Christ Is Risen From The Dead, Trampling Over Death By Death

(turns out I have a knack for long blog titles these days)

Like Linds, I am struggling to come up with the words to put together a blog about Easter. That being said, this is probably going to be a jumble of thoughts.

This was seriously the best Easter I have ever had. The older I get and the more I know God, the more Easter means to me. And the more I know God, the more I become painfully aware of my humanity. I want so badly to be perfect. I want to love every single person I come in contact with at every moment and never get frustrated or annoyed. I want to never thinking negative thoughts about anyone or anything. I want to not have low points in my walk with the Lord because I have all of the time in the world to devote to spending with Him. I want to never doubt His plan or His faithfulness (as if He has ever given me a reason to doubt either). I want to be full of unending trust. I know it's impossible, but I want to. I try so hard, and I am never successful. Yes, I realize I am not the only one who isn't perfect, but for some reason the reality of my sinful nature has overwhelmed me and I just want to be better. All of these recent feelings left me feeling so overwhelmed with and covered by grace. I am so thankful for grace and forgiveness, because I am a mess on my own.

Friday night I went to Passion City Church's Good Friday service at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. 12,000 people worshipping. It was incredible. The whole night benefited rebuilding Haiti, which was really cool since so many people have kinda forgotten about it. What I love most about Louie Giglio is that he always expects God to show up big time and do something amazing. And God always does. He wanted us to raise somewhere around $50,000 dollars (I think..?) for 3 different causes. That's a lot of money. This is what he tweeted on Saturday morning: GOOD FRIDAY! Sold out Verizon Amp., 30,000+ joining online, cross of Jesus high, $189,469 given for Haiti! Goals doubled! That. is. awesome. God. is. awesome. Enough said.

I went to the sunrise Easter service with my dad this year. During said service, I came to the following conclusion: I love Jesus and my Daddy more every day. I seriously never thought that I could be so happy. I never knew Jesus offered so much joy. Every day gets better and better. In the words of my new friend Francesca Battistelli, "never knew that I could feel the way I feel, never knew that there could be a love so real, never knew that I could feel the way I feel right now." The best part is that I am only 21 years old, and really only about 6 years into really seeking the Lord in my life. I still have my whole life ahead of me and it's only going to get better! That completely blows my mind! I am so excited to see where the future holds and where God leads me. Now, Daddy. I just adore him. He has changed so much over the past few years and we have gotten so close and I love it. He is always the first one I call when the stresses of school are too much. He still lets me crawl up in his lap. He doesn't mind when I cry so hard he can hardly understand me. Even though he gets frustrated sometimes (like when I lock my keys in my car at 1 am and he has to come and bring me a key...), he loves me unconditionally. He shows me the love of God in his life. He has taught me how to expect a man to treat me and that I deserve the best. And best of all, he thinks I'm really funny. I mean, both of my parents do, but he is pretty much just smitten with me. When I think about how much I love my Daddy, I get so excited about the thought of how much I will love my man one day.

Last order of business about Easter: Some of the girls from our Sunday school class went to the Easter play at church on Saturday. The worst part is always when they are beating Jesus. I just can't stand it. Sometimes I can hardly watch and other times I can't stop watching. I seriously felt like just screaming, "STOP!" at the top of my lungs. I can't even begin to imagine what Jesus went through. for me. for you. for them. you know, those people who you can't stand. He died for them too. I was thinking about how I can't even believe that anyone would go through such a thing for me, when I felt like God just whispered to me, "Caitlin, you were worth it." wow... really? yep, I'm worth it. He loves me. wow. That's all I have to say about that: wow.

Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with Him again
Come awake, come awake
Come and rise up from the grave
Oh death, where is your sting?
Oh hell, where is your victory?
Oh church, come stand in the light
The glory of God has defeated the night
Our God is not dead
He's alive! He's alive!
-Christ is Risen, Matt Maher


"I like Easter. But let's remember that Christ's resurrection is not truer at Easter than at any other time of the year." -AW Tozer

"...so that God's son may be glorified through it." John 11:4

Last December, Woodstock High School lost a precious friend, Victoria. She was texting while she was driving and lost control of her car. Words can't even describe the devastation and heart break. She was 18.

Yesterday the same (soon-to-be-official) family lost another member. Ross was diagnosed with leukemia in December and died yesterday. Heartbreak. again. devastation. again. He was 17.

It doesn't seem fair. They were too young. They still had their whole lives ahead of them. It's one of those times that just shakes you up and, if you're going to question God, this is the time. I don't understand why He would choose to take them from this world. I don't understand why their families should have to feel this pain. I don't understand why they didn't get to live and I do.

All of this makes me feel so insecure about life. Of course we hear people say that we just never know when it will end and such, but now it is real to me. I saw it end way too soon. Who's to say that won't be me? I'm not saying I'm going to walk around scared, or that I'm even really scared of dying, but it just makes me a little uneasy.

