summertime catch-up

I admit, I am the worst blogger ever (if you could even call me that). If you have read any of my other posts, you know that I like to play catch-up; I'll write a post once every few months and share what I've been doing since the last time I blogged, usually in list form. Well, not much has changed and I still tend to keep my thoughts contained in lists, so here is a glimpse into my summer so far:

#senior
Exams came to a close at the beginning of May and I am now officially a college senior. What?! I still can't believe I only have one year left at UNC. The bucket list for senior year has become more concrete, and I cannot wait to tackle it with my best friends in a few short months.

#beach
I spent a week at home after exams before making the trip back to Chapel Hill for the summer. My days in Wilmington consisted of some much-needed family and beach time, and other than catching up with a dear friend, I did little other than hang out with my mom and sit on the beach with a book in my hand.

#books
Speaking of books, I finally got around to completing the Hunger Games series (I have also seen the movie twice now). I'm hooked and am probably a little too excited about the 2nd movie that is not going to be released soon enough. I have also read The Lucky One (yep, Nicholas Sparks), am finishing As Sure as the Dawn (Francine Rivers) and The Weight of Glory (C.S. Lewis), and have started a few other ones. Any suggestions to my summer reading list are welcomed!

#graduation
Soon after my arrival in Wilmington, I turned around and came back to Chapel Hill to watch the Class of 2012 graduate. It was a bittersweet day that just made me all the more happy that I have another year to spend at UNC. I am anxious and excited for all of the new alumni who are starting the next stages of their lives, and am actually kind of looking forward to the day when I can join them in the "real world" as a Carolina Alumnus.

#bub
I'm living in Chapel Hill this summer with some wonderful ladies at "The Bub". I'm absolutely loving it - being around friends 24/7 is so fun and I'm looking forward to another month as their roommates!

#Route56
I'm still hanging out with my sweet 5th and 6th graders every week! We are currently in a study called "Live it Out," where we're learning about how to practically live out our faith everyday. We've talked about things like Baptism and spending time with God, and as always, we're rolling in giggles by the time the service is over.

#babysitting
I'm spending my days hanging out with 3 sweet kids (and 2 other equally sweet kids in the mornings). I have learned that while playing "mom" is fun, it is also exhausting. I'm sure I'll be able to use what I learn from this experience in the future -- you know, when I start having kids in 20 years or so. :)

#Romans
I finished reading Romans the other day! I could go on and on about how great this book is - every time I read it the Gospel becomes more real to me, as Paul explains how as Christians we are free from the law and can experience full life because of Jesus Christ. My current Bible-reading endeavor is to read it chronologically. I'm still in the first few chapters of Genesis, and as much as I really would like to stick to this summer reading plan, I'll let you know how successful I actually am.

If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. Romans 8:11


Happy summer!
Love, Kayla

the most beautiful story ever told | part 4

Ever wondered what questions 5th and 6th graders have about God? Well, here ya go...


- Why are there different religions?
- Where was God before creation?
- Did God create the angels?
- Why did God create the tree that made Adam & Eve powerful?
- Why didn't God take away their sin right away?
- If God can see the future, couldn't he change Adam & Eve sinning?
- Are humans going to become angels or are they a completely different species?
- Where is Heaven?
- Have angels sinned?
(and many, many more)


What a blessing it is to be able to (attempt to) answer some of their very practical, and often neglected, questions! (props to Miles who was on the hot seat and actually did the answering). These kids blow my mind a little more every week, and teach me a lot more than you think 11-year-olds would.


And now back to the Christmas story....

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is please!" When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go over the Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. Luke 2: 8-21, ESV

Merry Christmas from the Trip!

Happy studying! The end is near!
LOVE, Kayla