graduation and future things

 

 Can you guess what I did this weekend? Oh yeah! I graduated magna cum laude with my BA in English and Theological Studies! That's what! This was a day five long years in the making. And it was a great day, indeed. A few highlights of the day:

• I forgot to bring my camera. Hence the sad cell phone photos. 
• We had forty-something graduates this year. Which is a lot when you consider how small my alma mater is.
• I managed not to trip while walking across the stage.
• All of the ladies had to pin their collars into their gowns. Mine was very, very crooked.
• I broke my honor cord and my shoe right before we lined up for the processional. 
• I only cried like...twice.
• My dad gave the invocation, which I amazingly didn't cry at.
• Alberto Gonzales, the former US Attorney General, gave the commencement address. It was fantastic. This also brought the number of Attorneys General I have been in the same room with up to two.
• It doesn't matter what the weather is like leading up to graduation, or what it's like after--it's always insanely hot and humid. This year stayed true to form. Which was fun, considering I was wearing seventeen layers of black.

After the ceremony, my dad took my sister and I out to lunch at a seafood place on the river. My sister got me gluten free cupcakes from Vegan Vee, and they were the best cupcakes I've ever had--no lie. I'm not sure if Vegan Vee is that amazing or if I was just excited to be done with college and eating cake! 

Oh, here's a picture of my dad and mom being all cute after his graduation from our alma mater. 

So what's next? I've been asked that a lot lately. I already have a fantastic job that uses my degree, so I'm doing great in that regard. I am considering grad school, though if I do go, I probably won't enroll for a year or so. I'm looking at local colleges and online programs. I'm trying to decide between an MFA in Creative Writing, or an MA in English. There are pros and cons to each!

My more immediate plans include second shooting for and assisting a wedding photographer here in Nashville. That's going to keep me busy the next several weeks.

Oh, and I'm leaving for Northern Ireland in a month! I'm going on a music mission trip with my church. I'm so incredibly excited! Now, if only I can get all of my funds raised before our deadline in a week. I have faith that God will provide. He always does! :)

I'll be posting around here a lot more, now that life is finally starting to settle down some.

xo,

Katy

22 before 23

I've been really bad at following through with these lists in years past. (See here and here.) Maybe they feel too much like resolutions since my birthday falls so close to the new year. Whatever the reason, I really do want to accomplish the things on my list this year. I want to be more intentional about it.

1. Graduate with my B.A. in English and Theological Studies.

2. Move out on my own.

3. Donate my hair. (It's almost long enough!)

4. Save up enough money to upgrade my camera.

5. Join a ministry that allows me to minister to others on a weekly basis.

6. Learn how to budget.

7. Take up rock-climbing.

8. Grow my photography business.

9. Learn how to knit or crochet.

10. Paint three new paintings.

11. Go camping with friends at least twice.

12. Read fifty books.

13. Write at least two short stories.

14. Read The Silmarillion. 

15.  Blog at least twice a month.

16. Take active steps to worry less.

17. Read through the entire Bible.

18. Do something nice for a friend at least once a week.

19. Write an encouraging note to my heroes.

20. Meet a celebrity. 

21. Do something out of my comfort zone.

22. Be a tourist in my own city.

Yes, I realize that some of these are repeats from years past (uncompleted ones, I might add). But I think that they're things really worth doing. I'm going to try to keep up on my progress throughout the year as far as this list is concerned.

Here's to making twenty-two my boldest, most passionate, most selfless year yet.

xo,

Katy

a new view, part two

Man. It's hard to believe this series is four years in the making. I posted about this last year. Each picture really does represent a new era in my life. New priorities, new friends, new fears, dreams, hopes, and goals. I like that this year's photo (the farthest to the right) stands out in contrast to the previous two. I like that there are rainy, cold, overcast days mixed in with warm, bright, sunny ones.

In a word, this year's picture represents hope. I have so much hope for the future. Truly, that hope is in Christ. If I've learned anything these past four years, it's that I can truly, only, rely on Him

This series has been fun. While I'm sad that it's over, I'm excited for what's to come.

xo,
Katy

nobody told me

Nobody told me it would be this hard.

That forsaking everything in the name of obedience would mean forsaking some truly good things.

That some decisions would be harder than others.

That it would require a lot of hard work. A lot of hard work. Giving up trips with friends to stay on top of class work. Spending less money because fundraising will have to start soon. Trying to get more rest so my body can heal and recuperate.

It's starting to sink in that in nine months, if all goes well, I will be on a plane to another continent, half-way around the world. I'll be gone from my friends, my family, my comforts and necessities for an entire year. I'll be in a culture that is completely and totally different from my own. One that holds different ideals, traditions, and standards. I'll be teaching (something I never thought I would do!), and reaching out to students.

I don't think it will be easy. I'm not sure I can do it.

But this is what my heart desires. And I believe it is what God desires for my life. Though I haven't met these people yet, they have my heart. God has seen it fit that this cause would be deemed worthy in my eyes to forsake everything I have and own here.

I am not the worthy one, though. My endeavors are not worthy. They are pitiful, whimpy groanings of a depraved and evil soul. But the Lord sees beyond that. He sees those small desires of my heart, those small sacrifices of my body, and He uses them. He draws them to Himself, and He amplifies them. Without Him, any sacrifice or desire I might have is totally worthless. All would be vain.

It won't be easy. I can't do it without Him.

But I have His promise to never forsake me. And those who He calls, He equips. It's cliche, but I fully believe it. All of my life--every choice, every circumstance, has been preparing me for this.

I don't feel ready. The timing doesn't seem right. But will it ever?

It's funny how faith is simultaneously the easiest and hardest choice.

xo,
Katy

Spain--revisited

I know I arrived home from Spain and Morocco months ago, but I didn't get the chance to sort through and edit my photos until this week. I've decided to focus on one country at a time, since this was really two mission trips in one. First up, Spain!

 

 Pictures don't do Spain justice. It might be the most beautiful place I've ever been. It's such a bright and lively country. We were in far southern Spain on the Mediterranean coast (in fact, we stayed in a house with several missionaries two blocks from the beach.) While in Spain we walked. We walked, and prayed. We spent hours coming up with creative strategies to meet the spiritual needs of the people there. As bright as the country may be, it is spiritually dark. 

We stayed in Spain a few days before traveling to Morocco. We returned to Spain for a day after our adventures in Morocco. I could tell Spain stories all day, but I know most of them are probably only funny or awe-inspiring to me, so I'll let the above pictures tell my story. (Bless you, if you made it through all of them.) I would honestly drop everything and move today if I could. Spain stole my heart. 

xo,

Katy