I have a gazillion pics of the new place and of people. So here they are. Oh, and quick update: Thanksgiving was awesome and it's currently 33 degrees outside and we're coming up on noon. Craziness...

my bedroom... still needing some furniture




the new place








my car is officially UTAH


roommates and friends (yes... finally chipotle!)




THANKSGIVING!!!

It's November in Utah!!

Okay.. I know it's been forever since I last wrote!! Update?

Well, Robyn, Jill and I moved into our new place in Salt Lake City. It's pretty close to downtown. New address:

654 Ely Place
Salt Lake City, UT 84102

We've been there since the end of October, and it's still coming along, but definitely looking more like home. I do miss living with Tricia though. The bummer thing about our new place is our loud loud loud neighbors and their loud loud loud dog! Also, I don't have internet there so if you send me emails it may be a bit before I can get back to you. I'll post pictures of the new place soon too!

K2: I don't know what to say to update on K2 except for that it keeps getting better. My students are amazing, but I am constantly learning how to best love them and teach them. It's true that you learn so much more through experience than through the books. I still dont' know if this is what I want to do forever, but for the moment God is using my job to teach me so much. I'm soaking up the wisdom.

PF Chang's: I wish I would have more time, but I like working there for the most part. It gets tiring though. And I wish I had more time with my students. More time to devote to K2. But I really feel like I've been blessed with that job even if my managers are crazy.

I'm looking forward to winter. It's supposed to start getting a lot colder out here and it's supposed to storm on Sunday. Maybe get some real snow!! Bring it on Utah! The leaves out here are beautiful, but they are all falling on top of my car. But I love the crunch crunch sound when you walk over them. Seriously... real seasons are awesome!

My mom is coming to visit me this weekend as well. I'm really excited to see her and get a bit of home. My sister coming at the end of October was amazing! I miss her so much. It was great to spend time with her.

I'll try to update some more later with pictures. Sorry I don't get to update very often! Miss you all a lot!

Peace,
Cat

7 APUers, 3 days with my sister, and 1 week off work

I am looking forward to this week...

The first of 7 APU people to grace Utah's presence this weekend arrived tonight, and I'm so excited to greet the rest tomorrow morning! This weekend Standing Together is hosting the inaugural National Student Dialogue Conference. Friday and Saturday around 200 LDS and Evangelical students and alumni will gather to listen to speakers from both faiths as well as engage in interfaith dialgoue. I honestly can't wait. I think God will do great things this weekend as relationships are formed and deeper understandings arise from all parties involved. It will be great and I can't wait to tell more. It will also be so much fun and such a stress reliever to have friends here!

Also a stress reliever: A whole week without PF Chang's!!! This is amazing news. I'm so excited. I requested the time off since my friends will be here this weekend and then the most exciting news!! Erin comes to visit on Monday! Yay for sister time. Seriously needed... I cannot wait!

More good news: Robyn, Jill and I found a place to live. It's right by Trolley Square. 3 bedroom, 2 bath duplex. I love it. I'll post pictures when I can. I move in next week and it will be so nice to have a place I can honestly call home. Living with Tricia has been great and I will miss her so much, but living in my own place will dramatically change things. I am sure of it!

So prayer requests: Definitely this weekend as it will be a mile marker in Evangelical/LDS relationships on all scales. Also, I'm feeling a bit ill and I could definitely benefit from prayers that would at least keep me healthy while my sister is in town and the move is taking place. Please continue to pray for God's guidance in my time here in Utah. I'm so happy, but missing home as well. Hope all of you are doing well. Can't wait to tell you more as life unfolds!

By the way, it's getting super cold! And fifty degrees is starting to feel more like sixty. And leaves are falling everywhere. And everytime it storms we get snow in the mountains. Last night was the first storm to snow in the valley and stick. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see it. Okay... miss you all. Thanks for catching up!!

Peace,
Cat

"Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us and we are his." - Psalm 100:3

Falllllll!!!!!

So something incredible happened this weekend... It became fall in Utah!! Yep. That's right. Basically what that means is that it's been soo cold and raining like crazy. I could live without the wind, but yesterday after church the Rogers, McHenrys, and myself went to Starbucks. I love sitting in a coffee shop in the cold. I drank my pumpkin spice latte and we all talked about what we're gonna make for our huge Thanksgiving party for all of us who can't make it home (or, since Utah is home, to our place of origin) for Thanksgiving. My mom will be happy to know that I have volunteered for desserts so I'm carrying on the tradition. Yesterday I also went on another shopping spree, but I'm finding that it's necessary due to the coldness that is taking place around me. For instance, it's currently coming up on 10:00am and it's 46 degrees. FORTY SIX! That's cold! REALLY REALLY cold!

