the last two and a half years...

It is hard to believe that is has already been two and a half years since Jonathan & I  moved to Augusta! In many ways it has flown by, but it also seems like we've been here forever. For those who didn't know, in late January 2010 Jonathan was informed that he would need to "temporarily" relocate to Augusta, GA for work to help build the first nuclear power plant in 30 years. At that time we were just getting into main wedding details and planning on a May 1, 2010 date, but when we realized how much he would be working at the plant we decided to move our wedding day up and make the journey together! So we changed wedding venues, found new vendors, let our family and friends know about the change in plans and on February 7, 2010 we tied the knot!! That Wednesday night we drove down to Gainesville, FL where Jon started his Masters in Business Administration, and that following Sunday, February 14, we arrived in Augusta. Talk about a whirlwind week. Oh and that "temporary" relocation? Well, we're still here and it's not feeling very temporary! For the next two years Jonathan worked nearly 60 hours a week (with about an hour commute each way!), and did school work at night. Those of you who know him well know that he is the hardest working man on earth, and this was no different. He never complained, never took a very long break, and all the while continued to love and bless me in his spare time. We always had a date night every Wednesday, and he made it a point to take fun day trips and vacations so that we could get quality time together. For a newly married couple to be thrown into a brand new community, knowing no one, with such an intense job schedule AND intense school schedule, those little moments were so wonderful. Like all newlyweds we experienced the typical "schockers"- the little nuances that make you realize not everyone was raised the same way- and of course our fair share of absolutely disgusting dinners, but we also started some fun traditions, made countless spontaneous trips to Starbucks, and grew in our love for each other.

So, here we are, two and a half years later! Jon graduated with his MBA in April, and his work hours have started to decrease a bit. He's also received a couple of promotions! I just moved from the Service Manager at Wells Fargo to the Client Service Manager at SunTrust Bank. I absolutely never expected to be in banking, but I have been blessed with some great opportunities and have met some wonderful people. With Jon being done with school we have been busy busy, making lots of trips up to North Carolina to visit our families, a mini-vacation to Myrtle Beach, and we're enjoying settling in to a more "normal" lifestyle. We still have our weekly date night and of course, many spontaneous trips to Starbucks! The Lord has been so good and faithful to us...we don't know what He has in store, but we are trying to be patient and continue to trust in His perfect timing and plan. Hopefully we can use this blog to keep family and friends up to date with where life takes us and maybe one day we'll even make an announcement that we're pregnant or something cool like that... :) Until then- good night!
Katie

Here's some pics of the last couple of years:



at a christmas concert, december 2010

one year anniversary dinner, february 2011

Jon & I in NYC, october 2011

charleston june 2012

Funny Things About Ways Guys Think

So, I did not author this, as I would not be foolish enough to do such a thing. :) However, I did find it somewhat amusing!

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The Man Rules
At last a guy has taken the time to write this all down
Finally , the guys' side of the story. (I must admit, it's pretty good.) We always hear 'the rules' From the female side.

Now here are the rules from the male side.

These are our rules! Please note... these are all numbered '1 ' ON PURPOSE!

1. Men are NOT mind readers.

1. Learn to work the toilet seat. You're a big girl. If it's up, put it down. We need it up, you need it down. You don't hear us complaining about you leaving it down.

1. Sunday sports - It's like the full moon or the changing of the tides. Let it be.

1. Crying is blackmail.

1. Ask for what you want. Let us be clear on this one: Subtle hints do not work! Strong hints do not work! Obvious hints do not work! Just say it!

1. Yes and No are perfectly acceptable answers to almost every question.

1. Come to us with a problem only if you want help solving it. That's what we do. Sympathy is what your girlfriends are for.

1. Anything we said 6 months ago is inadmissible in an argument. In fact, all comments become null and void after 7 Days.

1. If you think you're fat, you probably are.Don't ask us.

1. If something we said can be interpreted two ways and one of the ways makes you sad or angry, we meant the other one

1. You can either ask us to do something Or tell us how you want it done. Not both. If you already know best how to do it, just do it yourself.

1. Whenever possible, Please say whatever you have to say during commercials.

1. Christopher Columbus did NOT need directions and neither do we.

1. ALL men see in only 16 colors, like Windows default settings. Peach, for example, is a fruit,
not A color. Pumpkin is also a fruit. We have no idea what mauve is.

1. If it itches, it will be scratched. We do that.

1. If we ask what is wrong and you say 'nothing,' We will act like nothing's wrong. We know you are lying, but it is just not worth the hassle.

