Hmm... this one makes me think even more than yesterday.
The first one I would say would be I am fiercely loyal. If you are a friend or family or someone close to me it takes something major that would change my loyalty. I would stick my neck out for you and defend you to the death.
The second one is my inner strength. Many times and many years have gone by and in the past I would say that I wasn't strong but I look back at what I have had to deal with at such a young age that I know that it is God who gives me the inner strength to lean on Him and to have made it through so much.
The third one is that I tend to see the best of anyone. I try to see the best thing about anyone I meet really until that person gives me a reason not to.
Daisypath Anniversary tickers
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Saturday, February 14, 2015
Day 5 My Guilty Pleasure
I really had to think about this one and I would say it is getting pedicures. I got my first one about 7 years ago and its been a bad habit ever since. It is so nice to be pampered that way. I love it and I know its an expensive way to get your toenails painted and before I got my first one I would have never ever thought in a million years I would be that girl that spends money doing it. For me it is one way that I can take time for myself and I don't have to go get anyone or go anywhere or be needed it really in that time is all about me. Now that we have moved to Iowa they have definitely not been as frequent but I do enjoy them when we go back to Florida. It's just not the same having your toes done than having to cover them up with tennis shoes or boots. In Florida you can get away with wearing flip flops just about year around.
I would also say in the fast few days another guilty pleasure would be my blog. I have neglected it badly in the almost 5 years I have had it and so I decided this year I would make the time and effort to put into it. Thus the 31 day challenge. I hope to continue doing my blog and maybe will just start doing 30-31 day challenges every month. I have been enjoying the past few days.
I would also say in the fast few days another guilty pleasure would be my blog. I have neglected it badly in the almost 5 years I have had it and so I decided this year I would make the time and effort to put into it. Thus the 31 day challenge. I hope to continue doing my blog and maybe will just start doing 30-31 day challenges every month. I have been enjoying the past few days.
Friday, February 13, 2015
Day 4 Earliest Childhood Memory
My earliest childhood memory...
That is hard I remember the earliest time frame would be when I was around 3 maybe 2 but closer to 3. We lived in the house that my dad grew up in in Cleveland Ohio. I was about 3 1/2 years old when we moved out of that house but I do remember certain things in that house like my bedroom. It had tile floor in it and I would climb up on these shelves my dad made and sit there and many times as I was climbing they would fall over on me and I would cry; eventually my parents would punish me for doing it instead of comforting me because they had told me so many times to stop doing it. I also remember being in the backyard and finding a birds nest in a tree and bringing it in and putting it in a box on our kitchen table and going back later and opening it and looking at it. I also remember getting in a lot of trouble because a friend I had over convinced me to open up my bean bag chair and take all the little beans out of it. Those things are so hard to get cleaned up anyways on carpet let alone on a tile floor. To say my mom was not happy would be an understatement. I don't think that friend was allowed back over if she was we weren't allowed in my room.
In the back yard of this house there was a little house that my dads dad lived in and I remember being in it only once. I do remember though my grandpa came out the door yelling once that if my dad couldn't get our swing set to be quiet and stop squeaking he was going to take his chainsaw to it and cut it down. (my grandpa was a little rough around the edges) I also remember being in my parents room once in that house and a few other vague memories about that time. My memory comes more into play later that year as I got closer to 4. I remember moving over to our new house and helping my mom who was greatly pregnant at the time with my little brother get all my older brothers stuff moved downstairs to his room to make the upstairs room ready for the baby. I have a lot of memories in that house.
That is hard I remember the earliest time frame would be when I was around 3 maybe 2 but closer to 3. We lived in the house that my dad grew up in in Cleveland Ohio. I was about 3 1/2 years old when we moved out of that house but I do remember certain things in that house like my bedroom. It had tile floor in it and I would climb up on these shelves my dad made and sit there and many times as I was climbing they would fall over on me and I would cry; eventually my parents would punish me for doing it instead of comforting me because they had told me so many times to stop doing it. I also remember being in the backyard and finding a birds nest in a tree and bringing it in and putting it in a box on our kitchen table and going back later and opening it and looking at it. I also remember getting in a lot of trouble because a friend I had over convinced me to open up my bean bag chair and take all the little beans out of it. Those things are so hard to get cleaned up anyways on carpet let alone on a tile floor. To say my mom was not happy would be an understatement. I don't think that friend was allowed back over if she was we weren't allowed in my room.
In the back yard of this house there was a little house that my dads dad lived in and I remember being in it only once. I do remember though my grandpa came out the door yelling once that if my dad couldn't get our swing set to be quiet and stop squeaking he was going to take his chainsaw to it and cut it down. (my grandpa was a little rough around the edges) I also remember being in my parents room once in that house and a few other vague memories about that time. My memory comes more into play later that year as I got closer to 4. I remember moving over to our new house and helping my mom who was greatly pregnant at the time with my little brother get all my older brothers stuff moved downstairs to his room to make the upstairs room ready for the baby. I have a lot of memories in that house.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Day 3 ... Meaning of my Business Name.
