waiting for finally came.  Campus Outreach put on a mini-lecture called "Are all religions basically the same?"  and I found it very enlightening for Christians and especially non-Christians.  A LOT of people came and the gospel was shared in Thurston Hall!

Speaking of the Gospel in Thurston Hall, I shared the gospel with two girls for 5 or 6 hours in the piano lounge of Thurston a week before the event.  God is moving!

I started my internship with U.S. - Arab Relations.  It wasn't too long of a meeting.  After that, I went to a lecture led by the Israeli Major General speaking on the Peace Process.  I found it very vague and unenlightening.  But I know that there will be more opportunities for me to hear from important people, hopefully better than his superfluous speech.

One thing I personally need to pray and study upon is my take on the Israeli-Palestini conflict.  I want Israel to be a nation, a strong and safe nation, one that hopefully will get to keep Jerusalem.  However, I feel like national security isn't a good enough reason to marginalize and abuse an entire people group.  In international politics, there isn't ever a fully RIGHT side or WRONG side (with the expection of Nazi Germany and the Jews, etc.).  In every situation there are complexities.  There are injustices imposed upon either side.  Israel isn't the sheep and Palestine the wolf.  Israel has to account for stripping many Palestinians of human rights, democracy, places to live, equality, and even life.  However, Palestine needs to shut up and deal with Hammas and other terrorist groups within its own people before they can expect to see any change.  In international politics, there is give and take, not right and wrong.  And so I am trying to reconcile these thoughts with the feelings of the church.  The Church wants Israel to remain its own nation and Palestine to live within its borders.  However, I feel that there are too many polarizing cleavages between the people groups (polarizing cleavages meaning characteristics that pull people toward different parties are so stark in the population that no two people have cross-cutting cleavages, unlike America where you can have a black Republican and a white business owner Democrat) that Israelis and Palestinis will not be able to live together in one nation without stripping one of the other of human rights and democracy.  I hope that somehow Palestine can agree on living in a segment of land so it can be sovereign, have statehood, and engage in free trade (which is a major reason they want statehood) and Israel can be the beautiful nation it is.  Anyway, God is in control and he knows what's best.  It doesn't matter what I think.  It matters what he says.  I learned from JHOP (Justice House of Prayer) tonight that we need to at the very least protect and pray for Israel, because it is a nation of our brothers and sisters and God's children. 

JHOP was freaking awesome.  I love these amazing people.  We prayed for our nation, Israel, each other, the church, and worshipped 99% of the time.  Three people spoke over me so much truth and I am ready to let God take me into a new season.  These are the prophecies spoken over me -

1.  You are in a season of rest
2.  God has so many opportunities and open doors planned for you in the future, but right now is your season of rest and he won't take you into that new and busy season until you learn to rest in him now.
3.  You are in a season of resting in your identity in HIm
4.  You are in a season of identity, learning who you are in Christ.  He loves you and he wants you to come into agreement of his love for you.
5.  Just rest in the awesomeness that God is and abide in Him.
6.  No more man-made humility, you are taking on the humility of CHrist

Tonight after JHOP I struck up conversation with two random kids and asked them to dinner.  We ate at TGIF and talked for hours.  Then I shared the gospel and we chilled some more.  THIS IS COLLEGE.


PRAYER REQUESTS

1. That I learn who I am
2. That I love God more, by knowing how much he loves me
3. That I have more boldness and learn to STAND
4. My stomach - crazy pains that I often face
5. Test on Wednesday for BIO, papers due on Monday, Economics HW due Monday....aagghhhhdsfasdfasdjfalskdjfa;

LOVE!
Katrina Doyle

P.S. I did NOT check for spelling or grammatical errors or incoherencies, but I hope you got the gist of what has been on my heart!

Shine, Shine, Let it Shine

Life here on earth is so short.  I was reminded that when our pet starfish Larry died the morning after we acquired him (BACKSTORY: Roommates and I went to a Japanese kareoke bar, ate sushi & sang, saw baby starfish in an aquarium, bar owner heard our excited squealing & grabbed one of the starfish and put him in a cup of sea water).  So why is it that I have more Fear of Man than Fear of God when it comes to evangelizing in my school?  Yes, it is VERY liberal and most are atheist/agnostic or devout Jews/Muslim, but that should mean the need is GREATER not LESS!  Our lives here are shorter than Larry's life in that cup.  The bible says in a blink of an eye, the last trumpet will sound (1 Corinthians 15:52).  It is imperative I stay in intimacy with the Father and LET his light shine, not hide it or try and create my own pseudo-light.  And so I am encouraged to take bolder steps even in this time of everything being new for me, not quite knowing everyone, and yet treat people like my brothers and sisters.  College is great, but I do miss home.  The people here I've met who shared my experiences and love God as well are amazing....

