"Fathers Be Good to Your Daughters.....

..... And Daughters will Love like You Do"

If I love anything like my dad does, I think I'll be in good shape for the rest of my life.

My Daddy is David Stone and I'm so thankful he's MINE!! After I'm introduced to someone, someone who knows my dad, I love when they say, "Oh your dad is amazing! I love him." I love responding with, "I love him too! He's the greatest!" My dad loves those he comes in contact with, he helps those he comes in contact with, and he impacts those he comes in contact with.

Let me tell you about the David Stone I know...

My daddy supports me, he encourages me, he teaches me, he corrects me, he disciples me, he challenges me to be a better person, and most of all he loves me unconditionally. We have a song, like every dad and daughter should, and it's Chris Tomlin's "How Great is Our God." When I think of this song, I first think, "My God is GREAT!" and then I think, "My God is great because he gave me my dad." Seriously, I don't think any other man on earth could deal with what I've dealt to my dad. Through high school, through college, my dad has only been there for me. Sometimes he was almost too close to me, pushing me to be better. I always pushed back though. I always wanted to be what I was at the moment. My dad encouraged me, it went in one ear and out the other. My dad gave me options in life, I chose to stick with my own options. My dad loved me whole-heartedly, I tried to love him the best I knew how. When I think of my dad, all I think of is love. He loves God, he loves his wife, he loves his children (daughters-in-law included), he loves his family, he loves his company, he loves his friends, and he loves his life. He knows God's love and that's what he pours out to all that are in his life. He has set an example of what it means to be forgiving, to be loving, to be encouraging, to be solid in God's identity, and to be a pursuer of life. He chases after God, who in turn provides my dad with opportunities to travel, to learn, to teach, and to pour love out on those he meets. I'm slightly jealous of those he gets to sit down and talk with because I only get to see him every now and then, but I'm happy to share my dad with the world. He has comforting arms, he has knowledge to share, and love to give. I don't want to keep my dad to myself, I know there are people out there who may not have one, so I don't want to keep my dad in a box! He's a special man and he's my hero.

My dad has been good to me, I hope I can continue to walk in his footsteps and love like he does! Happy Belated Father's Dad, Daddy!!!!

I Made a Change Today

Well, really, I made the change a long time ago, but it's finally sinking in and being applied to every day life. What a great feeling.

Two months later and I'm finally posting a blog. Gee, what's wrong with me?? I have lots to update you all on!! We'll start with base life.

In early May, I fully took over the responsibilities of Hospitality and I have been on a journey! I am learning what serving means, how the details add up to make a whole weekend operate, how it's better to ask people for help than to do it myself, and how tired I am after a weekend! You may be wondering what hospitality entails, well I'll enlighten you! I put guests and teams in rooms (housing), I plan snacks and desserts for teams coming in, I keep track of cleaning supplies and coordinate with the campus cleaning lady which rooms need to be cleaned, and I run the Butler's Pantry (where all of Hospitality supplies are stored). It's been fun, interesting, tiring, challenging, and non-stop. You know those thoughts "There isn't enough time in the day", "I just need more time", "Where did the day go?" yeah, I ask those questions every day. Every day. I feel like I don't do much, but I stay busy every day with meetings, spreadsheets, and thinking of new ways to make this area more efficient on base. I love it! I was so grateful for the First Rate team coming to Mexico and building a house, along with Gary Walker and some of his employees of SCM. I truly enjoyed seeing my family and my FR family. I'm learning each day how to better live in community, how to be more efficient, and how to finish a task until it's completely done. Pray that I have less stress, more smiles, and more peace-of-mind. Also, if you have any ideas for easy snacks for large-ish groups, send me your ideas! I can't keep doing the same thing over and over again (hummus and pita chips or chips and salsa). Also, I really like the tacos here in Mexico. I'm addicted to them.

In personal updates, I have decided to run a half marathon in August! I'm going to run the America's Finest City half marathon with a few fellow YWAMers. I technically started training today, but I'm going to do it! And I'm going to enjoy it!! This is something I'm super excited about and super nervous about. I have this new mindset and goal of finishing everything to completion. I've developed an awful lifestyle of half-heartedly doing tasks assigned to me, I hardly ever finish tasks assigned to me, so I have a new life to live! A new life of being dedicated, a new mindset that I can complete things, a new life of being positive and seeing the little successes that add up to the big finished pictures! I will definitely be posting pictures of running places, updating you all on progress and I will be posting a blog about how you can support me with this half marathon.