Well I don't have a business so I decided to change this one up and give the meaning of my name Jeremys name and the names we have picked out for our children.
My Name is Katherine Elizabeth
Katherine means- Pure and consecrated to God
Elizabeth means- Beloved or Oath of God
Jeremy's name is Jeremy Lee
Jeremy means- Exalted of the Lord
Lee means- Pasture or Meadow
We have 3 names picked out for our children
Gideon Jeremiah
Gideon means- Mighty Warrior
Jeremiah means- Whom God has Chosen
Judah Isaiah
Judah means- Praise
Isaiah means- The salvation of the Lord
Zoe Grace
Zoe means- Abundant Life
Grace means- Unmerited Favor
When I was younger I really came to understand that words are powerful and our names are words and that when you name your children to be careful because that is what you are speaking over your child everyday and it can be a curse or a blessing. My mom always said had she realized this before she had us kids that she would have definitely looked and maybe researched more before picking our names but my brothers and I ended up with some powerful meaning names. Since I realized what power names have I researched carefully any names I liked for my kids before I was married. Each one of the names Jeremy and I have picked out have all come to us either from something God spoke to us about our children or out of a time of testing. Jeremy and I are not sure how our children will come to us whether by personal pregnancy or all by adoption but we know that God has powerful plans for all of our children even if there is more than the 3 we have named above. God is in control of our family and we know he will bring the babies when and how many we are suppose to have and give us the wisdom and guidance to raise them and to know when we are done having babies.
My Name is Katherine Elizabeth
Katherine means- Pure and consecrated to God
Elizabeth means- Beloved or Oath of God
Jeremy's name is Jeremy Lee
Jeremy means- Exalted of the Lord
Lee means- Pasture or Meadow
We have 3 names picked out for our children
Gideon Jeremiah
Gideon means- Mighty Warrior
Jeremiah means- Whom God has Chosen
Judah Isaiah
Judah means- Praise
Isaiah means- The salvation of the Lord
Zoe Grace
Zoe means- Abundant Life
Grace means- Unmerited Favor
When I was younger I really came to understand that words are powerful and our names are words and that when you name your children to be careful because that is what you are speaking over your child everyday and it can be a curse or a blessing. My mom always said had she realized this before she had us kids that she would have definitely looked and maybe researched more before picking our names but my brothers and I ended up with some powerful meaning names. Since I realized what power names have I researched carefully any names I liked for my kids before I was married. Each one of the names Jeremy and I have picked out have all come to us either from something God spoke to us about our children or out of a time of testing. Jeremy and I are not sure how our children will come to us whether by personal pregnancy or all by adoption but we know that God has powerful plans for all of our children even if there is more than the 3 we have named above. God is in control of our family and we know he will bring the babies when and how many we are suppose to have and give us the wisdom and guidance to raise them and to know when we are done having babies.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
30 by 30 revamped!
Small break from my 31 Day Challenge.
So today I was looking through my pas blog entries and came across this one. I started reading through it and I was like man it has been 2 years and I don't think I can really check any of these off; which makes me sad in a way but I think about these goals and since I am a year away from my 30th birthday I think I can still make some of these happen. So here are some incorporated from the last one and some new ones.
The ones I can think that are pretty much completed are these:
Have the ministry self-sufficient.
*For the most part it is in fact I can't remember when we last had to pay a bill for the ministry although we are far from where we want to be we are growing by God's grace every month; in fact we have been able to take a small salary from the ministry and also been able to bless people who have been in need a few different times this past year.
Have dream house plans picked out.
*Funny thing about that. I don't think Jeremy and I will ever build a house but we bought a dream house in August of '14, so I think I can consider this one done.
Buy new pots and pans.
*Did this for my christmas present 2013. Definitely needed to do this.
Buy a mac laptop
*I am pretty sure we bought a mac laptop since writing this list, however it was a used one and I don't even know where it is because it had to be plugged in all the time and we just didnt have a good place to put a laptop that had to be plugged in all the time at this point.
Buy a never been driven before totally new vehicle.
*The plan for this one is to have it bought in the next couple of months. So this one is half way done. we have the car picked out just waiting to get the rest of the money and we will be good to go.
4 1/2 out of 30 kinda stinks, so heres to a better year of accomplishment. Maybe cutting down too on my list for now will help. I can always add to it later
So today I was looking through my pas blog entries and came across this one. I started reading through it and I was like man it has been 2 years and I don't think I can really check any of these off; which makes me sad in a way but I think about these goals and since I am a year away from my 30th birthday I think I can still make some of these happen. So here are some incorporated from the last one and some new ones.
