Josh & Kaitlyn's Blog: February 2016

So currently, I am enjoying some relaxing music, coconut loose leaf tea, my husband sleeping next to me (although with a fever and aches), and my Little Oli sleeping in the room next to me. Just sitting here thinking about how awful it is to be sick but who blessed I am by my little family. There is this virus going around campus. I would say at least 10 of us here on campus have had it. It is a high fever with horrible body aches. I had it a few days ago but am now sitting here healthy. How much do I take my health for granite? Our bodies are so incredible and when they are compromised it is crazy how difficult it is to think clearly, and yet how often do I settle for a compromised spiritual body?

So tonight, while daddy tried to relax on the couch Oliver and I took advantage of one of Oliver's favorite activities!! BATH time: enjoy and be healthy.

Oliver: This is called the towel game- I get it all wet and throw it at you, Mom.

We have to get creative because we do not have a bathtub, so for now a large tote works :). He is such a joy when he is happy but his rage quickly gets him what he is wanting, usually food! Happy 10 month old baby boy- well tomorrow...

Well way too much so we will just start with the past month or so. Josh, Oliver, and I are still alive. I feel lately the Trinity is truly pursing me and not allowing "luke warm" to be enough. As a community we are examining what pure healthy community living and conflict looks like. Two of the pieces that stand out to me the most is to stop saying we are "good" and to stop being "nice" to each other. It is easy to force a nice and good attitude but it is crucial that we be real with each other (Casting Crowns songs speak to my heart especially on these topics). There are experiences that we are living through together that require intense community. With family so far away I learn to be real and see my own insecurities and needs more clearly. Even in the daily grind we want to be able to live with a community that loves, challenges, supports, and intercedes for each other. I have been tasked along with our other counselors to gather information pertaining to healthy conflict especially in christian communities. I have been intentional in engaging students in these discussions. I think at first some christian tend to avoid conflict - use the verses that talk about God's grace, forgiveness, or avoid judging people to dismiss wrongs or difficulties that we experience between each other. In the end though the Bible speaks of iron sharpening iron and proverbs talks about ways friends need to be honest with each other. We must find a place of moderation in our community. A healthy place of humility and confidence in the Lord. A place of security in who God has created us to be but also confident we are still changing. A place where we can be comfortable to comfort and challenge each other daily. A place where we don't have to feel a need to "change" any one because we are confident in God's own changing in that brother or sister's life. This has challenged me to be compassionate in my thoughts and assumptions of others. I have failed miserably and asked for forgiveness over and over again (especially with my husband). I have opened the word and been refreshed by the truth and the passion of others and those accounts in the Word and also in my personal world.

The students are doing well. Oliver and I are blessed to spend evenings in the boys house with Josh. We are enjoying getting to know the young men well. God's spirit is moving strongly - many nights you can overhear conversations about the Lord, the Bible, and real life. Many nights you can walk in the house and see multiple Bibles open and young men excited to talk and read about the Word and what others have said about it. They are teaching me leaps and bounds about discipline and passion! God is moving - I'm excited to see this season of CMA continue until God has a new season.

Oliver is doing great. Mom and Cris came down this past week and it was such a joy to have them enjoying him! He is crawling, exploring, pulling up on anything he can find, and practicing stairs. Oliver loves to play, eat, and get into water (beach, puddles, Duke's water bowl).

Here are some of my favorite pictures from lately...