The Issue of an Overactive Imagination

I could list the million other things I could be doing right now besides blogging. But honestly, I just can’t take it. I need a break from this madness, and facebooking isn’t "quenching my thirst" for a study break.

The last time we spoke, CNU students and faculty were being evacuated for the incoming Irene. We’ve since been back at school for about two weeks now, and this is about the time when all the professors think it’s okay to give us exams, research projects, and papers…all at the same time. My nights have been long, my brain has been washed, and I am officially a sophomore. Bring it on.

The only problem with having an overactive imagination is the difficulty of not being able to focus on the task at hand. For me, when things I don’t want to happen at the present time bombard me, my mind begins wandering to the things I want to happen in the future. Things like Autumn. I can’t wait until Fall. The changing leaves, the earthy tones, the smells of apple cider and cinnamon, apple picking, listening to bluegrass, scarves, bonfires, need I go on?! Now I understand I’m getting way ahead of myself right now. That’s what happens when you have an overactive imagination.

I’ve even begun my Christmas list. That’s how bad it is.

Once again, God has convicted me of my lack of focus on the things that should get done. I’m avoiding the things that are right in front of me, including my time with Christ. With all of the projects and papers due, I lose sight of the rock, who is my strength. Instead of going to the word to find comfort and strength, I write down the things I want to see under the Christmas tree. It’s something I’ve always struggled with.

God’s given us the joys in life, like apple orchards and the changing leaves of fall, and He wants us to enjoy them! That doesn’t mean I should let my mind wander to those things instead of Him. As my days grow hectic, my focus should always be on Him first. I’ve said it before but it’s my constant reminder. He also wants us to do our best, and lately, I’ve gotten distracted. The Lord does a great job at tugging on my heart, though.

"Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually." [1 Chronicles 16:11]


"Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory." [Colossians 3:2-4]

Rainy Day: English Tea and Amos Lee

I glanced out my window this morning to see an overcast sky and the ever-present possibility that there would be rain at CAMP-of-the-WOODS today. Much to everyone else’s doubt, I absolutely love rainy weather. Because I don’t have to work until 5:45, I have the whole afternoon to be nothing but lazy. Rainy days give me a reason to put on an over-sized shirt and sweats, heat up a lovely cup of tea, and listen to some of the most perfect mellow music.

I’m sitting in the lobby of Zeitfuss with a delicious cup of tea in the mug I painted in the Arts & Crafts Store at camp. The rain is falling outside the open window, making trickling pitter pats on the ground. There is a pleasant cool breeze coming through the window and Amos Lee is playing through my headphones. I LOVE RAINY DAYS.
Because Rainy Days invoke a desire to write or explore the Internet, I thought I might share my Rainy Day pleasures with you readers. These are things I crave when I hear the sound of rain and smell the precipitation coming:

o Stumble Upon. If you haven’t stumbled upon Stumble Upon yet, you are no college friend of mine.
o Amos Lee. or Avett Brothers. or Civil Wars. or Nickel Creek. Need I go on?
o Cups of Tea. Add cream and sugar, and it’s a match made in heaven.
o Psalms. I absolutely love reading scripture, especially Psalms on a rainy day. It puts me in the best moods. Who would’ve thought rainy days would lift my spirits?!
o Information Books on Ireland. My weakness. Especially if there are pictures.
o Chocolate and Cinnamon. Come on, now.
o Pride and Prejudice.
o Sweatshirt Blankets
o Mr. Darcy
o Fireplaces
o Wedding Pictures. Don’t ask why. It’s just a girl thing.
o Art Projects. Generally card making is my project of choice on days like these.

“You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance.” [Psalm 68:9]

Happy Rainy Day Monday!

Pop quiz: How many times did I use the words, “Rainy Day?”

What is Love?

Like my older sister, Becky, I receive joy from the things children say. They are full of life and learning, and yet, some can say the wisest things. Becky found a website where professionals asked children ages 4-8 years old “What does love mean?” and it made both of our hearts melt (greatdad.com- no, she doesn’t read random websites like this. She found it off of msn.com. Just wanted to insert that disclaimer.). She posted it on her blog, but I found it so sweet that I wanted to share it with you to brighten your day a little.

