K.B.

Well, here we go. I guess we started looking at friends’ blogs years ago but never did our own for one reason or another. Lately, however, I have felt an urge to give it a try, and was inspired from some good friends who have great blogs. Plus, I am not sure if this is good or not, but like facebook and other social mediums, blogs are a way to keep in touch with those you care for.

It is me, K, writing right now, and I have much to say, but don’t really know what to say? Ever been there?  So what do I hope to contribute to this blog, what am I and what can I share with others?  Sometimes I am afraid to classify myself as something if I am not an “expert.”  Yet, I think I am one of those people who is good (or decent) at many things but perhaps not a stand out at any one.  What is better? From where I sit, I always think it would be great to do one thing really, really well, yet I am thankful for the gifts and talents God has given me. Maybe I can share some of me with others in ways I don’t always know how. Here are some things about me that maybe I can envision sharing here:

First up is work K.  Not the most important me, but the me that I spend so much time on and the me that is in the forefront of my mind since today was a workday and I am finally home settling down.

I am a writer. Quite often, I can’t stand writing because I get so bogged down in it, yet one of my jobs is to write.  I write stories for our local school district. I get to visit schools and see awesome, heartwarming, sad, funny, smart and amazing things, and I “report” back what I see.  I am kind of like a reporter for our schools.

I take photos. I edit photos.  At all of the school events I attend, I take many photos.  Sometimes upwards of 200 depending on the event. It’s fun and it’s a challenge. At many of our schools, the lighting is horrible, kids are moving at what seems like the speed of light, I have to be careful of who I photograph (some students cannot have their pictures taken and I always have to be cognizant of this – this distracts me when I am taking photos). It’s usually not a great setting for awesome pictures, but I try to capture a story.  I love the idea of photojournalism, pictures telling the story, so it’s always something I strive for.
Here are some of my pictures from work (note: some are taken by co-workers or teachers; but most by me).

I build images and positive perception in the most true way I can.  I say true because I strive to be honest, rather than a liar who distorts reality just for image. I graduated with my degree in Communications/Public Relations and I work in a district that always hears what we are doing wrong, yet I see everyday how much we are doing right.  It is a challenge each day to try to make the public understand that their perceptions are not always reality.  That the media paint a much different picture of what is going on, and unfortunately, they often control the story. And, they are around every single day. Every working day we get some kind of media inquiry. They are everywhere, and we are an easy target.  It’s often out of my hands, our hands as a district. Yes, there are things not right and many things that could be done better, yet we can only do so much and need help from our parents and community. My job is to try to make others see the good things that occur in our schools.  It is not easy when so many do not want to really listen and would rather be negative.

I am a graphic designer who did not major in graphic design.  I design images, banners, flyers, posters, e-invites and more for work. I enjoy it very much. Sometimes being creative is the most difficult part – trying to figure out what I want something to look like. If I can do that, putting it together is the easier part.

I am a web designer who did not major in web design.  My previous job allowed me to learn HTML, and now I work on our district’s website every day, updating it, adding to it, creating new pages, sending enewsletters, etc.  I really enjoy working on websites and hope to always increase my knowledge.  With technology, there is so much to know! I am always a step behind and don’t know that I will ever catch up. By the time I learn a program, there is a newer version to learn!  Alas, a struggle I am sure my fellow “techies” are well aware of.

So that’s work K, the least important part, so what is the most important?

I am a child of God, living each day so thankful for his love, mercy and grace. I grew up thinking there was a God, but not really knowing God. I had no desire or knowledge of becoming Christ like; I was blind and could not see. I was an impressionable teenager who was invited to church, who went to appease someone else, who had her life changed because of it. Glory to God in the highest! I am so thankful for His mercy in my life. I am imperfect, fail everyday, but made anew and perfect because of the blood Jesus shed for me. Thank you Heavenly Father for your perfection, your faithfulness, your grace and your sovereignty – without you I am nothing, but with you I have everything I truly need.  Our God is, indeed, an awesome God!

I am a wife. I have a wonderful husband who God has blessed me with.  He is a man who loves the Lord, and I am so thankful for him.  Marriage is a blessing. It is not easy, not at all when you have two sinners with their own sinful desires trying to live as one and under one roof, yet I know (sometimes it’s deep down buried under sin!) but I know that if we can both focus our attention on becoming more like Christ and can put God first, all other things will be added.  The challenge, of course, is staying God-focused rather than self-focused.  I will let you know when I have perfected it. Don’t expect that blog unless it’s coming from Heaven.

I am not a mommy! God willing, hopefully soon, but not yet.  I am, however, a dog mommy (and my friends are now thinking, “I knew she would mention her dogs!”).  Yes, Lady and Teddy, my two cocker spaniels, are my babies.  They are great and bring me joy. I am thankful for them!

I am a daughter, niece, sister, aunt, cousin, daughter-in-law, sister-in-law…lots of family-oriented titles. My family is a blessing, yet heart wrenching as well.  Maybe more to come about this later, but let’s just say, for many reasons, there are many struggles within my family. I don’t understand it and it often upsets me greatly; yet this is God’s way, not mine.  I am, of course, an imperfect family member, full of many things that are not good, so I cannot really point any fingers (though I will admit to trying!).

I am a friend, though I can admit to not always being a good one.  I am the girl who majored in Communications who does not communicate! Ironic, eh?  (This issue does also extend to family, btw.)  I don’t know why, but I just don’t enjoy sitting on the phone for hours very frequently to catch up.  I also don’t have time. I frequently say I am the last to know things because I am. Usually other people tell me or I find out through something like facebook.  I do enjoy spending time with friends, but I would classify myself as an introvert, so sometimes getting out to socialize is a little difficult for me, especially if it’s with people I don’t know.  It’s so much easier when I am comfortable. I am trying to work through this and get better, as we are called to reach out to others so that they may hear the truth.

I am a teacher. I teach a middle school class at my church and I really enjoy it.  I often learn as much as the students and I am so thankful for that. God has stretched me for this class, and I love it!

I am (obviously) long winded.  First real post = long and boring.  My attempt for my readers (all zero of them at this point) to get to know me a little better. Hmmm…I think I will turn it over to J soon.