Latest Austin update

Go to my personal blog to get the scoop on what is going on here in Austin, TX. It's pretty cool!!

My baptism!

Go to my personal blog to see pictures of my baptism in the ocean of Maine! :)

God is doing something...

So, it is no surprise to me (or probably to you reading this either) that God is doing something big. He is doing something so huge in this world that it blows me away!

Many, many things are going on all over the world which I believe is proof of His movement. The "Florida Revival's" and the "Passion World Tour", just to name 2. Amazing.

And up here in Maine, I believe God is doing something too! At least, I feel it happening in my life.

As I mentioned 2 posts down, I was asked to lead worship at my grandparents church this past weekend. I have to be honest, and say that even though I was glad to do it. I wasn't necessarily looking forward to the experience. I wasn't dreading it either, I was just looking forward to it being done with. Mostly because the past 2 weeks have been crazy busy for me, and I really just needed a break. Just an hour to myself was all I needed, but hadn't had it in a long time.

So, I prepared an hour worth of material. 9 songs, plus a children's sermon that my co-worker who is a Priest, taught me.

I showed up at the church, to find out that the children had more planned than I had been told, and that I only needed to do about 20 minutes worth of music. This was a bit of a relief if I'm being honest. I mean, it is too bad that I prepared an hour worth of stuff, only to do 20 minutes. But it was just fine. I would rather be over prepared, than under prepared. It was nice to be able to prove to myself that I am capable of providing an hour worth of worship music--since I have never done this all by myself before!

So, I picked out 5 songs, plus a song to do during the offering. The church was so humid that I had to re-tune my guitar in between every song. Plus, the guitar had new strings on it, which didn't really help. But it wouldn't have mattered either way.

I got up there to my stool, and just felt so incredibly at home. Sitting there, with my guitar, microphone over my ear. I have never been so at ease before. And I haven't been nervous in a long time singing in front of a crowd, but this was new, with my guitar. I still felt completely at ease. I just started talking to congregation while I tuned my guitar. I decided to start off the service with Chris Tomlin's version of Amazing Grace. Since this church is not all that familiar with modern worship music, I figured this would be a good way to ease them in--something they know, but a modern version of it. I explained the story of how the song came about. How when Chris researched it, he found that the last verse we currently sing "When we've been there 10 thousand years" was actually added to the song 100 years after it was written, and from that moment on he knew he could add a little something to the song too. And the congregation laughed, they obviously enjoyed the fact that I knew the story behind that song, and wasn't just pushing a new song on them.

Anyway, I did the other 4 songs I chose, talked in between each one, just trying to connect with the congregation as best as I could. And they actually sang along! (I had brought words for the projector)

Afterwards, a lot of people thanked me for taking the time to be there. A few told me that they believed that God has given me a gift for leading music (which I was not expecting to hear), someone told my grandmother than I was 'charming' and 'personable' on stage (also not what I was expecting to hear, but what a compliment!), and I recieved an email from a congregant thanking me again for coming and told me that God has certainly blessed me with an ability to lead music. I just have been blown away by these people. I even sold 2 CD's (which I did not even have with me) She happened to ask me if I had any CD's, and I thought for a moment and went "Actually I do". So that paid for my gas money up and back (with the price of gas, any little bit is helpful)

So anyway, this experience has brought up a few thoughts in my mind. Where exactly is God placing me in ministry? I still don't know the answer, and just have more ideas now than ever.

My grandmother has told me before, that she believed I was missing a calling in leading worship, maybe she was right?? This weekend certainly showed me that I love doing it, much to my surprise. I mean, I have a lot to learn about how to lead worship, but I would think that a willing heart, and sensitive spirit is all you need to begin.

I love the idea of helping churches, who need the help to move into more modern worship. Churches who need younger people to get involved, and therefore need to update at least some of their music. Don't get me wrong, I love hymns, and I love churches that have a balance between hymns and modern music. But so many churches are afraid of modern worship music. I could see myself going from church to church, spending a few weeks in each one. Teaching them music, and getting them comfortable with the idea of guitars and such. Paving the way for a worship team to take over. Even training a worship team. What a job that would be!

