Memorial Day

Kelsey,

Des Moines has awakened from its Winter slumber as Spring has passed and Summer has arrived. It’s Memorial Day (technically yesterday but I'm only 33 minutes late)!

God has been doing a LOT these days! I’m constantly amazed at how faithful He is and how the Lord comes through in all situations. Although, many times God acts in a way that I do not understand or perceive to be right, it always is. There have been many times in the recent weeks and months as our Bible study has gone out to share the gospel or serve people around Des Moines and though I expect God to work, I can assume that though we ask and seek God in prayer before we go, I often doubt that He really will or is working. However, each and every time we have gone and placed our plans at His feet, the Lord blesses us abundantly.

The hardest part, however, is the waiting. I listened to a Mark Darling message on a Friday afternoon before we went out sharing the gospel (which was unbelievable with some great God stories), and he talked on waiting. Mark references Psalm 89 as the psalm writer (Ethan the Ezrahite) says, “O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? You are entirely faithful.”

It is an impossibility for the Lord not to be faithful. So, in time, we will see Him act, for he is faithful to His word.

As for me, I will leave you with three verses from which we can wait, and trust, to see God move:

Galatians 6:9 – “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.”

Hebrews 10:35-36 – “So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”

Micah 7:7 – “As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.”

Love you dearly,

Katherine

I'm in love...

Just wanted to share that I have a new love.... Tostitos LIME tortilla chips. If you have the ability to get them.- do. :D (You don't even need salsa.) <3

oh wow

so not only is this a day late, but i wrote out a VERY LONG list of my "really good" excuses for not writing yesterday, I also coppied a funny story that one of my students wrote about me, being old, scary, poor and bitter:) he said "no disrespect though Miss Lindvall, no disrespect" :) i laughed really hard.

and the reason why it all got deleted was b/c we switched classes and i somehow lost the warm up question and was freaking out and all the kids were swarming around my desk and so i exited...what an idiot:) haha im exagirating but that is really what happened...

2 corinthians 6:3-10
we live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us and no one will find fault with our ministry. we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, face angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God's power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defences. we serve God whether people honor us or dispise us. We are honest but they call us imposters. we are ignored though we are well knokwn. We live close to death, but are still alive. We have been beaten but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache but we always have joy. we are poor but we give spiritual riches to others. we own nothing and yet we have everything.

ill post that story later, its pretty funny, i think:)

Memories from Warmer Weather...

This was a post that got caught in the draft folder. :) Enjoy the May throwback blog post. For supplementation, see the post on May 25:

Kelsey!!!

Hello friend! I miss you bunches! and I can't beleive that I forgot to do this yesterday! I even had a friendly reminder yesterday!

Here are some of my very bad excuses for why I blew it:

1. it was just too stinkin hot in Iowa. I walked out of school and got in my car and immediately started sweating.

2. students at after school programing and the soccer games kept trying to touch me! and i was freaking out b/c i CANNOT handle skin on skin contact when everyone is hot, you just stick to eachother and its disgusting.

3. my desk was messy, as cluttered and scatterbrained as i am, i have to have a clean desk

4. my 3rd block students were really bad, so even though it was super hot i was a true meanie. I turned on all the lights and turned off the fan, yes this could be called crule and unusual punishment and i may go to jail for it:)

5. i at a mcdonalds hamburger for the first time in maybe 4 years it was a dollar and six cents

6. IT WAS STINKIN HOT:)

So those are my really bad excuses for my abesentmindedness...

I stole your idea for a survey and did one with my students...hopefully i dont get fired, it was actually really low key, do you believe in God? do you believe in heaven and hell? if something we to happein to you and you died would you go to heavne or hell? why do you think this? do you have any questions about the bible or Jesus? thanks for the idea, i havent had time to read through them ye though.

here is a funny story a student wrote about me, I hope you are as entertained as i was...

How did miss linvall get taze (he ment tazed)

me and other couple freind were at the movies up came along was this old scary lady named miss linvalle she was a former teacher we had soo we was at the movies watchin Iron Man 2. My friends noticed that miss linvalle snuck in and now we can tell she is a poor bitter old lady and then she got caught the 5-0 said that will be your strike...(he didnt have time to finish, and i actually really saw him at Iron man 2 the sat before:)

so i am a poor bitter scary old lady:)

2 cointhians 6:3-10

Proverbs 24:11 "Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter."

