Now that I've shared about my change in career paths, I'll share with you what has been going on in the time since then!
In September I changed my major to General Agriculture. I felt that God was leading me there, and everything made sense and fit into place! I can see now part of what God was doing. (I don't dare even think that I know everything God was doing.. remember.. this is GOD we're talking about. Omnipotent, omnipresent.. yeah, you get the picture..) One of the general requirements for Gen Ag is that you take Animal Science 121, which is just Introduction to Animal Science.
I don't think I can comprehend how much I have truly enjoyed this class! The lectures are so full of information, and the lab. Oh the labs! Practical, hands on experience with everything we cover in class! Because of my time spent in 4-H/FFA growing up, as well as just living in a small ranching community, and my time spent devouring books over the course of my life, I can definitely say that I went into ANS121 with a basic, broad knowledge of most of the livestock species we were going to talk about.
Let me tell you that I have enjoyed every. single. lab.
Going into class, I knew that swine was not my favorite subject. My siblings raised pigs in 4-H, and one of my best childhood friends had a pig farm... They're just not my favorite! The pig lab (which just means we went to the pig facility owned by University during lab) took place after God spoke to me about my new path in life. It just amazes me how He orchestrates every single little detail! I drove to lab with a knot in my stomach. I was sure that I wouldn't enjoy it, and that it would be the only lab to date that I didn't like.
The Lord's ways are not the ways of man. To that I say hallelujah! At the beginning of every lab, we spend about 30 minutes with business stuff: taking roll, going over terminology, filling out lab books, identifying tools, etc. It amazed me how much of the information I actually knew, and how many questions I was able to answer. Finally moving into the first facility, (Coincidence that it was the sows that had new litters? Good thing I don't believe in coincidences!) I smiled and watched the little piglets nurse and sleep. When we finally got to the pigs that will be sold as 4-H animals this spring, I was actually having a pretty good time! My TAs like to do 'activities' in every lab. The activity for this lab? Pig herding.. :)
Overall, I want to share with you the absolute joy I felt coming out of the lab! I know that it was a joy that came from the Lord. He opened my eyes to see that all are His creation.
Once again, it amazes me how our Awesome God uses the instances we least expect to bring us closer to Him!
Thursday, February 24
Wednesday, February 23
Sacrifices
This blog has always been about my walk with the Lord, and so here I am pleased to share with you the latest discovery of the path that He wants me to take.
{He leads me beside the still waters!}
------
I can't believe that it's already week 8 of winter term here in the pacific northwest. Time has flown by so fast! These eight weeks have been good weeks. Through them I have begun to discover a little more about where my life is headed, and I've been growing closer and closer to God.
About four weeks ago, we participated in a week of prayer and fasting at our church. Mar and I attend a Calvary Chapel, and the week of prayer and fasting has been going on for a while now.. although I'm not sure exactly how long! Some people haven't ever heard of fasting ( or they don't think it's possible to not eat for 7 days ), some people think it's just weird, and others (most being "Christians") just don't understand. I don't want to get into all of the reasons and aspects of it, but here is a helpful link if you'd like to pursue learning more about it.
During the week of fasting, God met me in a very special way. It continues to amaze me how our Big God who created the universe with a single command chooses to reveal Himself to us in a sweet, small voice. One of the themes of the week for me was "being broken and poured out". God really wanted to get across to me how it displeases Him that I rely on myself for a lot of things. He showed me how He wanted to be the One filling me up and overflowing me. I've struggled in the past with not feeling like I'm "good enough", but once again the Lord has provided. During one day, in the midst of my quiet time, the Lord spoke to me and told me that I am going to be a veterinarian. W.o.w. It wasn't an audible voice, it wasn't a text message, it was me seeking His face, and He answering through the communication of hearts.
I prayed for about 3 hours that day (I don't think I had class....) and asked God to show me what that was going to look like. I asked Him for open doors, and for people to be raised up around me in support! I cannot count the times since then that the Lord has reestablished a deep knowing in me that this is what He wants me to do! Through speakers at my college group, worship sessions, church, house church, my parents, Mar, advisers... it goes on and on.
For those of you who don't know me very well, I'll lay it down straight for ya. My goal since I knew I was coming to college was to come, get a degree as fast as possible, meet my husband, and then go on my merry way. That was my goal still until 4 weeks ago. The Lord has chosen to make my life about veterinary science...for those of you who don't know.. you have to have a bachelors to get into vet school (4ish years)..and vet school is either a 3 or 4 year program, depending on the school... This is just another point where I am absolutely confident that the this is what the Lord wants me to do. I have never wanted to go into medicine (although I've always loved animals, and being a vet was a dream of mine as a little girl. unfortunately, my sister also wanted to be a vet..so I said I wanted to be a teacher.. haha).
Vet school requires a high GPA, which is something that at the moment, I don't have. I had a term last spring that, well..I'll just say it won't happen again. It won't happen again because now I have a goal, and I have the assurance of a God who will not leave me throughout this process. I know that He who planted the seed will come back to reap it! The next 6 or 7 years of my life are going to be entirely devoted to God and Veterinary work. Every single day for me will be a day of coming to the Lord and asking to be filled up. I know that I cannot do this myself. Just looking at all the classes I have to take, I know that they'll be a struggle. But I know that this whole journey will be accomplished through the work of the Most High God.
For that I am deeply thankful, and eternally humble. He chose me! :) Not qualified, not a 'farm girl' but at heart. Rejoice for the Lord is good. His love endures forever!
Walking out in faith, taking that first step, is always the hardest. But if it's God's will, it will ultimately be the most rewarding! What is God trying to show you or tell you today that you haven't been willing to hear in the past?