1. If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, Expect an answer you don't want to hear.

1. When we have to go somewhere, absolutely anything you wear is fine... Really .

1. Don't ask us what we're thinking about unless you are prepared to discuss such topics as baseball or golf.

1. You have enough clothes.

1. You have too many shoes.

1. I am in shape. Round IS a shape!

1. Thank you for reading this. Yes, I know, I have to sleep on the couch tonight; But did you know men really don't mind that? It's like camping.

Pass this to as many men as you can -to give them a laugh. Pass this to as many women as you can - to give them a bigger laugh.

The Finished House Finally

Well, it has taken me forever, but I have finally taken a few pictures of the house all moved in. There is still a lot that I'd love to do in terms of colors/decor inside, landscaping, and various stuff like that. However, with so many other priorities going on I probably won't do much more in the near future. Maybe this fall I'll do some yard stuff.

Either way, here are a few pics...

The front of the house. The grass had looked beautiful earlier in the year, but with the watering restrictions it has since gotten scorched!

From the entryway

Into the master bedroom...a bit blury

Into the bathroom

Across the hall in one of the guest/exercise/gun room

In the adjacent room...probably a future bedroom, but currently an office. Still not quite unpacked in here.

In the bonus room over the garage...currently the music room

Back into the family room, near the entry hall

From the eating area

In the kitchen

Part of the backside

And that's all folks! I'm looking forward to being able to the various ways that God will enable the hosue to be used in the future.

A Family Wedding

Well, Saturday was my oldest little brother's wedding...Things were quite a bustle as I had my grandmother and uncle and his daugher stay at my house that weekend...and then the rest of the family crashed my place twice since it is real close to where the wedding/reception was held. It was a great week, nice to get some time with some relatives, fun to see good friends like the Kauflins, and good to see the Lord bless my brother with a wife. He has grown much in recent times and it will be fun to see their marriage develop as they move forward. They are now off to Canada where they first "fell in love."

Here is the updated family photo (minus the niece and nephew)

And one of my nephew Wesley, the ring bearer, comming down the aisle.

Wow!

Hi All! So much I could write about...our mother's day meal, brother's wedding yesterday, the church plant progress, house stuff, life, God, but I think I'd be up all night trying to write so I shall stick with two photos...

Recently my company moved my group into a different skyscrapper on the other side of the same city block I was on. It is kind of a bummer because I had gotten to know many of the people on my old floor pretty well and work with them a fair ammount...however, I did get a sweet cubicle view! My cubicle is on the 12th floor and is situated so that right beside me is a big widow that overlooks a relevtively undeveloped portion of town. On day's that aren't too hazy, I can see both Crowders and Kings Mountain off in the distance. Fall will be awesome to see! (as long as I don't get moved again)

A little update

Well, they have finally put the stone in arround my fireplace! I guess I didn't take it at a good angle because it is hard to see the texture/3d nature of the fireplace...but I really like it in person! Closing is only 2 weeks away!




Last week after months of getting to work in the dark, I started to see the first hints of light on the horizon. At least I guess it will feel like I'm getting to work later :)

In other realms, things are going great. Details for the church plant are moving rapidly forward and most items seem to be falling into place. We have an initial place we can meet as a church planting group, but are still looking for a good place to start our official public meetings. If would pray for God's provision that'd be great!

Can you hold the waters in the palm of your hand?

"Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand..." Isaiah 40:12

Today I listened to an awesome message by Bruce Ware from WorshipGod04 and was reminded of a cute story he tells of at time at the beach. He had just read Isaiah 40 to his kids (3 and 7) and so he took them down to the beach for an experiment with dad. He proceeded to walk out in the water and told his kids to watch the water level really closely has he their "big" dady scooped up as much as he could in the palm of his hands. Needless to say, the kids didn't see anything happen on a couple tries! He then told them that this was a "very important lesson." That even their "big" dad couldn't make an impact on the waters...yet if God scooped them in his hand the oceans would be totally dry...God is big and powerful beyond any human. I love the example of a father training his kids in such a way, but also even thinking of the simple truth is a good reminder that we serve an awesome God! He is so much greater than we often remember, and to him none compares.

What to say?

Wow, there is so much I'd love to write about, and so many things that have been flying arround in my mind and heart. (all good...!) The past few weeks have just been full of all sorts of activity, but at the same time a time where I've been able to slow down a bit before the Lord.

I just finished a book that I very much loved called..."Too Busy Not to Pray." It was a fairly simple book, but really right along the lines of some things the Lord had been putting on my heart and a great encouragement. The first part of the book was geared towards a gaining a biblical perspective and faith for prayer. I actually started a post on that part last week, that I never finished...maybe I will at some point...but that in conjuction with reading some parts of the gospels was an awesome reminder of the greatness and majesty of the God we serve and his willingness to intervene. It was freshly faith building to live in confidence, following God's leadership and guidance and taking steps of faith...being aware that that things which would naturally seem daunting when considered from a human perspective are really nothing to be concerned about, but actually to be boldly pursued. We serve such an awesome God, capable of controlling whatever he pleases, be it events, human hearts, nature or anything else, that if he is in it he will work and do things much greater and accomplish that which seemed initially imposing to us.

