NYC

Well, I'm back from the east coast!  I didn't really know what to expect and what I found was quite different than anything you see in MN! :)  New York City is the busiest place I have ever been to in my life!  I thought that since I had been to London and Paris, that NYC wouldn't be much different, but man, was I wrong!  I think most of Europe, though large and densely populated, has a laid-back feel to it.  NYC was pure hustle and bustle and noise.  CRAZY.  Even though my senses were a wee-bit overwhelmed, my taste buds and eyes were extremely happy. :)  It's so great being in a city where white people are pretty much a minority and instead you get a taste of the world.  Everything is right at your fingertips.  You want great Chinese food?  Just take the subway to Chinatown.  Want great Italian?  Head to Little Italy.  It's so fun to see how everyone lives.  I got to go to the Metropolitan Art Museum and they had this great section on fashion throughout the years.  SO COOL.  (Sorry, some of the pics are blurry - it was quite dark and I didn't have a tripod.) :)

<Tin Foil - Yah. 

 <Try fitting through the door in this baby. 

<20's era - This was one of my favs.

<This dress had amazing detail; it must have taken forever to make it.  

<Snow boarding anyone? :)

<Heelless shoe. <Reminds me of the Spice Girls. :) :) :)

<The best traveling partner ever. (In my humble opinion.) :)

Currently Listening Great Choral Classics from King's Choir of King's College, Cambridge Miserere Mei, Deus see related

What have we done?

It's days like these I can almost taste it.  Complete freedom and happiness found only in the One who has saved us.  My heart aches to be with Him, the one who has given me Life.  Heaven, though it sometimes seems so far off, seems on days like these to be so close; yet beyond reach. 

I feel sick to my stomach as I think of what we are... Christians in America today.  I think of how far we have fallen.  Today we are worried about economic situations.  The American dollar has dropped so far in value that people in other countries find it cheaper to fly here and do their shopping and then return home.  We are murdering millions of unborn babies for the sake of our own happiness.  Our churches are selling coffee and performing on stage as to make the people in the congregation more comfortable as they come to "worship" God.  Christian's in America have become complacent; stale; lukewarm.  We sit in our big houses with our fancy cars being completely content in the treasures we are roosting on.  Our neighbors are on the highway to hell and we find it too troublesome to go and to try to persuade their death march in a different direction.  We worry about our fashion and our reputation - wanting the world to accept us and leave us in peace.  Yet there are people who have nothing and are struggling to survive - and we will not help.  We sit at work and listen to our coworkers slander our God, our Christ!  And as we listen, are not even in the slightest bit offended.  Yet even though we know it's wrong, we do not have the boldness to say anything in fear of offending them with the truth.  We love those we want to love and we hate everybody else.

What have we done? 

Through the hustle and bustle of life, in our efforts to have it all, we have lost everything.  In China, Christianity is growing at an enormous rate, even though the people who believe are abhorred.  In Africa and India, even though people are affronted with persecution and death, there are converting Christians every day.  These people have very little, but through their sufferings and their poorness, they see God and are brought nearer to Him.  They hear the whispers of mercy and see the miracles God performs each day - the very things that American's cannot see anymore, the very things our lives cover up.

Why are we living?  It's not to gain as much comfort and riches as possible - for that will do you no good when you are standing before the judgement throne.  Yet this is what we are doing!  Yes, I know America is dying economically - but Spiritually I think we are in even worse condition.  We have grown stagnant and have lost all grasp of what we need to be doing with the lives God has given us.  It's time that we changed our priorities, it's time the Church begins to work again, to breathe again, to live again.  WE ARE NOT LIVING LIFE FOR OURSELVES!  We have forgotten how to pray, we have become blissfully ignorant of all that surrounds us, we have become selfish and angry, we have forgotten what God has done for us.  I have fallen deeply into this sin - and thinking about it now, it makes me sick to my stomach.  I do not want to be like the servant in Matthew 25 who was trusted with the master's money and did nothing but bury it - for when his master returned, the lazy servant was cast out of his masters house into utter darkness.  Yet sadly, for many Americans who say they are Christians but do nothing - they will meet with the same end.  I fear that.  I do not want to face our Great God and be called worthless.  I urge you all, whether old or young, to change this!  We cannot be living these sorts of lives and still be called children of God.  The children of God know his heart and they do what he commands - which is to give up all worldly things and follow him.  And we will find peace in our Savior.

God, I'm so sorry.  Forgive us.  Have mercy on us.  Grant us your power and boldness and wisdom to fight against this disease of selfishness and complacency.  I know you hear our prayers and grant us every good thing - and I pray that you will change the church in America, guide our feet in the way of Righteousness, for Your name's sake.  Amen.

Amos 6: 1-7

1Woe to you who are complacent in Zion,
       and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria,
       you notable men of the foremost nation,
       to whom the people of Israel come!

 2 Go to Calneh and look at it;
       go from there to great Hamath,
       and then go down to Gath in Philistia.
       Are they better off than your two kingdoms?
       Is their land larger than yours?

