I have not written on here since last school year.  So much has changed and I have grown so much since then.  Right now I’m tired, and stressed.  I am happy to say that I am content in where I am in life. 
 

Calvary Love

“Above all, it means learning Calvary love- forgetfulness of self in order to be strong and to serve.” Elisabeth Elliot 

Paul suffered through the pains of being a Christian and called it “thorns”, yet the grace of God is all we need for “…power comes to its full strength in weakness”

For my loneliness Lord- Your strength 

For my weary spirit, Lord- Your strength

For my the temptation to be sloth, Lord- Your strength 

None of these separate me from His love, but instead allow me to cry out “Abba, Father” And when we allow ourselves to be broken and our wills to be broken, we lay our selfish desires down at the foot of the cross.

“In that cry the Spirit of God joins with our spirit in testifying that we are God’s children; and if children, then heirs. We are God’s heirs and Christ’s fellow- heirs, so we share his sufferings now

Dear Friends and Family

This is the first of an annual letter that I will be sending out for my season greetings to all of you! The end of my senior year took me from Chicago, Michigan, Mississippi, Branson, New York, and back again.

Let’s talk about show choir! For the four years I was in show choir, I must have spent more time my senior year in the practice rooms and with the Johnsons than at home. I ended up getting three best performer awards this year, placed third at the solo competition in Pekin, IL, and won at the Norwell Competition. I had great opportunities to audition in Chicago at Six Flags as well as to learn classical pieces in level one ISSMA ensemble with Stacy Hartman, Kayla Shoemaker and others. Though Classic Connection did not win many competitions we made a lot of great memories, especially in Branson! Classic Connection made it to state and we were awarded 1^st runners-up.

As show choir season was fading out spring break happened and I went to Mississippi with Dayspring Community Church to help with the Hurricane Katrina clean up. For the first time, I learned how to dry wall, and I got a lot closer to the people of that church that sponsored the trip. When we there we saw the FEMA trailers as far as the eye could see and slants of concrete where houses use to be. Not exactly a relaxing spring break, but worth all the memories it gave me.

Rounding out my senior year was our musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. What an amazing show and cast! I happened to get the lead as Millie along side Colleen, Allie, Lauren, Erik, Lincoln, Austin, and Zac; people who I have grown up with and been performing with since middle school! I had a blast with all the great music on and off stage. Prom happened also, I went with Joel Rittenhouse – a very good friend of mine who goes to Ohio Northern. Prom was actually not that exciting because we had a bad DJ, BUT the best part was dressing up and being with friends so it really didn’t matter. Finally, right before graduation, the Classic Connection Senior Trip to NYC! We saw the Drowsy Chaperone, and Monty Python’s Spamalot, which were amazing shows. Though there was some drama throughout my years, it all seemed to be great in the end.

Graduation came upon me as well as the summer. I gave up my crown and title as Miss Auburn to the lovely Jennifer Beakes. I worked all summer at Artistic, a box factory and Stein Mart putting in 60 hours a week . Some how I managed to squeeze in hosting Karaoke at the Cup Bearer, and going to see Wicked in Chicago!

Aaaahhh ok on to this school year. I’m attending Greenville College in Greenville, IL. It’s down south off of 70! If you ever want to stop by please do! I’m studying Contemporary Christian Music with an emphasis in Worship Arts, and a minor in Ministry. I’m not sure what I’m going to do with that degree but the possibilities seem endless. I love my roommate Michelle Yee, who is a native Californian. I have really seemed to find my home at Greenville. I have met so many new people and I have found a core group of friends who are Michelle, Allyson, Alex, and Storm. We have become a recognized spontaneous group who is always around on the weekends. I have a mentor named Heather who is AMAZING and a church family to embrace me. I have already made so many memories there and it seems I have found my Alma Mater.

I am now Aunt Tammy! My sister had a beautiful bouncing boy Brian Michael Kitch! I have now seen him twice and I actually like this child! So far I have tried my best to culture him by singing art songs and musicals to him the whole time I see him! So far he really likes me singing the Lion King :)

That is my year in a nut shell. I have plans this year to be in two IL pageants, and intern this summer at a church. I love college, I miss home at times, and I miss all of you. I send my love and hope you have a wonderful holiday season. God bless you!

As everyone under the sun already knows, I’m single. For the past month I have struggled with the decrement of God’s Will for my life. Indeed this is a daily struggle for most. I kept searching and praying and finally after all this time I have found what I was looking for.

"He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." (Luke 12:31, Living Bible.)

All I need?

The whole passage reads like this, and Jesus is the one speaking: "Don't worry whether God will provide it for you. These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs. He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern." (Luke 12:29-31)

No, I don’t know God’s Will, Plans, or journeys He might take me on but I found something more fulfilling. Laying in God’s loves and becoming a bridegroom for Him. My prayer is that someone might smell the sweet fragrance of God’s love in my life. For Him to use me at His will and I know deep within my heart everything else will fall into place. Making the kingdom of God my primary concern to keep my focus. And if anything should try to come in my way: lust, selfishness, envy. I will remember…

“NOTHING is worth the sacrifice of God’s peace.”