The ones I can think that are pretty much completed are these:
Have the ministry self-sufficient.
*For the most part it is in fact I can't remember when we last had to pay a bill for the ministry although we are far from where we want to be we are growing by God's grace every month; in fact we have been able to take a small salary from the ministry and also been able to bless people who have been in need a few different times this past year.
Have dream house plans picked out.
*Funny thing about that. I don't think Jeremy and I will ever build a house but we bought a dream house in August of '14, so I think I can consider this one done.
Buy new pots and pans.
*Did this for my christmas present 2013. Definitely needed to do this.
Buy a mac laptop
*I am pretty sure we bought a mac laptop since writing this list, however it was a used one and I don't even know where it is because it had to be plugged in all the time and we just didnt have a good place to put a laptop that had to be plugged in all the time at this point.
Buy a never been driven before totally new vehicle.
*The plan for this one is to have it bought in the next couple of months. So this one is half way done. we have the car picked out just waiting to get the rest of the money and we will be good to go.
4 1/2 out of 30 kinda stinks, so heres to a better year of accomplishment. Maybe cutting down too on my list for now will help. I can always add to it later
- Walk a 5K
- See Jeremy healed (that one is out of my control and in God's hands)
- Become a notary
- Get my florist license
- Read 25 new books that I have never read so any suggestions appreciated
- Start the adoption process
- Get Healthy
- Plan a vacation to somewhere we have never been
- Go to Ohio
- Update wedding rings for each other
- Finish getting the house unpacked and painted/decorated
- Read the Bible 6 times
- learn to knit
- learn to crochet more
- Build our savings
- develop new friendships
- Blog at least 10x a month
- Try a new recipe every week
Day 2... 20 Facts About Me!
- Today is my birthday 2-11 I am 29 years old
- I have 5 siblings
- I love to read anything and everything (seriously I would read the cereal boxes in the morning just so I could read something as a kid)
- I have been married for 5 years this October
- When I was little I named my pets after food (popcorn the goldfish, and pancakes the cat)
- I currently live the farthest north of all my siblings
- I am horrible at being surprised doesn't matter I always figure it out (just ask Jeremy) I think the only time he really surprised me was our first married Christmas he bought me a necklace and I wasn't expecting it
- Molly is the first dog that I have ever owned
- I use to want 10 kids now 4 is the most I think I want
- I have always wanted to open and own my own florist shop
- I was 16 when my little sister was born (I always wanted a sister growing up; I had severe denial when my little brother was in his way)
- I am the second oldest female in my family (only my granny is older than myself)
- I graduated as salutatorian of my high school class (it was awarded on a point system and I just barely missed valedictorian)
- I have moved 13 times in 29 years and none of it was for the military
- I am the 3rd generation of my dads side of the family to be born in America (my great grandpa came over from Ireland before my grandpa was ever born)
- I have always wanted to adopt
- I was a pastors kid
- I love my in-laws (no messy mother in law/daughter in law drama here)
- I want to travel to Ireland (dream vacation)
- I once wrote a multi chapter childrens book about a bear named macaroni and a little girl lost in the woods.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
31 Day challenge... Day 1 introduction
So starting off my 31 day challenge. Day one is an introduction
How to introduce myself...Well yall know my name so lets skip that step. LOL Well just a little background I was born in Michigan, but I have lived in Ohio, Florida, and Iowa. I have been married for almost 4 1/2 years to Jeremy and we live in Iowa with our dog Molly. We moved here in June of 2014. I love being back up north and Jeremy loves living here for the first time in his life. He was born and raised in Florida where we moved from. My parents and older brother and younger sisters and Jeremy's parents still live there.
Since moving to Iowa I have rediscovered some of my favorite diy projects. Things like sewing and photography, and I started working on our dining room table to strip it and refinish it. It definitely needs some TLC.Well I guess thats a good introduction for now... Keep checking back for the rest of my 31 day challenge.
How to introduce myself...Well yall know my name so lets skip that step. LOL Well just a little background I was born in Michigan, but I have lived in Ohio, Florida, and Iowa. I have been married for almost 4 1/2 years to Jeremy and we live in Iowa with our dog Molly. We moved here in June of 2014. I love being back up north and Jeremy loves living here for the first time in his life. He was born and raised in Florida where we moved from. My parents and older brother and younger sisters and Jeremy's parents still live there.
Since moving to Iowa I have rediscovered some of my favorite diy projects. Things like sewing and photography, and I started working on our dining room table to strip it and refinish it. It definitely needs some TLC.Well I guess thats a good introduction for now... Keep checking back for the rest of my 31 day challenge.
Monday, February 9, 2015
Friday, February 6, 2015
The Real Deal...