So I have been thinking a lot about the gospel lately. I have come to the conclusion that without Christ, I am such a coward when it comes to sharing the gospel message, the message of the greatest news that I have ever heard. What in the world? Why are we so afraid of preaching the gospel, we are so good at making excuses on why we aren't sharing with our friends, families, or complete strangers. I often find myself making the excuse that this is not the ideal circumstance to share with them, but what is an ideal circumstance? God's top priority is the salvation of every single soul, so why is it not mine? Here is a super convicting poem that I read the other day..

My Friend:

My friend, I stand in judgement now,

And I feel that you're to blame somehow.

On Earth I walked with you day by day

And never did you point the way.

You knew the Lord in truth and glory.

But never did you tell the story.

My knowledge then was very dim;

You could have led me safe to Him.

Though we lived together here on Earth,

You never told me of the second birth.

And now I stand this day condemned,

Because you failed to mention Him.

You taught me many things, that's true;

I called you "friend" and trusted you.

But I learned now that it's too late;

And you could have kept me from this fate.

We walked by day and talked by night,

And yet you showed me not the light.

You let me live, and love, and die,

You knew I'd never live on high.

Yes, I called you "friend" in life,

And trusted you through joy and strife.

And yet, on coming to this dreadful end,

I cannot now, call you "my friend."

Aw! How crazy is that? I have been thinking about all the people that have come and gone throughout my life, that I was so much of a wimp to share the gospel to them. I have been begging God to change me in this area. I need him to strengthen me and give me a boldness.

Here is another crazy quote, which you have probably heard before, but it's one of my favorites..

"If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned or unprayed for." Charles Spurgeon

Fellowship of the Unashamed:

"I am part of the 'Fellowship of the Unashamed'. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.

I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure.

I'm finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.

My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heave, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.

I won't give up, back up, let up or shut up until I've preached up, prayed up, paid up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ. I must go until He returns, give until I drop, preach until all I know, and work until He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear. 'For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ'."

I'm praying for you sister. That you might be a bold witness to a country that is so very dark and desperate for hope. I am so thankful for your example!

Dybs

Amena Brown

You

Resurrection

Yearn

So last night I had band practice for Sunday morning worship. We are doing a song this week that I've heard, but never led before... "Yearn"... it's so good.

yearn
by shane barnard

holy design
this place in time
that i might seek and find my God
my God

Lord i want to yearn for You
i want to burn with passion
over You and only You
Lord i want to yearn

Your joy is mine
yet why am i fine
with all my singing and bringing grain
in light of Him

oh You give life and breath
through Him You give all things
in Him we live and move
that's why i sing

****
This post implies that we don't always yearn for God, yet we desperately want to. I've been feeling like this lately... like I want to be on fire for God, when I feel like I'm just smoldering. However, it's still steadily burning. And this is my prayer for you--that your faith would be strong and steady... that you would not be discouraged if it's not a bonfire, yet encouraged that it's burning consistently under the shadow of His wing. These lyrics still leave me with questions of their meaning... I'm interested to hear your interpretation. :)

I love and miss you Kelsey!
Dayna

No Limits....

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1:9

Let's try this with your name in it! "Have I not commanded you, Kelsey? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, no be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Notice that it is a command to be strong, courageous, fearless, and not dismayed. There are no limits to it. It's not be strong and courageous if you are called to the nations, or be strong and courageous if you are a pastor... NO! Its YOU! ME! BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS! KK.... wherever you go.. you ARE strong and courageous because the God inside of you is strong and courageous. That's who you are! There are no limits on you girl! Its a command just like 'do not lie' etc,. I believe that you can step fearlessly into any situation knowing that GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN YOU THAN HE THAT IS IN THE WORLD! Draw on His strength because you already have it!

Other note, things here are going great! I finished up my last week of classes and finals this past week and am getting ready to walk across that stage on Friday! I have a sweet fake tan annnd got some new contacts so I'll be ready to go! lol :) Are you ready for the 'NEW JAM OF THE WEEK?!?!" This weeks is called... "Walk it Like I'm Changed" by Fedel. ENJOY! love you so much!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhLLnskkF88

Daily Routine

Maybe this should be part of your daily routine.

the artist of daring ways

Teach Me Your Ways by Ted Loder

Teach me your ways, Lord,

that I may be open to the same Spirit

who moved over the face of the waters

in the first day of creation

and moves also over the chaos of this time

to fashion a day like this,

a world like ours,

a life like mine,

a kingdom like leaven in bread,

like a treasure

buried in the fields of the daily I plow;

and make me aware of the miracles of life,

of warm and cold,

of starkness and order,

of screaming wind and impenetrable silences,

and of the unfathomable mystery of amazing grace in which I am kept.

