Thoughts from a cozy booth at Panera Bread...

(journalled this past Thursday evening)

I don't really even know where to begin writing this evening... I just know that thoughts are bubbling up inside me so rapidly I must write, or else I'll burst!

I sit here at Panera Bread for the second time today.
This morning, I met with Tara in a cozy booth where we shared kindred-spirit talks of life and Maiden's Quest planning for 2008. It was a delightful time!

Now, several book stores and shopping excursions later, I sit once more at a booth here, nibbling on a cheese pastry, desperate to get deeper with God and to make sense of this modernized, messed-up world in which I live. My thoughts are still swimming with all that I read today in the book stores on a myriad of topics pertaining to the issues girls face today. I remember thinking as I placed one particular book back on the shelf, "Why was I born in this generation?! Oh God! Such a wicked, wicked world this is! I feel helpless to do anything. The fleshly wickedness, immoral lust, and heartache in so many lives seems to be rampant."

But quickly on the heels of this thought came a peace from my Father and a reassurance from His Spirit that He has made no mistake. He planned for me to live in this generation and He will give me the grace to endure...yea, even to thrive as the light He intends me to be. I may only be one girl desperately longing to stem the tide of sin, go against the current of worldiness, and bring what change I can in the Name of Jesus, but I will give my Father everything I've got in this one life!

Oh - how I am burdened for all the young ladies and girls growing up right now at this time! They are having to face incredible peer pressure, blatant media displays, and temptations to sell their bodies and souls for cheap imitations of pleasure and fulfillment. My heart breaks when I think of the precious young women I have encountered through MQM or at the crisis pregnancy center who are yearning deep down and ever searching - often in the wrong areas - for true love, joy, and peace in life...the kind that can only be found in the person of Jesus Christ! He has something so much better than the "pleasures of sin for a season" that our world offers. Something beautiful! Something of true worth!

His plan is certainly not the popular way, though. There is a cost in following God - the cost of being different....set apart....yes, even holy. And that is so much of the issue, it seems. Many girls just aren't interested in His plan because it's not "cool" or the accepted norm in the world. But true happiness and fulfillment can only be found in God! I wish I could shout this to the world!

I feel encouraged and full of passion and zeal by knowing God and what He can do in and through my life! At the same time, I feel overwhelmed and discouraged by the knowledge that this world is so wicked, perverting all that my Father intended to be holy and good and beautiful. Jesus reminds me, "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world." What a comfort this assurance is.

"In Thy presence is fulness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore." ~ Psalm 16:11

- Katrina

A Maiden's Prayer

Lord, please grant me...

...the willingness of Mary of Nazareth
...the obedience of Ruth
...the devotion of Esther
...the serving spirit of Martha
...the listening ear of Mary
...the hospitality of Lydia
...the faithfulness of Lois and Eunice
...the leadership of Deborah
...the trust of Hannah
...the searching heart of the Queen of Sheba
...the boldness of Priscilla
...the humility of Abigail

~ taken from the Young Ladies Christian Fellowship site - www.ylcf.org ~

Where Are We Now?

Since the retreat schedule for MQ Ministries has come to and end for 2007 and won't be starting back up until March of 2008, you might be wondering what is keeping us otherwise engaged in the meantime.

Tara and Kelly have had a busy season of travel this fall. From Bible conferences to family camping excursions, opportunities from the Lord have kept them on the move constantly! They are arriving home today as a matter of fact from their latest destination - Hawaii - where their dad was hired to be the photographer for a wedding. When at home, they are actively involved in music ministry at church, teaching music lessons, demonstrating hospitality, and serving their family.

Katelin and I have enjoyed a slightly more relaxed pace of life at home this fall than is usual. While Katelin is busily engaged these days sewing Bible costumes for an upcoming children's' Christmas play, I continue to teach piano lessons and complete correspondence studies through Homestead College of Bible. Our family also ministers weekly at the American Chinese Fellowship, at Care Net pregnancy center, and around our own dining room table with the hosting of guests on a regular basis. :) Yes, though life is slightly more slow-paced than usual, it is always full of steady activity!

As always, the Christmas season will soon bring a flurry of busyness for both our families. From rehearsals to recitals, bonfires to caroling, we all love this special time of year and the delightful memories it brings with it!

After the holidays have settled down, I will be embarking on a trip to Ukraine for 5 weeks in January and February. My friend, Kelsie, who is a missionary in Ukraine, is due to give birth to her second daughter at that time, and I am going over to assist her in whatever way possible. We are both looking forward to seeing each other again! :)

And there you have it - the latest happenings amongst the Maiden's Quest Team. At this point, we are tentatively scheduling our first retreat for 2008 in March. However, we will keep you posted as plans are more firmly established...

Meanwhile, may the Lord richly bless each of you with a heart to know and love Him!

~ Katrina

Further Memories From Seattle...

It would take pages and pages to describe all the ways that many dear friends in Seattle demonstrated incredible hospitality and thoughtfulness to the MQ team during our stay in Washington! We enjoyed several delightful outings and wonderful memory-making with each of them. Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are a few snapshots from our days up north...

On the day of our arrival, we went ice-skating for Tara's 23rd birthday!

Here Tara is pictured with the young lady who organized the whole get-together and also baked a palm tree cake in her honor! Tara was thrilled -- to say the least! :-)

Hiking at the beautiful Snoqualmie Falls with Tara and Kelly's brother-in-law was a blast! The scenery was simply breathtaking...

Alki Beach proved a most enjoyable and scenic place of fellowship with several MQ friends!

(The blonde brigade.)

After the retreat, Katelin and Katrina had the privilege of joining long-time friends for a day-trip up beautiful Whidbey Island.

All-in-all, the Maiden's Quest Team had a wonderful time up north! =)

Behind-the-Scenes in Seattle

At the end of September, our team flew up to Seattle, Washington, to hold “A Maiden’s Quest” retreat at Trinity Baptist Church. It was a learning experience full of trials and joys, laughter and tears, and fellowship with old and new friends! Tara’s older sister, Kristen Burwell, lives in the Seattle area and served as our local hostess. She did a wonderful job! In answer to many prayers, the Lord filled every slot available at the retreat and then some, as we had over 80 mothers and daughters in attendance. It was such a blessing to meet so many fellow pilgrims on this quest for God’s best and to watch the Lord work in their lives even in just one weekend.

Until Kelly's professional retreat pictures are ready to be uploaded to our website, here are some candid "behind-the-scenes" shots graciously provided by a friend for your enjoyment.

An amazing team of ladies from the church set up and decorated for the retreat in just a few short hours! We are so grateful for their labor of love.

Katrina setting out place cards in a way she hopes will suit everyone's fancy and yet provide opportunity to get to know new friends. :-)

The Maiden's Quest Team rehearses their song for the opening of the retreat.

Getting ready for a big night (Tara, Katrina, Hostess Kristen Burwell, Katelin)...

The doors are ready to open...

Precious young women begin to arrive...

And the retreat has officially begun!

Welcome!

Welcome to the new blog site of Maiden's Quest Ministries!

Thank you for your patience with us as we continue to develop our website. Meanwhile, we are hoping this blog will be an effective tool in sharing ministry news and updates as well as further encouragment in the Lord!

All you young ladies who have attended a past retreat or are hoping to attend one in the future are so important to us! You are the reason this ministry exists, and we hope this blog will be a way we can keep in touch.

We hope to post on a regular basis, so check back often! In the meantime, may the Lord richly bless each of you with a heart to know and love Him more and more each day.