Mathew 7:7-
"Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you."
{He leads me beside the still waters!}
------
I can't believe that it's already week 8 of winter term here in the pacific northwest. Time has flown by so fast! These eight weeks have been good weeks. Through them I have begun to discover a little more about where my life is headed, and I've been growing closer and closer to God.
About four weeks ago, we participated in a week of prayer and fasting at our church. Mar and I attend a Calvary Chapel, and the week of prayer and fasting has been going on for a while now.. although I'm not sure exactly how long! Some people haven't ever heard of fasting ( or they don't think it's possible to not eat for 7 days ), some people think it's just weird, and others (most being "Christians") just don't understand. I don't want to get into all of the reasons and aspects of it, but here is a helpful link if you'd like to pursue learning more about it.
During the week of fasting, God met me in a very special way. It continues to amaze me how our Big God who created the universe with a single command chooses to reveal Himself to us in a sweet, small voice. One of the themes of the week for me was "being broken and poured out". God really wanted to get across to me how it displeases Him that I rely on myself for a lot of things. He showed me how He wanted to be the One filling me up and overflowing me. I've struggled in the past with not feeling like I'm "good enough", but once again the Lord has provided. During one day, in the midst of my quiet time, the Lord spoke to me and told me that I am going to be a veterinarian. W.o.w. It wasn't an audible voice, it wasn't a text message, it was me seeking His face, and He answering through the communication of hearts.
I prayed for about 3 hours that day (I don't think I had class....) and asked God to show me what that was going to look like. I asked Him for open doors, and for people to be raised up around me in support! I cannot count the times since then that the Lord has reestablished a deep knowing in me that this is what He wants me to do! Through speakers at my college group, worship sessions, church, house church, my parents, Mar, advisers... it goes on and on.
For those of you who don't know me very well, I'll lay it down straight for ya. My goal since I knew I was coming to college was to come, get a degree as fast as possible, meet my husband, and then go on my merry way. That was my goal still until 4 weeks ago. The Lord has chosen to make my life about veterinary science...for those of you who don't know.. you have to have a bachelors to get into vet school (4ish years)..and vet school is either a 3 or 4 year program, depending on the school... This is just another point where I am absolutely confident that the this is what the Lord wants me to do. I have never wanted to go into medicine (although I've always loved animals, and being a vet was a dream of mine as a little girl. unfortunately, my sister also wanted to be a vet..so I said I wanted to be a teacher.. haha).
Vet school requires a high GPA, which is something that at the moment, I don't have. I had a term last spring that, well..I'll just say it won't happen again. It won't happen again because now I have a goal, and I have the assurance of a God who will not leave me throughout this process. I know that He who planted the seed will come back to reap it! The next 6 or 7 years of my life are going to be entirely devoted to God and Veterinary work. Every single day for me will be a day of coming to the Lord and asking to be filled up. I know that I cannot do this myself. Just looking at all the classes I have to take, I know that they'll be a struggle. But I know that this whole journey will be accomplished through the work of the Most High God.
For that I am deeply thankful, and eternally humble. He chose me! :) Not qualified, not a 'farm girl' but at heart. Rejoice for the Lord is good. His love endures forever!
Walking out in faith, taking that first step, is always the hardest. But if it's God's will, it will ultimately be the most rewarding! What is God trying to show you or tell you today that you haven't been willing to hear in the past?
Mathew 7:7-
"Ask and it shall be given to you, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door shall be opened unto you."
Saturday, February 19
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still water.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Three weeks ago, this Psalm became personal. Instead of being an observer, a reader....I was the sheep. For those that don't know, sheep are absolutely dependent upon humans. Of all the domesticated animals, they are the only that are 100% reliant upon their masters for food, shelter, and safety. If left alone in the wild, it would be nearly impossible for them to survive. I am a sheep. I'm a prey animal. I am helpless. I am needy. I have the Loving Master as my shepherd. He gave His life so that I could live. I have nothing to fear. I know that when The Shepherd leads me into the valley of the shadow of death, I have no reason to tremble in fright, for the Lord is with me.
It's amazing how much more insight I have now on this much recited Psalm after working in the Sheep Center here. I'm volunteering during the lambing season, and I see every time I go to work how dependent sheep are on their shepherds. I, Katie, am their shepherd. Why would I let them to suffer or go hungry or become cold? The Lord says the same to us. He doles out our food every morning and evening, and He loves us. He cares for us, and spends time with us. He knows our ways and what our favorite spot to scratch is.
Be of good cheer, for the Lord God is with you.
-Kaitlynn Marie
I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still water.
He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.
Three weeks ago, this Psalm became personal. Instead of being an observer, a reader....I was the sheep. For those that don't know, sheep are absolutely dependent upon humans. Of all the domesticated animals, they are the only that are 100% reliant upon their masters for food, shelter, and safety. If left alone in the wild, it would be nearly impossible for them to survive. I am a sheep. I'm a prey animal. I am helpless. I am needy. I have the Loving Master as my shepherd. He gave His life so that I could live. I have nothing to fear. I know that when The Shepherd leads me into the valley of the shadow of death, I have no reason to tremble in fright, for the Lord is with me.
It's amazing how much more insight I have now on this much recited Psalm after working in the Sheep Center here. I'm volunteering during the lambing season, and I see every time I go to work how dependent sheep are on their shepherds. I, Katie, am their shepherd. Why would I let them to suffer or go hungry or become cold? The Lord says the same to us. He doles out our food every morning and evening, and He loves us. He cares for us, and spends time with us. He knows our ways and what our favorite spot to scratch is.
Be of good cheer, for the Lord God is with you.
-Kaitlynn Marie
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