Movie night

On our way to church

Much Love,

Katrina :)



 

Ouch

Last night, I went with my friends to the Lincoln Memorial around 1ish.  On the way, we came upon a circular fountain.  Donna jumped across the mote onto the cement middle part.  Her brother did the same.  So THEN, I try.  All of them are like "Katrina!  Be careful!  Don't get hurt!"  But I insist.  So I jump and land barefoot with the most extreme force into the mote, bruising the bottom of my feet, bruising and scraping my knee, and soaking my shorts.  I'm screaming "Oh SSSSHIIIIIIITTTT!" at this point.  Everyone is crowding around trying to check me out.  So then a guy comes out of the bushes after smoking a joint with his friends.  "Are you okay?!" he asks and jumps to the middle.  His friend asks me if I'm intoxicated and doesn't believe me when I say I don't drink.  Donna's brother carries me out and we laugh all laugh.

Then, I ate a chicken quesadilla on the Lincoln Memorial.

FUN NIGHT! :)

YAY!

I got my mom's laptop charger in the mail today, so I can charge my laptop!  She is an angel! :)  Well these past couple days have been awesome.  I had an amazing lunch yesterday with Lauren, the Campus Outreach Girl's leader (she works here).  She really spoke amazing truth into my life when I was feeling down.  I also went to Campus Outreach's first worship event, had an amazing time in my Comparative Politics listening to my passionate activist teacher (as always), and was able to talk to all four of my roommates about GOD.  Yesterday, I had a great movie night with the girls from Campus Outreach.  Today, I ate at the new Whole Foods wonder emporium with Donna, went to Jazz band practice, went to the National Art Gallery, and now I am about to watch a movie with my roommate Rithika!

Prayer Requests: That I become bolder in preaching the gospel

OH NO

I'm writing this from my roommate's Mac.  My laptop charger BROKE!  So now I can't use my laptop when I need it for school.  And chargers are almost a hundred dollars.  So my mom is sacrificially sending me hers.  I was really upset about it earlier, but I've been praying for God to give me more faith.  And you know what?  He came through.  It was really funny.  All day I just needed a quiet place to pray and cry.  I looked everywhere.  And randomly, I found a Catholic Chapel.  So I prayed.  And cried.  And ignored the sacraments.  It was great.

 Prayer request:  That I don't feel so lonely, that this situation with my laptop works out because it NEEDS to, that I trust in God more, that I have more faith, that I stop scrutinizing the problem and look for the solution, that I let go and let God, etc.  (LOL sorry I'm so needy)

Love,
Katrina

Supertastic

Camping was so AWESOME!  It was supertastic.  We went to Shenandoah Valley in Virginia, about an hour from DC.  It is located in the Appalachean Mountains.  Jen, Donna, Donna's brother Joe, Sarah, and I camped on the side of one of these mountains.  We encountered deer, mammoth moths, and an incessant rain storm.  By the time we made camp (which lacked tents and included nothing but two giant tarps and some rope) it was dark, windy, and ferociously rainy.  But we managed to hold the tarp/roof up with some logs, rope, and trees.  We played crazy games that I had never done before including the most ridiculous game I've ever played - Silent Football.  The long list of rules include: you can't "show your ivories" (show your teeth) while talking, you must address the Mr. Missioner Commissioner with utmost respect, you cannot address the Mr. Missioner Comissioner unless you have been called on, if you reach 10 penalty points then the whole group will choose your punishment, etc.  The list goes on.  I haven't even explained how to pass the silent football.  It's too complicated!  But it was SO much fun.  After an uncomfortable night of restless sleeping, we went to a family-owned country restaurant called "Apple Wood" where we consumed large ammounts of pancakes, eggs, bacon, and potatoes.  Tonight, I went to the meet and greet for the Voice Gospel Choir.  I got to meet all the members of the Choir, a fun community of evangelical and holy-spirit filled gospel singers.  I got free dinner and played Taboo.  It was a good night.