I am in amazing place, learning from some of the best people about how to serve with a smile, remembering that God is who I'm here to serve. A quote from this past weekend's staff conference, "When you take care of God's priorities, He takes care of your needs." So God's check-list is the one I'm checking off daily, asking Him for my to-do list, asking Him for peace-of-mind and calmness throughout the day, and going throughout my day. The days will be more productive which makes everyone happy :)

Please feel free to call or email or Facebook! I would love to hear from you all about your lives and the ways you're spending the summer! Please keep me in your prayers as I'm still raising support for monthly fees and needs, and please keep praying that I just listen to the Lord and do His will here in Mexico.

LOVE LOVE LOVE..... more updates soon!! Promise 2 months won't go by again...

If You Let Me, I'll Take Care Of You

Am I the only one moved to the words of music? Nope, I'm not. I'm so glad God speaks to so many others through the lyrics and melodies in music. I'm so glad He gave us this gift of music, it truly is one of the only ways I can make it through the day.


It's been a week and three days since I've moved to Mexico and I'm having the time of my life. I'm learning more about the base, the people who inhabit the base, and what I'll be doing while on staff. I still feel a little uncomfortable at times, but then something happens and all my fears are gone. I feel like God shows His love for me by the people He puts in my path. People always have a huge impact on my day, we truly were created for relationship with one another. It's different moving to a new place without my parents around, I feel super awkward because I feel like I have to grow up, but all I want is for my mom and dad to come hold me! Will I ever grow out of this phase of feeling like this? Yeah, I think I will, but for now, I'm learning how I can find comfort in the Lord and in the people He's placed in my life at this time. I'm so grateful that I have family in the places I've been the last 6 months; I felt a part of the Fernandez O'hana while I was in Hawaii, my brother and sister-in-law were in California while I was on outreach there, my best friends Caroline, Catherine, and Emily were in NYC while I was there, and now the Lambert family has taken me in as one of their own. Easter weekend was perfect with them. I missed my family, but they filled in perfectly :) They have shown me true hospitality and what it means to treat others like family. Really, everyone at the base have been very welcoming. God put me at a great place with amazing people to run with for the next while. I've experienced some moments of stress and fear, but I know at the end of the day, I'm in the right the place, at the right time, with the right people. Each day I'm reminded that God wants to take care of me, I just have to let Him.

This week, starting Thursday night, we will be hosting a Prayer and Worship Gathering in Laguna Beach, for YWAMers from this base (and other bases) and friends of YWAM. Please join us this weekend in prayer and worship for this ministry here in Mexico! I am very excited about this weekend, to learn more about this ministry and to thank God for His blessings. I will report back with how the weekend went! Please keep Andrea (the coordinator of the event, whom I've been helping since I got here with final details) in your prayers; that she would have a stress-free weekend and that the events of the weekend would go smoothly. Also, for safe travels for those coming in for the event, we are so thankful people are traveling to be apart of this weekend with us!

Tomorrow, my friend Rochelle leaves for a three-week outreach to Columbia to complete her Children At-Risk School. She and 4 others will be going and working with children in this country. Please keep them in prayer for safe travels, healing hands, words and actions of wisdom, and the opportunity to show God's love for those they come in contact with. I'm so anxious to hear stories from outreach and they haven't even left yet!!

Next week is when I really start to work in the position I am assigned here in Tijuana, Hospitality. Please pray for me! I will be learning a lot! Please pray for open ears, an open mind, peaceful days, and a mind that sees God's solution not my solution! I can't wait to share with you all what my role looks like the next few months. Also, pray for continued support to come in! If you would like to get more information on how to support me, read the post below entitled ":)"

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let me hear from you! Facebook me, text me, skype me, email me, any form of communication you can think of, just let me hear from you! I want to be praying for you :) Really, I want to pray for YOU!

LOVE LOVE LOVE

~Kathryn

:)

BEFORE you read this post, read the one below entitled "I Smile." Thanks.


Welcome back to this post!

So, currently, I'm sitting in the Hope Cafe at the YWAM San Diego/Baja base outside of Tijuana, Mexico. My new home. I got here today and have started to settle in. I'm not just saying this cause I'm on staff at the base now, but PLEASE come visit and see some of the prettiest sunsets EVER. Please come build a house this summer!! I'm so excited to be here with the base directors, Sean and Janet Lambert, and 2 of their 3 daughters. I know I'm going to learn a lot from this family and the rest of the base! A friend of ours, Rochelle, is here doing a Children at Risk School and it made my day to see her and hug her and talk with her. I love God's gifts of people in our lives. I'm so happy I'll be able to spend time with Rochelle and many members of the staff here in Tijuana.