So 15 minutes before you head out the door to church is not the greatest time to start a blog post but hey you grab the time you get and for me its very far and few between. I read blogs all the time from women who have full time jobs, kids, full time jobs with kids, some have full time jobs, kids, and go to school full time or part time, and here I am sitting here married with a dog. Like "Okay Katie get it together there are women out there that are doing more things and blog way more. However I know that everyone's situation is different and people make different priorities (not saying anything bad about making blogging a priority). I have been so encouraged lately though by a blog that I don't even remember how I found but it has done my heart so much good because its the real deal. Click here to read it Dana has had so many encouraging posts that have done so much good for my heart and soul and lets me know I am not alone. However it has also challenged me to become the Real Deal. To reach out and talk more about our marriage and the obstacles that come with it and the way we have to do things differently and to know I am not crazy to feel overwhelmed with things arise. In an interdependent marriage someone is left with a bigger load to carry and even if you have a health aid it doesn't necessarily eliminate it all. Sometimes you just get overwhelmed.
For Jeremy and I we really haven't had any consistency other than be crazy busy and having people live with us since we have been married. I think out of 3 1/2 years we have had 6 months were it was just us in the house us and the dog. However consistency is key in a marriage like ours I am sure in others too but I can only speak for my marriage. Things I have learned in the past 4 years (with an interdependent marriage) is that you have to keep a very loose schedule which doesn't really work in our able bodied focused world. While we strive to keep to a schedule and not run late its always when something major happens like a wire breaks, body functions go awry yes tmi but our marriage has been a journey has included a ton of tmi moments. Another thing is that no matter what as the able bodied partner you have two wear 2 different hats you have to wear a caretaker hat and you have to wear the spouse hat. There are so many times that it is hard or impossible to switch from caretaker to spouse in a heartbeat.
Obviously a lot of time has passed since this blog was first started and so much has changed since this. We have sold our house moved across the country and bought a house and are settling in. We also hired an aide for Jeremy. It has been wonderful and it has really helped our marriage a lot. I am not having to switch hats so often any more and its been nice to feel some doors open again that I thought had been shut forever without an aid. I still plan on being the real deal in my blogs and living a more transparent life in regards to a interdependent marriage. For now though I just will post this and leave it at that.
Obviously a lot of time has passed since this blog was first started and so much has changed since this. We have sold our house moved across the country and bought a house and are settling in. We also hired an aide for Jeremy. It has been wonderful and it has really helped our marriage a lot. I am not having to switch hats so often any more and its been nice to feel some doors open again that I thought had been shut forever without an aid. I still plan on being the real deal in my blogs and living a more transparent life in regards to a interdependent marriage. For now though I just will post this and leave it at that.
Blog Revamp
Time to revamp my blog. Not sure what I will be doing or where it will be going. However I know that blogging will become important to me again. See yall soon!
Monday, June 2, 2014
Home sale!
I realized I had several blogs half written so now I am updating them real quick while I have a chance. A lot has changed.
We are now 3 months into the house selling gig and one thing that I am pretty confident on is that We are never ever doing this again. Selling is not for the faint of heart. You have to be tough of nails and expect to spend tons of money just to make other people happy. Or at least that is our experience. Our house is 30+ years old not very old but just the same, things shift and change over 30 years. We have poured tens of thousands of dollars into the house just to keep it functional and have not had any time to update anything. So yes our house needs updating. The kitchen and 2 of the bathrooms are original to the house from 30 years ago and lets just say lots of things have changed in 30 years especially when it comes to house design. However our home is functional and all the appliances work.
We took our house off the market for a month and we painted and rearranged and emptied out about 2 1/2 rooms and the very first showing we had they put in an offer and we accepted and went into contract. Again I reitterate that selling a home is not for the faint of heart or for someone with no patience. I have definitely had a lesson in patience the past couple of months.
Now it is June and we close on our house in 3 weeks. Yes 3 weeks. Its crazy times around here getting everything packed and straightened up. We have our WDO inspection today and than the buyers have to schedule their survey and than its waiting for closing day to come. We are using a 1-800 packrat moving container and they are delivering it June 20th and picking it back up June 23rd. Jeremy has a friend that is driving with him up to Iowa and they are leaving with Molly on the 22nd and than I fly out the 24rth. I have to be there to sign for when they pick up the moving container and I don't want to try and cordinate a pickup and a flight the same day as I have time restraints when I get to Iowa due to when my grandma can pick me up so I am flying the 24rth. Once we get up there we will unload the container into our storage unit and then it will be the fun part of house hunting and spending time going to auctions, yard sales, plugging into the community, they have music in the square which will be fun to go do. We will get to Iowa in time for 4rth of July picnics and fire works. We are excited to move on with this chapter in our life and yet at the same time sad as we move away from family and friends and knowing that we will miss them.
Now off to go pack...