So quick update on other things: Robyn, Bethany, Jill and I are going to start truly pursuing a place to live for November. Hopefully we will find something nice, affordable and with 4 bedrooms. Work stuff is going all right, but I definitely need to have a conversation with my bosses at P.F. Chang's as they've been scheduling me for near 35 hours a week for the past two weeks and when you add 25 hours at k2 on top of that, it's a whole lot of work, no time for play, and I feel really tired just about all of the time.

Well, I'm off to go get ready for work and frolic in the rain! Joy!! Miss everyone so very much!

Peace,
Cat

P.S. Nicole and James, I'll post a picture of Millie, the crazy dog, soon!

91 days and 3 months until I come home for Christmas!!! Yay!!!

Back in Cali December 18 - 27

Oh, and by the way

Tonight I was driving home after the sun had set, and I could just see the night light outlining the mountains. It was incredible!! Scenery like that and you have to believe in something so much greater than ourselves.

An Actual Update on my Life in Utah

I figured after my last post maybe some of you are interested in life in Utah! Well... it has been pretty great.

Working at P.F. Chang's has been busy and kept me pretty well exhausted, but it's good. It's nice to get out of the K2 bubble and meet some new people. Although, having all my time to devote to K2 would be nice.

About a week ago K2 threw "Crash the Party." The party was an event to celebrate and thank all the Crash members of K2 who are the leaders and volunteers at the church. The party was on the 23rd floor of the Wells Fargo building downtown. It had the most amazing view! It was so awesome to be at a church that really celebrated the dedicated members. They gave out awards, the pastor spent some time casting the vision for this upcoming year, spent some time in worship and then danced the night away! It was so much fun meeting more people.

My boss, Ryan, and his wife, Clarissa at Crash the Party


Tricia, the girl whose house I live in, and I at the party


As for my job, this past week we had our kick off for our jr high group, Vertical. We had about 20 kids come out and we rode the Trax (Utah's equivalent to Los Angeles' Metro system) to the Gateway (the big shopping center downtown) and played in the arcade and got some ice cream. I got to spend a lot more time with the girls and get to know them so much better. It was great. Next week we're going to Lake Park (a low income apartment complex) to deliver food and help pick up trash around the place. I'm looking forward to it and I'm really hoping the students will find the value in serving.

Other than work and work, things are going pretty well. Chipotle opens in SLC soon, so that's WAY exciting! And... for all you Office fans, here are some pictures from relocating Erik's desk. Erik is the guy APU works with when we come out on our trips with Standing Together. I have a couple friends who work there, and we went in one night and put his desk in the bathroom... If you've seen the office that will be a little funnier to you.

We even up the Nebraska flag up there


We had to put the return on it halfway in the stall because otherwise it wouldn't fit


Hope things are going well with all of you! Here are some prayer requests: That God would continue to impress upon me His vision for Utah; that my relationships out here would be strengthened; that I wouldn't get too lonely or homesick or beach sick; and that Robyn, Bethany, Jill and I would be able to find well located and affordable housing. Thank you!!!

Peace,
Cat

P.S. This is the house I live in


P.P.S. This is Robyn... she is great!! I really think Utah would be nowhere near the same without her.

Some things I've been thinking... What are you thinking?

Disclaimer: There are endless hours that could be spent discussing this topic. This particular blog addresses only how I feel homosexuality and Christianity are in tension with each other. I do not intentionally address the issue of whether or not it is a sin, although some of my personal beliefs can be read into it. As you read, think about what else you would add to this, how you think Christians should treat the LGBT community (whether or not you are a Christian), and how to make a positive change.

It’s terrible the way Christians have treated the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community. How did I come to this conclusion? It happened quite a few years ago, but I fully recognized it as I was being trained at P.F. Chang’s. The person training me spoke openly about his boyfriend, and how he once dated a girl because that’s what he thought he was supposed to do, and how when he came out he finally felt free to be himself. Then, inevitably, my second job came up and he asked what I did. I was hesitant to admit to him that I worked at a church.* And that was when it struck me that Christians, in general, do not treat the LGBT community well. Why else would I be so hesitant to announce my second job? And how terrible is it that the one place that should be a safe haven for all has become, in so many ways, the enemy of LGBT persons? What would it mean for Christians to change that?