While in Tijuana, I will be working along side Janet helping in the Hospitality area of the base. I don't know what all that entails, but soon I will and I will let you know what I'm doing here! While serving on staff for six months, I will be raising money for support, about $500 each month for staff fees and personal needs, and prayer support! I would love to extend an invitation to you to help me pray for the people of Mexico, the staff here at the base, and the teams that will be coming to the base this summer. An idea I had for this six months is to update my blog with events, but also with prayer requests for me and those around me! I have been challenged with being in constant communication with the Lord (prayer) and I would love for you all to join me in praying for all the happenings here in Mexico. I would REALLY like to hear you all's prayer requests and reports, allowing me to stay connected with your lives and events! At the bottom of this post I will put my email address for you to email me your prayer needs :)

So here is the technical details to supporting me for 6 months. I have maintained my account with Mountain Movers International, so if you would like to give a tax-deductible please visit this website and choose to do a reoccurring donation or a one-time donation. In the memo line, put "STONE" so that it goes to my account. I really felt like I should ask 20 to 30 people to donate $20 or $30 a month, but I didn't want to limit the amount of people or the amount of gifts I could receive during this time. If you would like to give money straight to me (this is NOT tax-deductible, but it is easier) you can do so! Please contact me for information on how to this!

I am grateful for your support and involvement in my time here with YWAM! I am looking forward to serving God and the people of Mexico. I have a servant heart and am excited to use it here! I am also excited about hearing from you all and lifting you up in prayer :)

LOVE LOVE LOVE

~~ my email address is kgstone11@gmail.com if you would like to get in contact with me about prayer and donations! My phone number is the same and I'm on a plan that allows you all to text and call me without extra charges! So don't be strangers! Please! If you would like to learn more about the base I'm at, please click here and browse their website!!  

I Smile

Hello old friend!

Yes, I'm back.

Oooh don't look at me like that. I'm staying this time around! Promise! It's going to be 6 MORE months of Paradise :) But first, let me rehash the last 3 months of outreach...

The first five weeks of outreach were in Orange Country, California. The first five weeks of outreach were spent ministering to the people of Huntington Beach and surrounding areas. I enjoyed this time because it was a time of being a family for the 7 of us on outreach. We did meals together, hung out together, did ministry together, basically did everything together. At times my need for solidarity tried to sneak in, but I truly enjoyed being around the group 24/7. I also enjoyed seeing my brother and sister-in-law on the weekends. I really looked forward to Saturdays because I loved being around my actual family. It was so nice to be with Allan and Nicole and Nicole's parents, I felt most comfortable on the weekends with them. It took me a while to really get comfortable with my outreach group, but by the time the 3 months were over, I was SUPER comfortable with my group. I'm writing this post and just thinking about how much I miss them. But anyways, back to outreach...

We went to New York City for the last part of outreach. I fell in LOVE with New York City. It was super hard for me to leave that beautiful place. I loved the subways, I loved Central Park, I loved the big buildings, and I loved people watching every where I went. Really, there are crazies everywhere that are just waiting to be watched! But in all seriousness, New York was a great time of ministering to the homeless, the fashion industry, and the people of New York. We worked often with an organization called Here's Life Inner City and another organization called The Relief Bus. On our self-initiative days, I worked with a woman, who's daughter is a YWAMer, who is starting a company to market Central Park and, hopefully, parks around the world. Meeting her was truly the highlight of my outreach. God really is the ultimate event planner and coordinator of our lives. He puts people in our lives that we can learn from and watch, and who can be impacted by us. I loved seeing God's creativity in Darcy. She was so creative and so talented at everything she did. Then I helped with administrative things for her company. I really loved seeing how a woman can be successful in the corporate world and be completely led by the Holy Spirit. I needed to see that! I will miss her, but I know I'll be back in New York someday to hang out with her!