The rain is still steadily pouring, but my laundry is down.  Now I am ready to SLEEP (for real this time) and get back to reality as I go back to school tomorrow.

Love,
Katrina

Prayer Request - That I desire God more and fight for joy.

Weekend Fun!

Things I've done in the past couple of days

• Went to a frat party with my three roommates
• Raged at the frat party with a black dude
• Went kayaking on the Potomac with roommates
• Discovered a secluded island and adventured
• Roasted marshmallows
• Took metro, taxi, and bus (exploited public transportation)
• Attempted to get to an ice skating rink in Fairfax, VA with roommates, but ended up getting to a absentee metro stop that delayed us so much we had to turn around knowing ice skating would be a joke at this point
• Hung out with the girls from Campus Outreach again, ate grilled cheese, painted our nails, and played guitar
• Rolled in a wheely chair down the hallway, speed style
• Went to Capitol Hill Baptist Church (first time I've ever dressed up for church/sang hymnals)

Kayaking.

Rolly chair fun.

NOW...
I am about to go camping with Emily, Sarah, Donna (girls from Campus Outreach) and Donna's brother.  I am SO EXCITED! :)

Love,
Katrina

Prayer Request:  That I fight for joy, that I seek God more, and that I am bolder in the faith

Improvements

It's been so much better!  That about sums it up, but read on for details.  Yesterday I became an official Jazz Studies minor and got to meet the professors.  I also played Ultimate Frisbee in the University yard with upperclassmen, then went back to my dorm.  Today there are too many highlights to count.  One, I talked with a girl on my floor about God for over 2 hours.  Two, I went to Ultimate Frisbee PRACTICE for the NCAA I Women's Division and am now joining the team.  Three, I went to a campus ministry called AGAPE.  And Fourth, my favorite experience, I had dinner with some of the girls of Campus Outreach.  Emily, the girl who invited me, is a sophomore living with her sophomore friend Donna.  Donna cooks and Emily bakes.  And BOY was it amazing!  It was such a blessing to be stuffed with homecooked food and sit around with likeminded girls and talk about God.  I felt such a connection with them, and I'm even going camping with them Sunday night! 

Let me tell you about Donna though.  She is one of the three students at GW who is from Alabama.  There, the spirit cry for the football team is "ROLL TIDE".  And so, during the aftermath of Osama Bin Ladin's death, while Geraldo Riviera from FOX news went around interviewing the crazy, insane, whacked out kids of GW just hours before finals, Donna said this...

http://youtu.be/6PwOCnRj3sw

Yeah, that's the girl whose food I ate.  Pretty awesome.

I'm having a great time.  Bout to go to sleep.  I have classes tomorrow.  My prayer request would be a deeper connection to the cross, more faith, and no more worrying.

LOVE,
Katrina

P.S. Not only am I camping this weekend, but I may also be KAYAKING. :)

Run don't Limp

First four days have been good, stressful, emotional, and enlightening.  It's been really tough saying goodbye to Jacob, my friends, and my family, especially with this ominous feeling that I wasn't going to find any true friends here.  Everyone is very into partying and typical college life.  It was very hard to meet any Christian friends.  However, I ate dinner with the Campus Outreach girl's group out of total randomness.  I was walking out of my dorm when I heard this guy say "Healing and Deliverence".  I said "What did you just say?"  He felt a little caught off guard, but he explained that he had invitations to Healing and Deliverence Ministries.  I asked him "Who are you?  What is this?", so awkwardly because I was overwhelmingly excited to hear anyone mention something about God. Then he explained that he was a part of Campus Outreach, and that his actual job is to be a part of the growth and developmet of Christian men on campus.  Then he called his partner Lauren to meet up with me for dinner, with some other girls.  It was so awesome.  I even saw the girl that was supposed to be my roommate there.  We had such a great time at dinner last night. 

My classes are really awesome!  I especially love Introduction to Comparative Politics.  My professor is so inspirational.  He is very passionate about enlightening people of the human rights violations facing the world today, and the ignorance many Americans have about what goes on in our own State - unequal rights and destitute poverty of Native Americans.  He isn't Republican or Democrat, he says.  He is simply an Independent who is critical of anyone seeking selfish gain.  So far, he is my favorite.  My biggest role model.

Note to self:  Don't ask about money.  I was really rude and asked my roommates if they were rich, and they calmly explained to me that EVERYONE goes through tough times these days.  I felt stupid.  But I guess that's important in life.  To realize you were mistaken and move on.  I hope I get told wrong more.