See, here we get into the age old debate of whether or not homosexuality is a sin. It seems like a choice must be made. I am somewhere in that grey area, endlessly going back in forth in what I believe, and I have discovered that grey doesn’t fly well in Christian circles. Here is what I believe: I believe you do not choose your sexual orientation. (Did any of us ever wake up and decide, “I think I’ll go ahead and be straight”?) I believe sexual orientation (and really anything else for that matter) has no power to dictate who God’s love is extended to. I believe that you can be a practicing homosexual and still love and serve God. I believe that the LGBT community deserves the same rights that straight people have. That is why they are rights. I believe that Christians, no matter what they believe about the topic, need to welcome any stranger, regardless of lifestyle, leaving behind our judgment and condemnation. If we are to call ourselves “Christ-followers” then we better start walking in his footsteps. We are called to LOVE.

This is what I propose: I propose that our first step is to love. The second is to be allies. About a year and a half ago a group came to APU’s campus called Soul Force. The group was made up of young men and women (both LGBT and straight) who considered themselves allies of the LGBT community. I had the privilege of being one of the student ambassadors and much of our time together was spent discussing what it meant to be an ally of the LGBT community. Here’s a shameful example of what an ally is NOT. A year or so ago I was in the car with some people and the topic came up and they started BASHING homosexuals like I had never heard. They were saying how much they hated those “fags” and how they should all just die. I’ve never heard something so ugly. Because the main speaker in all of this was a stranger, I said nothing. (But really, her being a stranger is just an excuse, and I will have to answer for that.) Some would say that by not egging the person on I was doing my duty, but I say that is not enough!

Honestly people, this is not a rhetorical question: WHY? What makes “them” so “different”? Simply because we have all bought into a social norm and they break the mold? Some of you are likely to say that it is sinful and that it should be changed. I am open to your arguments and opinions on the topic, but I believe Christ said, “COME AS YOU ARE.” Let the Spirit speak into the heart of a man or a woman, but let us not be the ones to judge who gets to experience the Spirit. We are sinners too. There is nothing worse, I believe, than turning someone off from the love of God. And we will be held accountable for that.

Friends, I am still figuring out how to be an ally. I thank the Lord that my friend at work did not immediately start bashing Christians the second I told him I was one. Prayerfully, God will guide me to be an example of love and peace for my friend regardless of any prior experiences with Christians.

The issue I address is not whether or not homosexuality is a sin. I think the issue is whether or not we submit our opinions to God and allow HIM to be the judge of us all and in the meantime: LOVE GOD AND LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR.

I welcome your thoughts and opinions. This is what is on my mind, but a pretty concise version of some things I believe. Please feel free to challenge me, correct me, agree with me, disagree with me. And if you’d like, I’d be happy to post any feedback on my blog. This is a topic that I am extremely passionate about because enough LGBT neighbors have been hurt by Christians. I think it’s time that changed.

Peace,
Cat

“Peace is a product of justice, but justice is not enough. Love is also necessary. The love that makes us feel like we are brothers and sisters is properly what makes for true peace. Peace is the product of justice and love.” – Oscar Romero




*I’m extremely proud of what I do, and I truly believe that God is at work at K2 and with the students I minister to. I would never be ashamed of God entrusting me with his children.

The rantings continue... Sorry.

Okay... So I know you are all so sick of me ranting about my spiders. One day I will stop and write something more profound and thought provoking. Until then...

Upon realizing that Herman and other equally large eight legged insects might actually be hobos or brown recluses (both extremely poisonous), I decided it would be in my best interest to move out of the basement. Tonight is the first night I will be spending in the upstairs room (notably cooler and spider free). Shortly hereafter, I will move the rest of my things up here, and Tricia and I will clean the basement like crazy, bug bomb the crap out of it, and hopefully then it will be suitable to live in.

So update on other things: I'll be living here at Tricia's through October. That's wonderful because the only thing I don't like about living here are the spiders. Other than that, Tricia is great to live with. I couldn't have asked for something better. In November, I'll be moving in with some friends and that will be great as well. Jill moves out here on Friday and I feel so incredibly blessed by God in how he has provided for me. And I have also gotten to see his provision over my friends as well.

Things at K2 are going to start picking up really soon and I can't wait. At the moment I'm feeling overwhelmed by it, but I know that when I sit down and focus it's going to be great! Again, God is SO good. I have been so blessed by the people I've been able to meet. In the staff meeting yesterday, we went around the room and each person was encouraged by someone else. I wanted to encourage every single staff member because they have all had an impact on my move out here. One family in particular I really feel God has blessed me with are the Brumms. Jason and Jen and their kids Isaac and Emma are so great. God is so good and so faithful. How could I ever have thought otherwise? Job 38 was a good reminder of who's in control. You should read it!