The answers were deeper and broader than they could have imagined. Here are some of the answers they got:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love."
- Rebecca - age 8


"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."
- Billy - age 4


"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other."
- Karl - age 5


"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs."
- Chrissy - age 6


"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired."
- Terri - age 4


"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK."
- Danny - age 7


"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss"
- Emily - age 8


"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen."
- Bobby - age 7


"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."
- Nikka - age 6


"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday."
- Noelle - age 7


"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."
- Tommy - age 6


"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore."
- Cindy - age 8


"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night."
- Clare - age 6


"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken."
- Elaine-age 5


"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford."
- Chris - age 7


"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day."
- Mary Ann - age 4


"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones."
- Lauren - age 4


"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you."
- Karen - age 7


"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross."
- Mark - age 6


"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."
- Jessica - age 8

Happy Thursday!

Thank You, Wright Brothers

No specific reason compels me to write this post except to take up time while sitting in the Philadelphia International Airport waiting for my flight to Albany. I'm sitting on the sunny side of the terminal because the air on the plane from Charlottesville to Philly practically froze my little tosies off. I have my coffee in hand (much needed after the four o'clock wake-up call) and a $3 muffin sitting next to me while I write. This post is completely random and has no connection to my experience at camp (Obvi, since I'm not there yet), but these are my thoughts on my standpoint of flying. I thought I would take this time to convey to you my deepest affections for flying. no sarcasm. Consider this my love letter to the invention of aviation. Hats off to you, Wright Brothers.

As I was flying to Philadelphia, my forehead glued to the undersized window, I couldn't help but think, I could go there. I could go there. I could go anywhere. My thoughts began sounding like a Dr. Seuss book. Of course the plane couldn't land anywhere, but the concept that I could travel anywhere lingered in my head. If I could go anywhere, I wonder where I'd go? To Las Vegas, or Monaco? At this point, my thoughts transferred from Dr. Seuss poems to ABBA lyrics. That's the way this brain works. Anyways, it got me thinking about how big this world is. Duh Kate! This world is so vast and explorable (yes, that is not a real word). And creation is just so beautiful. I've said before one of God's biggest visible gift to us is creation, and I stand by that. The Creator of the Universe is so darn creative, it blows me away!! Holy Cow. Okay, settle down, Kate. I can't wait to expand my understanding of this world and travel to the places I've only dreamt about my whole life. Studying abroad couldn't come soon enough!

I know everyone has their own opinions about flying. Flyers can fall into three categories: One category of flyers falls into the people who absolutely despise flying and avoid it at all costs to the point of rather dying. That's the extreme case, and I've only heard this reasoning once. Another category are the people that are indifferent. Almost every business man, I'm assuming, falls into this category. The other category are the ones who try to come up with excuses to fly. I fall into the latter. I'm the person who says, "We're going to Maryland?

Why not fly??"

My parents were very forbearing with me growing up in their house because I would ask this question for just about every one of our family trips. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE road trips. If you know me at all, you know I love travelling by just about any mode of transportation. Sketchy public buses, rickety old bicycles, a mall cop's segway. Give me a window with a view, and I'm set. But there's something about the view from an airplane, the feel of the plane lifting its wheels off the ground as if I myself am Wilbur the albatros from The Rescuers Down Under. It's exhilarating. If I had the patience (and the money), I would totally get a pilot's license. Only one request I ask when I fly:

"Can I have a window seat, please??"

Even the airports fascinate me. I actually enjoy sitting in the airport, It's only pleasant, though, when your flight isn't cancelled or you're dashing to the appropriate gate only to find your plane just left. When those are not the sorrowful scenarios, I greatly enjoy observing late comers hurdling over small children and dodging old women and their dog carriers to get to their gate on time. It's quite comical. People watching is the best past time when you're sitting in an airport.

Welp, I've rambled on about that long enough. I've still got about an hour and a half in the airport until my flight leaves. So I think I'll go scoff at the overpriced trinkets as if they are to blame for their considerable expense. Can't wait to get to camp and meet everyone!