The second part of the book then was more personally geared to encouraging the spending of just quite private time with the Lord and listening to his leadings. This section was also encouraging. One of the things I've been realizing in the past months is just the importance of not letting busyness, even if its serving in the church or family, prevent getting quality and consistent times with the Lord. I certainly do not "have it all together" when it comes to this, but I can say that as I've been spending more time before the Lord that he has been so kind to be increasingly meeting me. Reading the last section of the book was a fresh reminder of the wonderful gift we have of access to the Father and how much I want to grow in taking advantage of it. We have such a wonderful means of grace there as we seek him and he imparts wisdom, and power, hears our prayers and also deepens our affections!

There are many ways for me to grow in my pursuit of God, but I am encouraged that God is so faithful to continually draw and guide his children and that as we by grace seek and ask of him that he will reveal himself and pour out more grace!

And we have cabinets

Well, as of last Friday they had finished the drywall and had put in cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom. The interior doors had been delivered and were sitting in the family room. It will be interesting to see what they get done this week.

A Prayer

Tonight as I was spending some time with the Lord, I was just asking that he would deepen my affections for him, and freshly redirect my heart to wholly focus upon him. In light of who he is, in light of all he has done for me in the cross, and in light of all the blessings he pours out daily, my heart should be so full of grattitude and love!...yet I know I am not but a fraction as thankful as I ought. I so want to love him more, but at the same time realize that it is not something I can just drum up, but must be something that by grace, the spirit develops in my heart. So for that I cry out to him for grace...and know that he delights answer. After praying I randomly openned up the Valley of Vision and happened upon this prayer which was along the lines of what was on my heart...

Christian Love

"O Lover of the loveless
It is thy will that I should love thee
with heart, soul, mind, strength
and my neighbour as myself.

But I am not sufficient for these things.
There is by nature no pure love in my soul;
Every affection in me is turned from thee;
I am bound, a slave to lust,
I cannot love thee, lovely as thou art,
until thou dost set me free.

By grace I am thy freeman and would serve thee,
for I believe tou art my God in Jesus,
and that through him I am redeemed,
and my sins are forgiven.

With this freedom I would always obey thee,
but I cannot walk in liberty,
any more than I could first attain it of myself.
May thy Spirit draw me nearer to thee and thy ways.

Thou art the end of all means,
for if they lead me not to thee,
I go away empty.
Order all my ways by thy holy Word
and make thy commandments the joy of my heart,
that by them I may have hpapy converse with thee.
May I grow in thy love and manifest it to mankind.

Spirit of love, make me like the loving Jesus;
give me his benevolent temper,
his beneficent actions,
that I may shine before men to they glory.
The more thou doest in love in me and by me,
humble me the more;
keep me meek, lowly,
and always ready to give thee honour."

A Drywalled House

After a bit of a delay, the drywall is now up! A few quick pictures of the latest progress:


From the entry way

From the kitchen area

From the kitchen area towards the family room

From the back porch into the kitchen

The master bedroom...kind of hard to see. Not massive, but big enough with a good size bathroom and walk-in closet.

The House

Was in the area of my house the other day, so I stopped by and snapped a couple of pictures. They've got it all sided and are close to beginning to put up insulation and drywall.

Redskins and the Church Plant

Woohoo! The Redskins are in the playoffs and looking good! :)

And on a more spiritual note, we just got done with another planning meeting for the church plant. There are sooo many details to still be worked out and a lot of unkowns but it is exciting to think about how God is working now and will be then. Who knows what exact stories we'll have to tell in 10 years, but no doubt the central theme will be the faithfulness and goodness of God! They will be stories of his grace, provision, strengthening, guiding, drawing and so many other things.

It is official!

As of December 24, 2007, the older of my "little" brothers Bryan is engaged to Genevieve Schaaf! Congrats guys!

His Faithfulness Displayed

I chose the web address for this blog (HisFaithfulnessDisplayed) because I believe that it really summarizes God's actions in my life...whether I'm aware of how or not! Each step in my life from the day I was born into a Christian family, was personally drawn to the Lord and saved at a young age, got my first deer (and others since =)), had good highschool jobs, was helped to get a good degree and offered an opportunity to get my masters degree payed for, have been shown favour in career progression, have been blessed with a good church and opportunities to serve, enabled to buy a house, and many other small and large things have all been evidences of God's favor and kindness. Despite my unfaithfulness and sinfulness he has been faithful to forgive, faithful to love, and faithful to bless well beyond what I deserve. The line from the song Always Forgiven, "all you have shown me is grace, love, and mercy" is really true.