Overall, outreach was a great time learning how to apply what we learned in lecture phase. The Lord really worked on my heart on being more gentle with those around me, on concentrating on MY path and not other people's paths, and being in constant communication with Him. You know that song by Stephen Curtis Chapman that goes "Let us pray, let us pray, everywhere in every way, Every moment of the day, it is the right time, Let us pray without end and when we finish start again, Like breathing out and breathing in, let us pray" I didn't think that was possible! I thought praying was only at assigned times in the day, like when you wake up and when you eat and when you go to bed.. NO!! So wrong! Prayer and speaking to the Lord is CONSTANT! He wants to answer your questions, He wants to guide you through your "to-do list," He wants to help you decide what kind of cereal to get, and what to say to that not-so-nice co-worker. Saying little prayers, four words prayers, asking for comfort, asking for peace, asking for help, saying "Thank you!" those are prayers and those are how you communicate with the Lord. That's how you rely on Him, that's how you put your trust in Him time and time again, that's how you make it through the day. I really learned that being in constant communication with the Lord makes the day 100 times better than relying on my own knowledge. I can't tell you how many times I said, "Lord, I need help" or "Lord, I trust you," and instantly felt a calming spirit come over me. I'm not alone anymore, God is with me wherever I am, and He's there waiting for me to reach out to Him and let Him be apart of everything. I learned more about my Identity in Him, being confident in what I'm doing, who I am, and knowing that the Creator of the Universe loves me more than I can imagine. I'm secure in His love, I'm safe in His will, and I'm satisfied with His plan for me. We're all on different paths, be thankful for where you are, don't compare your point in life to others, it'll take your eyes off the Lord. Be thankful, that's His will for us. 


I'm so very grateful for this opportunity that I had. DTS helped me grow, helped me become a new person, and it allowed me to learn what being a Christ-follower really looks like. Now, I just have to keep living what I've learned and growing more in love with my God, my Creator, my Daddy.

What's In a Name?

I'm thankful that my parents named me after my great-grandmothers, Kathryn Grace. My middle name is Grace and I feel like that's been the highlighted concept of God throughout my walk with Him. God's grace is something that I will never fully understand why it's there, but I'm so grateful it is there! This blog post is a song and a message I heard on Grace this past Sunday at Mariners Church in Irvine, California. They have just started a series called "Radical Grace" and this first message was entitled "The Scandal of God's Grace." Here  is the link to hear this message by Mike Erre.(click the word Here) PLEASE listen to it! And before you listen to it, watch this video (click on the word video).

Grace is so amazing. God is so amazing. I'm so thankful I have this relationship with Him and that I'm no longer religious about living a life for Him! Sorry this isn't a post of me sharing about outreach, but I felt the need to share these two things because they are so special to my heart. Tonight (Tuesday) will be a night of blogging, so get ready for stuff to read!

LOVE LOVE LOVE

No Matter What

I'm a lover of lyrics. As much as some people hate Hip-Hop/Rap, I find some of the lyrics to have substance and I like finding those gems among the rubbish. A few years ago, a rapper from Atlanta named T.I. released an album called Paper Trail before he was sent to prison. His song called "No Matter What" is what has given me inspiration today. He talks about the struggles that he has been through and even about how he was about to face time in prison, but that no matter what, he was still standing and still strong. One of my favorite lines from the song is "Let Go and Let God." We as Christians don't have anything to worry about! If we've surrendered our lives to God, we can go through life stress-free. Good news, huh? No matter what circumstances we're in, we know that God will bring us through and only use the situation for good. God's character is constant, He is unchanging, so don't you think He'll protect you and help you come out on top? Remind yourselves of His faithfulness, of His character to provide for those who love Him.

In the closing of 2011, I am thankful for living through another year of life. My new year started in September when I came to DTS. I couldn't have asked for a better event to happen to me in life. I have learned so much about God: the Creator, the Father, the Lover, the Friend, Jesus, the model for living, and the Holy Spirit, the Spirit inside of me that gives me power and authority and direction. I'm so thankful that I finished college and experienced life in college. My past doesn't define who I am, but it sure gives me a testimony to God's faithfulness and grace and mercy. So 2012 doesn't begin a journey of faith, it continues this journey that I'm already on.This year will be amazing because of the changes that I've made and because I know God is on my side no matter what. I don't have to worry about finding a job when I get home, or what my friend situation is going to look like, or anything because I know that God has plans for me and promises to fulfill for me! Do you know that God has plans for you? Do you know that God wants to see you conquer the world around you with His help? God just wants your love so that He can continue to love and bless you more than you could ever imagine. Love Him and Let Him :) let go of the world, let go of the stress, let go of the unnecessary, and just hold on to God. He's going to do great things through you and me, I just know it!

So I finally can provide you all with lessons from DTS! This website has all of our lectures recorded on it and I highly suggest starting with Jeff Reid's lesson like we did :) The lectures are in order, kinda, so just go through the recording and ENJOY!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! Let Go and Let God in 2012

LOVE LOVE LOVE