Our Son Stephen

Those of you who know us know that we don't have a child named Stephen....however, we do have a sponsor child in Kenya! We have sponsored Stephen for about 3 years now and affectionately call him our Kenyan son.:) I love knowing that we are helping to make his quality of life better and reminding him of how much God loves him. We sponsor him through Compassion International (a very well respected and well known sponsorship program) and receive letters from time to time....he tells us about his school, home, parents and brothers and sisters. I want to tell everyone what a blessing it has been to be Stephen's sponsor....he has blessed us more than we've blessed him for sure. I just want to share some of his last letter....he's just so sweet and I love getting a glimpse of his life back in Kenya. If you have an ounce of interest in sponsoring a child internationally I strongly encourage you to do it! You'll be so glad you did. Keep in mind, this letter is translated so it's a little choppy at parts :) "Dear Katie, How are you? I hope you are fine. I am very fine together with my family. In my class I want to be number one...please pray for me as I work hard to perform well. Read John 3:16 :it says 'for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.' I compare your love to that of God. At home I have one sheep that you have given me. I am praying to God that next year I may have more sheep. I enjoy the activities performed at the project. I also thank the ability of our teachers. This has impacted my church devotion service where now I am a singer. I hope as you pray for me I would also like to know how you are fairing on. Please write soon and tell me more about your country. Thank you. Stephen I just love getting letters from him. I'll let y'all know when I get another one :) Take care! Katie

My Turn!

Ok, So it's SERIOUSLY been my life long dream to ride horses on a regular basis.....NOW it's finally my turn! Growing up I rode here and there but never took 'lessons'. I've been pregnant or nursing for roughly 7 years now so it's just never been an 'ideal' time...until now. I have to say I felt so cool putting on my English attire and getting up on that horse! It was so fun and I can't wait to go out more often!!...did I mention I'm super excited about it?? Woo Hoo!!! See y'all soon! Katie

Art Show at First Fruit!

I had the pleasure of being a featured artist at this year's 2nd Annual Art Show at First Fruit Collection on the Collierville Square. It was so much fun! I truly loved meeting the other artists there and meeting customers who love my art! It's so fun to know where my art ends up....as I've said before, each piece of art is like my baby so I love when I meet the new owners! I had a ton of fun meeting the other artists. I felt like we all had the same story....painting late at night or whenever we get a minute. How messy it is. Juggling our career with motherhood, etc.....I could go on and on! It was so refreshing to talk to other people who are JUST LIKE ME!! I loved it! Here are a few pics from the day! See you soon!! -Katie

It's Mine!

It's innevitable...every single day there is an argument in my house over toys. (argument...hmmm, well, it's really like a brawl) I follow the screams and eventually find the source. Two little boys fighting over a toy...one clutching it like it's the last toy on earth and the other trying to rip it from his hands! I'm ALWAYS at a loss of how to handle this situation...."Who had it first?" That's the first question ...and since only one of the two boys can talk I'm always hearing that the 4 yr old is the one who had it first...of course. :) In reality they are both at fault...greed and selfish desires. Not a good mixture. Anyway, every single time these 'fights' occur I get so irritated. Why can't they just share? Why can't my 4 yr old quit taking everything from the 2 yr old? And why can't the 2 yr old share back? I keep explaining and teaching my kids over and over again. Why don't they just 'do right'? Having children has definitely been sanctifying...VERY. Every time I get frustrated with my kids I can picture God looking at me as a child when I do the SAME sinful things over and over and over again. I can picture Him saying, "here we go again, Katie. Haven't you learned by now?" "Why are you doing this again?" Although instead of toys it's the way I talk to my husband or coveting someone else's things or pride or not wanting to let go of something I hold so dear and precious because "it's mine!"...I could go on and on. Why do I do it over and over and over?? SIN. Because of my sin I see my need for a Savior....THE SAVIOR. Even though I am a christian I still sin. I will not be free from it until I am made whole one day. Until then, every time I get irritated by my kids fighting, etc I can be reminded of my own sin. A little deep, yes, but sometimes I need to write these things down in order to further instill it in my mind and heart. I need to be reminded of God's word and what He would have me do. 'I have stored up Your words in my heart, that I might not sin against You' -Psalm 119:11