 3 You put off the evil day
       and bring near a reign of terror.

 4 You lie on beds inlaid with ivory
       and lounge on your couches.
       You dine on choice lambs
       and fattened calves.

 5 You strum away on your harps like David
       and improvise on musical instruments.

 6 You drink wine by the bowlful
       and use the finest lotions,
       but you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.

 7 Therefore you will be among the first to go into exile;
       your feasting and lounging will end.

  Hello!

Not much happening.  Helping sweet Andrea with wedding stuff, enjoying family being around, loving the snow and enjoying the blessings of God.  Here are a few photo's of cats, flowers, etc.  That's all folks!

My dad got my mom flowers for her birthday.  So romantic. :)

Our crazy cats, Kitty and Max. :) (I know, they get waaaay too much camera time.  But they're always such willing models.)

A flower that Scott got me. :) :) :)

MUCH LOVE,

Kassy :)

Currently Listening A Charlie Brown Christmas: The Original Sound Track Recording Of The CBS Television Special By Vince Guaraldi Trio Linus and Lucy see related

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas!

I love it.  Saturday, December 1st we got our first snow.  It was so nice being trapped at home; with all scheduled plans postponed because of the weather.  I love how beautiful and clean the town looks after a good snow.  There is nothing like cuddling up with your loved ones, sipping on tea and watching those beautiful, sparkley flakes gently fall to the earth. *sigh*  When I snuggle in bed, and everything is nice and quiet because the snow deadens all of the noise; the neighbors lights are all glimmering and the peaceful night is not black, but light because the moonlight shimmers and reflects off of the snow.  This makes the bitter cold and crazy driving worth it. (In my humble opinion.) :)

Anyone ready for a barbecue?

As is usual around this time of year, the Oldies station is playing Christmas music 24/7 and since my car has no tape player and no cd player - I get to listen to Rockn' around the Christmas Tree, Santa Baby and Jingle Bell Rock several times a day.  I catch myself unknowingly bopping and tapping my toe to the Christmas songs floating around in my head.  Yesterday I got my Christmas list together and went off for a quite night of shopping.  I went to Hutchinson and as I entered the city all I could smell was Scotch Tape. ?  It must be the huge 3M plant there - hehehe, getting ready for the millions of gifts to be wrapped.  I on the other hand, am thanking the Lord for gift bags - for those of us who are unskilled in the area of wrapping paper . :)

Wow.  As I went from store to store - I felt so overwhelmed!  SALE!  BUY THIS!  BUY 20 GET ONE FREE! THE PERFECT GIFT!  THE PERFECT PRICE!  GET HIM WHAT HE REALLY WANTS! BUY THIS AND GET THIS PERFECTLY USELESS THING FOR ONLY $4!  I was just standing in the middle of the isle not knowing what to do.  My mind started spinning and I couldn't remember what I was supposed to get.  Before I knew it I was buying a sweater for my dog, Barky.  (That's right, I don't own a dog.)  GOOD GRIEF! 

I was so glad when I got home.  (With ONLY the things on my list, thank you very much!)  I think materialism and consumerism is a bigger problem than we like to admit.  Not to say that buying things is bad - but I find it is so hard to keep my priorities straight and to make room in a heart so crammed full of selfishness and wants for the most important things that seem to so easily be pushed aside.  It is so good to sit back and remember.  Remember the Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes (no scotch tape needed.)  To remember God's faithfulness in bringing family and friends together.  And to remember that He has been so good to us - each new year there are new stumbling blocks, new temptations, new heart aches.  But every year, God is faithful to bring us through and to bless us with gifts unimaginable to us.  We serve a Great God!!!

Kitty and Max say hello!

Happy Winter you guys!

Kassy :)

EDIT:

Went to Andrea's house for lunch today and got to take some pictures of these cuties!  Isabella and Karissa:

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!  Gosh, it has been a loooong time since I've written on Xanga.  Looks like it has been a long time for everyone.  (Who knows if there is even anyone around to read, but I will type to humor myself, I guess.)  Wow.  I just wanted to take a moment to say, what an awesome God we serve!  I am so thankful for all He has done in my life.  Though I am thankful for family, friends, food, home, work, church, a cozy bed, my two kitties :), etc. - I am most thankful that He has shown me why we are REALLY living.  Not for selfish gain, not for the pleasures and comforts of this world, not for fame, not even to be liked and loved!  We are living to serve our Father in Heaven.  Through the past few years it has become increasingly real to me that this world is not my home.  We are striving for a heavenly kingdom and a place in it.  Though it is nice to thank God for the blessing of this world, let us not forget that these are temporal things and we should be storing up lasting and permanent treasures in heaven.  Things that will not fade away.  I love C.S. Lewis' quote, "Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important."  Our faith is not just a certain part of our life, or an addition to our life, or a separate part of our life... it IS our life.  Thank God that we are living for a mighty and amazing purpose!  My prayer for you during this Thanksgiving season is that you will proclaim God's word with boldness, trust in His everlasting and unshakeable promises and serve your neighbor and your God in love.  This is why we're living - Praise God!  Galatians 5:13 "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Much love,  Kassy :)