Hey everyone!  Once again...long time, no write.  It is summer once again and I am working for my dad at his roof consulting business once again...fourth summer in a row.  It is definitely nice to be home but a little boring at the same time.  Life at school is so much different compared to being at home because there is always something going on with friends and people you are living with in the dorms.  It's a nice change at the same time.  Summer time is like my break from the social chaos at school...i like it, but at the same time it wears on me, though most people are shocked when I tell them, I am naturally an introvert.

My summer is not going to be all that uninteresting I would say.  Just last weekend I was able to go up to Hosford, Florida and visit a bunch of family.  My aunt and uncle made a dramatic career change and decided to move from Palm Bay (central FL) to Hosford and start an ACE Hardware store in Tallahassee.  Well, last weekend my immediate family was able to go up and help with the grand opening.  It was alot of fun working with family and seeing people I haven't seen in years.  Also got to ride a four-wheeler around in Hosford, help train one of of aunt's labs, and babysit nine one-week old puppies that had just been born ...oh, so fun!  Well, next weekend my family is taking a mini vacation to the Keyes!  I cannot wait!  We haven't been there in a couple years so this will be a treat.  And then two weeks after that I have a wedding I am going to be in up in Ohio for a good friend of mine, named Rachel, who just graduated from ORU.  Last but not least, I get to go to Mexico for two weeks in July!  This is a school trip so I can Spanish credit.  What a better way to get credit for a semester course than going on a two week trip to Mexico.  I've never been there before, so I am excited to see many historical sites...love history.  Anyways, in between all that coming and going I am working and trying to research for my Senior PSY paper.  I guess my summer is busier than I thought..hehe. 

If you guys could pray for my father and his business that would be wonderful.  The enemy has really been attacking my father's business from all sides.  We have been doing so well and blessed and I know Satan is just trying to bring my parents and the business down, but we are not letting him.  I cannot give specifics, except for the fact that lies and false accusations have been pinpointed towards my father, and that has led to a number of horrendous events and happenings.  On top of that my dad has to get surgery on both of his shoulders because of some tears.  His job is very physical and he is constantly climbing ladders.  So, if you could please pray for his healing and that truth will reign in these situations.  Thank you so much guys!         

My heart is so full right now.  I don't know exactly how to put it into words, but it is something new, exciting, wonderful, and yet difficult and scary at the same time.  My relationship with the Lord has really been rising to a new level.  The past four to five years have been so completely exhausting, stretching, and necessary, to say the least.  I have been in a state of introspection, and as a result, I have been looking back at my life to see where the Lord has brought me. 

Teen Mania was a place that impacted me more than I could have ever expected.  The relationships I made and the leaders that influenced me there were such a blessing.  After Rachael past away that summer I had a reality check about life, and realized it could end at any moment and that I must take advantage of every second I had.  I started having a greater appreciation for the people in my life and the beauty around me.  After that year I understood a little more about the pain life can bring through death and other challenges that can cross one's path, yet I went into my freshman year at ORU excited and hopeful for the future.  After learning more about myself that year, i.e. boundaries I must implement in relationships (all kinds) and what I can handle, and also dealing with some hurtful individuals that I had trusted and needed to forgive...I was starting to get a taste of how challenging life was really going to be.  It scared and shook me to the core. 

My second year began fine, but once December came around and I found out Melissa, my bestfriend and sister at heart, had passed away, my whole world almost collapsed around me.  I was so hurt and angry at God and Missy for what had happened, and I could not accept the fact that she was gone from my life forever.  A huge part of me felt guilty and selfish for all the things that I was feeling, yet another part of me felt I had the right, because afterall...it didn't seem fair.  My heart was torn and I was so depressed that it was difficult to think straight about life and why God put me here.  It was the first time I doubted and questioned Him.  Thankfully, that year I had some amazing people in my life that were able to give me so much support and love.  I truly believe they were a gift from God. 

Even so, I was still struggling with my relationship with the Lord and was seeking to break that wall of distrust I had allowed to build up between me and Him, as a result of all the hurt and misgivings I had.  For the longest time I didn't feel like I was going anywhere.  It was so hard for me to depend on the Lord because of all the hurt and frustration.  Even praise and worship and reading my bible were a great struggle.  I was more depressed after doing those things than before I would begin them.  Since I felt I could not depend on the Lord, I unconsciouly started depending on people for that comfort, love, and acceptance I so desired.  Only to my dismay, would I begin to feel hurt and alone when people let me down and did not reach up to those expectations I had so unknowingly placed upon them.  Not until after a number of circumstances with certain individuals and a mind blowing experience with God did I start having the hope again and push to keep on going and trying to seek the Lord, even if all my emotions in me were telling me I was getting absolutely no where.  Even if I didn't feel like reading my bible, I would read it, and even if I didn't feel like praising God, because it hurt, I would do it.  I had no other hope to live accept for God, and the fact that I knew He and my family loved me and God had a purpose for my life kept me going.  People let you down, but He is always there.

Over the past year and a half or so that barrier between the Lord and I has slowly come down, and I feel as if it is almost gone now.  I feel as if I am finally learning to truly depend on Him since that wall is practically gone.  My walk with Him is deepening spiritually now and my faith is growing more than it ever has.  The Lord has taught me a number of things that have encouraged me in my walk, and has placed a number of young ladies in my life that have been like sisters and blessed me more than I would have ever thought possible.  The Lord has so much more to teach me and is still, even at this moment, breaking me so I will be more dependent on Him.  Life is never going to be perfect and will never be without its struggles, but if one can learn to live in this world, and live for Him...that is a life worth living.  He loves us and hates to see us hurting, but if we can seek to humble ourselves and give our lives to Him, He will carry us through.  The Lord is faithful at all times.    

Finally...an update!

Cathryn is rather tired and a bit silly at the moment.  I can't believe I haven't updated in months and have finally decided to put something up here at the most random moment.  Well, these past few weeks have been a bit stressful but amazingly the Lord has sustained me, even though during this time I have had bronchitis and pneumonia.  Don't worry...I am healed folks.  All in all, this has been quite a busy semester at ORU with classes and such, and I am so thankful and blessed to be where I am at.  No, life has not been a bowl of cherries:) but the Lord has shown me such grace and joy through the storms of life.  I am so thankful for His goodness and mercy that is ever flowing.  He has been teaching me so much about being content and joyful through life no matter what happpens.  He has encouraged me so much in my faith and reminded me time and time again of His faithfulness.  Oral Roberts spoke in chapel today and he reminded us that God is a good god.  Yes, those words are simple but they are so true.  God is sovereign and good and he wishes that no harm come to us, but when it does He is there to guide and strengthen us if we are willing to let Him take control.  Praise God for His goodness and faithfulness!

Ok...so I will try to start updating this a bit more often.  I think of BroMagVi constantly and all my other friends from TM.  I love you guys so much!  Even though I don't talk to you guys, you are in my prayers often.  I would love to hear from you all and if you want to know my cell #...yes, I finally have a cell...just let me know.     

"I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I have set the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
because you will not abandon me to the grave,
nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in you presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
~ Psalm 16:7-11

WHY I LOVE DOGS