We are now 3 months into the house selling gig and one thing that I am pretty confident on is that We are never ever doing this again. Selling is not for the faint of heart. You have to be tough of nails and expect to spend tons of money just to make other people happy. Or at least that is our experience. Our house is 30+ years old not very old but just the same, things shift and change over 30 years. We have poured tens of thousands of dollars into the house just to keep it functional and have not had any time to update anything. So yes our house needs updating. The kitchen and 2 of the bathrooms are original to the house from 30 years ago and lets just say lots of things have changed in 30 years especially when it comes to house design. However our home is functional and all the appliances work.
We took our house off the market for a month and we painted and rearranged and emptied out about 2 1/2 rooms and the very first showing we had they put in an offer and we accepted and went into contract. Again I reitterate that selling a home is not for the faint of heart or for someone with no patience. I have definitely had a lesson in patience the past couple of months.
Now it is June and we close on our house in 3 weeks. Yes 3 weeks. Its crazy times around here getting everything packed and straightened up. We have our WDO inspection today and than the buyers have to schedule their survey and than its waiting for closing day to come. We are using a 1-800 packrat moving container and they are delivering it June 20th and picking it back up June 23rd. Jeremy has a friend that is driving with him up to Iowa and they are leaving with Molly on the 22nd and than I fly out the 24rth. I have to be there to sign for when they pick up the moving container and I don't want to try and cordinate a pickup and a flight the same day as I have time restraints when I get to Iowa due to when my grandma can pick me up so I am flying the 24rth. Once we get up there we will unload the container into our storage unit and then it will be the fun part of house hunting and spending time going to auctions, yard sales, plugging into the community, they have music in the square which will be fun to go do. We will get to Iowa in time for 4rth of July picnics and fire works. We are excited to move on with this chapter in our life and yet at the same time sad as we move away from family and friends and knowing that we will miss them.
Now off to go pack...
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
AN Update on whats going on
The easiest way to do this is to just copy our newsletter that our ministry just sent out to let everyone know whats been going on and everything that is changing.
Greetings In the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
I (Katie) am writing you today to let you know about some exciting changes happening in Pastor Jeremy and I’s life as well as changes to Jesus Saves International Ministries. We are very excited about the changes coming in the next few months and years.
Personally, Pastor Jeremy and I (Katie) are excited to announce we are moving to Iowa. This was a long thought out process. The idea of moving to Iowa was put on our hearts 3 years ago when we went to visit right before we were married in the fall of 2010. We have patiently waited for doors to open if this was the right decision. Fast forward to June of 2013 and the biggest obstacle standing in our way was removed in such a way that only God could have done it. We are excited to step into this new chapter in our lives and everything that God has for us.
Changes for Jesus Saves are amazing and scary and faith filled all at the same time. The first change is we brought Pastor Juan onto our board of Directors as our Chief Financial Officer. We also are able to hire Pastor Juan as an office assistant. Pastor Juan served as assistant youth pastor at Harvest Christian Center until 2014. He also has several years of ministry experience. Angela will be stepping down from our board after 2 years of faithful service. The biggest change goes hand in hand with us moving to Iowa. Pastor Jeremy and I have been praying about how God would use us in Iowa and the new community we will be in. That’s when God began to lay a vision on our heart for the community and how we can reach out and minister in a very real and tangible way.
The vision God has laid on both of our hearts is to open up a community center. We are looking at a building that is currently empty and has been empty for a couple of years. It is a 10,000+ sq ft building with a gymnasium, commercial kitchen, showers, and several classrooms. It is currently zoned as residential which would allow for “civic” activities. We are currently in contact with a local building official who is helping us figure out what we are allowed to do without having to change the zoning and would allow us to live on the campus. The reasoning for us living on campus is two-fold and that is one to be able to watch over the building and two; security. Also depending on how we purchase the building one option is to use the money from the sale of our house to buy the building which is why we would also live on campus. The second option would be to try and get a grant to purchase the building. Right now we are looking into grants. I have been talking to a friend who wrote grants as a job and they were honest and let us know that it is almost impossible to find grants large enough to purchase the building. We also would like to get a grant that would help with payroll and expenses for the first year or at least until we can gain some income from the community building. The payroll grant would go to Pastor Juan as he is prayerfully considering joining us in Iowa and partnering with us in running the community center. He would also live on campus as the 24 hr maintenance man.
Two things you can do for us right now; Number 1 pray, pray, pray, it’s the most important thing; Number 2 is donate money. We hate always asking for money but unfortunately ministry takes money and God has given us big dreams and visions. We know God can provide for what He calls us to do and we know that ultimately He is who will sustain us. I know God never gives vision without provision. Thank you so much for your prayers we covet them daily. Thank you for your support; your funds go to support sending out our daily devotions right now and also sending out salvation packets via mail or email. We truly couldn’t do it without you. You are our biggest partners.
As always please feel free to email anyone of us with any questions.