My dad sent me a great scripture over e-mail.  Proverbs 18:10.   It was just what I needed to hear, oddly enough. But I guess that's usually how it works :)  It says that the name of the Lord is a strong tower.  And that the righteous RUN to it.  I haven't really been running lately.  I've been limping.

My biggest prayer request is that I find a family here, I stop feeling awkward and nervous, I stop being stressed, and I find quiet time with God. 

Much Love,
K.

Orientation (CI)

From June 19th to June 22nd, I was in DC! 

On the first day, mom and I went cross country and roamed the streets of Washington.  After checking into our hotel, we went to an organic restaurant called Founding Farmers.  We sat down at the bar next to a young couple who happened to be chowing down on some very interesting looking wings.  I asked them what they were and ordered a plate for myself.  Lime, cilantro, soy wings.  All organic.  Freakin amazing.  The guy, Trenton, told us they 'only come here for the wings and the cornbread'.  And then I enviously watched as a cast iron pan of steaming cornbread was served to them.  So mom and I ordered that too.  And let me tell you, it just aint right that the BEST CORNBREAD I ever had comes from the North!  We also got a Reuben and a salad, but Trenton and Mariel were right - cornbread and wings are the way to go.  So we all got a-talking, and the amazingly nice couple told me all about life in DC and what to expect.  They made me very excited.  And it was one of those rare gems of a conversation, where you do more than just small talk, when you find yourself talking about deep stuff to total strangers.  It was awesome.  We exchanged info and I hope to catch up!  From there, mom and I set our sights on seeing the monuments.  We saw everything from the Lincoln Memorial to the White House.  I even witnessed my first motorcade! I loved the first day. Everyone in DC was just so nice and friendly, so helpful.  And the memorials were so touching.  I think my favorite part was spending time with my mama, exploring a place that was completely new to us both. 

June 20th was the first day of Colonial Inauguration - George Washington's orientation program.  The "Colonial Kick-off" consisted of the colonial cabinet members putting a fantastic show for us with dancing, singing, and lights.  Colonial Cabinet members are upperclassmen serving as counselors to us freshmen.  It's like student governmet, but they are doing it to actually help their peers and not for the popularity.  They are really quite awesome.  After the kick-off, I met a lot of kids but felt kind of unsatisfied.  I was expecting to meet people like the young couple at the restaurant - smart, interesting, and down-to-earth.  The majority of the people I met were so stuck up and/or there to party.  They were all trying to make this big impression, but in only annoyed the hell out of me.  And to top it off, I find out that Thurston - my dorm - is actually known around the country as the biggest party dorm EVER. 

The day was completely packed with stuff - information sessions, tours, lunches, floor meetings. And apparently, the parent and student schedules were carefully planned to keep us 100% away from each other at all times.   I skipped out the last few things on the 'itenerary' to hang with my mom.  We got coffee and then went for a walk.  On the way back to our rooms, we met a girl named Erin.  She was a junior at GWU and, like me, not there to party but to embrace the opportunities DC has to offer.  She gave me so much insight on what to ACTUALLY expect at GW and gave me the best advice I'd heard all day.  I was really thankful to hear from someone with similar interests and a similar lifestyle.  I felt a lot more comfortable with being a student at GW.  When I got back to my dorm, I decided to go downstairs to the piano lounge and mellow out.  But in front of the piano were some Colonial Cabinet members and a couple students  "Ooops.  Sorry I was going to play but I don't want to bother you!" I said.  One of the guys said "No no no.  Please play!  I am part of the Voice Gospel Choir.  Play me something I can sing to."  My heart just about lept.  I hopped on and played "You are Good" by Israel Houghton, the most spirit-filled gospel song I know.  Anthony, the voice gospel choir member, and his fellow voice gospel choir member, Destinee, sang along with me for ten minutes.  We lit up the whole dorm with our praise and worship and sang other songs like "Here I am to Worship".  It started with four people in that little piano lounge, and soon there was about thirty.  Whether people understood what we were doing or not, God's presence was there in a dorm that was rated by Playboy magazine as the #1 sex dorm.  Once it died down, it ended up being me and one other girl whom I was introduced to as Erica, a fellow incoming freshman.  She told me that as she was walking inside Thurston Hall, she heard one of her favorite songs and she ran over to find out where it was coming from.  We started talking about God and Christianity and the reputation of Thurston Hall.  She told me her dad was a pastor, and we soon found out we had similar beliefs.  We are non-denominational and we believe that church should let the Holy Spirit take over instead of formulating things.  We went back to my dorm and I put some Laura Hackett on and she recognized it immediately.  A fellow IHOP lover!  I was so happy.  She was so happy she started crying.  We were so similar in spirit and in truth.
End Night.