I also start training at P.F. Chang's this week. I'm not looking forward to training because it will be 8 hour shifts for five days, but after that it should get better. The great thing about SLC is that downtown is so accessible. I really think you should all come visit because you would all find something about it you'd love! Okay... once again, someday I'll write something truly profound and you'll leave me 749274897 comments because you just won't believe how it stirred your intellect. Until then... Peace out!

Cat

P.S. It's thundering outside. So cool.

I wish spiders could read English…

…Because I would post signs in my room saying, “If I find you, you will die.”

The whole spider thing is seriously out of control. Today there was a 10 minute stand off between me and a spider. The only reason I won was because I didn’t want it nesting somewhere else in my room. Because that’s right… it made a nest in my shirt and duffle bag. This guy was not messing around. So ten minutes later, knees and hands shaking, I whacked it. 5 whacks later, it finally stopped moving. So here’s the thing: I like where I live, I like Tricia, but I don’t like spiders. So the sooner I can move, the better! And my mom told me that now is the time spiders come indoors looking for winter housing. YUCK! Keep praying, my wonderful friends and family. I don’t like insects with 8 legs.

In other news, life in Utah is settling in. Salt Lake City is definitely becoming home, and people let me tell you, God is listening to your prayers! I can’t even believe how much this past week differed from the week before. Jesus is way cool! Today I met with one of the junior high leaders and her story and testimony were sooo encouraging and such a huge reminder of why I came to Utah. If you’d like to ask me about it, please do. I feel like my job is really taking off and I’ve been given the opportunity to really take ownership over my responsibilities. I meet and more and more of the kids everyday and they’re awesome!

Tonight, we went to help out with the Dreamcenter. It was so great being a part of that. The senior high group as well as a ton of adult volunteers went out to one of the apartment complexes that the Dreamcenter works with and we gave away backpacks and school supplies for over 100 children. It was incredible!

More about Salt Lake… everything here makes me think about you guys. All the artsy, spunky, independent coffee shops remind me of my sister; the cute clothing boutiques remind me of Nicole; all the bridal stuff reminds me of, of course, Julia; the Utah trax system reminds me of riding the metro with Jo; and all things related to living situations remind me of the wonderfulness of Steph, Lindsey and CFox. (Miss you girls.) Basically, I just miss all you guys a ton a ton a ton! So you all should just come visit me!

Prayer requests: of course there is the whole spider epidemic (I won’t walk barefoot on my carpet just in case), but also my computer has been on the fritz lately and I can’t afford a new one. Jill is supposed to be out here pretty soon so please be praying for job openings for her and God’s continued guidance is bringing her here. I definitely need focus and keep praying that God would provide community and last but not least, I have had three interviews for a serving position at P.F. Chang’s downtown so hopefully I’ll be hearing from them soon.

Love you guys so much and miss you all!

Peace,
Cat

irony

i love it....

Life hasn't quite began yet...

Well. One week in Utah under my belt. Granted, it hasn’t been what a normal week in Utah is going to be like, but I definitely enjoyed it. The staff retreat was amazing! I got to meet all the staff and their families. We went hiking, played board games, made s’mores, hung out in the rain, etc. I had some amazing conversations with people, made some friends, and feel so incredibly blessed with where God has placed me. The entire week, I couldn’t help but praise God that of all the places he could have brought me, this is where I get to serve, and these are the people I get to serve with. This staff is made up of some of the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure to be around. I honestly cannot put into words how wonderful they are. I can’t believe I get to be a part of this!

Joy and Nathan’s wedding was such a pleasure to be at. The drive to Granby wasn’t as bad as I had anticipated. The location was prime, and it was great to be around friends and be celebrating with Joy and Nathan as they start their life together. The wedding did, however, make me homesick. I really missed being around my friends and seeing so much family activity made me miss my family terribly! I feel better, but I know that there will be times where missing home will hit me bad.
This is where the wedding was


Yesterday, I went to an event that Standing Together put on. It was a worship gathering in downtown Salt Lake. About 1000 people came out to worship Jesus and it was a wonderful encouragement and reminder of why I moved to Utah in the first place.

All in all, I am feeling pretty tired, but excited to get life underway. This week should give me a better understanding of what I’m in for. I was having some trouble with the internet at the house, but I got that fixed. AND… (drum roll please)… PICTURES!


FROM THE MOVE:

Gotta get some caffeine in me!!


Driving along... sooooo bored!


Goodbye California. Hello Nevada. (That's the state line just so you know.)


Almost there with my little Neon stuffed full!!!


Time to unload.....


And more stuff...



FROM THE RETREAT:

It was such a beautiful place!




Natalie, Shannon, Emma and me. Natalie and Emma are my new best friends!