Savannah and I were talking about it and how we really should live each day like it's our last because it might be, and she said, "it's so tiring to do that. some days you just don't want to." I couldn't possibly agree more. It wears you out to put that much effort into a day. To intentionally love others. To actually do your best in every single thing you do. To tell others about Jesus. To go when God says to go. It takes so much energy, but it's worth it. Because you seriously just don't know when your chance could be over.

Even if we can't see it right now, I am so thankful that God has a much bigger plan and will do something great through this. In the meantime, please keep the Pischkes in your prayers.

The Best Teachers Teach From The Heart, Not The Book

Teaching on crutches was so difficult and awkward. I couldn't stand for long periods of time. I couldn't get to them when they had questions. I couldn't get on the ground and help them or play the games with them. I felt useless to my cooperating teacher.

Without the crutches, it's like I have found the joys of teaching all over again. Last week I started teaching for the whole 3 hours I am there. My class is a little wild and sometimes my cooperating teacher has a hard time controlling the class. If she can't control them, how on earth was I going to control them? Turns out they are really well behaved for me. In fact, they might even like me. I was so nervous at first and I was being observed by my supervisor, so the pressure was on. I was a little shaky for a few minutes, but I would like to attribute that mostly to nerves. It felt like I just came alive up there. I had so much fun. They were completely in tune with what I was doing and they were such an enjoyable group of kids. I couldn't believe how natural it felt.

I really have no desire to be a teacher. I love to teach, but I don't want to teach math, reading, writing, etc. I want to teach about the love of Jesus. I want to guide women in His love. Some days I don't even want to be in this program... ok, most days. And some days I want to know what I'm doing here and why. And then God shows me why. Because, believe it or not, I'm good at this. It's so refreshing and just what I needed to get me through the last few weeks of this incredibly draining, but rewarding program.

All The Single Ladies

... need to read this.

these are just some posts from some bloggy friends (who I don't actually know... don't judge me). Wherever you are about the single situation, it is so encouraging and uplifting!

Lindsee Lou- Strength For The Day

Kelly's Korner- Lady In Waiting

Kelly's Korner- Three Years of Wedded Bliss

Let Each Sister Ever Be, Consecrated Lord To Thee

We have 30 new sisters! Initiation was by far the most stressful thing I have ever had to plan or organize, but it was a good day overall. Even though there were a few mistakes here and there, the new members are now initiated sisters and Theta Delta just got even better. I am so thankful and blessed to be a part of such a wonderful sisterhood.

part of our branch of the family tree

Lindsey's branch

love my littles!

lapboard revealing!

I think Rachel loves it :)

and I guess Katie thinks hers is alright too

family :)

we can't be serious enough to take a cute one like Linds, Brandi, and Rachel

"let each sister ever be, consecrated Lord to Thee. help us as our paths we trod, to draw each day still nearer God."

Vamos a Panama!

Those of you who have been reading this will remember the whole swine flu Mexico dilemma from last May. I'm still 2 classes away from finishing my Spanish minor. We had planned on still going to Jalapa, but we have to spend some time in Mexico City, which is still a little unstable. Right now, it's perfectly fine, but if something were to happen over the course of the month we were there, it would not be a good situation. Jalapa is a tiny, rural town 5 hours from the city and is very safe, but with the lack of stability in the city, it was decided that Mexico needed to be ruled out. I'm a little disappointed (you know how I just love Mexico), but we are going to Panama and I am so excited! We leave on May 2nd (4 weeks! oh my!) and come back on May 28th. Start praying against any rampant sickness to cancel our trip this year. :)

Hellooooo Weekend!

Welcome to the first edition of Fill in the Blank Friday.

:)

1. The best piece of advice I was ever given was from Coach recently, "If the decisions you are making are not Spirit led, then in God's will is a place you will not be." So true for my life right now. (that's right Coach, I quoted you on the blog)

2. If I had a million dollars to give to one charity I would give it to Compassion International, Mocha Club, Land of a Thousand Hills... the list goes on and on.

3. If I got to choose my "last meal" it would be Mexican, diet coke, and queso. I mean, I am Mexican in my heart.

4. My hair is very dirty right now, which means it gets along great with a teasing comb and makes for a great ponytail. It is also getting very long (for me) which is awesome.

5. If at first you don't succeed, move on. It happens, but it can't stop you.

6. I have always been very mission minded. I am more comfortable going to another country than staying here. I can't stand the fact that there are people in the world who don't know Jesus' love.

7. Oh... and by the way... I am having the most splendid Friday night: Kelly is here, Brandi is spending the night, we de-thorned 150 roses for initiation Sunday, made French toast, and now we are sitting in the living room just talking. And in this whole living room, we are all sitting right on top of each other and I love it. I love these days and these moments. 

I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of You love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 59:16