Teach me your ways, Lord,

that I may praise you

for all the surprising, ingenious ways you bless me,

and for all the wondrous gifts you give me

through artists who introduce me to the beauty of holiness,

who usher me into awesome worlds in which I begin to live anew

in a fullness of pain and joy not possible before.

Teach me your ways, Lord,

that I may accept my own talent openly,

nurture it hopefully,

develop it faithfully,

and give it freely.

Teach me your ways, Lord,

that I may love the kindness of the prophets

and practice it toward the hungry of the world,

the poor and sick and oppressed

that I may learn the healing humility

which responsibly tends the earth and all creatures therein.

Teach me your ways, Lord,

that I may be swept up in worship with the saints,

which surges in wonder, gratitude, and obedience,

and shapes my life into an irrepressible YES to you,

to all my sisters and brothers,

and to the presence of the kingdom among us

until the ancient vision of mothers burns in me

with a fire to light the world and warm its heart,

through Jesus Christ,

the singer of passionate songs,

the teller of powerful stories,

the artist of daring ways.

Music

I got a hair cut.. What do you think?
The other day we were at church and Cole started playing the piano, and Chris said... "He is tickling the ivories."

I thought that was soo funny and strange.

Speaking of music... (smooth or not?) Here are my top 10 songs you should download :) We love you so much and miss you. It seems like every day we say... "Remember when Kelsey..."

Top 10 Crucial Songs of May 2010:

10. Cool My Heels- Nikki Yanofsky

9. You Ruin Me- JJ Heller

8. Sort Of- Ingrid Michaelson

7. Lovesick Mistake- Erin McCarley

6. Sing Over Me- Bethany Dillon with Nichole Nordeman

5. Keep You Safe- JJ Heller

4. Living Halleluja- Sarah Kelly

3. If These Walls Could Speak- Sean McConnell

2. Amen- Dave Barnes

1. The Cure for Pain- Jon Foreman

Love you :)

American IDOL

I hope you like my title! :) It actually has nothing to do with the tv show but this challenging quote I read by John Bunyan. He's this guy who lived a while back and was a famous preacher and writer, writing the Pilgram's Progress. Welll, his daughter who was blind was really ill and about dead. It was this time in his life that he realized how even his family had become an idol in his life. He quoted this after being broken by the Lord:

"...the dearest idol I have known, what err that idol be; help me to tear it from Thy throne and worship only Thee."

I know He's teachin you a ton out there and exposing a lot in your heart, keep fightin for the gospel!

I also went to this sex trafficing awareness event this week which pierced my heart and made it bleed. My old soccer coach got up to speak and said this line from Piper - "missions exist, sin exists, (fill in whatever here) because worship of the Almighty God does not." Our world is such full of sin, like you've talked about with your team and coaches; and may we fight to tell the gospel of truth, of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection, taking our full payment and giving us His gift of reghteousness, of undeservedness, that others may worship the Almighty God. Continue to fight and continue to worship. And may God pierce your heart with a firey arrow that continually makes your heart bleed for the salvation of your team.

And check out James 3:13-18, proverbs 1:7 --may God give you wisdom and a reverant fear of His Holy Name that leads you to humility and changes your heart to be conformed to our Lord daily. Continue to focus on the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God! And be that child who comes to Jesus, not with complex thinking, but seeking Him as the gift of righteousness. :)

Anna W

Changes Schmanges

In case you are worried that the USA will undergo major changes while you are gone, I'm pretty sure this is proof that America is still America. For example, the Tyra show is still really popular even when things this awkward happen.

Monday Blues

This lady's got 'em. I don't know what language that web site is written in, though. Maybe Praguish? If so, you should be able to figure it out. If not, just click on the "play" sign (it's the one that looks like a triangle). :)
My Monday actually went quite well. I didn't even give out any detentions! But the best part of my day was probably when one of my fellow English teachers came into my room this morning to tell me that she had something for me. It was a number of this guy she thinks I should go out with. So that was fun... Still wondering what in the world I'm supposed to do with that!
I hope your Monday was spectacular! You're doing amazing things over there for the Kingdom, KK, and I LOVE it! Keep on keepin' on! Run the race with endurance!
Anna

*1 Corinthians 9:19-23*

I think I have a picture like this...

and I think I've seen a picture of you like this...