Sooo... that's about it for now. Thanks for checking in. Can't wait to start posting more as real life kicks in. Vacations over. Time to make Utah home!!!

Peace,
Cat

P.S. Herman is still MIA. I appreciate your prayers!

My first few days in Utah

Hey everyone!

So upon the advice of some of those I love, I decided to start a blog. I promise nothing. I’m not sure I have anything profound to say, but that’s all right. I started my blog to keep those of you who are interested up to date with my life in Utah. So if you are interested, please read and comment and share thoughts. If not, I don’t take offense. So… where to begin?

Sunday, July 29. I woke up around 6:00am California time, finished some last second packing and hit the road. Of course, I only made it about two blocks before I remembered I had forgotten something. I got some gas and some caffeine (the most important thing) and drove to Pasadena. I stopped at Jo and Todd’s place, said “hi” and “bye” and then really hit the road.

About 11 hours later I ended up in Salt Lake City, Utah. 8:30pm mountain time. I was going to meet the youth pastor, Ryan, and his wife, Klarissa at Red Lobster and then they were going to take me to the home I’m staying at. When I go to Red Lobster, Erik and Deborah were waiting for me. I didn’t know I was going to see them so it was a total surprise! Then Ryan and Klarissa arrived, then Robyn, then Lenee, then Bonnie and Danny, and then we went to my new home where I met Tricia (who I am living with), Josh and Leigh (who go to K2 and volunteer with the youth), Tyler (who also goes to K2), and Millie (the Chesapeake Bay Retriever who also lives with me). A bit later on, Paul arrived. It was quite the welcome wagon and I was so happy and excited to see old friends and make new ones.

After hanging out at Tricia’s for awhile everyone left and Tricia and I got to talk a bit more. Tricia is a lawyer out here and her, Josh and Leigh helped to start the youth group at K2. She is so nice and hospitable, and I’m so grateful to be staying with her for a couple months. We got to know each other a bit, I got a grand tour of the house and then we went to sleep. I finally hit the mattress around 11:30pm.

Monday, July 30. I woke up, checked my email, took a shower and headed out to find Standing Together/K2. Everything in SLC is on a grid system so it’s pretty easy to find things, but it does take some getting used to, and I’m still working on it. I did find Standing Together without a problem and then Robyn, Paul and I went and got some lunch. After that, I visited Heidi and Roxy (my favorite Pomeranian in Utah), and then I ran errands. I know… what an exciting day. That night, I had dinner at The Gateway with Daniel and Heidi.

Tuesday, July 31. Today I got to experience my first K2 staff meeting. It was so much fun! I got to meet most of the staff and hear about what’s going on with the different ministries and everything. The staff meeting used to be this mythical event that I heard about, but never participated in. It was great to be around such wonderful people and feel like I’m a part of something so much bigger than me. Tonight, I went to Vertical (the junior high youth group) for the first time. The turnout wasn’t so great, but that was okay with me because I got to meet a few of the students, and will meet more next week. It was fun, but it was a reminder that my dodgeball skills need some brushing up on.

So… the layout: SLC is sooo HOT! I passed a thermometer the other day that read 104! Every time I get out of my car I start to melt. That’s all right. I’ll get used to it. And I can’t wait until September when the leaves start to change! Today I leave for the staff retreat which goes through Saturday. I’m really looking forward to that. It’s up in the mountains and all the staff and their families will be there. And… I get to camp! Saturday morning I’m heading up to Colorado to see some good friends of mine get married, and then Sunday I’m heading back here to Salt Lake. SOOOOOO much driving. I think when Sunday night hits I’ll be so ready to never drive again!

So thanks for reading my first blog. I know it was a lot of information, but there’s so much going on at the moment. I’ll post pictures soon of where I’m living and my drive out and stuff. By the way, seeing the beautiful Wasatch Front never gets old. I’ll keep everyone posted on my life. Thanks for prayers, support, random thoughts, and encouragement that you all have given me. I couldn’t have made this move without you guys having my back!!!

Peace,
Cat

P.S. My address is…

1042 Elgin Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84106


Oh yah... if you're wondering what you can pray for, here's something: Yesterday while unpacking I came face to face with the biggest spider I have ever seen in my life. I am not joking when I tell you that it's body was the size of a nickel, and with its legs, it was almost as long as a playing card. I screamed, ran for a shoe, and when I came back it was running behind a box. It was so big it needed a name so I named it Herman. After youth group, Josh and Leigh came over and we went hunting for it, but Herman was nowhere to be found. Needless to say, sleep did not come easy last night. So... please pray that Herman either turns up dead, or I never have to set eyes on his hairy, eight legged body ever again!!!!!!