Pastor Jeremy: jlempie@jesussavestoday.com
Katie Empie: kempie@jesussavestoday.com
Pastor Juan: jlagrandeur@jesussavestoday.com
Until All Hear His Name,
Pastor Jeremy & Katie
Pastor Juan
Greetings In the Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
I (Katie) am writing you today to let you know about some exciting changes happening in Pastor Jeremy and I’s life as well as changes to Jesus Saves International Ministries. We are very excited about the changes coming in the next few months and years.
Personally, Pastor Jeremy and I (Katie) are excited to announce we are moving to Iowa. This was a long thought out process. The idea of moving to Iowa was put on our hearts 3 years ago when we went to visit right before we were married in the fall of 2010. We have patiently waited for doors to open if this was the right decision. Fast forward to June of 2013 and the biggest obstacle standing in our way was removed in such a way that only God could have done it. We are excited to step into this new chapter in our lives and everything that God has for us.
Changes for Jesus Saves are amazing and scary and faith filled all at the same time. The first change is we brought Pastor Juan onto our board of Directors as our Chief Financial Officer. We also are able to hire Pastor Juan as an office assistant. Pastor Juan served as assistant youth pastor at Harvest Christian Center until 2014. He also has several years of ministry experience. Angela will be stepping down from our board after 2 years of faithful service. The biggest change goes hand in hand with us moving to Iowa. Pastor Jeremy and I have been praying about how God would use us in Iowa and the new community we will be in. That’s when God began to lay a vision on our heart for the community and how we can reach out and minister in a very real and tangible way.
The vision God has laid on both of our hearts is to open up a community center. We are looking at a building that is currently empty and has been empty for a couple of years. It is a 10,000+ sq ft building with a gymnasium, commercial kitchen, showers, and several classrooms. It is currently zoned as residential which would allow for “civic” activities. We are currently in contact with a local building official who is helping us figure out what we are allowed to do without having to change the zoning and would allow us to live on the campus. The reasoning for us living on campus is two-fold and that is one to be able to watch over the building and two; security. Also depending on how we purchase the building one option is to use the money from the sale of our house to buy the building which is why we would also live on campus. The second option would be to try and get a grant to purchase the building. Right now we are looking into grants. I have been talking to a friend who wrote grants as a job and they were honest and let us know that it is almost impossible to find grants large enough to purchase the building. We also would like to get a grant that would help with payroll and expenses for the first year or at least until we can gain some income from the community building. The payroll grant would go to Pastor Juan as he is prayerfully considering joining us in Iowa and partnering with us in running the community center. He would also live on campus as the 24 hr maintenance man.
Two things you can do for us right now; Number 1 pray, pray, pray, it’s the most important thing; Number 2 is donate money. We hate always asking for money but unfortunately ministry takes money and God has given us big dreams and visions. We know God can provide for what He calls us to do and we know that ultimately He is who will sustain us. I know God never gives vision without provision. Thank you so much for your prayers we covet them daily. Thank you for your support; your funds go to support sending out our daily devotions right now and also sending out salvation packets via mail or email. We truly couldn’t do it without you. You are our biggest partners.
As always please feel free to email anyone of us with any questions.
Pastor Jeremy: jlempie@jesussavestoday.com
Katie Empie: kempie@jesussavestoday.com
Pastor Juan: jlagrandeur@jesussavestoday.com
Until All Hear His Name,
Pastor Jeremy & Katie
Pastor Juan
Thursday, February 6, 2014
...
Not even sure how to label this blog or if for sure I will share it or if I do share it allow comments. So much going through my mind lately. I feel overwhelmed, under appreciated, and stressed out. So in the past two months we have had some pretty severe freezing weather, especially for us Floridians. I am talking like the high getting into the 20's and 30's with nights dropping into the teens. Of course this means high power bills and freezing pipes. Oh this year both times we have had the freezing weather we have had pipes freeze and bust on us to the sum of close to $400. Of course insurance or home warranty doesn't cover any of this expense and we are trying to get our emergency fund fully funded once again but with all of this coming up its been a little hard. Not to mention that this afternoon a wire broke on my husbands powerchair not only is this wire vital for the chair to even work its cost $300 to replace. So in the past month we have had about $700 dollars of unexpected expense come up we also have 2 yearly bills come due in February our termite protection and car tag renewal so there was also another $350 roughly that comes out in Jan-Feb budget. We are also in the process of selling our house and it seems like we cant please any buyers and now it looks like there will have to be some painting done some work done that isn't necessary in the sense that its not any repairs but just so people can see that concept that the house once had a second kitchen located on the opposite side of the house. Hindsight being 20/20 we should have never converted the second kitchen that was being used into a studio to record devotions for radio stations, however we didn't know we would be moving so soon after doing this.