The next day, June 21st, was more informational then the previous day.  I learned all about federal work study, studying abroad, internships, loans, etc.  I made good friends with a girl named Becca, and we went to the Mount Vernon campus on a bus.  I drank free coffee with my mom, ate spicy sushi, and ate barbeque with Erica at the CI barbeque.  At this point, I was really wrestling internally with the decision of transferring out the notorious Thurston dorm or staying to be a light with Erica.  I was really asking God for some guidance on this.  Later that night, I was in a bad mood because I felt like everyone at GW was stupid.  Don't ask me why, but this judgmental and "poor me" attitude took over.  Reluctantly, I went with my mom to the scheduled Comedy Show together.  However.... I was rolling over with laughter by the end of it!  A team of comedians did satirical skits and impressions of everyone and everything from border patrol to Sarah Palin to Joe Biden.  Hilarious!  I wish I had a video.  After the show, we split into small groups with our designated small group leaders.  I had skipped on it the night before to talk with Erin and my mom in the street.  But once the small group got rolling, I was really happy.  Seriously, the small group was the best part of orientation.  Everyone's toughness and phony fronts were dismantled when we had to ask hard questions honestly.  Our end destination was getting the group into a circle and answering the question "What was your first time?  Or first kiss?"   Girls who seemed like they had it together had to be vulnerable and some guys even admitted that they are gay.  When it was my turn, I said that I was a virgin until marriage and so I shared my first time falling in love.  I talked about the whole story of God intervening in Jacob's life and bringing us together, a true story of love, friendship, and Holy Spirit.  Nobody judged me and nobody thought I was crazy.  Everyone really liked the story and I think even some were moved.  I felt like I could really have a place in the GW community.  There were tears and laughs and by the end we felt inseperable.
Back at the dorm, they had this truck called "The Big Cheese" parked out front.  It's like an icecream truck, but they make you gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.  There's apparently this new food fad in DC where trucks come around and sell you delicious food.  I got a brie & apple sandwich.

The next morning, we had our "Pinning Ceremony" where the Colonial Cabinet members put on one last show and all the deans talk about our new life at GW.  At the end of it all we pinned ourselves with "the GW pin".  Cheesey, but endearing.  My mom and I flew home and that was the end.

Oh, and I decided to stay in Thurston.

See Eye (CI)

Just finished packing for orientation.

My flight leaves tomorrow morning.

I'm heading toward the center of the nation

And my excitement is thorougly burning.

By plane I will travel through the skies

And on the streets I'll roam.

I finally get to see with my eyes

The place I'll soon call my home.

Moon

This place is so familiar, so a part of me.  I've been here my whole life.  So many memories.  They play out in my head as vivid as the moon I'm sitting under.  The sticky wet humidity of Florida summer heat coats my skin even at 1:47 am, and I can hear hundreds of insects creating some sort of symphony.  Even the birds chime in and it reminds me of my childhood, when I used to pretend I could talk to animals.  After watching The Wild Thornberries, I got so obsessed and fascinated with the thought of communicating with the incommunicable that I trully think I learned how to feel what they felt.  I could feel a stray cat's loneliness, a cardinal's fear, and the cordial greediness of a squadron of ducks.  All of a sudden I remember - we called them the ducks of Krameria Way.  It was Elvis, Ellis, and I think the girl was Red Mama or something like that.  They were a good two days of fun.  I can't believe I used to do that kind of stuff - spend hours and hours being completely unproductive and shamelessly exploring the world around me with no agenda.  Even today if I do that, my agenda is to explore the world around me.  Back then I did it just because I felt like it, and there wasn't anything better to do.  But now it's dark, the moon is covered by a cloud, and I'm getting bit by mosquitoes.  One thing I will NOT miss about Florida - mosquitoes.

First Step

K-Train here!  I'm keeping this blog during my next four years in DC so all my friends, Tampa and beyond, can see how I am and feel bit connected. I'll be far, but I'll be always be close.  God Bless.