I also love the idea of traveling. Just let me travel. I would make a fantastic Road Manager (the person who books hotels, flights, buses, venues, etc) for a group or company of some sort. In fact, my brother wants to hire me for a venture he is currently working on in exaclty that role. However it is a ways off still--so in the meantime I need to continue to follow my own path.

I also feel very strongly about ministering specifically to young women (and even some older women) I have talked about that topic a lot on this blog. Specifically about femininity, and the importance of that. You can see those posts here.

So, I know God has placed these desires and visions on my heart for a purpose. And I'm sure that somehow, they'll all get blended together. I just can't see how yet. And that is okay. I will see it when He wants me to see it. In the meantime, I am just trying to walk through doors faithfully as He opens them for me.

Austin is only 3 weeks away, and I'm praying for doors to open there if they are meant to. Like the last time I went down there, I just believe that I will be placed in the exact places I am supposed to be. I can't wait to go! Yes, it is hot I am told...I keep having customers call, who happen to live in Austin. But, everything indoors is air conditioned. And I figure, visiting Texas in July, is probably like visiting Maine in February. It isn't a bad idea for me to see it at its worst!!! :)

Leading worship

So, I have a new venture upon me.


I will be leading worship at my Grandparents church in Fairfield, ALL BY MYSELF! This is a new thing for me, and I'm pretty excited about it!


Not only that, but it is Children's Sunday, which is even better since I directed the Children's Choir at my church in Massachusetts for 2 years, and led the Children's Worship. So my head is full of kids worship songs, and kid-friendly songs.


Plus, this church doesn't really know ANY of the popular worship songs. Most of them don't even know who Chris Tomlin is I'm sure. So I plan to teach them some songs too.


Then, I got an email from my Aunt the other day who also attends that church, and she informed me that not only am I leading worship when I go, but I AM the service that day. Yup, the entire service is mine...and she said I can do whatever I want. I can do kids songs, worship songs, perform some songs, preach, anything I want. And she's totaly serious. So...this should be interesting.


I plan to do some kids songs, and some worship songs. I really want to teach them all songs they can enjoy--that is my goal. To get them comfortable with modern worship songs.


I thought I would share this too. Some of my friends on Worship Frequency discovered this website which we can share our own music on! So far I only have one song up, but I'm working on more. (It'll probably take me some time to get them up though)

(if there is no 'play' button, then click on "01 Kate Libby - I Love You Lord" and the song will play)

Now playing: Kate Libby

It's coming together!

So, this ministry at church, with the 20-somethings, is coming together. Last week we had a dinner, and this week we met normally again, working with the video's that we've been working with. It is really fun to see it coming all together, especially as we get to know each other better and better.

Last night we outlined our "Ground Rules" and I think they're pretty great.

• Begin and end on time
• Confidentiality
• Call when you can't come
• Bring up issues or dissatisfaction right away
• No interrupting, or carrying on separate conversations
• Do any confrontations individually, not in front of the group
• No gossiping in prayer
• No grudges, come with a pure heart, and clean spirit towards everyone else
• start and end with prayer
• get prayer requests and foster an environment where people feel comfortable sharing

I am in charge of communications. I wasn't appointed there, but naturally fell into that position. It's a good place for me.

There are a lot of things on my heart right now regarding 'ministry' and my place in it. I'm not sure how to verbalize it all right now. But I know that God is working it out, and is placing me right where He wants me. I feel like I am right where I am supposed to be at this moment.

I am still feeling called to move to another place, Austin is still at the top of the list. The timing is uncertain, nothing is set in stone, but that desire has not gone away. But it is nice to know, that for now, right where I am in Maine, I am still being used.

I feel like this is all in preparation of the top being blown off. Do you know what I mean? Like this is a glimpse into a much larger picture which I am to be a part of. Obviously I'm not sure exactly what that is, but that is how I view this. Like, this is my training in a way.

20-Something's

So, we had our first meeting last night at church for the new 20-something's group. It got me very excited about the direction that this group is going to head.

Yes, I will likely end up being in a 'leadership' position of some sort (I've already taken on the emailing and coordinating position...lol) but I think just about everyone else who was there will be leaders too. Which is great. There were 12 of us there--and it's a good group of people, I really like them a lot. And I think we're going to have a great time together, and as I said, will likely end up being the leadership team.