Honestly, though the above is totally true I need to grow in cultivating an awareness and gratefulness for it. However, my hope is that this blog will point to the truth of his faithfulness and kindness and serve as an encouragement and reminder to myself. I also hope that it will encourage you as well because the same God who has and will continue to show me faithfulness is also at work in the same way on your behalf! What a blessing that we all serve a God who is actively working in our lives and the functioning of the world to bring forth a superb plan much greater than we can work out. Even in the hard times, we can rest in his sovereignty.



One recent example of God's faithfulness has been through my work situation. I had been blessed to have gotten a relatively new job that was a big improvement from the previous with a company. Things were going well and there seemed to be some good potential for future advancement. However, for various reasons it just didn't seem "right." Long story short, one day while on a jobsite in downtown Charlotte inspecting some work I was sitting down during a slow point just kind of praying in my head about my job and life and asking God for direction...and right in the middle of that a friend I new from another company happened to be walking by so I said hello. We ended up going out to lunch and it turned out that he was very disappointed that I had taken the job with this other company because he was hoping he'd be able to hire me, and though I was pretty intent on staying I listened to his thought for why I should join him. After taking some time to speak to some of the folks within his company and to pray about it and seek some counsel I finally decided to come on board not totally sure of what i was getting myself into but sensing it was the Lord.



Now I have been with the company The Shaw Group for a month and a half and it really seems to be a great fit! The work is more interesting, it is more pay, the hours are better, the environment is nicer, and I think there are more learning and advancement opportunities. Who knows how long I'll be here or what will happen in the future but for now it seems like it is just what I needed. Two examples...it has helped me to be able to throw more time into preparing for the church plant and helped make it possible to acquire my new house. How kind of the Lord to provide!



Here is a picture of me off to our company Christmas party last week...I think at 800+ people it was the largest party of that type I've been too!

The first day of Christmas break

Today was a busy day...at least after I woke up. I had today off, so I got a chance to sleep in a little which was a big blessing! However after waking up it was off to dismantling the counter tops and then help the installers put in the new granite counter tops. I think they look great...and I'm realizing now I probably shouldn't just state it but also give you a picture. However, I'm sitting comfortably in my bed, getting ready to turn off the light...so sorry guess not this time =) After getting all that in place I went shopping for new faucet, and a bunch of plumbing supplies because the under the counter sink we had installed hung much lower and had different spacing that the old one. I got those installed tonight and at least so far there are no leaks...which is a good thing as plumbing can be finiky sometimes!


While I was out I did take a little bit to swing by Kohls and pick up a few pairs of pants/shirts and I also swung by my house. They have made some good progress since the last time I was out. It apears that all the electrical and water supply is installed and that they have been inspected, the roof has been shingled, the fireplace installed, and the windows and doors set. I do have photo's of that, so hear you go:

From the kitchen

The upstairs bonus room

Moving forward

Things have been stiring in the Detwiler household. In preperation for the move to Mooresville, we've started the process of getting our house ready for sale. Not a quick task when you've lived in the same place for 17 years. Thankfully we had recently had our roof replaced, upgraded all the windows, and painted the house so that didn't have to be taken care of. But, inside there are walls to be painted, carpets to be replaced, and things to neaten up.

Just my room, the smallest in our house (with 4 doors and a window), that functions as a music studio, office, and of course a bedroom needed lots of work. In fact after hours and hours worth of work, and multiple trips to the storage area this is what it looked like:

Thankfully it is looking better now after getting my room painted and being able to put the remaining stuff back. However, I think I will be missing my desk which I moved off to storage to create a more open look in my room for sales purposes. For now at least, my bed will be my office! :)

Next week we are having the carpets and countertops replaced...then the house will be close to ready!

The Beginning

And so it begins...after not having blogged for a while, I'm thinking about resuming for two reasons. First, there are so many things going on and changing in my life, that with all the things going on it is hard to keep up with everyone here, not to mention my relatives and friends throughout the country. My hope is that this will help keep in touch. Secondly, I find that purposefully putting my thoughts down in a blog on things the Lord has been speaking to me, or doing in my life is a very helpful process for me personally, regardless if people are reading it. Though I do hope that it is also encouraging to you as well.

Blogger seemed to be a bit more "professionally" oriented site, so assuming I like "blogger," I will do my best to periodically post some thoughts and I'd love to hear from you along the way.

For those who are interested in seeing older posts you can link to www.xanga.com/jmdetwiler