Something I never really talk about is all the extra work that goes into taking care of Jeremy, now don't get me wrong I don't ever regret my decision to marry him or any of the stuff that I have to do for him, but there are days that would be nice to be able to afford a caretaker just for a few hours. However insurance doesn't cover home health care and for us to be able to afford it right now would mean I have to go find a job and than the only thing my job would pay for is the home health care that we wouldn't need if I wasn't working. Its a vicious cycle. Our hope is that in Iowa we will be able to afford it with everything else that is going down, like car insurance, home owners insurance, power, groceries, health insurance, gas. It's amazing the differences. Also I would be able to run a daycare out of our house if I chose too and be my own boss and set my hours as such. When I lived there last time there was a lot of help financially for those who ran their own daycare out of their house so it would be interesting to see if that help is still available. Sometimes there are days I wonder how much more can I take and really unless you have walked in my shoes no comments are needed. I never talk about this because no one around here understands our situation and honestly I pray you never have to be in our situation where you become the primary caregiver to your spouse. While marriage is hard in general being in an interdependent marriage is not for the weak of heart. I have found a couple of blogs that have definitely helped a lot. One I recently stumbled on has been so encouraging. No matter how many blogs I found and no matter how much I read ultimately every situation is different and only you can take what will work for you. One thing for us is that late nights and late mornings work a lot better for us. I don't try to plan anything for us to be anywhere before 10. Even if we have to be somewhere at 10 it means getting up around 730 to get myself dressed and showered and than getting Jeremy up dressed feed and coffee and everything he might need and than its time to walk out the door. It also can limit our ability to do things last minute as it takes more for us to just drop and go especially right now without a wheelchair vehicle which will be remedied next year. Its a crazy schedule and not many people don't understand it. It's okay to for people not to understand but its hard to hear well meaning questions like well what do you do? I do a lot up until recently I was full time caretaker for Jeremy, full time babysitter for my 3 nieces, trying to run a house, run an office (my official title with our ministry is office manager), be a wife, volunteer at church and keep it all together. Doesn't leave a whole lot for myself. As a woman and someone who has a care giver attitude its hard to make sure I am taken care of. Theres a lot that goes into that. It usually means making sure we have someone lined up to feed Jeremy if necessary depending on what I am doing or making sure I am done by a certain if Jeremy has somewhere to go as he can't take himself. I know there are a lot of things that frustrate Jeremy as well and I don't discredit them and I don't say this to get sympathy and honestly I don't want but I am also not saying this to get tips or criticism I don't want those either. I know that God has put Jeremy and I together there is no doubt in my mind and dreams I never thought would happen are happening and they are happening all in God's timing with Jeremy. I know this is a lot of rambling and probably not a lot put together and all but this has been a lot of the thoughts going through my mind lately and they are exhausting. I am just praying to make it through this season and I am ready for the next season.
I end this blog by saying so much has changed over the past year and it has been hard and rough but I am excited about whats just around the corner for us. We know God has huge plans for us and we are excited to see how it is all going to work out.
Something I never really talk about is all the extra work that goes into taking care of Jeremy, now don't get me wrong I don't ever regret my decision to marry him or any of the stuff that I have to do for him, but there are days that would be nice to be able to afford a caretaker just for a few hours. However insurance doesn't cover home health care and for us to be able to afford it right now would mean I have to go find a job and than the only thing my job would pay for is the home health care that we wouldn't need if I wasn't working. Its a vicious cycle. Our hope is that in Iowa we will be able to afford it with everything else that is going down, like car insurance, home owners insurance, power, groceries, health insurance, gas. It's amazing the differences. Also I would be able to run a daycare out of our house if I chose too and be my own boss and set my hours as such. When I lived there last time there was a lot of help financially for those who ran their own daycare out of their house so it would be interesting to see if that help is still available. Sometimes there are days I wonder how much more can I take and really unless you have walked in my shoes no comments are needed. I never talk about this because no one around here understands our situation and honestly I pray you never have to be in our situation where you become the primary caregiver to your spouse. While marriage is hard in general being in an interdependent marriage is not for the weak of heart. I have found a couple of blogs that have definitely helped a lot. One I recently stumbled on has been so encouraging. No matter how many blogs I found and no matter how much I read ultimately every situation is different and only you can take what will work for you. One thing for us is that late nights and late mornings work a lot better for us. I don't try to plan anything for us to be anywhere before 10. Even if we have to be somewhere at 10 it means getting up around 730 to get myself dressed and showered and than getting Jeremy up dressed feed and coffee and everything he might need and than its time to walk out the door. It also can limit our ability to do things last minute as it takes more for us to just drop and go especially right now without a wheelchair vehicle which will be remedied next year. Its a crazy schedule and not many people don't understand it. It's okay to for people not to understand but its hard to hear well meaning questions like well what do you do? I do a lot up until recently I was full time caretaker for Jeremy, full time babysitter for my 3 nieces, trying to run a house, run an office (my official title with our ministry is office manager), be a wife, volunteer at church and keep it all together. Doesn't leave a whole lot for myself. As a woman and someone who has a care giver attitude its hard to make sure I am taken care of. Theres a lot that goes into that. It usually means making sure we have someone lined up to feed Jeremy if necessary depending on what I am doing or making sure I am done by a certain if Jeremy has somewhere to go as he can't take himself. I know there are a lot of things that frustrate Jeremy as well and I don't discredit them and I don't say this to get sympathy and honestly I don't want but I am also not saying this to get tips or criticism I don't want those either. I know that God has put Jeremy and I together there is no doubt in my mind and dreams I never thought would happen are happening and they are happening all in God's timing with Jeremy. I know this is a lot of rambling and probably not a lot put together and all but this has been a lot of the thoughts going through my mind lately and they are exhausting. I am just praying to make it through this season and I am ready for the next season.