There is a video series that we are watching called "ReGroup" which is put out by Willow Creek Association. It's interesting to be putting together a group based on a video...and at first I was skeptical. But once we got going, I saw the purpose of it. The video simply prompts different discussions, and the discussion time that we had was very good. I really feel like I got to know a few of these people pretty well. It was great.

So, next week we are meeting again to do session #2 of the video, the purpose of which is to help us define what we want our group to 'be' or 'do'. I'm looking forward to that, and to start to define our focus. The following week, Kim and I are hosting a dinner with this group so that they can see what we were doing with our 'social gatherings', and it will give us more opportunity to get to know each other better.

I'm really looking forward to seeing where we all fall into place as time goes on.

In my lap

God has a sense of humor, and impeccable timing.  (Would I expect anything different?)  Of course not.

I find it interesting that as I am processing through what I think about ministry, and where my place in ministry is...that one happens to fall into my lap.  And not one I was expecting.

Today after church, I attended a luncheon for the makings of a twenty-somethings group.  The church I attend is a church plant, we just celebrated our 4th anniversary.  So as a church, we are obviously still pulling together groups and that sort of thing.

So, the greatest need right now is for the post-college group.  Which I think is true for most churches.  So anyway...we're trying to build this group from the ground up.

So--its a long story, so I won't share all of the details...but it came out in the meeting (there were about 15 of us there) that one of my great skills is communication and bringing people together (thanks to my friend Kim).  And that Kim and I did a bunch of parties last year, with our age group (being ages 21-35 lol), and had already tried to get this ball rolling on a twenty-something group in that time.  Only to have summer come along, and it fizzled with busy schedules, and has never restarted.  So, Kim and I sort of got voted in to be part of the leadership team in getting this off the ground.  I completely was not prepared ahead of time for this, I didn't realize that this was what the meeting was going to be about.  I guess I didn't really think about it.  I really thought I was walking into a meeting about a group that had already been figured out by the ones holding the meeting...I didn't think that they'd turn it back on us.  But I think it is good that they did.

Anyway, my initial reaction was to feel a little unsure about getting involved with a leadership team of such a group here in Maine.  Since...I still am pretty sure that I'm moving.  Not sure when yet, but I know it is going to happen.  

So getting involved in such a large project, may not be such a good idea.  I certainly do not want to just up and leave after making a commitment to be on a leadership team.

And Kim is moving this summer--her office is moving, so we both shared this concern.  But, we talked to Larry, who is helping to spearhead this group, and explained to him that we are willing to help in any way we can, but that we wanted to be sure he knew that we may not be here for long.  Well, Kim definitely will not be...I am unsure of how long I'll be.  But he seemed fine with that.  I'm sure they are wanting any help they can get at this point.

So I'm actually looking forward to helping this group get on its feet.  I initially, as I said, was a little anxious about it, but when I really thought about it, I realized that I think I was in this meeting for a reason.  I really do think I am supposed to do this, and am now excited about it.

Kim and I talked about it, and with our experience in party/social planning (as we did it for like 8 months last year), and with my experience and ability in event planning, and people organizing...  I really think we can get this off of the ground, and train some of the other people to take over when we go.  Teach them how to do it.  And that is when I really saw my place in this.  The nice thing is that it won't be just Kim and I this time around...it'll be a larger leadership group.  My concern still though, is that even in a leadership 'group', there still has to be a 'leader'...and I'm afraid that position may fall on me.  But I guess I can't really worry about that, if I am meant to be the leader, even for a time, so be it.  I'll just put it in God's hands, and do what I believe I am meant to do.

Besides, we were definitely the oldest ones in the room (most of them were either still in college, or just out of college) - we are almost not in this age group anymore--so, I figure, that our job as the 'big sisters' are to train the next ones to take over.  I see that as my place in this anyway.

So--I'm not sure how long term this will be...but I'm excited to help this group start up.  Our first official meeting is this Tuesday night, and we'll start to figure out the leadership team a little more specifically, and who is going to do what, and....what we are going to do as a group.  Because, we just aren't sure what our purpose is, besides bringing together the post-college crowd.  Are we going to do a Bible Study?  Are we going to gather socially for dinner?  We aren't sure yet, that is part of what we have to decide.