I end this blog by saying so much has changed over the past year and it has been hard and rough but I am excited about whats just around the corner for us. We know God has huge plans for us and we are excited to see how it is all going to work out.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Christmas Recap...
As far back as I can remember I have always loved Christmas. Growing up we always decorated the day after Thanksgiving since I have been married I have decorated starting the first of November. This year however I have not been in the mood to decorate or to do a lot. It took me until the 23rd to even finish all my Christmas shopping and I still felt like I was forgetting people. I am actually kinda of looking forward to even taking the decorations down. I really explain it. Maybe its because I have been doing so much work to get things packed up and put away so we can show the house and get it sold that pulling out more stuff didn't really make any sense. However we did have a wonderful Christmas. We spent Christmas morning with Jeremy's parents and ate lunch with them. We were able to skype with Jeremy's brother in Oregon before we headed out to my parents house for Christmas with my aunts and uncles and cousins and nieces and sister in law. My older brother wasnt able to make it home this christmas from starting his new job as a truck driver. My in-laws on top of helping us pack a lot of our stuff, cleaned our roof, and power washed our drive way they also paid for a two night getaway at a hotel or condo of our choice. Jeremy and I took advantage of that and we spent two nights at the Hilton Garden Inn and we were able to have a nice quiet couple of days. We were able to catch up on Scandal. It was nice and quiet. I know the days are coming to close much to soon where we will have a house full of kids for now but sometimes its nice to get away. We got back today and I think I am coming down with a cold not fun. I feel tired and have a scratchy sore throat. I am hoping I can go to church in the morning seems like forever since I have been in church.
Friday, December 13, 2013
CH..CH..CH..Changes
So I got on here and realized I haven't blogged since February. My bad! I wish I could say it was because I was so busy traveling the world or going to school or changing the world in what people would consider big ways. However in my last blog it seems like so much has happened and changed. In June my brother and sister in law and 3 nieces moved in while they were looking for a new place to live. It's been an experience of having a full house after it being just Jeremy and I for a few months. It's had a lot of ups and a couple of downs. Good prep for when we have kids. I don't think I have ever looked forward so much to school starting than I did this year. I even enjoyed school as a kid but never wanted it to come as bad as this year. The girls are doing great in school. This year was Maddie's first year in school can't believe she is old enough to go to school she did good in pre k however this year was more of a big deal as it was kindergarten. (not to discredit pre k teachers and what they do)
Jeremy and I took a very much needed trip this fall to see my family in Iowa. We had been there 3 years ago for a family reunion and a wedding shower for us. However it had been over a year since we had a vacation. This was also the first time we had been anywhere that it was only Jeremy and I traveling together. We stayed with family in Iowa and enjoyed an mostly unplugged couple of weeks. We were blessed to be able to go back 3 weeks later for our anniversary. It was another relaxing mostly unplugged almost 2 more weeks. While there God really confirmed a lot to Jeremy and I. A huge door was opened earlier this year for a dream God had given both of us 3 years ago. God has continued to confirm to us that this is the right direction of for us to... move to Iowa. We are very excited about the change that is happening and we are excited for the new season and chapter in our lives. We are not sure when we will be moving as we will have to sell our current house before we move. We have contacted a real estate agent and just got all the paperwork to sign to set up a listing. We are just waiting on a repair estimate/completion before we list.
So even though I haven't posted this I have some updated information. Our relator has come by and we have decided on selling our house as is and keeping an acre for future plans or purposes. We are excited for this next chapter in our lives. Over the next few weeks and months as you think of us please say a prayer as moving can be stressful but when one of you is limited in what you can do it is even more stressful.
So even though I haven't posted this I have some updated information. Our relator has come by and we have decided on selling our house as is and keeping an acre for future plans or purposes. We are excited for this next chapter in our lives. Over the next few weeks and months as you think of us please say a prayer as moving can be stressful but when one of you is limited in what you can do it is even more stressful.
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